No birthday cake allowed at party venue, how would you handle it?

[Familygal1]

I've booked a party for my almost 7yo for him
and 13 other chn. The venue does have party packages but, to keep costs low, we used their summer deal which made the 'party' half the cost. As a result though, we're not allowed the bring our own food inside the venue which rules out a birthday cake too.

I was planning to make a pull apart cake (cupcakes) so the venue wouldn't need to cut it and they could go straight into party bags to avoid being consumed on site, but it's still a no.

What would you do in this situation? Not sing happy birthday? Sing without a cake (somehow this feels odd)? Take the cake and sing outside of the venue - which is in a larger building so 'outside' is in an open space inside the main building but not the party venue?

A wooden cake?

I’d stick the candles into something not edible, and put the cupcakes in the party bags.

What are you reading that the rest of us can’t?
Op didn’t book the birthday package because it was more expensive.

You can’t wander into a random soft play session or wherever this is and start dispensing food and lighting candles.
Most people understand this and don’t accuse the management of being dicks 🙄

Honestly, this is on you because you cheaped out from buying a party package.

I agree. Part of the joy is singing happy birthday and presenting the cake.

All these people saying to cancel - it's all arranged, a deposit will presumably have been paid, all the kids think they're coming.

I'm sure no one coming is more bothered about cake

You don’t need a cake to sing happy birthday?!!

Thanks to anyone who has taken the time to reply.

I asked the venue if I'd be able to sing with a dummy cake as some suggested and even this isn't permitted. In fact, they then sent me a message saying absolutely nothing birthday related is alllowed on the premesis!

Mean as in miserly, not mean as in nasty! Sorry I’m only 4 and on my mum’s account ;)

I understand the set up a bit more now and it’s not classed as a ‘party’ in their eyes. I was imagining a weird discounted in between offer that was somewhere in between a party package and a deal on venue entry that is booked for OP’s DC birthday.

ANYWAY OP I think wrapped up bit of cake/sweets in party bags handed out as everyone leaves, then cake and singing at home. Maybe sing happy birthday round the slushie cups before you hand them out 😁 and happy birthday! 🥳

How are they actually going to stop you? They sound ridiculous and it never ceases to amaze me that so many posters will defend this kind of terrible customer service.

Anyway, I don't think you need any sort of cake, fake or otherwise, to sing happy birthday. At the end of the activity before anyone leaves I would lead the kids in singing and end with hip hip hooray x 3. Then hand out party bags (dodging the venue staff who are trying to taser you) and goodbye.

Because if they allowed that no one would buy the birthday package…
You seem determined to be amazed at a company not wanting to give you the perks of one package while charging for a lesser one.
Their sole reason for existing is to make as much profit as possible, not to ensure your child has the best party possible for a bargain basement price.

At the end of the party, I’d do glow sticks. Give each child one and get them to wave in the air while singing. Glow stick can then go in party bag.

Yep. You can’t take the deal and then moan when there are exclusions, it’s why it’s cheap! If it doesn’t fit the bill then buy a different package. I’m sure if you had bought the party package you’d be allowed decorations up the wazoo and cake for dayssss. Upgrade your package?

I disagree though because it’s quite common for places to offer all in packages, which people buy if they don’t want the hassle, or to let people do it themselves. Possibly they don’t want to have to clear up mess when people do their own catering, but that could be included in the cost.

Lots of places offer food with tickets for events but don’t prevent you taking your own food if you just buy the ticket.

But they sell a birthday package (which is twice the cost of the one op bought).
Op specifically said so, she just wanted it cheaper and can’t understand why the half package is not the full package, cheaper.
You don’t seem to understand this either.

I’d stop asking them OP. They can’t ban you from signing happy birthday and you are fine with not bringing food. One of those times to ask forgiveness not permission

Neither do you by the sound of it, you’ve not even understood the question that she’s asked.

What have I missed?

You said she can’t understand why the half package is not the full package, cheaper. What she’s asking, and she has reconfirmed this a few times, is what she should do about singing happy birthday as she’s fully aware she can’t take a cake in and is obviously happy food isn’t included. So nothing like what you just said.

Put cupcakes in the party bags beforehand, hand out as they leave the premises and sing happy birthday in the car park

I went to a birthday party once they had a plastic blow up cake. Use that and put cake in bags? Or do singing at home with family that would be fine too.

I'd put a cup cake in the party bags and give him a birthday tea with candles and singing at home.

You didnt pay for the party package so you cant do the party stuff... honestly youre being quite unreasonable!

No they probably bill you some kind of service charge
honestly they clearly saying not to do it then don’t do it

So if you book their package with food included, you can bring your own cake from outside? Yet if you don't you can't.

Agree with PP - do the cake at home and then do some sort of ritual to sing Happy Birthday without the cake at the party and have the pre cut cake in the party bags.
Maybe get him to wear a silly hat or crown.