If the family members who are coming stopped by on a random Saturday afternoon would you offer them a beer? If so, then you should have some on hand.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are people this cheap? Really?

OP here. Is it really considered “cheap” to not offer beer and wine at a 3 years birthday party at 2pm?? Really?? That’s what you would think? This is why I posted. Seriously asking.

Um, OP, you literally said as a reason in your original post, "Alcohol is expensive". So, you tell me?

Being “cheap” is different than stating that alcohol is expensive. It IS expensive. But does that make me CHEAP for not wanting to pay for alcohol for a situation where I think alcohol is unnecessary?

Some people will say that everything OP serves other than the cake is "unnecessary." But it doesn't make it a good party if she serves only cake.

Offer weed instead

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are people this cheap? Really?

OP here. Is it really considered “cheap” to not offer beer and wine at a 3 years birthday party at 2pm?? Really?? That’s what you would think? This is why I posted. Seriously asking.

Um, OP, you literally said as a reason in your original post, "Alcohol is expensive". So, you tell me?

Being “cheap” is different than stating that alcohol is expensive. It IS expensive. But does that make me CHEAP for not wanting to pay for alcohol for a situation where I think alcohol is unnecessary?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are people this cheap? Really?

OP here. Is it really considered “cheap” to not offer beer and wine at a 3 years birthday party at 2pm?? Really?? That’s what you would think? This is why I posted. Seriously asking.

Um, OP, you literally said as a reason in your original post, "Alcohol is expensive". So, you tell me?

A party is about your guests. I know many of my guests would like a beer or wine. Add some bottled water, seltzer and kids drinks viola.

Serve what you like. We had a late afternoon party and served pizza/other snacks, so we had some beer available. We also picked up a case of sparking water and cans of that Izzy sparking juice, both of which we like so it wasn’t a big deal how much we had leftover. And juice boxes for the kids (still whittling down the juice boxes as we don’t give them to our 2yo often).

If it is your family, have what your family would expect a5 an afternoon party. If it is alcohol, buy some alcohol.

I’m a drinker and provided le croix & juice boxes for my 3 year old’s party. No alcohol. I’ve been to parties with beer and parties without and certainly don’t expect alcohol. So, you’re fine either way but I vote no booze if you’re trying to save $.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you ask one of the 18 family members who will attend? They know what your family expects better than the good citizens of DCUM.

Because I wanted a general consensus and was curious of what people did/thought. I’m learning a lot.

The DCUM general concsensus will be that you must serve alcohol. I disagree with the general consensus.

We did serve beer but also had zevia soda and fruit flavored sparkling water in different varieties which are both zero calories and nothing artificial. They were both big hits.

Anonymous wrote:You definitely can, though I think it's nice to have available if possible. I don't have kids, but I go to a lot of kids birthday parties for the children of my friends and my god daughter. I am usually the one who helps set up before and picks up afterwards since I'm not ferrying a toddler home for a nap after the party. I would definitely appreciate a glass of wine and I have always been offered one.

If you were coming I’d have wine. But this is grandparents and aunts. My sister and brother in law drink, as does my brother, but I don’t want to pay for booze just for them.

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you ask one of the 18 family members who will attend? They know what your family expects better than the good citizens of DCUM.

Because I wanted a general consensus and was curious of what people did/thought. I’m learning a lot.

In other places I have lived, no alcohol for a kids party. In the DC metro, bring on the booze.

I'm a DC native, have been to plenty of kiddie birthday parties and the overwhelming majority of parties in someone's home (as opposed to a birthday party venue) offer some type of alcohol.

Would guess upwards of 80%. Most of these offer beer and wine, some offer cocktails (e.g., bloody mary, sangria, mimosas)

Ultimately, if it's a matter of cost, would say get a couple of six packs and a bottle or two of wine and call it a day. At 2 PM people aren't going to drink that much.

If it's another reason - you are concerned about drinking and/or don't want alcohol in your home - then don't serve any.