Food for adults at birthday party

[Anonymous]

We had a ton of food at our sons party last night and it was enjoyed by parents and kids. No idea why people think it’s fine to completely ignore that parents are there and may want to eat? If parents are expected to stay they should be offered food and beverages. We had chicken tenders, a veggie plate, pizza (ordered 4, we came home with one whole pizza minus 1 slice), fruit skewers, watermelon and cake plus tons of lemonade, water and seltzer. I’d say the parents/babysitters are as much as the kids (as they were mostly standing/sitting around the food and kids were running around playing).
It cost me maybe $150 for everything, I prepped the fruit and veg just before and cooked the chicken (from Trader Joe’s). Pizzas were $70 and I’d generously estimate $80 for everything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a ton of food at our sons party last night and it was enjoyed by parents and kids. No idea why people think it’s fine to completely ignore that parents are there and may want to eat? If parents are expected to stay they should be offered food and beverages. We had chicken tenders, a veggie plate, pizza (ordered 4, we came home with one whole pizza minus 1 slice), fruit skewers, watermelon and cake plus tons of lemonade, water and seltzer. I’d say the parents/babysitters are as much as the kids (as they were mostly standing/sitting around the food and kids were running around playing).
It cost me maybe $150 for everything, I prepped the fruit and veg just before and cooked the chicken (from Trader Joe’s). Pizzas were $70 and I’d generously estimate $80 for everything else.

Forgot that there were chips, too!
And we were fine with dropping off kids (some parents did) but some stayed which was also fine. These are 7/8 year olds so not fully independent but able to hang in a group just fine. Of course we were also at a park so we didn’t shell out $$$$ for a play space but the kids had a ton of fun with the sprinklers, the play structures and playing soccer and basketball. It was so easy!

[Anonymous]

I can’t understand why 20 parents would stand around at a kid’s birthday party at an indoor play space, much less why they would think they would get dinner out of the deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t understand why 20 parents would stand around at a kid’s birthday party at an indoor play space, much less why they would think they would get dinner out of the deal.

Because they were told a parent had to stay with a child. They are now guests.

[Anonymous]

OP there is no way this was not a drop off party. OP had to stay because of traffic or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had this debate before. It's a cultural thing. WASPy people think you should skimp on food out of some bizarre sense of moral superiority of austerity, people from non-WASP cultures are horrified at lettings guests (and yes parents are gueats) be hungry.

This is the answer. OP, we are Jewish and we feed people just as Italians do. My Indian friends are also lovely when it comes to making sure guests are fed. I don’t necessarily think the hosts were being cheap. I think people have a different sense of what is appropriate, as evidenced on this thread. I think a non drop off party at dinner time absolutely should have had food for parents available. I also think there is a weird dynamic in this area where moms don’t eat the pizza or cake or pretend they don’t eat at all. When we went to kid bday parties in NYC, not only did the parents eat, but both parents came to all parties and hosts served good wine. This area is just not that way.

[Anonymous]

People with class and dignity and manners and such don’t have birthday parties at indoor play gyms. Based on the venue, there should have been no expectation that this would be a high brow event with passed hors d'oeuvres and such.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have had this debate before. It's a cultural thing. WASPy people think you should skimp on food out of some bizarre sense of moral superiority of austerity, people from non-WASP cultures are horrified at lettings guests (and yes parents are gueats) be hungry.

This is the answer. OP, we are Jewish and we feed people just as Italians do. My Indian friends are also lovely when it comes to making sure guests are fed. I don’t necessarily think the hosts were being cheap. I think people have a different sense of what is appropriate, as evidenced on this thread. I think a non drop off party at dinner time absolutely should have had food for parents available. I also think there is a weird dynamic in this area where moms don’t eat the pizza or cake or pretend they don’t eat at all. When we went to kid bday parties in NYC, not only did the parents eat, but both parents came to all parties and hosts served good wine. This area is just not that way.

+1

We’re having a birthday party for our six year old this afternoon, and will have a big sub platter, wraps for the kids, tons of fruit salad, chips, drinks, and, of course, cake. All from Wegman’s. I hope no one goes hungry—I love to host people and give them good food and drink! We’re white and not religious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For kids that young I always ask to have the pizza double cut since most kids will only eat a smaller slice anyway and you can get more out of a single pizza with less waste.

I get them square cut for the same reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t understand why 20 parents would stand around at a kid’s birthday party at an indoor play space, much less why they would think they would get dinner out of the deal.

NP but I don't like leaving my kid alone at those places. I always stay, but I don't expect to be hosted by the parents. I typically bring my kindle and hang out in the waiting area, check on my kid(s) occasionally.

[Anonymous]

OP, was this a drop off party? Though, with it being 2 hours, I can see the annoyance with dropping off and picking up if it's more than a few


I have three kids, almost 12, 6 and 3. Each of them had areas one birthday at a pay-per-kid entertainment venue. We purposely ordered extra pizzas since yes, no matter what, some parents will be in attendance, drop off or not. Always eaten so no waste. Just basic etiquette imo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, was this a drop off party? Though, with it being 2 hours, I can see the annoyance with dropping off and picking up if it's more than a few


I have three kids, almost 12, 6 and 3. Each of them had areas one birthday at a pay-per-kid entertainment venue. We purposely ordered extra pizzas since yes, no matter what, some parents will be in attendance, drop off or not. Always eaten so no waste. Just basic etiquette imo.

*More than a few minutes.

*Each had at least 1 birthday

[Anonymous]

Cheap cheap cheap. We never let guests leave hungry, parents or kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have had this debate before. It's a cultural thing. WASPy people think you should skimp on food out of some bizarre sense of moral superiority of austerity, people from non-WASP cultures are horrified at lettings guests (and yes parents are gueats) be hungry.

This is the answer. OP, we are Jewish and we feed people just as Italians do. My Indian friends are also lovely when it comes to making sure guests are fed. I don’t necessarily think the hosts were being cheap. I think people have a different sense of what is appropriate, as evidenced on this thread. I think a non drop off party at dinner time absolutely should have had food for parents available. I also think there is a weird dynamic in this area where moms don’t eat the pizza or cake or pretend they don’t eat at all. When we went to kid bday parties in NYC, not only did the parents eat, but both parents came to all parties and hosts served good wine. This area is just not that way.

I would eat at a kids’ party if the food was good, fresh, and not garbage processed stuff. But you are right, I absolutely won’t touch indoor bounce land pizza.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People with class and dignity and manners and such don’t have birthday parties at indoor play gyms. Based on the venue, there should have been no expectation that this would be a high brow event with passed hors d'oeuvres and such.

Shut it troll.