I have been to many kid parties with nice spreads for adults that go untouched. I think it is b/c adults are usually standing, and often drinking, and managing a plate of food and a drink while standing is just a little to much effort.

I'd get the largest nugget tray. Those things are addictive, and I would eat those before chicken salad. So, I'd change the chicken salad to medium.

I wouldn't bother with the M&Ms.

24 cupcakes are fine.

Have fun!

We're having a birthday party that ends at 12:30. I figure at least some of the adults will eat. We're getting chicken souvlaki skewers from our local greek place, and we figure one skewer per guest (excluding babies). Add some hummus and carrots and pita chips and fruit, plus cake, and I think we're good to go.

My husband thinks the adults won't eat, and I am paranoid about running out of food (and think that at least some of the adults will), so it's always tricky to find a balance!

Anonymous wrote:Nothing is more offensive to me than to have a noon birthday party and there is not food or enough food for the adults. I went to a party at lunch where there was nothing, and the adults were hovering over their children salivating over scraps that fell. I was eating pizza crust! Not only was there no food for adults, but they under ordered food for the children, so when they asked for seconds there weren't any. There was not enough juice boxes so my DC didn't get one and drank water as some greedy little kids drank 2-3 boxes themselves, and left half drunken boxes everywhere. I would be so ashamed if I hosted a party like that. I am ordering double what I think I need in case there are people who show without RSVP. My DH and I talked about that party for weeks.

OP here, I don't think running out will be a concern. We always have leftovers of EVERYTHING at our parties. I think I have always had enough of everything for each person to have more than one of each thing. It's usually not a problem because we can just throw it in the fridge afterwards, but at this party, it will be hard to do anything but pitch leftovers.

I hate pizza at a party. We had three events on Sunday and literally had pizza three times that day. I am not eating pizza for a while!

Ideologically opposed to Chick-fil-a....hahahahaha. Even our gay friends eat CFA, so I don't think that we'll have that concern with this group of people in the 'burbs who pull largely from the military/DoD are are generally more conservative. I'm sure we're nearly the most liberal of the whole bunch.

Nothing is more offensive to me than to have a noon birthday party and there is not food or enough food for the adults. I went to a party at lunch where there was nothing, and the adults were hovering over their children salivating over scraps that fell. I was eating pizza crust! Not only was there no food for adults, but they under ordered food for the children, so when they asked for seconds there weren't any. There was not enough juice boxes so my DC didn't get one and drank water as some greedy little kids drank 2-3 boxes themselves, and left half drunken boxes everywhere. I would be so ashamed if I hosted a party like that. I am ordering double what I think I need in case there are people who show without RSVP. My DH and I talked about that party for weeks.

Of course my four year old eats a pasta salad. Always popular at our parties. Yes to a veggie and hummus tray for vegetarians, dieters, and my kids who are crazy for hummus but not so much for nuggets or hot dogs, and people who are ideologically opposed to chick fil a. Thanks for the fruit platter, that sounds awesome. Probably can skip the cookies and m and m.

I've found people eat more when I have less quantity but more variety.

I would add something really simple like preztels and chips. Or cheese and crackers.

Also, make it clear that there will be food for adults. I always appreciate if there is, but eat before if I am not sure.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got subway and all the adults and kids ate. We expected a lot more food left over (which was fine as the staff where we were doing it wanted it for their lunch). Parents eating depends on the food served. We are vegetarian, so we would not be eating (I would not say anything and just decline eating). I'd make a simple pasta salad with pasta, some veggies, cheese and italian dressing. I'd also make sure that everyone eats chicken.

I'm trying to avoid needing forks and knives. What about adding a veggie platter with tomatoes, carrots, celery, and hummus? I asked for dietary restrictions in the invite, and no one has indicated anything thus far. Of the people I know who are coming, I know there are no restrictions.

Its your party, serve what you want. A veggie platter would be great but it would not be filling. After the party, depending on distance, we'd be quickly headed to feed our child. I don't see the issue with service with forks.

Does your 4 YO eat pasta salad? Mine doesn't, and neither do many other kids I know.

Anonymous wrote:I would add something that's filling but not chicken. It's all chicken main dishes- nuggets, chicken sandwich, grilled chicken... Maybe add a pasta salad or some other veg-friendly filling dish? I also like the idea of having a vegetable tray with hummus.

So I would get the large tray of nuggets, large tray of sandwiches, add chips, and some kind of bulky veg option like the pasta salad or hummus/veg platter. If you're buying cookies, fine. If not, just make the cupcakes and don't worry about a second dessert. If you can get other families to bring drinks, ice, and chips, napkins, etc., that's even better!

You don't have other families bring the necessities to a kids party. Go to the dollar store.

Doesn't sound like enough food for me.

I'd add hotdogs (or pigs in blanket or corndogs) and a big salad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just had a bday party for a 4 year old, and the adults didn't eat. So, I think that sounds like enough!

Really? Is it because everyone's wrangling and tending to the kids, or because it's awkward, or what? I wouldn't want to go to a party for several hours and not eat any of the food!

NP- I've noticed a trend where adults won't eat at parties. Just a bite of this here and a bite of that there. Like OP, I also cook enough for an army so I'm left with a week + worth of food.

Maybe it is the food served. We had no issues with subway and some homemade food and it all got eaten. I think it is more what interests people. I am not going to eat pizza but if there was a sandwich platter with something I liked I would eat it. Some of the parties with Costco platters of sandwiches don't get eaten from what I've seen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got subway and all the adults and kids ate. We expected a lot more food left over (which was fine as the staff where we were doing it wanted it for their lunch). Parents eating depends on the food served. We are vegetarian, so we would not be eating (I would not say anything and just decline eating). I'd make a simple pasta salad with pasta, some veggies, cheese and italian dressing. I'd also make sure that everyone eats chicken.

I'm trying to avoid needing forks and knives. What about adding a veggie platter with tomatoes, carrots, celery, and hummus? I asked for dietary restrictions in the invite, and no one has indicated anything thus far. Of the people I know who are coming, I know there are no restrictions.

Its your party, serve what you want. A veggie platter would be great but it would not be filling. After the party, depending on distance, we'd be quickly headed to feed our child. I don't see the issue with service with forks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just had a bday party for a 4 year old, and the adults didn't eat. So, I think that sounds like enough!

Really? Is it because everyone's wrangling and tending to the kids, or because it's awkward, or what? I wouldn't want to go to a party for several hours and not eat any of the food!

NP- I've noticed a trend where adults won't eat at parties. Just a bite of this here and a bite of that there. Like OP, I also cook enough for an army so I'm left with a week + worth of food.

Sounds wonderful OP and sounds like plenty of food. Hope you get good weather! Enjoy!

Anonymous wrote:We just had a bday party for a 4 year old, and the adults didn't eat. So, I think that sounds like enough!

Really? Is it because everyone's wrangling and tending to the kids, or because it's awkward, or what? I wouldn't want to go to a party for several hours and not eat any of the food!