Bday parties where no "food" is served

[Anonymous]

I am amazed how many times my child gets invited to a bday party at a mealtime (10:30 to 12:30) or (4:30 to 6:30) but no real food is served. Only cake, fruit and in one particularly egregious case, candy. At one birthday party, there was just one cheese pizza for about 10 kids who has been in a bounce house for about an hour. Nothing for the parents (it was not a drop off party).

I don't live around people who can't afford to do more, they choose not to, or maybe food is just not their priority. But to me having guests leave a party hungry is just odd.

[Anonymous]

I think it's odd that you expect a free meal. If this is an issue for you, considering you are a parent and know your child's needs, make sure child is fed before going to any parties. Problem solved

[Anonymous]

I don't have a problem with it, even at mealtime, if it is specified. I do think it is weird to have it at a mealtime and not specify "cake only" or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a problem with it, even at mealtime, if it is specified. I do think it is weird to have it at a mealtime and not specify "cake only" or whatever.

Is 10:30 really a mealtime?

We take part in activities that end at 12:30 or 6:30 and don't include a meal, to me that's the beginning of the mealtime window, so it's not a problem to eat afterwards, especially if there's a snack, like cake, to tide them over.

If you're talking about parties without cake I agree that that's a little odd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a problem with it, even at mealtime, if it is specified. I do think it is weird to have it at a mealtime and not specify "cake only" or whatever.

I think this is a good head's up for people out of courtesy if that's what the host decides. People often need to travel to the party location, e.g., most of the bounce houses are in the burbs; it's not as though you're walking down the street to the neighbor's house.

I've often been at parties where food was provided for the parents but they don't eat, even if they hang out. I agree with you OP it's better to have food available.

[Anonymous]

1. Etiquette says you should not expect free food, except the tradition of cake (and candles and Happy Birthday song) at birthday parties.

2. At children's parties, parents should not expect food for themselves.

3. If the birthday party spans lunch or dinner, the host or hostess should provide something more substantial than cake, but again, you cannot expect it.

4. Be aware that some cultures have meals at completely different times. For example, in our country, lunch starts at 1pm and dinner at 7 or 8 pm. In Spain, it's even later. Since I've been here awhile, I know American children have lunch around noon and dinner perhaps around 6. But others may not know this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am amazed how many times my child gets invited to a bday party at a mealtime (10:30 to 12:30) or (4:30 to 6:30) but no real food is served. Only cake, fruit and in one particularly egregious case, candy. At one birthday party, there was just one cheese pizza for about 10 kids who has been in a bounce house for about an hour. Nothing for the parents (it was not a drop off party).

I don't live around people who can't afford to do more, they choose not to, or maybe food is just not their priority. But to me having guests leave a party hungry is just odd.

Those are not meal times to me. Well, the beginnings of meal times, 12:30 and 6:30, but that's what the fruit is for. I do think it's strange to get one pizza for 10 kids and to not have any snacks (veggies, at least) for the adults. That said, I usually have enough to feed an army but I don't get upset if my hosts don't do the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am amazed how many times my child gets invited to a bday party at a mealtime (10:30 to 12:30) or (4:30 to 6:30) but no real food is served. Only cake, fruit and in one particularly egregious case, candy. At one birthday party, there was just one cheese pizza for about 10 kids who has been in a bounce house for about an hour. Nothing for the parents (it was not a drop off party).

I don't live around people who can't afford to do more, they choose not to, or maybe food is just not their priority. But to me having guests leave a party hungry is just odd.

Those are not meal times to me. Well, the beginnings of meal times, 12:30 and 6:30, but that's what the fruit is for. I do think it's strange to get one pizza for 10 kids and to not have any snacks (veggies, at least) for the adults. That said, I usually have enough to feed an army but I don't get upset if my hosts don't do the same.

When kids eat sweet stuff at beginnings of mealtimes, they usually don't eat lunch. Well, the cake becomes their lunch.

