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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I cannot begin to count the number of pizzas and other party foods I have purchased for my kids' parties that went uneaten. Most kids are too amped up to care about eating and eat half of a slice and leave the rest. I have "fed" them but they are going home hungry once the adrenaline wears off. I have decided I'm going to start serving only cake. Thanks, OP.

+1

and I can't count the number of parties I have been to where the kids take two bits of pizza, a handful of goldfish to throw on their plate and never eat (same with a couple pieces of fruit), and then eat most of the cake and then run off. As a parent of a kid who is now older, please just serve cake.

Why do parents think kids are starving and need a full meal at 2:30pm in the afternoon? Snack yes, a full meal, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At 3:30 no way. Your party will be going on at 5 still and supper zone begins then. Move it earlier or feed them something more.

Parents can plan accordingly then.

It's really shocking to me that so many kids past the infant stage of life have to be fed on the dot and constantly snacking or they lose control.

It must be a Gen X parenting thing.

Me too! On the one hand there are those who think their kids will fall apart without a meal on the dot of five and then there are the others freaking out because once or twice the kid goes to a party, eats pizza, and doesn't want dinner. Good grief. No wonder having kids is not fun for most people. LIGHTEN UP!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been to and seen birthday parties at the park for kids with ton of food served. OP, you are cheap as hell and grabby.

The OP isn't having her party at a park, but at a venue that prohibits outside food. I imagine she could do a park party with lots of food cheaper than she is doing her laser tag/bounce party. She is giving the kids an experience much more exciting than a standard playground.

Moreover, it's winter. Would you really prefer to have an outdoors smorgasbord picnic in January or February? I imagine the number of invitees who declined that party would make it really cheap.

She's giving the kids an exciting adventure, a chance to play with their friends, and cake. It sounds like a great time for the kids. While kids always welcome sugar, I suspect they would rather play than eat anyway.

What rubbish, she can spend all that money on laser tag but can't purchase some snacks from the place like chips and pretzels? Cheap is cheap, no manners is no manners. I think all the people saying no need to even some snacks are mannerless, cheap a**holes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been to and seen birthday parties at the park for kids with ton of food served. OP, you are cheap as hell and grabby.

The OP isn't having her party at a park, but at a venue that prohibits outside food. I imagine she could do a park party with lots of food cheaper than she is doing her laser tag/bounce party. She is giving the kids an experience much more exciting than a standard playground.

Moreover, it's winter. Would you really prefer to have an outdoors smorgasbord picnic in January or February? I imagine the number of invitees who declined that party would make it really cheap.

She's giving the kids an exciting adventure, a chance to play with their friends, and cake. It sounds like a great time for the kids. While kids always welcome sugar, I suspect they would rather play than eat anyway.

What rubbish, she can spend all that money on laser tag but can't purchase some snacks from the place like chips and pretzels? Cheap is cheap, no manners is no manners. I think all the people saying no need to even some snacks are mannerless, cheap a**holes.

You talk about her spending "all that money", but then you accuse her of being cheap. The venue doesn't allow snacks like chips and pretzels.

To me the cheap ones here are the parents who won't buy chips or pretzels for their own kids to eat in the car so they don't go into a party hungry. The ones with a lack of manners are the ones who complains that the nice afternoon someone is offering your child just isn't enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been to and seen birthday parties at the park for kids with ton of food served. OP, you are cheap as hell and grabby.

The OP isn't having her party at a park, but at a venue that prohibits outside food. I imagine she could do a park party with lots of food cheaper than she is doing her laser tag/bounce party. She is giving the kids an experience much more exciting than a standard playground.

Moreover, it's winter. Would you really prefer to have an outdoors smorgasbord picnic in January or February? I imagine the number of invitees who declined that party would make it really cheap.

She's giving the kids an exciting adventure, a chance to play with their friends, and cake. It sounds like a great time for the kids. While kids always welcome sugar, I suspect they would rather play than eat anyway.

