Late afternoon birthday party: snacks for adults?

[aristocatz]

We are having a birthday party for my daughter from 3-5pm at a gymnastics studio. The kids will be in a class and us grown ups will basically just be hanging out for an hour before cake time.

I typically do her parties in the late morning/early afternoon and serve coffee for the grown ups. Does serving coffee at 3pm seem too late in the day?
What light/easy snacks would you serve for the grown ups?

We were planning on cake, ice cream, popcorn, and water bottles for the kids.

Thanks!

 

[violina]

Coffee sounds great around 3 PM, but that's when I usually when my coworkers and I go for a coffee break. I would say that it would be great to have a decaf option, whether that's decaf tea, or herbal teas? For light snacks, pastries and cookies always seem like a good approach.

 

[low-key]

vegetable tray

 

[whatname]

Cheese and crackers. Maybe hummus and veggies or other cracker type item. I like coffee, but not everyone is a fan. I might have some seltzers or other cold drinks, even water. I like the pastry and cookie idea. Brownies. Donuts maybe.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I was thinking a veggie and dip tray, maybe a fruit platter, something easy from the store that you can just carry in, open up and throw away. I wouldn't bother with coffee at 3pm but I'd have a cooler with bottled waters and maybe iced tea or something. People will be going home to eat dinner shortly afterward. Keep it simple.

 

[aprilgail]

what does the gymnastics studio serve the kids for the party? I know it varies around the US but here no matter what the time the party would come with some kind of meal, even if it is just pizzas- I would just order extra and give that to the parents. If my child was invited to a party from 3-5 I would think they would be getting fed there and not expect to go home at 5 and feed them.

 

[mjkacmom]

what does the gymnastics studio serve the kids for the party? I know it varies around the US but here no matter what the time the party would come with some kind of meal, even if it is just pizzas- I would just order extra and give that to the parents. If my child was invited to a party from 3-5 I would think they would be getting fed there and not expect to go home at 5 and feed them.

I agree, parties mean pizza, I’d assume that after the gymnastics part there would be pizza and cake (I’ve had at least 5 gymnastics parties, my kids went to 2 studios for classes, none are gymnasts). A box of joe is always appreciated, but how old are the kids and how far is the studio? Some might just drop off.

 

[RangerPooh]

As a parent I'd just be happy to be offered anything for attending. Cookies, fruit/veggies, pizza it all works for me. If you want to keep it easy and in line with what the kids are having them perhaps more popcorn and add a fruit tray with some cookies. Lemonade/water/ice tea would work for beverages. Keep it simple and easy clean up.

 

[smiths02]

We just had a party for the kids. The party included pizza, cake, and ice cream (which I made sure to have extra of for the adults). The party place also included some 2L of soda, however, that didn't come out until the pizza did.
I had small bottles of water, chocolate milk, and juice boxes for the kids, but I wished I would have brought soda for the adults to have the entire time instead of just at the end.
I had a variety pack of chips (from Costco), watermelon (cheap and fast to slice and put on a platter), and carrots with ranch dip. The watermelon went fast!
Our party was 4-7

In any case, for a party like that, I would do either some sodas or ice tea/lemonade (works in the south), along with extra water bottles and popcorn. If you need to save money, add some watermelon. Otherwise, I might do grapes, cheese cubes, crackers. No one eats the veggie tray.

 

[sam_gordon]

I agree with the veggie tray/cheese & crackers.

But, how old are the kids? Will adults be staying?

 

[luvsJack]

Its one hour until the kids come in for cake. I would serve exactly what you are serving for parents and kids. The ONLY thing I would add would be some coffee and tea (here the tea would be sweet and iced but whatever kind ya'll serve) for the parents. If you are just set on adding something else, let it be for both kids and parents and do watermelon or a fruit tray.

I wouldn't be serving a meal either. I know the folks around here. About half would be planning to take the family out for supper after the party and wouldn't like that one kid just filled up on pizza. Ending at 5 is one of those "iffy" type times but I would say its after lunchtime starting at 3 and before supper which is normally 6.

 

[nkereina]

Does your local coffee shop (Dunkin or Tim Horton's, etc) have one of those 10 cup to-go boxes you could pick up? That's easy enough and wouldn't be a big deal if you didn't get many takers. I probably wouldn't reach for the coffee at that time, but would grab a water or maybe a soda.

As for snacks, everything previously mentioned is what I would envision. Cheese/crackers, chips/dip, chex mix, etc. When I entertain, I'll set a bowl of nuts or M&Ms on the table and everyone reaches over until they're gone usually!

