Baby Shower Dessert Bar....do I need to serve food too???

[clh2]

I don't think a meal needs to be served, but I do agree with some of the others who have responded...a cheese/sausage tray and some veggies/dip would definitely work!

I also agree that you would want to specify that dessert is being served, so people do not assume that lunch will be served.

 

[leagirl12]

Thank you so much for the feedback.

I have already printed the invitations and did not add that it was a dessert shower. Now I wish I had done that. But I do like the idea of doing a fruit tray and a veggie tray....maybe a cheeseball and some crackers too. And of course I don't think you can have a baby shower without a bowl of nuts...at least not here you don't.

I didn't even think about the fact that some people might not like or can have dessert.

A big THANKS to all of you!

 

[PaulaSue]

OP no it is clealy stated dessert bar and not around a
meal time

 

[mjkacmom]

I have to say I'm really shocked at some of these answers. Why on earth would a meal or real food be required for a bridal shower at 2 in the afternoon AND if it was specified on the invite that it was sweets only? I don't get it.

This is the problem with showers/birthday parties these days. Everyone thinks they need to be over the top. There IS such a thing as a cake/coffee party, and these days it's an economical way to entertain. I really, really don't get it.

Honestly, I have never attended a cake/coffee party in my 40+ years. Sure, if I'm hosting a committee meeting, that would be fine, but not a shower or party. I don't see parties today going over the top - full spreads have been the norm here forever. A shower here means a full meal, and I understand things are different in different regions (I still don't get the nut thing! ). However, I think a shower calls for more than some cookies and brownies.

 

[kimmar067]

Thank you so much for the feedback.

I have already printed the invitations and did not add that it was a dessert shower. Now I wish I had done that. But I do like the idea of doing a fruit tray and a veggie tray....maybe a cheeseball and some crackers too. And of course I don't think you can have a baby shower without a bowl of nuts...at least not here you don't.

I didn't even think about the fact that some people might not like or can have dessert.

...how about some 'pigs-in-blankets', but use food coloring to dye some of the dough blue and some of it pink??

 

[mjkacmom]

OP no it is clealy stated dessert bar and not around a
meal time

But the OP said that she made no mention of a dessert bar on the invitation.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Honestly, I have never attended a cake/coffee party in my 40+ years. Sure, if I'm hosting a committee meeting, that would be fine, but not a shower or party. I don't see parties today going over the top - full spreads have been the norm here forever. A shower here means a full meal, and I understand things are different in different regions (I still don't get the nut thing! ). However, I think a shower calls for more than some cookies and brownies.

I think cake-and-punch parties are a non-New Jersey phenomena. The OP is from Alabama, and from the reading the Dis, I take it they are considered normal there--and they even do them for weddings!

 

[mtemm]

I would add cheeses, nuts, and fruits, all go well with a dessert theme and would add some choices for those who don't care for sweets. don't think you need more than that unless you want to make it more meal-like.

 

[coliebird]

I don't understand why you are so upset by it. The OP asked for opinions and she got them. Where we live we never not serve food. It doesn't matter what time the party starts. You will always get a meal. It is simply what we were brought up with. If what you are used to are cake and coffee parties then that is fine too. The OP simply asked what others thought.

Here too. I think it depends on where you are from & how you were raised. I am from an Italian family in New York. We have food for everything and tons of it. Honestly, until I joined the DIS, I never heard of a church basement wedding reception with cake and punch, but I have no problem with it, to each his own. It's just not something we do here.

OP - I think you should do it how you want, but I would also add some fruit, cheese & crackers, etc. as others have suggested.

 

[leagirl12]

I think cake-and-punch parties are a non-New Jersey phenomena. The OP is from Alabama, and from the reading the Dis, I take it they are considered normal there--and they even do them for weddings!

Very interesting to see the different responses based on the region people live in. I have never been to a wedding or baby shower that was more than just finger foods, nuts, and mints.

I will say though that in planning this shower and look at different themes and such online I found several pictures of decor that showed place settings as if a meal was to be served and I found that interesting as I have never heard of that here.

This is why I love the DIS though....get to learn how everyone else does things!

 

[bas71873]

Not everyone wants to eat sweets, and some might be diabetic too so if it were me I would have a couple other choices besides just desserts.