What rubbish, she can spend all that money on laser tag but can't purchase some snacks from the place like chips and pretzels? Cheap is cheap, no manners is no manners. I think all the people saying no need to even some snacks are mannerless, cheap a**holes.

You talk about her spending "all that money", but then you accuse her of being cheap. The venue doesn't allow snacks like chips and pretzels.

To me the cheap ones here are the parents who won't buy chips or pretzels for their own kids to eat in the car so they don't go into a party hungry. The ones with a lack of manners are the ones who complains that the nice afternoon someone is offering your child just isn't enough.

Wow, just wow! We should all feed our kids in the car on the way to a BIRTHDAY Party, so cheap ass parents can save a few bucks? It is so sad how little perspective you have and how stupid you sound. It is sad you have kids. She is being cheap, no doubt you are her. It doesn't matter that kids might not eat it, what matters is that she acts like a proper hostess. When you do something, do you it RIGHT, or not at all. If you can't understand that, never, ever host anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been to and seen birthday parties at the park for kids with ton of food served. OP, you are cheap as hell and grabby.

The OP isn't having her party at a park, but at a venue that prohibits outside food. I imagine she could do a park party with lots of food cheaper than she is doing her laser tag/bounce party. She is giving the kids an experience much more exciting than a standard playground.

Moreover, it's winter. Would you really prefer to have an outdoors smorgasbord picnic in January or February? I imagine the number of invitees who declined that party would make it really cheap.

She's giving the kids an exciting adventure, a chance to play with their friends, and cake. It sounds like a great time for the kids. While kids always welcome sugar, I suspect they would rather play than eat anyway.

What rubbish, she can spend all that money on laser tag but can't purchase some snacks from the place like chips and pretzels? Cheap is cheap, no manners is no manners. I think all the people saying no need to even some snacks are mannerless, cheap a**holes.

You talk about her spending "all that money", but then you accuse her of being cheap. The venue doesn't allow snacks like chips and pretzels.

To me the cheap ones here are the parents who won't buy chips or pretzels for their own kids to eat in the car so they don't go into a party hungry. The ones with a lack of manners are the ones who complains that the nice afternoon someone is offering your child just isn't enough.

Wow, just wow! We should all feed our kids in the car on the way to a BIRTHDAY Party, so cheap ass parents can save a few bucks? It is so sad how little perspective you have and how stupid you sound. It is sad you have kids. She is being cheap, no doubt you are her. It doesn't matter that kids might not eat it, what matters is that she acts like a proper hostess. When you do something, do you it RIGHT, or not at all. If you can't understand that, never, ever host anything.

Okay, so imagine that the place where the OP is hosting the party will allow her to bring in a birthday cake, but they require that she use their in-house catering or whatever you want to call it. When she asks if there's some kind of snack package, she's told that there's a basic package that includes pizza and fries and costs $15 per child and a deluxe package that includes pizza, fries, and salad for $20 per child. If 10 kids are coming to the party, that's $150-200 above and beyond the original cost of the party. That's not "a few bucks" to someone who lives with her preteen in a tiny apartment. It's a lot of money.

The party is not occurring near a meal time, and while I sympathize with kids who are hungry, bring a damn snack if you're so worried that your kid can't handle going between lunch and dinner without anything but birthday cake. What would your kids USUALLY be eating during that time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been to and seen birthday parties at the park for kids with ton of food served. OP, you are cheap as hell and grabby.

The OP isn't having her party at a park, but at a venue that prohibits outside food. I imagine she could do a park party with lots of food cheaper than she is doing her laser tag/bounce party. She is giving the kids an experience much more exciting than a standard playground.

Moreover, it's winter. Would you really prefer to have an outdoors smorgasbord picnic in January or February? I imagine the number of invitees who declined that party would make it really cheap.

