Any parent will know that throwing a children’s birthday parting can be stressful. As if following the demands of a three year old (that have changed daily for the last three months) isn’t hard enough, you feel that underlying pressure that it’s the fellow parents you’ve got to show off for – not the tots that would quite frankly be entertained by a water pistol in the garden for four hours.
And at the centre of all this stress is The Cake. Is it in theme with the party? Did you bake it yourself? Is it Instagram ready? How much did they spend on it if not? Is there enough for every kid and parent?
This week the lovely Holly explains why this year for her sons birthday, she put the sugar paste and Thomas the Tank Engine to the side.
Holly Bell: ‘Who is the Pinterest-perfect kids birthday party REALLY for?’
"It was Lawrence’s birthday at the weekend. My third born son, my last child, turned the grand old age of two.
"We hosted a party at the house and it was frankly delightful. All the children played in harmony, the weather held out, the bouncy castle arrived early, the sausages on a stick were plentiful and not a tear was shed. Not even by me. I reckon that’s quite possibly a record. In fact, I ought to call The Guinness Book of Records.
"And even more unusually, I enjoyed it. Do you want to know why? I have forgiven myself for not creating perfection.
"I have given up on Pinterest worthy party food, themed around pirates, dinosaurs, trains or footballs. I did not try and model a Thomas the Tank Engine out of sugar paste to adorn with candles. Instead I baked a simple chocolate cake and asked Lawrence what he’d like on top. (Peanut butter in case you’re interested). And I honestly didn’t care what someone at the party might think.
"If they were internally criticising my lack of effort, well, shame on them. But you know what, I don’t think they were. These people are my tribe, they are the mums and dads who do their best and don’t apologise for buying platters of sandwiches and busting open a bag of Iced Gems. I love these people.
"The parties of my childhood were simple affairs; I recall a Smartie decorated cake, games of sleeping lions and musical statues, maybe a party bag if you were lucky with a balloon, some bubbles and a Sherbert Dib Dab.
"I’m not saying our mothers didn’t feel stressed at party time, but they certainly weren’t colour coordinating bespoke bunting to super hero shaped cake pops. And whilst I’m no sheep, the Pinterest Perfect Party is a phenomenon that’s hard to ignore. We have to ask ourselves, who is this fuss over parties actually for?
"Does a two year old care if the party bags contain personalised wooden spoons with a pirate cake mix? (Hands up, I have done this). Are they bothered if there’s an ice cream sundae bar at the party?
"Of course not. It’s for the parents. It’s just another form of one-upmanship to make mothers (and it’s my observation that it is mostly mothers who seem to carry the party stress around), whether they work for money or stay at home, feel guilty.
"No more! I don’t begrudge those mums who go to town, and hell, I’m not immune to a bit of novelty party food. But I’m not going to feel bad about my son’s parties being a little haphazard and imperfectly coordinated.
"I’ll focus on what I’m good at, which is pouring Prosecco for the parents and keeping the chocolate fingers topped up."
Why not try Holly's winning birthday recipe yourself?
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BLOG 1: Recipes From A Normal Mum: ‘Of course I find cooking stressful at times, doesn't everyone?’
BLOG 2: Recipes From A Normal Mum: ‘My perfect cakes are no reflection of home life – it’s chaos!’
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