late afternoon b'day party ~ do I need to serve dinner?

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

The kids will survive w/o pizza. You'll be fine.

I have notice more and more parties are being held on "off hours" i.e.
10:30-12:30 3:00-5:00 etc. Honestly, the kids would rather play then to tkae time out for a slice of pizza.

 

[CJBaby]

My dd's birthday will be from 2-4 at a party place with only the last half hour in a party room to do food and cake. Even with only a half an hour, we ordered the package that comes with pizzas for the kids and are adding on wraps and tenders for the adults. I do agree with the poster that said party=food.

It's obviously up to you, but it seems that your dd and dh would be more comfortable if there was pizza (and I think you would be too,) so why not just order some?

 

[KirstenB]

My .02...if I'm questioning my decision, I try to err on the generous side. Only a complete ingrate would complain IF you gave their child pizza or hotdog, but rather, most parents would probably be grateful if you fed their kids. To me, cake and ice cream flies for a 1-3 party or a 2-4, but any other time, I feed the kids either lunch or dinner.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

I would provide a meal at that hour. But I always provide a meal with a party as it is the norm here.

 

[famofsix]

first ~ I never said I thought it was a good idea to stuff kids with cake, ice cream and candy one hour before dinner. If you read further I said perhaps I could serve cake/ice cream earlier in the party so they won't have eaten right before the go home for dinner. I never said I was serving candy.

second ~ I also said that while our dinner time is after 6:00 I do realize that for some people it is earlier hence the reason for this thread

third ~ I never said I had a problem serving food. I had said that I thought pizza and cake/ice cream could take up a lot of time when we only have 2 hours. I thought the fruit suggestion was good.....fruit is a "non-filling, high sugar offering"? Pizza or hot dogs are a heathier choice?

My opinion is it is your party so do what you want. It seems your main purpose is for the kids to have the most time doing the activities so go for it.

In saying that, I would do the cake and ice-cream first thing and then let the kids loose for fun. I would provide extra drinks though. Many families eat a Sunday dinner so some kids won't want any dinner and many families eat after the 5:45 anyway. I second the opinions of the people who say to specify that it is cake and ice-cream on the invite and for those who eat at that hour they can reheat their kids food when they get home.

Oh I forgot to say that most parties we have the kids hardly eat anything anyway because they want to play with their friends.

 

[pearlieq]

1. So, you still think it is a good idea to stuff kids with cake and ice cream and candy one hour before supper?????

2. Many eat dinner at 5:00 - 5:30 YOUR dinner hour is not what you need to go by, it is just common guidelines... To most, 4:00 - 6:00 is considered family mealtime.

I still have to wonder why you are having such a problem with offering some type of food????

For heaven's sake--she didn't insult your mama!

People have different schedules and styles. One is not "correct" or better than the other, nor is it any kind of moral failing to have a different idea. Sheesh! Who would have thought someone would get that worked up over this?

A piece of birthday cake and a scoop of ice cream (which most of them won't even finish) hardly counts as "stuffing kids" with sugar. The kids won't die if they have dessert first one night.

Secondly, 4:00pm to 6:00pm is the dinner hour -- at my grandma's retirement home! Many families are just sitting down to dinner at 6:00 or even later. Not better or worse--just different. Your comment to the OP that "YOUR dinner hour is not what you need to go by" could just as easily be directed to you.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the OP's plan. I wouldn't expect dinner at party thrown at that hour, and even if I did why would it be a big deal if there wasn't??? I kind of feel bad for parents throwing parties--you can't do anything without SOMEONE picking at you and finding fault.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Food is always served at kids parties (or any parties for that matter) where I live. This goes for even 2 hour parties. I would get a few pizzas.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I suggest sandwich trays, chips and potato salad. Some people like to eat dinner early. I know I do.

 

[hlbtimes2]

If I were holding a party at the 5:00 dinner hour, then I would feel that food would/should be served.

Yep, I was going to say that too. The party gets out at 5:45. That is past dinner time for some and right at dinner time for others. If the parents are either with them at the party or picking them up at that time they are not going to be cooking dinner. That means, they pick up at 5:45, probably dont get home until 6 or 6:15, then have to cook. Dinner is not going to be until 7 at the earliest. By then the kids will all be crashing and cranking coming off the sugar rush and party hype. If the party was an hour earlier I would say no food.

 

[kendall]

I would specify cake and ice cream on the invitation. At that hour I would expect a slice of pizza or a hot dog was being served and not feed my kids beforehand.

Agreed - specify "cake and ice cream will be served" on the invitation.

As dinner hours vary from household to household, this will allow the families to plan appropriately. In our house we usually eat at 6 pm, so this is close to our dinner time. If I knew from the invite that only cake and ice cream were being served, I'd be fine with that and glad to know.

