How do you do birthdays in the UK?

ahhh thank you Britwife you said the magic words:

g o o e y  c h o c o l a t e!  

Yum is so very right.  I'll look for those.

Well, haven't seen any kids' parties yet, but as for adult ones they're exactly the same as the US, in my experience.  You can even get yummy store bought cakes (with the inches thick frosting) from ASDA and the like.  

And yup, judging from all the gooey chocolate cakes my b/f Russ had...chocolate is *so* where it's at.  

~Christa

lol Christa then I can't wait to sample one myself.  My birthday will be a few weeks after I get married so I wanted to prepare.  Even if I have to get the cake myself.  I know this is a little issue.  But I like my cake!  

I do not like those jam layered cakes that my son always comes home from parties with.  (they rarely eat cake during party- they send kids home with a piece!)

For my son's party this summer I bought a ready made cake at Safeway for about 5 pounds.  It was choc with choc icing.  When I bought it I thought- well this may stink- but its just for kids who cares!
It was delicious!!!!!!!
I recommend it- no baking no mess- and a delicious cake!!  We bought tubes of decorative icing and even added our own happy birthday decorations to cheat and give it a "home made" feel- yum!!!