Birthday Party Food Question

If your kids were invited to a party from 2:00-4:00, would you expect lunch to be served? Would you be upset if you picked up your child and found out the only food was cake?

If the party was from 10am-noon, what would your expectations be? Are mini bagels at the beginning and cake at the end OK?

In either scenario would you expect the invitation to specify (either cake only, or mini bagels)?

I am NOT trying to avoid providing food, but the person who is doing the party told me based on her experience, the kids don't have time for more than just cupcakes. I have a meeting to finalize arrangements tomorrow, and would like some feedback.

Birthday Party Food Question

Anytime we 've been to a birthday party, or hosted a bday party, no matter the time food and cake were provided. And it's always been a 2 her party. However, I would not be upset if I picked my kid up and food wasn't served other than cake, though. I also would not think to specify on the invitation I guess because it's never been specified anytime we've gone to a party.

Message edited 11/5/2016 4:05:53 PM.

Birthday Party Food Question

Same as pp - no matter what time the party, they always seem to serve food (mainly pizza and some snacks) in addition to cake. I wouldn't be upset if it was a 10-12 or 2-4 party and they didn't serve food.

Re: Birthday Party Food Question

I think serving just cake is fine. That's an odd time to serve a meal, since the kids would have just had meal prior to the party.
The kids only want the cake anyway!

Birthday Party Food Question

I've always been to a party with food in addition to cake. I think I would say something like "join us for fun and birthday cake". This way they know. If you do the morning one, I would do the bagels. Sometimes kids wake up early and by 11 they're ready for lunch. The afternoon one, maybe you're good without pizza, but I would let people know.

Re: Birthday Party Food Question

Any 2 hr party should include food. Would just be very weird without it and you will have a lot of hungry kids bc most parents will assume food will be served. 10-12, bagels are fine, and 2-4 pizza.

I would make sure the invite specifics if it's cake only. My DC went to a party that was 1.5 hrs and I questioned if food would be served, however, the child told my child pizza and cupcakes (Which yes, it was).

2 hrs seems so odd to not have food other than cake. Never been to such a party.

Message edited 11/6/2016 12:34:16 AM.

Re: Birthday Party Food Question

from 2-4, cake only is fine. My kids eat lunch around 12 anyway. It would be nice to include what's being served on the invitation.

Birthday Party Food Question

I think the parties should include food. The kids will be hungry after running around. I wouldn't do bagels first thing at a 10am party. At least for my DD, she would have breakfast already by the time we get to the party. I would do pizza and cake at the end.

Re: Birthday Party Food Question

Yes, there is always food besides cake. From 2 to 4 it's usually pizza and cupcakes. Earlier, maybe mini bagels, croissants, and cake or cupcakes.

Re: Birthday Party Food Question

I just went to a party at Kidville. The party was only an hour and a half, from 10:30-12, but they crammed so much in that hour and a half and didn't feel rushed at all. There was pizza, a nice salad, and cake.

I don't think you HAVE to provide food other than cake but I don't think I've ever been to a b-day party without food.

Birthday Party Food Question

I grappled with this same question a few years back when we had a 1:30-3:00 party. I ended up getting pizza to serve with the cake and the kids ate it.

Re: Birthday Party Food Question

Just specify in the invite!
I've been to all types of parties... but most include food. I prefer no food (I can easily grab a bite & hate having kids appetites killed by pizza)! The biggest surprise was what everyone thought was a small house party that turned out to be a grand buffet with all kinds of entertainment and trucks (and def required supervision).
The best thing is to know.
I've been to parties where they stated "join us for jumping/activities and cake" when no food was served.
2-4 works well with no food (just let people know)
10-12, we've always served pizza

Birthday Party Food Question

I don't think it's okay to serve no food. 10am I would do mini bagels and milk/juice.

Birthday Party Food Question

Thanks everyone for your input.