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

[tlbwriter]

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!

Okay, I asked this earlier and didn't get a response... if someone invites your child to a birthday party from 2-4, and you're expecting a meal, what would this meal be? Lunch? Dinner? And do you eat between 2 and 4 when you're not at a party?

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

I always include in the invite what is being served ,

such as if it's an afternoon party it would say something like : snacks, cake & fun

if it's around a meal time i would put : BBQ dinner, Pizza, etc, cake and fun !

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks. This is at our neighborhood pool, there are lifeguards there. Also the party is a mix of adults and kids but mostly adults (13 kids and 30+ adults). Most of the kids are 3, 4, or 5...and their parents are good friends of ours, I know they will stay.

How will your husband grill here? It would be quite complicated to bring food for all those people and cook it, serve it, clean up, etc, away from home and during the course of a kids pool party. We have a portable grill and do it a lot (for sports and travel), but it's not easy and requires a lot of hands to help. In this case you could still do food, but order something easy like pizza where your biggest challenge will be where to throw away the boxes, lol, or deli trays, etc. I also think that this could fall under the "impractical" category if you wanted it to, ie cake and ice cream only, but as others have mentioned, it should be clear on the invitation. Your choice. Either way, have a great party! (And let us know what you decide!)

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Okay, I asked this earlier and didn't get a response... if someone invites your child to a birthday party from 2-4, and you're expecting a meal, what would this meal be? Lunch? Dinner? And do you eat between 2 and 4 when you're not at a party?

If someone is having a party from 2-4, I don't expect a meal. That is after lunch and before dinner with a clear end time.

 

[denisem]

I still need more information!!!! Is this a weekday or weekend party?

Maybe I'm dense, but if this were a Sat/Sun party, doesn't that negate most debate over "my husband gets home from work XXX time, my kids have school/activities XXX time, so dinnertime is XXX time"?

Scenerio #1: A weekday pool party. Most likely other 4 yo pre-schoolers attending with one SAH parent. Quick & easy 2 hr. party with cake.

Scenerio #2: A weekend pool party. More likely to be attended by both parents/additional siblings with a less rigorous schedule than mentioned by others. Don't count on them leaving at 5:00.

 

[AnnaS]

Okay, I asked this earlier and didn't get a response... if someone invites your child to a birthday party from 2-4, and you're expecting a meal, what would this meal be? Lunch? Dinner? And do you eat between 2 and 4 when you're not at a party?

It really does not matter - it might be a lunch, late lunch or early dinner for some. Not everyone eats at the same time regardless of where one lives.

Regardless, to the OP, let us know what you decide and how it went. Don't stress over it and enjoy the birthday!!!!!!! (If I were not home to grill, I would have a few pies delivered).

 

[SDFgirl]

How will your husband grill here? It would be quite complicated to bring food for all those people and cook it, serve it, clean up, etc, away from home and during the course of a kids pool party. We have a portable grill and do it a lot (for sports and travel), but it's not easy and requires a lot of hands to help. In this case you could still do food, but order something easy like pizza where your biggest challenge will be where to throw away the boxes, lol, or deli trays, etc. I also think that this could fall under the "impractical" category if you wanted it to, ie cake and ice cream only, but as others have mentioned, it should be clear on the invitation. Your choice. Either way, have a great party! (And let us know what you decide!)

Thanks! Our neighborhood pool has tons of grills available for use. People grill there all the time. So, if we did grill, I guess we'd just bring all the hot dogs/burgers and accessories with us, although it does add another element of planning.

We will probably order pizzas, there's a dominos very close by. I think I'm just going to serve the cake around 4, then tell people that we're having pizza delivered around 5:00 or 5:30 if they want to stay and swim.

I realize now that I should have put this info in the invite. Rookie mistake! The party is Saturday and the invites went out weeks ago, so too late for that!

Thanks for your input!!

 

[SDFgirl]

I still need more information!!!! Is this a weekday or weekend party?

