inviting people over for "just cake"

DH thinks it's rude to just invite people (meaning our parents & siblings only) for just Birthday cake & other desserts for DS birthday.

He thinks we should offer some type of food too.

Are people really going to care about this?

We don't know what time we'll have the cake though. We were originally throwing 1pm time around.

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updated question:

thanks.
Now, what do you think about a 4-5pm time? People will hopefully leave after 2 hours. That's why I'd personally like it later but I know it might mess with people's dinner time. No other young kids are invlolved, just my DS & his bedtime is normally 7:30pm

Message edited 1/10/2012 12:34:56 PM.

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"

i think as long as its made clear its just for cake...theres no problem with it. no one should assume anything.

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"

I don't see a big deal with this as long as people know there's just going to be cake.

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"

My family does this all the time. Coffee and cake to celebrate a birthday. Totally normal to me

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"

For DS's ACTUALLY bday we just do cake. We do it usually after dinner though. I wouldn't do it for a 1pm party though. we have a food lovin' family. lol. For 1pm I'd probably offer snacks and then dessert. I'd make it clear it was "light fare" as well.

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"

We have grandparents, aunts, uncles, and step cousins. That's 12 adults and 4 kids. We've decided to do "just cake". To cater or cook for every birthday, plus now, DD has parties for her friends, it's just too much to do a full dinner every time.

When I was a kid, my mom had just her parents come for dinner. We haven't narrowed it down that much yet. But with a 3rd on the way, I see it happeneing soon. Once it gets down to just grandparents, then maybe I will do dinner again.

We had cake after dinner. 6:30-7:00. So everyone could eat an early dinner before heading to our house.

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"

thanks.
Now, what do you think about a 4-5pm time? People will hopefully leave after 2 hours. That's why I'd personally like it later but I know it might mess with people's dinner time. No other young kids are invlolved, just my DS & his bedtime is normally 7:30pm

Message edited 1/10/2012 12:34:06 PM.

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"

We did this in my family growing up. This was my plan for DD's actual birthday this past saturday (her big party is this weekend). I was just having the grandparents and sibling for cake. It ended up being a real small crowd, so decided to order pizza. But I don't think it's rude not to offer food, as long as you let everyone know that it's just cake.

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"

Personally, I think it is out of the ordinary. Then again, in our family, if I had a 4pm affair, my friends and fam would never leave after 2 hours..lol. They would be here until 10 at night or later.

I usually cook, or cater a hero and trays of food or something. If you want to keep it simple,get pizzas and make a salad or something. If people come at 4-5 do they have cake, then go home and have dinner?

ETA: If it were just cake and coffee, I would invite at 7 or later

Message edited 1/10/2012 12:56:46 PM.

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"

For just cake, I'd probably invite people over after dinnertime - say 7;730pm. If you do it at 4-5pm, that will overlap into dinner and they would prob want to eat a meal before having dessert.

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"

just cake maybe 630

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"

we did :just cake" on DS's actual birthday. DH, DS and I spent the day at the zoo, and then had everyone over for cake around 7pm. (just grandparents and our unmarried siblings)
it was perfect for what i wanted. Will be doing the same thing for all his birthdays i think.

p.s. we did have a huge party (70 people) in a catering hall the next day.

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"

I think it's fine but I agree with the others that I wouldn't invite any one until 7:00. I think if you invite people at 4:00 or 5:00, that it's too close to dinner time. I would do it after dinner.

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"

I think its okay if everyone is local. But if you have family or friends that have to drive more than 15 or 20 mins distance, I think having food is the way to go.

Re: inviting people over for "just cake"