OT: Birthday Party? Do I have to server pizza?

[mjkacmom]

It must be a regional thing - I am in NJ also - I can only think of one party that my girls went to that they didn't get fed. It is expected at birthday parties.

so OP - pony up! I like the pizza, movie, cupcakes version - that covers all the bases.

GOod luck! What movie will you be showing? Is it the theater in Ramsey or is there another theater that does this? I haven't heard of another & I am always looking for a good deal!


For the record - if anyone is curious - the theater at Ramsey runs the movies - you can invite, I believe, 50 people & it costs $250. Not bad!

Wow - great deal! We have 2 theatres (AMC and Clearview) that have parties, but the cheapest is $175 during the week, minimum of 25 kids, $8.50 a head! AMC doesn't rent out a theatre - you get a party room for an hour, and it's expensive. I did a movie party, had the 10 boys come to my house for pizza, then brought them all to the movies, and bought them kid packs. Probably cost me about $18 a head, a lot cheaper than the theatre's cost.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

OP Here...Wow! Thanks for all the replies. Sorry for some of the scuffles it caused!

So, I usually book odd times specifically to avoid a meal -- I prefer to spend money on extras - like really fun goody bag treats. They only offered the 4 - 6 time slot on the days we were available so I took without thinking about adding a meal. The invitations were already sent out, and then the pizza dinner time dilemma occurred to me.

The kids will basically be coming straight from school so they will be some what hungry (making popcorn and cake ideal).

I prefer not to have to spend more, but am able to if I have to. Personally, I think popcorn, cake and drinks is plenty of food for a 2 hour time slot for 8 year olds --- BUT since it ends right at dinner time I feel bad sending them home full of junk, but "unfed." Still, pizza, cake, and popcorn does seem like a lot to cram into a quick 2 hours.

I also hate the idea of spending money on pizza if they are going to be full from popcorn and cake anyhow...

I'm pretty sure I am going to end up ordering the pizza and shelling out the extra money....I'm more of the err on the side of caution type...and I wouldn't want to disappoint anyone. I was just curious what others thought...

And, I probably won't order too many pies since there will be popcorn and cake...

Thanks for all the feedback.

(It's a Clearview Cinema in Wayne with the $175 plus $8.50 per kid package/25 kid minimum. All the Clearviews in the area do this. We'll have the theater to ourselves.)

 

[PaulaSue]

OP having a party over meal time (11:30-1 and 4:30-6) I would serve a meal. If you want to cut costs you should move the movie time earlier or later, IMO.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

OP I hope you have a fun party! For me though- I serve food (a meal) no matter what time the party is. Personally I think when you have a party you should feed your guests. Yes, you are offering cake and popcorn but to me that is like having an adult party and only serving a bowl of chips. KWIM? As a parent I wouldn't be offended if you didn't feed the kids but if I was the host I would feed them. Have a great party!

 

[jrmasm]

So, I usually book odd times specifically to avoid a meal

I think you just answered your own question.

 

[bambootinker]

I never have parties at that time without a real meal. I'm not big on holding kids over with junk food.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I never have parties at that time without a real meal. I'm not big on holding kids over with junk food.

Actually, this is one of the reasons I said I didn't think she needed to serve pizza (and the fact that I have determined we are a late eating Dis family!). I suppose there is some protein from the cheese, but I would rather serve my kids a meal with vegetables and fruit.

OP, aren't you glad you asked? There are so many different opinions. I think you are fine either way.


Have fun!

 

[bambootinker]

Actually, this is one of the reasons I said I didn't think she needed to serve pizza (and the fact that I have determined we are a late eating Dis family!). I suppose there is some protein from the cheese, but I would rather serve my kids a meal with vegetables and fruit.

OP, aren't you glad you asked? There are so many different opinions. I think you are fine either way.


Have fun!

With a glycemic index between 33 (supreme) and 60 (tomato sauce, cheese) and a cupcake before they go at about 75, a piece of pizza is a bit of a balance. the pizza also becomes lower for those who don't eat the crust.

I'd still want something other that a cupcake at 4:00 to hold kids over until at least 6:30. Popcorn is not my favorite snack, when the chemical butter and salt are ladled on.

 

[DisneyTigers]

Since when is 4-6 dinnertime?

I've had parties from 10am-12, and no, I didn't feel obliged to feed them lunch.
I've also had parties from 3-5, and no, I didn't feel obliged to feed them dinner.

