I would order pizza for everyone, parents included. Depending on the group attending, you may have a lot left over. I've been at parties where the parents didn't eat anything, and I've also been to parties where the parents had some pizza and cake.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you very low income? If that is the case you can feed them whatever you can afford, or not.

Maybe next time call only one or two people, or was this a gift grabbing ploy? God! Why do we have this same topic every week? Your DH is right. You are cheap.

I typically order pizza for kids, parents and siblings. Wine and beer for grown ups. Juice, water, cake for everyone. But, I can afford it. I am not on welfare.

Wow. Just wow. I am not OP, but what does this have to do about being able to afford it? I can afford it too, but I don't think it is necessary. But don't worry - I won't invite you to my party anyway. I don't want your company.

If you think that it is not necessary to have guests and not offer food...trust me, you cannot afford it. Financially or emotionally.

2nd PP here. I wasn't saying to not offer food AT ALL. I was talking about pizza vs. snacks. Geez.

Thanks 2132. After thinking about it last night though, I might just go with the pizza after all. It's easier, one less thing for me to worry about. Can't go wrong either way, I think.

My kid doesn't nap anymore either, and I had a couple moms tell me they would come if the invited kid's sibling wasn't napping. So, whatever. Whoever comes, comes. I just want everyone to have fun.

After this year, we might go back to the home party. We had one a couple years ago, but it got rained on (of course it was the only day in Sept. when it rained -- go figure!) They're just as much fun and my kid doesn't seem to care either way.

Anonymous wrote:If I can avoid hanging out at a kid's party I do so. Two hours of agony.

Good...for...you?

I don't understand the point of this response.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yeah, they make the pizza just cheap and convenient enough, don't they?

I was thinking squeeze yogurts, fruit and small packs of goldfish or pretzels. If I can convince DH, is that enough? I'll get extras for the parents.

OP, we're in the same boat. My child is turning 4, was expecting 15 but we also got sibling requests (that we have to pay extra for) and the party is also from 2:00-3:30. We are not serving pizza. We'll serve some fruit, carrots and dip, and a few kinds of chips/snacks. Then cake, of course. There will also be a veggie tray and a few bowls of snacks plus soda and water in the "parent area". We've done parties at this time for a few years, and have always done some variation of this menu and it's been fine.

For the PP who said it's a strange time to have a party--I've always based my child's party on A. availability at the venue on the day that works best for us and B. the time of day that works best for my child. My kid stopped napping 2 years ago and has always done better after lunch than later in the afternoon. If the time doesn't work for you, then just RSVP no. No biggie.

Pizza is always good and parents (myself included) like having a slice while they are hanging out at the kids bday parties. Ask the pizza co. to slice them into smaller than usual slices- this way it's easier for the 4 y.o.s to hold onto and eat and the parents can have a small snack without eating a huge slice in the afternoon.

If I can avoid hanging out at a kid's party I do so. Two hours of agony.

We had a party at 2. I debated whether pizza was necessary. By 3 the kids were starving. And they're kids, so they are literally saying that and asking for food. Thank god we ordered the pizza.

We had a party at that time. After all the running and jumping the kids were hungry and they all ate pizza as well is chicken nuggets.

So while it is not lunch of dinner people will likely still eat.

If I (my child) received a party invitation at that time, I would not expect a meal. I would think that only cake would be served--maybe a few bowls of chips or fruit/veggie trays---but not pizza or other "meal" foods.

I would just make sure you have enough cake for each person, child or adult, to have a slice and then maybe a few snack type foods and drinks.

2-330 is not lunchtime.

Yes please have enough for parents. If I were a host and held a non drop off party during lunch time I would be embarrassed not to have enough food for my guests to eat!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you very low income? If that is the case you can feed them whatever you can afford, or not.

Maybe next time call only one or two people, or was this a gift grabbing ploy? God! Why do we have this same topic every week? Your DH is right. You are cheap.

I typically order pizza for kids, parents and siblings. Wine and beer for grown ups. Juice, water, cake for everyone. But, I can afford it. I am not on welfare.

Wow. Just wow. I am not OP, but what does this have to do about being able to afford it? I can afford it too, but I don't think it is necessary. But don't worry - I won't invite you to my party anyway. I don't want your company.

If you think that it is not necessary to have guests and not offer food...trust me, you cannot afford it. Financially or emotionally.

Anonymous wrote:Are you very low income? If that is the case you can feed them whatever you can afford, or not.

Maybe next time call only one or two people, or was this a gift grabbing ploy? God! Why do we have this same topic every week? Your DH is right. You are cheap.

I typically order pizza for kids, parents and siblings. Wine and beer for grown ups. Juice, water, cake for everyone. But, I can afford it. I am not on welfare.

Wow! Why so rude?

Why are you wasting your time on DCUM, PP? Shouldn't you be out shopping at Saks Jandel or supping at the club?