Mimosas at Birthday Party

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Asking for thoughts!

We had a birthday party for our kindergartener recently, an "all class" affair (though she has a small class). It was a late morning party with some games/crafts and a face painter. We had snacks set out that we hoped would appeal to both kids and parents, including mimosas and a few beers in an ice bucket for the grown ups in a little station distinct from the kid stuff. I just figured if a bunch of adults had to hang out with other adults they don't know and watch kiddos for a few hours, a little Prosecco wouldn't be the worst idea. We served pizza and cake before everyone went home.

When I pointed to the snack and drink stations, I got several "oh, really?" and raised eyebrows in regard to the drinks. Not everyone, of course, but enough that I started feeling self-conscious.

This was my first time throwing an all-class party. Did I do something weird??

Just as I would not give adults "goody bags" at an adult party. I would not serve alcoholic beverages at a child's birthday party.

OP here. This is actually pretty funny because I *do* give party favors at our annual holiday parties and other parties that we throw outside of a typical dinner party. I'm just a kooky gal!

An observation: As I've said, all of this has been really interesting/helpful. The main split I see is folks who consider a kids birthday party, regardless of setting, to be solely a children's affair. If it was a drop-off party, or a party at a kids gym, etc...I would totally agree that alcohol would be inappropriate. But in my home, where I knew adults will be staying for a few hours, I took a different view given my hope was that adults would socialize and enjoy the gathering of as well. Not to simplify too much--but it's why I put out brie in addition to cheddar. (Yes, I know some kids like brie!)

Same idea with the holiday parties we throw that I mentioned above. Those are perhaps more adult centric, but I always make sure there are good kiddo activities/food/drinks.

(Again, I'm mostly just amazing I set off such a discussion!)

Haha what’s in your goody bags?

[Anonymous]

Honestly, when I go to a mid day kid's bday party, and parents have to stay, I expect a beer.

Just one. But yeah, I expect it

[Anonymous]

I would have provided more food for the parents but not sure the drama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Asking for thoughts!

We had a birthday party for our kindergartener recently, an "all class" affair (though she has a small class). It was a late morning party with some games/crafts and a face painter. We had snacks set out that we hoped would appeal to both kids and parents, including mimosas and a few beers in an ice bucket for the grown ups in a little station distinct from the kid stuff. I just figured if a bunch of adults had to hang out with other adults they don't know and watch kiddos for a few hours, a little Prosecco wouldn't be the worst idea. We served pizza and cake before everyone went home.

When I pointed to the snack and drink stations, I got several "oh, really?" and raised eyebrows in regard to the drinks. Not everyone, of course, but enough that I started feeling self-conscious.

This was my first time throwing an all-class party. Did I do something weird??

Just as I would not give adults "goody bags" at an adult party. I would not serve alcoholic beverages at a child's birthday party.

OP here. This is actually pretty funny because I *do* give party favors at our annual holiday parties and other parties that we throw outside of a typical dinner party. I'm just a kooky gal!

An observation: As I've said, all of this has been really interesting/helpful. The main split I see is folks who consider a kids birthday party, regardless of setting, to be solely a children's affair. If it was a drop-off party, or a party at a kids gym, etc...I would totally agree that alcohol would be inappropriate. But in my home, where I knew adults will be staying for a few hours, I took a different view given my hope was that adults would socialize and enjoy the gathering of as well. Not to simplify too much--but it's why I put out brie in addition to cheddar. (Yes, I know some kids like brie!)

Same idea with the holiday parties we throw that I mentioned above. Those are perhaps more adult centric, but I always make sure there are good kiddo activities/food/drinks.

(Again, I'm mostly just amazing I set off such a discussion!)

Haha what’s in your goody bags?

Last December it was mulling spices aimed at the grown ups, along with a small pre-made mix for cookies aimed at the kids! We’ve done s’more kits for Fourth of July parties, etc. I know some/most(?) folks probably won’t use them, but I think it’s fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, when I go to a mid day kid's bday party, and parents have to stay, I expect a beer.

Just one. But yeah, I expect it

Too bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Asking for thoughts!

We had a birthday party for our kindergartener recently, an "all class" affair (though she has a small class). It was a late morning party with some games/crafts and a face painter. We had snacks set out that we hoped would appeal to both kids and parents, including mimosas and a few beers in an ice bucket for the grown ups in a little station distinct from the kid stuff. I just figured if a bunch of adults had to hang out with other adults they don't know and watch kiddos for a few hours, a little Prosecco wouldn't be the worst idea. We served pizza and cake before everyone went home.