She's giving the kids an exciting adventure, a chance to play with their friends, and cake. It sounds like a great time for the kids. While kids always welcome sugar, I suspect they would rather play than eat anyway.

What rubbish, she can spend all that money on laser tag but can't purchase some snacks from the place like chips and pretzels? Cheap is cheap, no manners is no manners. I think all the people saying no need to even some snacks are mannerless, cheap a**holes.

You talk about her spending "all that money", but then you accuse her of being cheap. The venue doesn't allow snacks like chips and pretzels.

To me the cheap ones here are the parents who won't buy chips or pretzels for their own kids to eat in the car so they don't go into a party hungry. The ones with a lack of manners are the ones who complains that the nice afternoon someone is offering your child just isn't enough.

Wow, just wow! We should all feed our kids in the car on the way to a BIRTHDAY Party, so cheap ass parents can save a few bucks? It is so sad how little perspective you have and how stupid you sound. It is sad you have kids. She is being cheap, no doubt you are her. It doesn't matter that kids might not eat it, what matters is that she acts like a proper hostess. When you do something, do you it RIGHT, or not at all. If you can't understand that, never, ever host anything.

NP. But YOU don't get to decide what is "right" for everyone. My elementary school aged kids are not toddlers. They don't need to eat every hour or even every three. If the hostess tells you what she is serving and it isn't sufficient to meet the special "needs" of you or your kids, then you are responsible for meeting their "needs." The hostess doesn't think the guests will like what the venue offers and they don't allow outside food. The party ends at 5pm anyway, so what do you want her to do? Add on an after party at a restaurant?

[Anonymous]

http://thestir.cafemom.com/big_kid/177575/kids_birthday_party_etiquette_food[url]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been to and seen birthday parties at the park for kids with ton of food served. OP, you are cheap as hell and grabby.

The OP isn't having her party at a park, but at a venue that prohibits outside food. I imagine she could do a park party with lots of food cheaper than she is doing her laser tag/bounce party. She is giving the kids an experience much more exciting than a standard playground.

Moreover, it's winter. Would you really prefer to have an outdoors smorgasbord picnic in January or February? I imagine the number of invitees who declined that party would make it really cheap.

She's giving the kids an exciting adventure, a chance to play with their friends, and cake. It sounds like a great time for the kids. While kids always welcome sugar, I suspect they would rather play than eat anyway.

What rubbish, she can spend all that money on laser tag but can't purchase some snacks from the place like chips and pretzels? Cheap is cheap, no manners is no manners. I think all the people saying no need to even some snacks are mannerless, cheap a**holes.

You talk about her spending "all that money", but then you accuse her of being cheap. The venue doesn't allow snacks like chips and pretzels.

To me the cheap ones here are the parents who won't buy chips or pretzels for their own kids to eat in the car so they don't go into a party hungry. The ones with a lack of manners are the ones who complains that the nice afternoon someone is offering your child just isn't enough.

Wow, just wow! We should all feed our kids in the car on the way to a BIRTHDAY Party, so cheap ass parents can save a few bucks? It is so sad how little perspective you have and how stupid you sound. It is sad you have kids. She is being cheap, no doubt you are her. It doesn't matter that kids might not eat it, what matters is that she acts like a proper hostess. When you do something, do you it RIGHT, or not at all. If you can't understand that, never, ever host anything.

NP. But YOU don't get to decide what is "right" for everyone. My elementary school aged kids are not toddlers. They don't need to eat every hour or even every three. If the hostess tells you what she is serving and it isn't sufficient to meet the special "needs" of you or your kids, then you are responsible for meeting their "needs." The hostess doesn't think the guests will like what the venue offers and they don't allow outside food. The party ends at 5pm anyway, so what do you want her to do? Add on an after party at a restaurant?

