Food for a 1st birthday party

[Gangle]

Any ideas? Was thinking mini sandwiches, crudites and fruit but apart from that I'm a bit clueless! Also, would it be terrible to buy a cake rather than make one?

It is a 1st don't stess, most of the food will end up on the floor rather than eaten. Just keep it simple, perhaps with a bit of slightly more sophisticated food for the grown ups.

thanks COV. Should I buy a big mat for them to all sit on to eat? Really have no inspiration at the moment!

Ours was aimed at adults with the ones able to help themselves to what they wanted - we had homemade scones, cream, strawberries and a sponge cake as the cake... Ds discovered that he really liked strawberries and cake was quite good too.

no of course it wouldn't be bad to buy a cake. Personally, I have always made them as some sort of neurotic assurance to myself that I am the kind of mother I wanted to be... sadly my children & DH tolerate my efforts barely disguising the fact that given half a chance, they'd be straight down Sainsbury's for a birthday caterpillar cake!

I think a mat would be a good idea for them to sit on, but only if you have one already. Or a picnic blanket you could shake outside. Otherwise, unless you're a super clean household, don't worry about crumbs or spillages, they can all be cleaned up! The most important thing is that your lo has fun!

For my lo's first and second birthdays I did some sarnies, pork pie & sausage rolls, mini pizzas and some bits and pieces of fruit 'artfully' arranged! & as an extra as one of my friends has a funny diet with lots of restrictions I did a tuna & rice salad.

I only made my first birthday cake this year (for her second) & had a whale of a time making it, but if you'd rather buy one then there's absoloutely nothing wrong with that IMO, I'd rather go somewhere & enjoy a party than have someone fussing over whether their efforts are appreciated