When I pointed to the snack and drink stations, I got several "oh, really?" and raised eyebrows in regard to the drinks. Not everyone, of course, but enough that I started feeling self-conscious.

This was my first time throwing an all-class party. Did I do something weird??

Just as I would not give adults "goody bags" at an adult party. I would not serve alcoholic beverages at a child's birthday party.

OP here. This is actually pretty funny because I *do* give party favors at our annual holiday parties and other parties that we throw outside of a typical dinner party. I'm just a kooky gal!

An observation: As I've said, all of this has been really interesting/helpful. The main split I see is folks who consider a kids birthday party, regardless of setting, to be solely a children's affair. If it was a drop-off party, or a party at a kids gym, etc...I would totally agree that alcohol would be inappropriate. But in my home, where I knew adults will be staying for a few hours, I took a different view given my hope was that adults would socialize and enjoy the gathering of as well. Not to simplify too much--but it's why I put out brie in addition to cheddar. (Yes, I know some kids like brie!)

Same idea with the holiday parties we throw that I mentioned above. Those are perhaps more adult centric, but I always make sure there are good kiddo activities/food/drinks.

(Again, I'm mostly just amazing I set off such a discussion!)

Haha what’s in your goody bags?

Last December it was mulling spices aimed at the grown ups, along with a small pre-made mix for cookies aimed at the kids! We’ve done s’more kits for Fourth of July parties, etc. I know some/most(?) folks probably won’t use them, but I think it’s fun.

You sound like a thoughtful host OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who were the designated drivers of these children?

I think most people can drive comfortably after a mimosa with pizza.

Anonymous wrote:It is weird and not the perception that one should want to put out at a children’s birthday party.

I guess it depends on the perceiver. My perceptions would be, nice, a chill family that likes to have a good time.

[Anonymous]

No alcohol at a children’s birthday party.

[Anonymous]

Your stock would have rose 10 points in my eyes (and I rarely drink, but I do like to entertain and would have done the same thing).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your stock would have rose 10 points in my eyes (and I rarely drink, but I do like to entertain and would have done the same thing).

Would have had opposite effect on me, it’s tawdry and inappropriate at a party for a child’s birthday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Asking for thoughts!

We had a birthday party for our kindergartener recently, an "all class" affair (though she has a small class). It was a late morning party with some games/crafts and a face painter. We had snacks set out that we hoped would appeal to both kids and parents, including mimosas and a few beers in an ice bucket for the grown ups in a little station distinct from the kid stuff. I just figured if a bunch of adults had to hang out with other adults they don't know and watch kiddos for a few hours, a little Prosecco wouldn't be the worst idea. We served pizza and cake before everyone went home.

When I pointed to the snack and drink stations, I got several "oh, really?" and raised eyebrows in regard to the drinks. Not everyone, of course, but enough that I started feeling self-conscious.

This was my first time throwing an all-class party. Did I do something weird??

I'm from CA and a few years ago I went to a toddler's second birthday arty (very upscale) and they had bartenders/servers and a bar with a signature drink for the parents. It was fun and I loved it.

[Anonymous]

I feel like this thread is only slightly less polarizing than the thread about whether it was tacky to host a kids bday party at a public park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this thread is only slightly less polarizing than the thread about whether it was tacky to host a kids bday party at a public park.

Some of the best birthday parties for kids that I've been to have been at a public park with drinks for the parents.

[Anonymous]

I’ll echo a previous poster who said they’re in NYC and that all kids parties have some kind of cocktail or wine or beer options for the parents. We truly haven’t been to a kids party without anything here. I guess people don’t drive as much here so maybe that’s a difference?

The parties we go to have a ton of food, often catered, drinks, an entertainer. The parents who judged you are the weird ones to me.

[Anonymous]

OP, I have no rule against serving alcohol at a kid’s birthday party; that’s extreme. I don’t, however, encourage day drinking, which would be my hesitation in this case. I know many disagree.

FWIW, I hosted my kindergartner’s birthday party last summer at our local pool and debated whether to serve alcohol. I opted not to, partly because I didn’t know many of the parents, but also because I didn’t want to encourage parents drinking when their kids were swimming. I did provide specific drinks for the parents (sodas, a few different kids of seltzers).