A lot of these parties are 30-45 minutes away. So, after the party parents have to stop and feed their kids if the kids are hungry. I would hope the host would get at least 1 slice of pizza per child. My kid has 1-2 activities on Saturday and we don't eat in the car. So, we'd just stop and miss part of the party. Or, end up skipping it as it isn't worth it timing wise in less its a good friend. Why do you get to decide what is right? You are deciding your kids don't need to eat, so no kids should eat, but that may not work for another child or family. Really, just be decent and get 1 slice of pizza per child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been to and seen birthday parties at the park for kids with ton of food served. OP, you are cheap as hell and grabby.

The OP isn't having her party at a park, but at a venue that prohibits outside food. I imagine she could do a park party with lots of food cheaper than she is doing her laser tag/bounce party. She is giving the kids an experience much more exciting than a standard playground.

Moreover, it's winter. Would you really prefer to have an outdoors smorgasbord picnic in January or February? I imagine the number of invitees who declined that party would make it really cheap.

She's giving the kids an exciting adventure, a chance to play with their friends, and cake. It sounds like a great time for the kids. While kids always welcome sugar, I suspect they would rather play than eat anyway.

What rubbish, she can spend all that money on laser tag but can't purchase some snacks from the place like chips and pretzels? Cheap is cheap, no manners is no manners. I think all the people saying no need to even some snacks are mannerless, cheap a**holes.

You talk about her spending "all that money", but then you accuse her of being cheap. The venue doesn't allow snacks like chips and pretzels.

To me the cheap ones here are the parents who won't buy chips or pretzels for their own kids to eat in the car so they don't go into a party hungry. The ones with a lack of manners are the ones who complains that the nice afternoon someone is offering your child just isn't enough.

Wow, just wow! We should all feed our kids in the car on the way to a BIRTHDAY Party, so cheap ass parents can save a few bucks? It is so sad how little perspective you have and how stupid you sound. It is sad you have kids. She is being cheap, no doubt you are her. It doesn't matter that kids might not eat it, what matters is that she acts like a proper hostess. When you do something, do you it RIGHT, or not at all. If you can't understand that, never, ever host anything.

NP. But YOU don't get to decide what is "right" for everyone. My elementary school aged kids are not toddlers. They don't need to eat every hour or even every three. If the hostess tells you what she is serving and it isn't sufficient to meet the special "needs" of you or your kids, then you are responsible for meeting their "needs." The hostess doesn't think the guests will like what the venue offers and they don't allow outside food. The party ends at 5pm anyway, so what do you want her to do? Add on an after party at a restaurant?

A lot of these parties are 30-45 minutes away. So, after the party parents have to stop and feed their kids if the kids are hungry. I would hope the host would get at least 1 slice of pizza per child. My kid has 1-2 activities on Saturday and we don't eat in the car. So, we'd just stop and miss part of the party. Or, end up skipping it as it isn't worth it timing wise in less its a good friend. Why do you get to decide what is right? You are deciding your kids don't need to eat, so no kids should eat, but that may not work for another child or family. Really, just be decent and get 1 slice of pizza per child.

Nope. If I'm having a party during not-mealtime, I'm going to serve birthday cake. I'd bring snacks if the venue allowed me to bring snacks, because a few bags of chips and some salsa isn't going to break the bank. If you're running around with your kids all day, you're responsible for feeding them. If that means that your high maintenance very busy family can't come to my kid's birthday party, that's sad for the kids, but it's as much your fault for being inflexible about your plans as it is mine for not being willing to spend $50 on pizza at 3pm.

[Anonymous]

Huh. My kids have never been invited to a party 30-45 minutes away. I might have to say no to that anyway, pizza or no pizza. But I don't find it taxing at all to take care of my kids on the run. Weekends are busy for everyone so we do it all the time.

My kid likes your kid and would like them there to celebrate their birthday. Let's keep it about that, and not another way to judge and condemn other mothers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been to and seen birthday parties at the park for kids with ton of food served. OP, you are cheap as hell and grabby.

