To serve the cake at the party?

[Haahoooo]

I have organised a small party at home for DD's second birthday. Some people I know, and some I don't (invited a few children who DD apparently plays with a lot at nursery, plus their parents). The party will be from 2 until 5pm.

If this was in Holland (where I am from), once all the guests had arrived you'd sing happy birthday, blow out candles and then serve the birthday cake. This, together with coffee, tea, lemonade and maybe some additional little cakes or sweets, would be all that was served at the party.

But I think here it is more common to put the cake in bags for people to take home and serve something else (what? proper food?) at the party.

Would you think it is very odd if you went to a party where you were served the actual cake to eat then and there? And would you expect proper food at a party like this instead of or in addition to cake?

Thanks!

Just came in to say there is something very pleasing about the thread title, so thanks OP.

Also, yes, perfectly fine to serve the cake at the party.

Ha, I think some of this seems to be regional/generational. I live in the Netherlands and have never been to a children's party without food provided. DS actually refers to the sausage that's always served as party sausage. There's always been cake served too though. When I was a child (in the UK) cake was sometimes eaten at the party and sometimes put in the party bag, where it became squished and barely edible.

Hmm yes Soloman in the interest of full disclosure I'm talking about my childhood in Holland 25+ years ago!

I would serve few simple sandwitches like cheese, ham etc .with cucumber and carrot sticks, olives and a tomato salad. Maybe some melon especially as you will be in the garden and we are having a hot summer so a Mediterrean touch with melon slices would go well i think.

Depends where you live OP, in my area it was a bit like mn when kids were 2yr with many who 'never tried sugar/salt/junk, only rice cakes'.

Party bags were only for children old enough to remember the party, in my young day :). For tiny kids, what you suggest in your OP sounds fine to me.

party bags are a way of signifying to older children that the party is over and they need to go home now! No need for them for a 2 year old really

Do what you want, it's your party!

Personally, I love parties with other nationalities traditions :)

I think for a two year olds party though you might need to make sure you have some additional food for the little ones. In my house 2 until 5 DOES go over a meal time as nursery feed tea at about 3.45 / 4.00 and that is what all the kids are used to. So she would have had lunch at 12. A nap at 12.30 until the party started and then usually tea at four. Leaving the party at five and not getting her tea until 5.30 would leave a very hungry child.
However you know the routine of the little ones your little ones spend time with so if that isn't the case for them don't worry. I would always have a bag of snacks with me anyway and I'm sure lots of other parents would too. X

Oh. And I love it when the cake is served there and then. Squished party bag cake is manky!!

Cake, picnic blankets, wine - most excellent party plan. Definitely do not start doing sandwiches & making work for yourself.

Glad the plan seems to be ok! Will definitely make sure the little ones particularly do not get hungry!

We served cake at the party for dd's 2nd birthday, which was similar informal chat and play at home type party. Didn't start doing party bags til 3rd birthday. Don't think anyone thought it was odd.