Would you expect a meal at a 3pm pool party? OK, UPDATE :-)

[SDFgirl]

DD's 4th birthday is coming up....

We are having a pool party for her at 3pm.

DH thinks we should grill out because people will expect "real" food.

I think a 3pm party implies snacks - and cake, of course!

Will we be committing a faux pas if we don't offer a meal?

UPDATE: Okay, I'm convinced!! I definitely would NOT expect a meal at a 3pm party, so maybe it is a regional thing. Having said that - I'll just tell people that we are ordering pizza around 5pm and if they want to stay and swim, we'll have pizza available for dinner.

I don't think I will have pizza there before 5 or 5:30, that just seems too early.

 

[golfgal]

3 until when???

If the party goes past 5:00, yes, I would expect a meal.

 

[SDFgirl]

3 until when???

If the party goes past 5:00, yes, I would expect a meal.

We didn't state an end time. Don't most parties last about 2 hours? I was assuming 5-ish for an end time, but really however people want to stay at the pool is fine.

 

[MIGrandma]

Nope, at 3:00 I would not be expecting a meal. I agree with you, snacks and birthday cake/ice cream is fine.

 

[aprilgail2]

I have never been to a party no matter what time of day that did not serve a meal there and just had out snacks and cake- that would be a hugh faux pas around here. Doesn't matter what time the party is- 1pm, 7pm--they all come with some kind of meal even if you are just grilling burgers and dogs and a couple sides!

 

[lovemygoofy]

I think the 3pm time frame is tricky anymore because most parties last at least 2 hours.

I also think that anymore having a pool party also implies some kind of grill out. Unfournately I believe that also having any kind of birthday party implies that a meal will be served even if it's just somethins small like hot dogs and chips.


I can say all this as I have had to host several kinds of parties in the last 4 months and it didn't matter the time of the day people were expecting something to nibble on even when the party was labeled an ice cream party.

 

[mombrontrent]

I think that if it's a pool party some people might stick around longer then 2 hours if you haven't given an end time. People might start expecting food around 5. I think it's fine to just serve snacks and cake but I probably would have stated an end time of 5pm or written in the invite "snacks and cake". I would probably at least have some hotdogs on hand in case people decide to stay longer.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

DD's 4th birthday is coming up....

We are having a pool party for her at 3pm.

DH thinks we should grill out because people will expect "real" food.

I think a 3pm party implies snacks - and cake, of course!

Will we be committing a faux pas if we don't offer a meal?

Yes, you need to grill. 3pm implies a dinner. 1pm does not.

Unless this is just a 4yo party with no adults or family but it sounds like that is not the case, right?

However with my family food is implied no matter what time it is. Party equals food.

 

[aprilgail2]

I also think that anymore having a pool party also implies some kind of grill out. Unfournately I believe that also having any kind of birthday party implies that a meal will be served even if it's just somethins small like hot dogs and chips.


I can say all this as I have had to host several kinds of parties in the last 4 months and it didn't matter the time of the day people were expecting something to nibble on even when the party was labeled an ice cream party.

No matter what kids party we were invited to they ALWAYS included food--we went to a 9am birthday party and they had trays of bagels, danishes etc at one- another had a hot breakfast buffet of eggs, pancakes bacon etc....3pm partys had pizza, 7pm partys had pizza or hot dogs etc...can't get away with just cake at parties that I have ever been to!

 

[ilovemk76]

I would serve grilled food. Kids in pools get really hungery.

 

[anniemae]

Well, I would serve food. People will stay past 5. Especially if it is a nice day. 2 hours is not long for kids to play. I would do the snacks and cake as planned, then later, if people are still there, I would order some pizza or grill hot dogs. Some folks may leave around 5, or have other plans, but I think most will stay.

 

[Magic Mom]

DD's 4th birthday is coming up....

We are having a pool party for her at 3pm.

DH thinks we should grill out because people will expect "real" food.

I think a 3pm party implies snacks - and cake, of course!

Will we be committing a faux pas if we don't offer a meal?

If Dh is willing to grill, let him grill.

 

[Swan4Me]

No matter what kids party we were invited to they ALWAYS included food--we went to a 9am birthday party and they had trays of bagels, danishes etc at one- another had a hot breakfast buffet of eggs, pancakes bacon etc....3pm partys had pizza, 7pm partys had pizza or hot dogs etc...can't get away with just cake at parties that I have ever been to!

I had LOTS of birthday parties with only snacks and cakes all were mid afternoon-I never heard this "rule" before?

I dont eat at 5pm-so no a 3pm party does NOT mean food to me-and isnt there a rule about not eating when swimming anyway?

 

[scootch]

We just went to a party from 3-6pm and many of the adults(aunts/uncles/cousins) asked the host if they could bring anything. She said, no she was just having cake. Everyone was stunned and kept offering to bring a coverdish. I think it differs in different parts of the country. For here, it was expected. She ended up just having sloppy joes, hot dogs, potato salad and chips and that seemed to be fine for everyone. I would think a 1pm-3pm party would not need food. I did a Build-a-Bear party once and did not want to have to do food, so I just put on the invite, "cake and ice cream afterwards in the food court", figuring that way, they would know I was not having dinner for everyone as well. We also didn't start the party until 630pm.

 

[nmmom95]

Yes, you need to grill. 3pm implies a dinner. 1pm does not.

Unless this is just a 4yo party with no adults or family but it sounds like that is not the case, right?

However with my family food is implied no matter what time it is. Party equals food.

My family too!

I definitely think that you need to serve something more than snacks and cake.

 

[java]

Who is coming? If family I would say grill, her little friends - just snacks.

But did you send out invitations. If you are not planning on meal I always think it's best to put Snacks and Cake will be served so nobody is wondering. If you are wondering imagine how your guests feel?

 

[czycropper]

I've had pool parties at that time just for my kids friends and I've served heavy appetizers with lots of drinks since playing around the pool makes them super hungry.

 

[FireDancer]

Unless it is explicitly stated I never expect a meal at any party at anyone's house.

 

[AnnaS]

Is there a rule? I don't think so but every kids party - home or outside, two hours or more, regardless of what time the party was given, some kind of food was offered. Usually it is hot dogs or pizza with the usual snacks of course. I have also always offered food too.

If you did not state a time on the invitation or give a verbal time, they will definitely be hanging around anyway. I would grill hot dogs/hamburgers or just order a few pies 4:00/4:30. Cake after that.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[rodeo65]

I'm going to say serve a meal as well. I have never had a kids' party nor been to one where there was no meas served. If you don't want to get into grilling, any kids I've had around are always happy with cheese, crackers, sliced deli meat rolled up and some veggies and chips.