Birthday tea-ideas please!!

[sparkymummy]

My DS will be one in a few weeks and I want to have a bit of a get together for family and his baby friends to celebrate. The thing is I don't want it to become a big catering nightmare as I really don't want to spend half the day making huge buffet and the other half clearing up after it. We are thinking of having everyone around 2pm onwards but getting rid before dinnertime to minimise the need for an actual meal. Any tips/ideas for easy food for adults or babies? For the babies I sort of planned to do a finger food type buffet: breadsticks, fruit, chocolate buttons, bits of cheese etc, birthday cake of course but what else for adults to munch? All I can think of at the mo are sandwiches but they are so boring and a pain to make... what has worked for you... I am a kids birthday party virgin, need some tips from you party veterans!!!

scones with strawbs and cream - can make your own or buy - whip cream, hull strawbs and let everyone make up their own - little preparation but a good grown up treat!

If you make it the time that you ay it is perfect afternoon tea time, so birtday cake, scones and maybe one other type of cake fine imo

Like the scones and cream idea.... don't think I'd need anything savoury then?

well you could do crisps/crudites and dips if ou like - hummous, guacamole etc. very little prep and easy to munch on. could also buy olives, feta cubes etc if you like!

cheese scones!

frozen sandwiches ?

You could do mini toad in the hole, we did this for dd's last birthday t. Just whisked up the batter in the morning, cooked them in with mini sausages (good ones). Doesn't matter if they 'sit' a bit either. We used muffin tins to cook them in. The scone idea does sound good though. (Yum emoticon)

Cava or any kind of alcohol for the adults and a few crisps and olives ( not nuts these days unless you can be sure babies aren't allergic orlikely to choke). I find I drink most of it as other people are driving or more responsible parents than myself, but then it means I can relax and enjoy the occasion. Good luck xxx

I'd stick with things adults and kids might like. Quiche, pizza, mini sausages. I'm a basic sort of gal.

Have done lotsa parties. Started with crudites, and they blatantly ignored all the time and effort that went into preparing them and just ate the blasted sausage rolls!!! The most popular thing we have done is put a cup of popcorn by each plate

SORRY, just read it properly -didn't realise it was for a one year old.... Please don't give them popcorn!!

Scones and strawberries sounds like a fab idea ( - my DC have winter birthdays so no strawberries). Cheap fizz for non-drivers, tea for drivers - no need for savouries, sorted!