The OP isn't having her party at a park, but at a venue that prohibits outside food. I imagine she could do a park party with lots of food cheaper than she is doing her laser tag/bounce party. She is giving the kids an experience much more exciting than a standard playground.

Moreover, it's winter. Would you really prefer to have an outdoors smorgasbord picnic in January or February? I imagine the number of invitees who declined that party would make it really cheap.

She's giving the kids an exciting adventure, a chance to play with their friends, and cake. It sounds like a great time for the kids. While kids always welcome sugar, I suspect they would rather play than eat anyway.

What rubbish, she can spend all that money on laser tag but can't purchase some snacks from the place like chips and pretzels? Cheap is cheap, no manners is no manners. I think all the people saying no need to even some snacks are mannerless, cheap a**holes.

You talk about her spending "all that money", but then you accuse her of being cheap. The venue doesn't allow snacks like chips and pretzels.

To me the cheap ones here are the parents who won't buy chips or pretzels for their own kids to eat in the car so they don't go into a party hungry. The ones with a lack of manners are the ones who complains that the nice afternoon someone is offering your child just isn't enough.

Wow, just wow! We should all feed our kids in the car on the way to a BIRTHDAY Party, so cheap ass parents can save a few bucks? It is so sad how little perspective you have and how stupid you sound. It is sad you have kids. She is being cheap, no doubt you are her. It doesn't matter that kids might not eat it, what matters is that she acts like a proper hostess. When you do something, do you it RIGHT, or not at all. If you can't understand that, never, ever host anything.

NP. But YOU don't get to decide what is "right" for everyone. My elementary school aged kids are not toddlers. They don't need to eat every hour or even every three. If the hostess tells you what she is serving and it isn't sufficient to meet the special "needs" of you or your kids, then you are responsible for meeting their "needs." The hostess doesn't think the guests will like what the venue offers and they don't allow outside food. The party ends at 5pm anyway, so what do you want her to do? Add on an after party at a restaurant?

A lot of these parties are 30-45 minutes away. So, after the party parents have to stop and feed their kids if the kids are hungry. I would hope the host would get at least 1 slice of pizza per child. My kid has 1-2 activities on Saturday and we don't eat in the car. So, we'd just stop and miss part of the party. Or, end up skipping it as it isn't worth it timing wise in less its a good friend. Why do you get to decide what is right? You are deciding your kids don't need to eat, so no kids should eat, but that may not work for another child or family. Really, just be decent and get 1 slice of pizza per child.

Nope. If I'm having a party during not-mealtime, I'm going to serve birthday cake. I'd bring snacks if the venue allowed me to bring snacks, because a few bags of chips and some salsa isn't going to break the bank. If you're running around with your kids all day, you're responsible for feeding them. If that means that your high maintenance very busy family can't come to my kid's birthday party, that's sad for the kids, but it's as much your fault for being inflexible about your plans as it is mine for not being willing to spend $50 on pizza at 3pm.

Yup, cheap mom, probably having a 1K hand bag for herself, but can't spend $50 on a pizza for her kids party. Serving just cake is a huge no-no, any people with proper etiquette and common sense know so. Why are you posting a question here if you don't want to hear what people have to say? It is a crappy thing to do and you are a crappy parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been to and seen birthday parties at the park for kids with ton of food served. OP, you are cheap as hell and grabby.

The OP isn't having her party at a park, but at a venue that prohibits outside food. I imagine she could do a park party with lots of food cheaper than she is doing her laser tag/bounce party. She is giving the kids an experience much more exciting than a standard playground.

Moreover, it's winter. Would you really prefer to have an outdoors smorgasbord picnic in January or February? I imagine the number of invitees who declined that party would make it really cheap.

She's giving the kids an exciting adventure, a chance to play with their friends, and cake. It sounds like a great time for the kids. While kids always welcome sugar, I suspect they would rather play than eat anyway.