Maybe fresh veggies and dip, or a cheese tray with crackers.

that's what I was going to say, a veggie tray, cheese tray, even a fruit tray and if u feel you HAVE to have a meet, I say go for a chick-fil-a nugget tray! YUM!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Here too. I think it depends on where you are from & how you were raised. York.I am from an Italian family in New We have food for everything and tons of it. Honestly, until I joined the DIS, I never heard of a church basement wedding reception with cake and punch, but I have no problem with it, to each his own. It's just not something we do here.

OP - I think you should do it how you want, but I would also add some fruit, cheese & crackers, etc. as others have suggested.

Me too! It would be considered a sacrilige to have no food!
While I have never attended a punch and cake anything it might take some pressure off and could be fun.

 

[locolala]

I know that when my friend throws my shower, we'll have sammiches, some kind of salad, chips and dip, and then cake. I can't do a lot of sweets so a dessert party would be no fun for me!

 

[aprilgail2]

Here in NJ, you'd get a full meal, but I think you should serve something other than sweets. There are odd people (like me) who don't like dessert. Little sandwiches, cheese and crackers, salty things!

I serve food for everything. Come to my house at 2am and I will serve you a meal. I think if you word it that it is a cake and coffee party you would be alright but I would think you should put some real food out too.

No matter what kind of party it is- shower, kids party etc..no matter what the time of it is- 11am-2pm-7pm...you ALWAYS get a meal there!! I have never been to a party where little sandwiches were served unless they were an option in the big line of other foods LOL.

This is the problem with showers/birthday parties these days. Everyone thinks they need to be over the top. There IS such a thing as a cake/coffee party, and these days it's an economical way to entertain. I really, really don't get it.

I certainly don't think providing a meal for your guests is over the top- unless you are talking a 7 course meal or something. The only place I have EVER heard of this cake/coffee party or wedding cake/mints and punch parties is on the DIS...never have attended one in real life nor do I know anyone that has!

 

[ms.yt]

No matter what kind of party it is- shower, kids party etc..no matter what the time of it is- 11am-2pm-7pm...you ALWAYS get a meal there!! I have never been to a party where little sandwiches were served unless they were an option in the big line of other foods LOL.



I certainly don't think providing a meal for your guests is over the top- unless you are talking a 7 course meal or something. The only place I have EVER heard of this cake/coffee party or wedding cake/mints and punch parties is on the DIS...never have attended one in real life nor do I know anyone that has!

Nice to meet you. Here in our neck of the woods, cake, punch, nuts and mints are not only commonly the only things served at a shower, but that's also the standard menu at many weddings.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

No matter what kind of party it is- shower, kids party etc..no matter what the time of it is- 11am-2pm-7pm...you ALWAYS get a meal there!! I have never been to a party where little sandwiches were served unless they were an option in the big line of other foods LOL.


I certainly don't think providing a meal for your guests is over the top- unless you are talking a 7 course meal or something. The only place I have EVER heard of this cake/coffee party or wedding cake/mints and punch parties is on the DIS...never have attended one in real life nor do I know anyone that has!

I had to chuckle at that because it is so true here. I buy a 6 foot hero (half Italian half American) as a side dish for all our parties. It really is insane the amount of food we make for parties. Of course, we do look foward to it.
I too hadn't realized that people really do have punch and mints for parties and that is it. I really thought that was a thing of the past down south or only in movies. It sounds nice. Not the norm here at all but I would imagine that it is just as nice if that is what you are used to.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Nice to meet you. Here in our neck of the woods, cake, punch, nuts and mints are not only commonly the only things served at a shower, but that's also the standard menu at many weddings.

I think the big difference also is that wedding receptions here tend to be 5 hours long and showers tend to be 4 hours long.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I am throwing a baby shower for a friend and will be having a dessert bar with cookies, cupcakes, and chocolate candies. My dilemma is not knowing whether or not I should also have some food type items like nuts and finger sandwiches and such.

What do you think??? The shower will be at 2:00 in the afternoon.

I would add some more to the dessert bar like a fondue with fresh fruit (so people have a little bit of an option).

Just make sure you make it clear on the invite that it will just be sweets...
"Bring you sweet tooth"

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

You could also serve something simple and easy like mini meatballs. Always a hit!

 

[OceanAnnie]

that's what I was going to say, a veggie tray, cheese tray, even a fruit tray and if u feel you HAVE to have a meet, I say go for a chick-fil-a nugget tray! YUM!

Those are all good ideas.

Wide array of answers.