 

[Ellie008]

I would not expect any food as a parent at a party at a location other than someone's house. I can only think of one or two kid parties where the parents stayed and got anything besides whatever pizza was left over. Those parties where food was offered to the parents, most declined.

3-5 at a gymnastics studio, I would expect something similar to your menu for the kids and nothing for the adults. I would expect to feed myself and my family dinner later in the evening and I would prefer not to be snacking in the afternoon.

Now if this was in someone's backyard, sure set out some snacks and see what happens.

 

[aprilgail]

I wouldn't be serving a meal either. I know the folks around here. About half would be planning to take the family out for supper after the party and wouldn't like that one kid just filled up on pizza. Ending at 5 is one of those "iffy" type times but I would say its after lunchtime starting at 3 and before supper which is normally 6.

Guess that varies widely too- since my kid always had lunch in school by 11 we would have dinner at 4- and that has always been the time and even now that she is older I still eat lunch at 11 and dinner at 4. They eat so early in school that they are hungry after school and rather than filling up on snacks it was better to do dinner early. 5 is definitely dinner time and I would not be happy with giving my kid snacks and cake at dinner time and not food.

 

[mousefan73]

We are having a birthday party for my daughter from 3-5pm at a gymnastics studio. The kids will be in a class and us grown ups will basically just be hanging out for an hour before cake time.

I typically do her parties in the late morning/early afternoon and serve coffee for the grown ups. Does serving coffee at 3pm seem too late in the day?
What light/easy snacks would you serve for the grown ups?

We were planning on cake, ice cream, popcorn, and water bottles for the kids.

Thanks!

3 PM is actually over here in Europe considered the standard coffee cake time. Even up until 5 PM go to any , Café iback during those hours And they are packed. When we celebrate adult birthdays in the family we usually make 3:30 our coffee cake birthday celebration times

 

[jrmasm]

Jello shots

 

[anniemae]

I agree with serving munching type food like cheese and crackers. I would also have some pretzels and something sweet like cookies/brownies. Some will go for the snacks some will go for sweet stuff. I would have Coffee and bottles of water. I would also probably add some cans of iced tea and lemonade.

 

[luvsJack]

Guess that varies widely too- since my kid always had lunch in school by 11 we would have dinner at 4- and that has always been the time and even now that she is older I still eat lunch at 11 and dinner at 4. They eat so early in school that they are hungry after school and rather than filling up on snacks it was better to do dinner early. 5 is definitely dinner time and I would not be happy with giving my kid snacks and cake at dinner time and not food.

But, honestly, how common is it to eat dinner at 4? Most people don't get home from work that early.

Dinner time, for pretty much everyone I know is usually 6 and for some later. People get off work at 5 or later. And like I said, most people here would be planning to take the family out to dinner after the party anyway.

The OP would need to go with the norm in her area and that may be why she chose the times she did. But I wouldn't feel that a meal is required by any means. Its just a habit we have all gotten into. I tell my grown kids all the time, the kids are still happy with cake and kool aid, its the parents that make it into this big "thing".

 

[Hikergirl]

Guess that varies widely too- since my kid always had lunch in school by 11 we would have dinner at 4- and that has always been the time and even now that she is older I still eat lunch at 11 and dinner at 4. They eat so early in school that they are hungry after school and rather than filling up on snacks it was better to do dinner early. 5 is definitely dinner time and I would not be happy with giving my kid snacks and cake at dinner time and not food.

Well I don't think the mom would be throwing a party to make sure you are happy or to make sure your child got their dinner "on time".

OP, a veggie platter and a cheese and cracker tray is good for the adults that stay. Just let them know it's for them or else they will avoid it thinking it;s for the kids.

 

[mjkacmom]

But, honestly, how common is it to eat dinner at 4? Most people don't get home from work that early.

Dinner time, for pretty much everyone I know is usually 6 and for some later. People get off work at 5 or later. And like I said, most people here would be planning to take the family out to dinner after the party anyway.

The OP would need to go with the norm in her area and that may be why she chose the times she did. But I wouldn't feel that a meal is required by any means. Its just a habit we have all gotten into. I tell my grown kids all the time, the kids are still happy with cake and kool aid, its the parents that make it into this big "thing".

It really depends, I’m in my 50’s and the birthday parties I attended as a child always had a meal. Why would the guests be planning on going out to dinner after the party?