What rubbish, she can spend all that money on laser tag but can't purchase some snacks from the place like chips and pretzels? Cheap is cheap, no manners is no manners. I think all the people saying no need to even some snacks are mannerless, cheap a**holes.

You talk about her spending "all that money", but then you accuse her of being cheap. The venue doesn't allow snacks like chips and pretzels.

To me the cheap ones here are the parents who won't buy chips or pretzels for their own kids to eat in the car so they don't go into a party hungry. The ones with a lack of manners are the ones who complains that the nice afternoon someone is offering your child just isn't enough.

Wow, just wow! We should all feed our kids in the car on the way to a BIRTHDAY Party, so cheap ass parents can save a few bucks? It is so sad how little perspective you have and how stupid you sound. It is sad you have kids. She is being cheap, no doubt you are her. It doesn't matter that kids might not eat it, what matters is that she acts like a proper hostess. When you do something, do you it RIGHT, or not at all. If you can't understand that, never, ever host anything.

NP. But YOU don't get to decide what is "right" for everyone. My elementary school aged kids are not toddlers. They don't need to eat every hour or even every three. If the hostess tells you what she is serving and it isn't sufficient to meet the special "needs" of you or your kids, then you are responsible for meeting their "needs." The hostess doesn't think the guests will like what the venue offers and they don't allow outside food. The party ends at 5pm anyway, so what do you want her to do? Add on an after party at a restaurant?

A lot of these parties are 30-45 minutes away. So, after the party parents have to stop and feed their kids if the kids are hungry. I would hope the host would get at least 1 slice of pizza per child. My kid has 1-2 activities on Saturday and we don't eat in the car. So, we'd just stop and miss part of the party. Or, end up skipping it as it isn't worth it timing wise in less its a good friend. Why do you get to decide what is right? You are deciding your kids don't need to eat, so no kids should eat, but that may not work for another child or family. Really, just be decent and get 1 slice of pizza per child.

Nope. If I'm having a party during not-mealtime, I'm going to serve birthday cake. I'd bring snacks if the venue allowed me to bring snacks, because a few bags of chips and some salsa isn't going to break the bank. If you're running around with your kids all day, you're responsible for feeding them. If that means that your high maintenance very busy family can't come to my kid's birthday party, that's sad for the kids, but it's as much your fault for being inflexible about your plans as it is mine for not being willing to spend $50 on pizza at 3pm.

Yup, cheap mom, probably having a 1K hand bag for herself, but can't spend $50 on a pizza for her kids party. Serving just cake is a huge no-no, any people with proper etiquette and common sense know so. Why are you posting a question here if you don't want to hear what people have to say? It is a crappy thing to do and you are a crappy parent.

Not the OP. There are a lot of people who think you're being ridiculous. These are not toddlers. They are older children. They don't need to eat every couple hours. Handbag cost like $25 at Target, btw, and I'd serve snacks if I was allowed to serve snacks and this was my kid's party. OP isn't allowed to bring snacks in, and it's her kid's party. If the invitation says "Cake will be served at 3:30" I'd assume that my child should eat before they come and then expect them to be hungry for dinner afterward. Parent your own kids.

[Anonymous]

A lot of people are selfish, cheap, inadequate hosts and parents. Truth hurts, hence the protesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been to and seen birthday parties at the park for kids with ton of food served. OP, you are cheap as hell and grabby.

The OP isn't having her party at a park, but at a venue that prohibits outside food. I imagine she could do a park party with lots of food cheaper than she is doing her laser tag/bounce party. She is giving the kids an experience much more exciting than a standard playground.

Moreover, it's winter. Would you really prefer to have an outdoors smorgasbord picnic in January or February? I imagine the number of invitees who declined that party would make it really cheap.

She's giving the kids an exciting adventure, a chance to play with their friends, and cake. It sounds like a great time for the kids. While kids always welcome sugar, I suspect they would rather play than eat anyway.

This! We serve food for KIDS and they hardly tough anything! It's always such a waste. They want to play.