 

[kinntj]

I would just serve the ice cream and cake at the beginning and maybe have two sides of snacks that they can eat if they are still hungry.

Dinner for most fall between 5 and 6, but we eat between 6 and 7. I would put cake and ice cream only on the invites like you did and the parents will have to feed them before or after.

No big deal. The kids will want the activities more anyway.

 

[LisaR]

Secondly, 4:00pm to 6:00pm is the dinner hour -- at my grandma's retirement home!

That is exactly what I was thinking! Who eats dinner at 4pm anymore? And on a Saturday?

Really, it is a 2 hour kid's b'day party. I promise there won't be a single child that dies because they ate cake and ice cream before their dinner. I am a health food nut and despise all the junk food served at parties but I think some of you on this post are being ridiculous. It is two hours out of their lives. They will be fine no matter what is served.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Secondly, 4:00pm to 6:00pm is the dinner hour -- at my grandma's retirement home! Many families are just sitting down to dinner at 6:00 or even later.

I was thinking the same thing! Maybe it varies in different regions, but we don't know anyone who eats dinner before 6:00, and for many it's not before 7:00.

As long as the invitation mentions that only cake and ice cream will be served, that gives the invitees the info they need to plan their dinner accordingly.

I also like the idea of serving the cake and ice cream early in the party, so the kids will have two hours to get hungry again before going home for dinner.

 

[cepmom]

Secondly, 4:00pm to 6:00pm is the dinner hour -- at my grandma's retirement home!

I actually lol at this!! I'm not sure I know anyone that eats at 4:00....heck ~ my kids don't get out of school until 3:15 so most days we're not even in the house getting shoes off until at least 3:30! I couldn't imagine having dinner that early!

-I kind of feel bad for parents throwing parties--you can't do anything without SOMEONE picking at you and finding fault

I was going to say the same thing...this is the reason I despise throwing birthday parties!

I just talked to a friend that has had the same party for her own kids and gone to countless others....she has done food at her kids' parties and assures me it's a waste. The kids are more interested in playing games and don't want to take the time to stop and sit down to eat.

I think I'll stick with my original plan of cake and ice cream (or ice cream cake ~ wish DD would make her mind up about that ) supplemented with a couple of party snacks and plenty of water/drinks ~but serve cake first....that way when they are done with cake, they are free to run around and play games until the party is over. By then they should be ready for dinner....at home.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[famofsix]

I seriously don't think you should worry about when people eat dinner. A birthday party isn't an entitlement to a meal.

The parents who eat during that time can save food from their dinner...they have two hours to figure out what to do while their child is at a party.

Of course, I would be the parent who picks up my kid and would ask if he or she ate dinner if I did not know ahead of time. If they did not, I would think it was no big deal and have something for my child when we get home. I would not be mad or insulted at the hosts.

Most of the time, I see parents throwing away plates of food at birthday parties because all the kids really want is cake and playing.

OP, did you already send out invites and how old is your child?

A good compromise is the fruit idea and salty snacks that could be set out like a help yourself thing.

 

[famofsix]

I think I'll stick with my original plan of cake and ice cream (or ice cream cake ~ wish DD would make her mind up about that ) supplemented with a couple of party snacks and plenty of water/drinks ~but serve cake first....that way when they are done with cake, they are free to run around and play games until the party is over. By then they should be ready for dinner....at home.

Thanks for all the replies.

That's what you get here on the DIS a nice mix of replies. This is not a right and wrong thing IMO it is a do what YOU want kind of thing.

Now if you come back and say some mom picked up her hungry kid and flamed you then DON'T TELL US...

 

[Pigeon]

Well, I have to be dissenting voice here.

If I were holding a party at the 5:00 dinner hour, then I would feel that food would/should be served.

To me, not a good idea to get hungry kids all filled up, and hyped up, on sugar, cake, ice cream, etc... right before mealtime.

At mid-afternoon, after lunch, like at 2:30, then just cake is the way to go. But, at 5:00, serve some food.

I agree. I'm not usually big on serving food at kid's birthday parties, since you end up throwing most of it out. But if you are having the party at dinner time, then I think you should provide dinner

 

[cepmom]

OP, did you already send out invites and how old is your child?

She's 7. The party is this Saturday, so the invitations already went out. it was worded....

"It's Peyton's birthday! Join us for fun games and cake & ice cream to celebrate"

 

[Maleficent13]

For heaven's sake--she didn't insult your mama!

People have different schedules and styles. One is not "correct" or better than the other, nor is it any kind of moral failing to have a different idea. Sheesh! Who would have thought someone would get that worked up over this?

Best. Post. Ever.

 

[famofsix]

Given the wording of the invitation, I think you are fine. The fact that she is seven makes me think she is just going to want to play with her friends anyhow.

Have a great time!

Happy B-day Peyton!