Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

Probably booking DD's bday party at a movie theater. It will be 10am-12noon. The party can only be 2 hours. The movie running time is 98 minutes. So that only leaves 20 minutes for pizza & cake. Do you think it is a big deal to do only cake?

There is a pizza place in the same shopping center, so I can invite everybody to come there for lunch with us, but that might be weird, to ask everybody to now move from one location to another.

Re: Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

I would either do breakfast or lunch yes.

Re: Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

Yes.

I believe if you host an event around standard meal hours you do have to provide the meal.

My kids' birthday party is at the same time. We are doing pizza and birthday cupcakes.

Re: Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

normally I would say yes, but being that you have only 20 min, I think you can get away with just cake. Plus I doubt any kids will come without eating breakfast, and 12 is really just the start of lunch, so no one should be starving.

Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

I would just do cake. Put it on the invite that cake and beverages will be served. If it ends at noon, people can grab lunch after. Doubt the kids will e starving since I assume you will also have popcorn at the movies as well?

Re: Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

My cousin had a party at a movie theater...they started at 10am also and had mini bagels and munchkins for when you came in...people at those then, and during the movie they had unlimited popcorn and soda, so the kids ate tons of that. They did cupcake at the end. I know the other party going on in another theater had pizza delivered during a party at the same time. I liked the bagel/donut idea though.

Re: Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

Re: Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

I think if you aren't going to serve lunch then it should be stated on the invite. Only because its served at most bday parties.

Re: Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

My niece did a birthday at a movie theater and they actually served the pizza during the movie (about an hour in), so I would definitely provide lunch.

Re: Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

Re: Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

How about bagels and muffins with flavored milk boxes and coffee. We have been to an early movie party where they served something like that. They had the food out before the movie started. As people were entering they made a plate chatted a bit and found their seat. It worked out nicely. Cake was served after the movie.

Re: Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

You should make sure to note on the invite somehow. Honestly many kids may be hungry by then.

Or say popcorn and soda with cake to follow, along those lines to give people a heads up.

Message edited 4/6/2013 11:13:06 PM.

Re: Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

i would have breakfast, they can make a plate when they first get there.
bagels, butter, cream cheese and munchkins, maybe some mini miuffins too and juice/milk boxes and a box of joe.

and then cake after the movie

Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

I think you can get away with it, but I would definitely put it in writing on the invitation.

Re: Do I have to serve lunch at a bday party?

I have been to a movie party during this time and they had tables setup in front of the screen with drinks, bags of popcorn and the host brought in mini bagels, munchkins and mini muffins. You don't have to serve pizza (lunch) and no need to write that on the invite.