Can I just serve cake at a B'day party or do I have to serve a meal?

[Anonymous]

Is it really tacky to have a b'day party in mid-afternoon and just serve cake (rather than pizza too)? This would be at a place like Laser tag/ Bounce house, etc. They're not letting in outside food and I don't like their menu, which is what's making me think about this option. Thanks

[Anonymous]

I don't think so - maybe a tray of fruit to supplement?

[Anonymous]

2pm? It's just fine. 12 or 5, not so much - that will overlap with a meal time.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not tacky to just have cake if your party is scheduled for after lunch or before dinner. Just make sure to put on the invitation cake and punch only. I have done this many times for my young children and it worked out great sometimes I'll put out a bowl of chips and dip or something for the adults but as long as it's scheduled at the appropriate time then no worries.

[Anonymous]

Fine yes, tacky, yes. I'd get a few pizza's as some may be hungry especially if coming from activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fine yes, tacky, yes. I'd get a few pizza's as some may be hungry especially if coming from activities.

Mthis. Sorry

[Anonymous]

Order pizza and cake. Pizza and cake is not a meal. It is party food. Add some soft drinks too.

Geez!

[Anonymous]

Some of your guests will feel entitled to more than cake no matter the time. That's the tacky part.
Mid afternoon means just cake and punch is ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Order pizza and cake. Pizza and cake is not a meal. It is party food. Add some soft drinks too.

Geez!

Did you read? OP doesn't like the venue's options and they don't allow outside food.

OP let people know it's cake and punch. If their kids need more than that, parents need to take care of it.

[Anonymous]

I've been to tons of mid afternoon parties without pizza. Just have some snack (pretzels, fruit, goldfish, etc) along with the cake. It's only tacky if it is a 2 year old family type party. Once the kids are a little older this is completely fine and I have been to many like this.

[Anonymous]

The year I could barely afford the party we did bowling for 11 of her friends and I just did cake and apple juice. The party was mid-afternoon though, so not at a meal time.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I'm thinking 3:30.

[Anonymous]

If you choose not to do any other food, be sure to mention on the invite that it's cake and punch only. I'd encourage you to at least pick some kind of appetizer though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Order pizza and cake. Pizza and cake is not a meal. It is party food. Add some soft drinks too.

Geez!

Did you read? OP doesn't like the venue's options and they don't allow outside food.

OP let people know it's cake and punch. If their kids need more than that, parents need to take care of it.

The OP does not have to like the food the venue serves? What options are those? Quinoa cakes with Kale? No, it is probably cheese pizza! And I am betting that most of the patrons of that venue (aka kids) actually like that food.

OP can serve pizza and cake or she can serve cake only and tell the guests that it is a "no gifts" party.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. I'm thinking 3:30.

The problem with that is it pushes some kids into dinner time. So, you're done at 5:30. I would not want my kid eating cake at 5 PM. You need pizza. My child often eats at 4:30 or 5 weekdays (weekends are more flexible but he's starving by then) to get to later activities. I have pulled my kid early from parties as he was hungry and there was no food. Once, we left and came back as it was a longer party. You may not like the food, I may not like the food, but be decent and get a few pizza's. Juice (which we don't drink so please have water too) and cake at 5:30 is not the greatest plan. At least warn people so we'd plan our evening to stop immediately after the party to eat.