To Have Cake or Not?

Half a watermelon with birthday candles. Was my father's "birthday cake" every year. Other fruit can be used to decorate. Have fun!

I wouldn't be offended. Never been to a bday party where there wasn't cake but no I wouldn't care.. Why don't you get ice cream with different toppings and have the kids make there own ice cream..

As a parent, the best part of kids parties is the opportunity to eat cake. I think it's nice when you have people over to offer a variety of food options. Fruit is great, but cookies, brownies, or cupcakes are inexpensive and a nice treat. Not everyone enjoys fruit. You don't have to do a fancy cake, but offering a sweet of some sort is much appreciated.

Hi, M.. I think that a fruit arrangement is a marvellous idea! You can get one of those fruit flower arrangements if you want to go a little bit fancy. I personally wouldn't care what the moms of the 2-year-olds think. The part is for your little girl and her friends, not the parents. If they can't see the beauty in the creativity (and the healthier option!) then their opinion really doesn't matter. Just be light-hearted about it and promote the creativity of it. Hopefully, nobody will be crass enough to say something dumb. I think it's great! I would add starfruit, carambola, to the mix, because it's pretty and wonderfully sweet, and every little girl likes to have stars in her honor! I would love it if someone threw me a birthday party and did a fruit thing instead of a cake!

I hope everyone enjoys themselves immensely!

Peace,
Syl

M.,
This is your daughter's party nad you are the hostess. You should have the kind of party that you and your daughter want, NOT what society says you should have. The party should be about the birthday girl and nothing else. Parents need to teach their children that you go to a party to share your friends special day and let them know you care for them. NOT for what you are going to get, it doesn't matter what food is served, what good bag you get, or if there is cake or not. It's not about them it's about the birthday girl so suck it up. If oyu choose not to have cake fine that's your choice. Fruit can get expensive to purchase enough for everyone. I would suggest you have some fruit, but also some cookies . This would satisfy those who want something sweet and is inexpensive you can make them yourself or buy them either way it doesn'y cost much. You could evenmake one large cookie "cake" that would also satisfy those how want cake. I wouldn't stress over this just do what you and your daughter like. GOOD LUCK & HAVE FUN!!!!!

How about cupcakes? Buy the mix, use the the muffin liners and ice only the number of cupcakes you need. You could also let the little ones ice their own cupcake at the party and save yourself a step :o)

No cake. Put the candles on the fruit.

I vote for fruit! Fruit sounds awesome.

Heavens NO! I would never be offended, even if were an adult's birthday. Any invited guests should be grateful just to have been invited to share the special day - ok, a lot to ask of a 2 year old, but you know what I mean!

It's your party and you serve what you want! Heck, I applaude you for not serving junk! Stick birthday candles in a big hunk of watermelon - that would be fun!

You are smart!!
NO CAKE-
the biggest thing that messes up bodies is sugar- and great your daughter hasn't fallen into the trap- so now you can lead the way for sane parties, where the kids don't go home with a sugar buzz!!!
No cake,
best, k

I say it's your party and you can have what you want! If people are offended by what you are serving them they don't have to eat. The party is for your little girl, and what makes HER happy is what counts.

Go with what your daughter likes and not cater too much to the other kids - they'll have their turn. But to keep things "birthday like" why not put fruit pieces in colorful cupcake wrappers (the sturdy ones)? And maybe your daughter can blow her candle out using a slice of melon with one of those particularly tall candles, so that the flame doesn't have time to get to the melon. I think using fruit is a colorful, and healthful idea, and if you're daughter loves it - all the better. If you want you can also have apples on hand and make candy-apples at the party for take-home treats (or have them done advance). Good luck and have fun. :)

My question is, how in the world did you get your daughter not to like cake??? ;) I would not be offended at all if I were another parent and you offered fruit. In fact, I would be grateful. I have some children that are very affected by sugar and I would feel it was a blessing if someone didn't have cake at a party. We don't totally withhold sugar from our kids, but when they come home all the time with all kinds of sweets from parties they're super hyper or grouchy, and it's really draining (to me!) and then they often end up sick, especially as the cold weather hits, etc. Go for the fruit! Kids that young aren't going to say anything about it. If you want to make it exciting for them, add a dab of whipped cream on top of the fruit (or mix it in), or some sprinkles. That is as exciting for the 2-y.o. as cake (although they may not eat the fruit then... ha ha...kind of like eating the frosting off the top and leaving the cake--that ALWAYS happens). You can even sweeten the cream with stevia or something if you do want to avoid extra sugar.