Maybe I'm dense, but if this were a Sat/Sun party, doesn't that negate most debate over "my husband gets home from work XXX time, my kids have school/activities XXX time, so dinnertime is XXX time"?

Scenerio #1: A weekday pool party. Most likely other 4 yo pre-schoolers attending with one SAH parent. Quick & easy 2 hr. party with cake.

Scenerio #2: A weekend pool party. More likely to be attended by both parents/additional siblings with a less rigorous schedule than mentioned by others. Don't count on them leaving at 5:00.

More like Scenario 2. It's a Saturday pool party at our neighborhood pool. Mostly adults, but around 13 kids from baby to 6 years old. Lots of family friends, so people will stay and socialize. There are grills available, but I think I'm just going to do pizza.

I will probably serve cake around 4, then order pizzas for people who want to stay and swim past 5. Dessert before dinner!!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I had a party for my DD once at a local tumbling gym. Party was from 2 to 3:30. First hour was organized play time and the last 30 minutes for food. I went with cake and ice cream and had chips, pretzels and drinks available as well. I was shocked at the number of people that asked "You're not having pizza?" Seriously??? It's 3 in the afternoon. I was actually rather annoyed because they acted as if I committed the faux pas of the century.

I think your plan sounds fine.

 

[Art 1]

We would serve food. Pizza or something.

 

[Art 1]

Just re read your OP. For 4 yr olds parents will be staying. I would want to have food and drinks for them as well.

 

[tlbwriter]

If someone is having a party from 2-4, I don't expect a meal. That is after lunch and before dinner with a clear end time.

Yes, I feel the same way, but there are people who said they expect a meal at a party, no matter what time it's held, so I was wondering about them.

What I don't understand is, if you don't normally eat a meal between 1 and 3, or 2 and 4, or 3 and 5, how did it come to be that you expect a party held at that time to include a meal?

 

[mjkacmom]

I had a party for my DD once at a local tumbling gym. Party was from 2 to 3:30. First hour was organized play time and the last 30 minutes for food. I went with cake and ice cream and had chips, pretzels and drinks available as well. I was shocked at the number of people that asked "You're not having pizza?" Seriously??? It's 3 in the afternoon. I was actually rather annoyed because they acted as if I committed the faux pas of the century.

I think your plan sounds fine.

You say you are a Jersey girl. How long have you lived here? Of course there is pizza, regarless of the time.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I will probably serve cake around 4, then order pizzas for people who want to stay and swim past 5. Dessert before dinner!!

Nothing wrong with that!!

I think you have a good plan. People who want to leave and have their own dinner, or have other plans in the evening can still have cake and leave when they want. People who want to swim longer will have more substantial food available. I think that's exactly what I would do in this situation.

 

[nmmom95]

I had a party for my DD once at a local tumbling gym. Party was from 2 to 3:30. First hour was organized play time and the last 30 minutes for food. I went with cake and ice cream and had chips, pretzels and drinks available as well. I was shocked at the number of people that asked "You're not having pizza?" Seriously??? It's 3 in the afternoon. I was actually rather annoyed because they acted as if I committed the faux pas of the century.

I think your plan sounds fine.

Even when I've had parties out, or been to them with my kids, there is usually pizza for the kids and a hoagie tray for the adults.

 

[scrapquitler]

I still need more information!!!! Is this a weekday or weekend party?

Maybe I'm dense, but if this were a Sat/Sun party, doesn't that negate most debate over "my husband gets home from work XXX time, my kids have school/activities XXX time, so dinnertime is XXX time"?

Scenerio #1: A weekday pool party. Most likely other 4 yo pre-schoolers attending with one SAH parent. Quick & easy 2 hr. party with cake.

Scenerio #2: A weekend pool party. More likely to be attended by both parents/additional siblings with a less rigorous schedule than mentioned by others. Don't count on them leaving at 5:00.

Exactly. Any weekend party around here involves food beyond cake and ice cream REGARDLESS of the time.