Kids got a great party and had lots of fun - that's what a birthday party is all about!!

OP, I don't care WHERE you live, do what you want to do! Talk about some peer pressure some of these parents are conforming to!! My gosh, you are giving party goers a GREAT treat of a movie and popcorn, plus giving the parents two hours to themselves.

Geez, when did people expect so much just from a birthday party invite?? When I was a kid, we took a gift and took home a prize IF we won a game; otherwise, we just went for the fun of it, and part of the fun of it was eating all the cake and ice cream!!

 

[DisneyTigers]

I never have parties at that time without a real meal. I'm not big on holding kids over with junk food.

With a glycemic index between 33 (supreme) and 60 (tomato sauce, cheese) and a cupcake before they go at about 75, a piece of pizza is a bit of a balance. the pizza also becomes lower for those who don't eat the crust.

I'd still want something other that a cupcake at 4:00 to hold kids over until at least 6:30. Popcorn is not my favorite snack, when the chemical butter and salt are ladled on.

Oh, come on, IT'S A BIRTHDAY PARTY!!

 

[nicki.momof3]

Since when is 4-6 dinnertime?

4-6 dinner time - of course it is. What would you call 4-6pm breakfast????

I realize some people eat later than others but as a party host I would feed a a meal if I was hosting a party between 4-6pm.

If cost of a party is a huge factor than have it during an off time so no meal is needed or cut your guest list to one that is more affordable.

That said this party is already filled with lots of food. I doubt a 8 year old would eat all of it. Since the party is ending at dinner time I would include on the invitation "popcorn, pop, and cake will be served". That way the parents will know no "real" meal was served and be prepared to feed them. I still would feel bad though about not offering pizza but thats just me (a traditional mom that feeds her kids dinner between 5-6pm).

 

[islangrl]

4-6 dinner time - of course it is. What would you call 4-6pm breakfast????

I I still would feel bad though about not offering pizza but thats just me (a traditional mom that feeds her kids dinner between 5-6pm).

Wow, I should just keep my mouth shut, but, alas, I am suffering from a terrible case of PMS. Are you saying that those us us who do not serve dinner between the hours of 5pm and 6pm are non-traditional? That we are somehow lesser mothers than you? Perhaps, even eccentric? Though my reasons for serving dinner later are non cultural, but rather, practical, some countries Traditionally serve dinner at the, get this, ungodly hour of 8 or even 9 pm.LOL

Since when is 4-6 dinnertime?

I've had parties from 10am-12, and no, I didn't feel obliged to feed them lunch.
I've also had parties from 3-5, and no, I didn't feel obliged to feed them dinner.

Kids got a great party and had lots of fun - that's what a birthday party is all about!!

OP, I don't care WHERE you live, do what you want to do! Talk about some peer pressure some of these parents are conforming to!! My gosh, you are giving party goers a GREAT treat of a movie and popcorn, plus giving the parents two hours to themselves.

Geez, when did people expect so much just from a birthday party invite?? When I was a kid, we took a gift and took home a prize IF we won a game; otherwise, we just went for the fun of it, and part of the fun of it was eating all the cake and ice cream!!

Pearls of wisdom, DisneyTiger, Pearls of wisdom!

 

[bambootinker]

Oh, come on, IT'S A BIRTHDAY PARTY!!

True, but I'd rather not send them home as little monsters to their parents.

 

[DisLaw]

Just wanted to add that at the many "movie theater" parties we have attended the majority did not serve real "food" as most of the party was taken up with watching the movie. There is always popcorn and then cake after the movie. Sometimes there are healthier snacks like veggies and dip but usually the kids just grab a quick snack then sit down with the popcorn and drink to watch the movie. When the movie is over, then cake is served and everyone goes home.

I can understand the OP's dilemma. Yes, at 99% of the parties we go to some sort of meal is served (pizza, chicken nuggets from McD's) But at movie parties there doesn't seem to be enough time to eat both a meal and cake. I think you would be fine with just snacks and dessert. Maybe add some other snacks that the kids could pick on during the movie like veggies or fruit along with the popcorn.

You could always just play it by ear at the party. You can order pizza pretty quickly if you want. You could also just let parents know as they drop the kids off that you are not serving dinner (in a nice way) so that they can plan on feeding their kids dinner after the party if they are still hungry.

