Do you expect dinner at a 4pm birthday party?

[Anonymous]

It's for the toddler/preschooler set, from 4pm-6pm. We went to another one recently, also at 4pm, and assumed dinner would be served, but it was not. It was not a big deal, but we are new to the birthday party circuit so I am trying to gauge expectations moving forward so I can plan dinner for my family, or not.

[Anonymous]

If it ended at 4pm then no, but from 4-6pm? Yes

[Anonymous]

4-6 and preschool? Yeah there needs to be food

[Anonymous]

Yes I would assume dinner for the kids towards the end of the party. 6 is pretty much dinner time for little kids

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

I would definitely think that dinner would be served. We just had a bday party for our DD last weekend. It started at 4:00 and we did pizza at 5:00. If they didn't want to serve dinner, they should have started the party at 3:00 and ended it at 5:00.

[Anonymous]

Ideally there would be something substantial like pizza. Also, the host should specify in the invitation something like "pizza and cake will be served" or "cake will be served." I always keep some cheese sticks and peanut butter crackers in my purse to be prepared for any scenario, though.

[Anonymous]

OP here-- thanks! Neither of the invitations specify and I don't want to ask, so I'll just take some substantial snacks to be prepared. My DD is definitely ready for dinner between 5-5:30, but we can stretch her to 6 when we have to.

Peanut butter crackers is a good idea. Or would that be a no-no to take to a party b/c of peanut allergies?

[Anonymous]

Can't eat them at the party, but for in the car on the way home.

4-6pm with the small ones I would definitely assume dinner but be prepared just in case.

[Anonymous]

if you are hosting a party from 4-6 you provide dinner.

if you are hosting a party that ends before 5 you are fine having snacks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if you are hosting a party from 4-6 you provide dinner.

if you are hosting a party that ends before 5 you are fine having snacks.

Agreed

[Anonymous]

Don't bring peanut butter crackers. Email the host and ask and if not, feed before you go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ideally there would be something substantial like pizza. Also, the host should specify in the invitation something like "pizza and cake will be served" or "cake will be served." I always keep some cheese sticks and peanut butter crackers in my purse to be prepared for any scenario, though.

I had a party for my DD that started at 3:30 and ended at 5:00. I made it clear on the invite that "Cake and drinks" would be served. Ending at 5 can still be iffy, so it's best to lay it out for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't bring peanut butter crackers. Email the host and ask and if not, feed before you go.

Um she can bring peanut butter crackers in her purse if she wants

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here-- thanks! Neither of the invitations specify and I don't want to ask, so I'll just take some substantial snacks to be prepared. My DD is definitely ready for dinner between 5-5:30, but we can stretch her to 6 when we have to.

Peanut butter crackers is a good idea. Or would that be a no-no to take to a party b/c of peanut allergies?

PB crackers are okay but don't open inside the venue without checking with other parents first. You really don't need to send a child with a severe allergy to the ER to give your child a snack. If you need to bring PB crackers, just step outside to have them. We do fruit, cheese crackers, packaged salami/meat snacks or plain crackers, or a hard boiled egg all of which are good enough to get our children through the party to meal time without risking anyone nearby having an allergic reaction. We just keep an insulated lunch bag in the car with a small blue ice and can get to them quickly if there is signs of a pending meltdown.

As for your original question, my experience is that parties that both start and end between 1-5 may or may not have a meal. If it starts before 1 or ends after 5, then you can assume that there will be at least a light meal.