Would you expect lunch? Birthday party 1-3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP & HIPPO. In your shoes, I would offer a light lunch, such as pizza, and expect some of the parents to eat, too. Even though your party starts technically after the main lunch hour of 12-1, you are essentially forcing people to forgo lunch to get to your party on time. Assume a half hour to travel to the party, another half hour to get self and kids ready, that's noon and lots of people are not going to be hungry for lunch prior to that. Even if guests don't expect lunch to be served, a good host would offer it. If your party started an hour later, my answer would be different.

Uh, wtf is a HIPPO?

[Anonymous]

I think it have to do with your norm for parties. When you get invited to parties what do you see , what about last year's party,are you inviting family members that consider a meal at parties the norm.

I know for my family parties can range from have children entertainment to letting kids play in backyard but all have huge spread. So I know that for my kids birthday parties food is expected regardless of entertainment or fun activities being planned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think cake and nibbles are fine. DH thinks we should order pizzas. We always have soooo much leftover!

BTW entertainers are coming at 1:30 for 45 mins.

Why are you over-ordering pizza? Are parents sticking around? If so, most parents won't eat pizza (and if they do, it's one slice) so just figure 2 slices/kid. And pizza freezes so it's not a big deal.

Do you need the pizza/lunch to help kill time? If you're just setting out snacks, kids will graze non-stop especially after the 45 min entertainment is over. Do you have a pretty good line up of structure/activities?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't expect it. Parties usually end with the food...so we aren't waiting until 2:30 to eat lunch. Snacks like fruit would be nice.

[Anonymous]

OP here. The birthday party was Sunday and we ended up serving Pizza. We now have three pizzas in the fridge leftover. Thank you everyone but please -- stop fretting.