Good Morning! NO as a parent I would not be offended if no cake was present. Just an ideal since cake is not a big favorite of your daughter how about a cookie cake or just a big of indiviual cookie as a gift bag ideal for the guest. I love th ideal about the fruit salad or platter!

Best of luck for your daugther birthday!

I did not read the other response so I dont know if they already said this. What about making a small plate with the fruits that they all already like cover it with a layer of cool whip and put a candle for her to blow?

Hope I helped.

I just read your first response and I just want to say I dont agree. If my children go to a party and there is no cake than there is NO CAKE! We have to teach our children that life is not ALL about them. In this case its ALL about your little girls special day. Cater to her!!!

You dont have to have cake. Run with the different idea like muffins, fruit tarts, cheese cake, fruit arrangements, etc.

I love your idea of doing something different.

People don't care about the cake they just want to sing Happy Birthday- so stick a candle in the fruit salad and everyone will love it!

What about making a fruit pizza in place of the cake? You just cook a giant sugar cookie, frost it a cream cheese icing type mixture, and top it with fruit. Super yummy! I can hunt down the recipe for you if you are interested!

I would simply buy cupcakes for the kids so you have something to put a candle in and let her blow it out while they sing Happy Birthday. Your still going the motions of the tradition but you don't have to waste a lot of cake, not to mention money on something she wont eat. Publix, or any grocery store, makes cupcake If you want you can buy themed decorations for them, but I would probably just buy the colorful cupcakes and call it good.
They even make little mini cupcakes which are a great size for this age. Hope that helps.

If it were me I would go with what we know and if she doesn't like cake you could always go with Jello if she likes that and make them into neat shape and such. It is very cost effective and easy to make. Many blessings on your party and everyday.

I would not be offended if there was no cake, however what seems to bother you is the cost of buying a cake. They are only two yrs old, but think of it this way, you are throwing a party in which I am sure they will be bringing your child gifts, the least you could do is offer fruit and cake or cupcakes. And it is alot cheaper to buy fruit and make a platter yourself, same with making cupcakes from a box.

You don't have to do cake. Neither one of my girls like cake and I don't care much for it either. For birthdays I let them pick what they wanted in place of cake. Caravel cakes are great as they really are not cake but ice cream with a few cookie crumbs in the middle. One year my youngest had clown ice cream cones. She did cupcakes for her 18 birhtday party. We have had cheesecake, pumpkin pie, cookies, and many more different desserts in place of cake over the years. Most of the kids thought it was a great surprise to have something different than cake. What ever they choose to have I would put birthday candles on them and we would sing. One year we had pizza and pumpkin pie for the birhtday. It's what fits your budget and makes your daughter happy. At two it's not hard to please a child. Personally if you are worried about not having cake do the cupcakes and have ice cream.

2 year olds aren't old enough (I don't think anyway) to expect or demand cake...it's your party, you can do whatever you want! If anything, my suggestion would be to get a 6 pack of cupcakes if you feel the 'need' to have some kid of cake for the other kids($4 at Publix or buy a box and make them yourself but with a newborn too, who has time?! :))

I am not a huge fan of little ones having refined sugar, and wish some parties would have fruit instead -my son is almost 5 and by now does 'expect' some kind of cake/cupcakes at birthday parties!

Happy birthday to your daughter!

Hi,
I disagree with another post. I think it would be perfectly acceptable to not have cake. My best friend is vegan, and always serves ONLY vegan food at her kids' parties. Why should you serve something at your child's party that she doesn't even like? People should respect your dietary choices; whether they are based on ethics or simply on personal preference. If you have not already sent out the invites and are really concerned about it you could make a little note on them letting guests know about it. Or if you have, when people call or email to rsvp you could let them know then. Happy birthday to your daughter!

For my daughter's 1st B-day we had a big Birthday cookie that you can also order at the bakery where you would order a cake. Does she like cookies?

I would not be offended at all! If u want u can make a cupcake for each child attending the party!
Good luck n happy bday to your lil one!
L.