[Anonymous]

My ethnic group goes growing and serves several meals for every event. When I attended my first kid birthday party around here, I was so confused and embarrassed for the hosts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
1. Etiquette says you should not expect free food, except the tradition of cake (and candles and Happy Birthday song) at birthday parties.

2. At children's parties, parents should not expect food for themselves.

3. If the birthday party spans lunch or dinner, the host or hostess should provide something more substantial than cake, but again, you cannot expect it.

4. Be aware that some cultures have meals at completely different times. For example, in our country, lunch starts at 1pm and dinner at 7 or 8 pm. In Spain, it's even later. Since I've been here awhile, I know American children have lunch around noon and dinner perhaps around 6. But others may not know this.

This is so wrong. None of use should ever feel entitled to anything, but a gracious, polite host attends to all their guests. That means that you provide refreshments for everyone who attends - children and parents. It's just common courtesy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
1. Etiquette says you should not expect free food, except the tradition of cake (and candles and Happy Birthday song) at birthday parties.

2. At children's parties, parents should not expect food for themselves.

3. If the birthday party spans lunch or dinner, the host or hostess should provide something more substantial than cake, but again, you cannot expect it.

4. Be aware that some cultures have meals at completely different times. For example, in our country, lunch starts at 1pm and dinner at 7 or 8 pm. In Spain, it's even later. Since I've been here awhile, I know American children have lunch around noon and dinner perhaps around 6. But others may not know this.

This is so wrong. None of use should ever feel entitled to anything, but a gracious, polite host attends to all their guests. That means that you provide refreshments for everyone who attends - children and parents. It's just common courtesy.

It's not wrong, it's adjusting your expectations. You and I and the next guy may provide food for all our guests, but please realize not everyone does, and that IT'S FINE - there is still cake for the kids (mine don't even like cake).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
1. Etiquette says you should not expect free food, except the tradition of cake (and candles and Happy Birthday song) at birthday parties.

2. At children's parties, parents should not expect food for themselves.

3. If the birthday party spans lunch or dinner, the host or hostess should provide something more substantial than cake, but again, you cannot expect it.

4. Be aware that some cultures have meals at completely different times. For example, in our country, lunch starts at 1pm and dinner at 7 or 8 pm. In Spain, it's even later. Since I've been here awhile, I know American children have lunch around noon and dinner perhaps around 6. But others may not know this.

In every culture the guests are provided with food and drinks, regardless of the time. Only in this affluent country, I have seen lack of hospitality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am amazed how many times my child gets invited to a bday party at a mealtime (10:30 to 12:30) or (4:30 to 6:30) but no real food is served. Only cake, fruit and in one particularly egregious case, candy. At one birthday party, there was just one cheese pizza for about 10 kids who has been in a bounce house for about an hour. Nothing for the parents (it was not a drop off party).

I don't live around people who can't afford to do more, they choose not to, or maybe food is just not their priority. But to me having guests leave a party hungry is just odd.

Those are not meal times to me. Well, the beginnings of meal times, 12:30 and 6:30, but that's what the fruit is for. I do think it's strange to get one pizza for 10 kids and to not have any snacks (veggies, at least) for the adults. That said, I usually have enough to feed an army but I don't get upset if my hosts don't do the same.

How is 430-630 not mealtime?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
1. Etiquette says you should not expect free food, except the tradition of cake (and candles and Happy Birthday song) at birthday parties.

2. At children's parties, parents should not expect food for themselves.

3. If the birthday party spans lunch or dinner, the host or hostess should provide something more substantial than cake, but again, you cannot expect it.

4. Be aware that some cultures have meals at completely different times. For example, in our country, lunch starts at 1pm and dinner at 7 or 8 pm. In Spain, it's even later. Since I've been here awhile, I know American children have lunch around noon and dinner perhaps around 6. But others may not know this.

I totally agree especially with 2) Most parents look like they could skip the whole week and still be fine.

[Anonymous]

Having to stand around and make small talk during a kid's birthday party is oftentimes just not much fun for the parents. Please, liven it up a little by serving some good food for the adults.