 

[surfergirl602]

sounds like a lot of wasted food to me. I would do pizza first, cut out the soda and popcorn, and do the cupcakes after. how much of it are they really going to eat? Parties that we've done with pizza, cake, and soda, most of it goes into the trash. The kids are too busy playing/running around to eat.

 

[DisneyTigers]

Not to beat a dead horse, but 4-6 IS an "off-time" for lots and lots of people. My kids get home from school at 4, and do homework and play 'til dinnertime. I am a "traditional mom" of 4, and we eat around 6pm or so. If my daughter's dance class ends at 6pm, does that mean I expect her dance teacher to feed them? If my son goes to a playdate right after school until 6pm, and the other mom offers a snack, do I expect it to be a full-fledged meal? NO WAY!!

If one of my kids has an activity that's over at 6pm or so - one that is just a one time event like, say, a birthday party- and my other kids are STARVING about 5pm, then I feed the others and have party girl eat later.

If I go to a movie from 4-6, on my own volition, I don't plan to have dinner there. If I take my kids to a movie during that time, we eat afterwards.

I guess I don't understand why this is such a big deal, and for that matter, why I even care enough to respond to it!

 

[mjkacmom]

Not to beat a dead horse, but 4-6 IS an "off-time" for lots and lots of people. My kids get home from school at 4, and do homework and play 'til dinnertime. I am a "traditional mom" of 4, and we eat around 6pm or so. If my daughter's dance class ends at 6pm, does that mean I expect her dance teacher to feed them? If my son goes to a playdate right after school until 6pm, and the other mom offers a snack, do I expect it to be a full-fledged meal? NO WAY!!

If one of my kids has an activity that's over at 6pm or so - one that is just a one time event like, say, a birthday party- and my other kids are STARVING about 5pm, then I feed the others and have party girl eat later.

If I go to a movie from 4-6, on my own volition, I don't plan to have dinner there. If I take my kids to a movie during that time, we eat afterwards.

I guess I don't understand why this is such a big deal, and for that matter, why I even care enough to respond to it!

In this day and age, I consider dinner time to be anywhere from 4 - 8, because of the crazy activities. We don't have a certain time - I try to serve dinner when the majority of the kids are home, and that's different every day. However, I think a lot has to do with the expectations of the guests. Here in NJ (not the west coast, south, midwest, where things are probably different), pizza is served at parties - 9 am, 2 pm, 7 pm - doesn't matter - party = pizza. Pizzarias are also VERY plentiful - very easy to find a good deal. Guests will expect pizza, not because they are greedy, but because of what they are used to HERE.

 

[jellybeans0607]

N

I guess I don't understand why this is such a big deal, and for that matter, why I even care enough to respond to it!

yeah, I also had to stop responding. It just didn't make any sense. To be honest it blew my mind how much people expect from a childs bday party. Then also to suggest the mom should change the party. Craziness.

Guess i'm one of the eccentric types, lol who knew, my friends are sure to get a laugh out of that. We don't eat dinner in this house until *gasp* 6:30-7.
My children also get off the bus around 4, and then play in the neighborhood until 6. Come home, do homework and then we eat.

 

[jellybeans0607]

In this day and age, I consider dinner time to be anywhere from 4 - 8, because of the crazy activities. We don't have a certain time - I try to serve dinner when the majority of the kids are home, and that's different every day. However, I think a lot has to do with the expectations of the guests. Here in NJ (not the west coast, south, midwest, where things are probably different), pizza is served at parties - 9 am, 2 pm, 7 pm - doesn't matter - party = pizza. Pizzarias are also VERY plentiful - very easy to find a good deal. Guests will expect pizza, not because they are greedy, but because of what they are used to HERE.

yy

 

[jellybeans0607]

In this day and age, I consider dinner time to be anywhere from 4 - 8, because of the crazy activities. We don't have a certain time - I try to serve dinner when the majority of the kids are home, and that's different every day. However, I think a lot has to do with the expectations of the guests. Here in NJ (not the west coast, south, midwest, where things are probably different), pizza is served at parties - 9 am, 2 pm, 7 pm - doesn't matter - party = pizza. Pizzarias are also VERY plentiful - very easy to find a good deal. Guests will expect pizza, not because they are greedy, but because of what they are used to HERE.

I'm sorry but to say that in NJ this is the way it is, is just not right. I grew up in Burlington and i've never heard of this rule.
I still live on the east coast, in the Boston area and still i've not been informed of this.