Of course you can have whatever you choose there, but honestly fruit salad for all the guests of a party will be far more expensive than making or buying a cake or getting a big box of cupcakes ($11 at Sams Club).... I think most guests assume there will be some sort of typical bday dessert....even carrot cake, cookie cake, cupcakes, etc. Maybe just have a side of fruit to accommodate your daughter and anyone else that might not care for sweets. We had a box of cupcakes, a bowl of fruit salad and some cheese bunny crackers for our 4 yr olds pool party and everything was snacked on well! Do whatever you feel works and fits your budget, don't stress or overspend in worry.... Enjoy this special occassion!

Why not make some cupcakes, your little girl will need to blow out candles! It's about tradition and she (and you) can look back and see the pictures and smile.

Cupcakes may be a good idea to have for the other children. They are inexpensive and pretty easy to make, or even pick up in the Bakery at a grocery store.

You are right that this party should be about your daughter and most toddlers will not have alot of preconceived ideas about birthday parties. Unless of course they've been to alot recently. Cupcakes is an easy option. You could make them yourself and just offer them on the side for those that want them. And if you do a mix and buy canned frosting, it's under $3 for a dozen! If you do your own (you mentioned wanting little time in the kitchen though) it would be even cheaper. Kids that age really just want to play with each other.

What about a cookie cake? You can make it yourself with the Tollhouse rolls of cookie dough or order it at Publix. Cheap and a crowd pleaser!
I would not be offended if no cake was at a bday party I would just think it was weird.

The focus should absolutely be on what your daughter likes; it's her birthday! That said, it would be nice to have a little something sweet for some of your guests. I don't drink coffee, but if I had a dinner party I would certainly offer it because it's a tradition and it's nice to provide for your guests when you have a party. I would like to think that no one would be so rude as to comment about the food not meeting their expectations, but with kids you never know what they will say! So be lighthearted about it and perhaps think about what you might say if someone makes a comment :) Enjoy it!

well baking a box cake your self really does not take alot of time in the kitcen that is one roaute to go.
or what about a cookie cake. like a big chocolate chip cookie the size of a pizza pan.

I would not be offended whatsoever, it's your daughter's party and you do what you think she would like best. Just have an answer ready for people asking why there isn't any cake.

I second the fruit pizza made with the sugar cookie. You're still cutting slices and everyone can have the same thing, not making a big deal about who doesn't want cake. I think it's the perfect compromise.

My vote is for cake or cupcakes. Easily and cheaply made from a box mix

I wouldn't be offended at all. It is your child's day of birth that is being celebrated and it is what makes her happy that counts.
Make your own tradition of serving what she likes whether it be fruit or something else.
Even though cake is "traditional", aren't there varities of types of cake served according to what the birthday person likes ? (examples: chocolate, white, yellow, carrot, etc.)

If the party is for your 2 year old, how old are the guests? If they are fellow 2 year olds (or recently turned 3 yr olds) they probably aren't going to have any preconceived ideas about what to expect. If your concern is about adult guests, then I wouldn't worry either. It is not obligatory to have "cake". Everyone will expect some sort of sweet treat, but how you provide that sweet is up to you. Frankly, I kind of like when the hostess does something a little off the beaten path. Fresh fruit with dipping options would be fantastic! although providing enough fresh fruit and dips for a large group of people could end up a lot more expensive than just a cake.

If there will be kid guests, then they all need to be offered the same thing as the birthday girl. Kids don't like to see someone getting something they can't have. If you are concerned that the kid guests might not like the fruit and that it will be wasted and end up thrown out, then perhaps you could BAKE a cake (box mix and canned frosting are pretty cheap and easy) for the kid group and offer them a choice (fruit, like the birthday girl, or a slice of cake?). Kids like choices, and if they choose the cake, you have more fruit left for the folks who will actually EAT it....

I've seen a lot of cute ideas...cookie cake, banana pudding, cupcakes, cookies. If she doesn't like cake why bother. Do whatever makes her happy and is easy. Don't worry about the guests, they should understand

You can make mini cupcakes for the guests from a cake box. Cover with store bought icing, which you can color and decorate with a single m&m on top. Cost: less than $20

i wouldn't say 'i'd be offended' but if my kids were invited to your daughter's b-day party and there was no cake, i would have a lot of explaining to do and a quick trip to the store to get them that slice of expected- but- not- received cake.
you could either make one from the box. nothing special etc and very cheap or order a 1/4 sheet of cake which i believe is about 14 dollars. again, nothing special, but yeah. the cake is usually for the kids. i know you said your daughter doesn't like cake and would love fruit instead but you can't count on any other kid feeling the same.
:)
so i vote yes for cake.
happy birthday to your daughter.