1-3 is just an odd time. It's basically at the tail end of lunchtime, and people might be travelling during their lunch time. If you do it at that time, you need to be clear whether you are serving lunch or not, and lunch should be available right at 1:00.

I'd do 2-4, and then it's clear that it's not lunch and everyone has time to eat lunch beforehand. I always have a fruit and veggie tray out, and then cake. I don't think you need a meal at a party that does not span a normal mealtime. Light snacks and cake is fine.

I'd serve food. It doesn't have to be pizza. You could have snacks instead like cheese, crackers and fruit, along with the cake. In my family, there is always food at a party.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am also more concerned about nap time than what kind of food is served.

Well, they are my dd’s classmates and her preschool is from 12:40 till 3:40pm, so I figured the time of the party was fine. Op here btw.

Don't leave out the fruit and popcorn as you said up thread. People will graze on it continuously and can be a distraction and the novelty of food/snacks will wear off too fast.

Serve the popcorn, snacks, and maybe cheese/crackers. Then bring out the cake since everyone will be sitting at the table.

The kids shouldn't be too hungry given they aren't really working up an appetite - just sitting there looking at the character? Are parents sticking around or is this a drop off?

Anonymous wrote:I am also more concerned about nap time than what kind of food is served.

Well, they are my dd’s classmates and her preschool is from 12:40 till 3:40pm, so I figured the time of the party was fine. Op here btw.

Serve food, please. I'd go with Sandwiches, that way they don't have to he got and they can arrive a little bit earlier. Taylor Gourmet does a good job.

Yes, serve food. Even if it is just a trays of fruit, crackers, veggies and cheese. I'd add that to your list, and throw in a few flat breads, even frozen harder joes would be fine. Skip the popcorn, it isn't safe anyway and especially bad with kids running around playing

Anonymous wrote:
Please have pizza for parents and kids. It is rude not to offer food for all the reasons PPs have mentioned.

It doesn't have to be pizza! Plus, most parents don't like the shitty cheese pizza people buy for kids' parties.

Yes serve food, some kids might have to leave at noon to get to your party.

YESSSSSSSSS! Party = Food! Every time. No matter what time of day!

I cannot believe how much people ask this!

Please have pizza for parents and kids. It is rude not to offer food for all the reasons PPs have mentioned.

Do the food. Some people will have eaten, some won’t. No harm in having food available that people can decline.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have pizza regardless of when. It's a party. Party means pizza.

It does not. Stop teaching your kids this. Party means fun, laughing, and seeing your friends.

Nah. Party is fun, laughing and playing with friends, but it's much better with pizza. Don't eat it if you don't want it. I serve beer for adults too.

Anonymous wrote:The PPs aren’t taking into account how chaotic it can be to get to the party - getting ready, driving, etc. because you are taking a chunk out of this family’s day and they made an effort to buy a gift and get there, please give them a meal.

+1000

Just went through this getting our 3 year old to a 1-3pm party. We usually eat lunch at noon, but was so busy getting ready to leave by 12:30 that DC’s lunch was rushed and I didn’t get to eat. I was so grateful that the hosts had set out a light spread (sandwiches, crudités) at the start. They also served a “tea party” for the kids that was both meal and cake, which was nice because the kids were too busy having fun to eat the aforementioned spread and this way, they all ate, too. For a party that starts at 1, you should serve a meal for both adults and kids, no snack is necessary.

1pm is a horrible time for a party. ESP one that is in your house. I would imagine you have more flexibility in terms of the time and why would you choose 1-3pm?

My rule is if adults will be there, serve food (pizza, sandwiches, whatever). It makes things a little less awkward for parents who might not know each other well. If it’s a drop-off party, cake and punch might be ok depending on the time of day. Just let the parents know so they know to have their kid eat lunch beforehand. So yes, in your case, I’d serve food.