What would you serve for a party that starts at 2pm and ends at 4 pm.
Whoa! I didn't expect such an overwhelming response but thank you. It did help in my decision making. The venue we're going to serves all the food so it makes it easier. I've decided on cake, juice, fruit tray and a veggie tray and then add some salsa and chips for the adults. We'll see how it works. It will be this Thursday =).
D. -
I would put healthy snack stuff out, like pretzels, fruit pieces, cheese and crackers. Then cake and ice cream, right? Oh, also juice (boxes).
Dana
Personally, I would just serve Cake and Ice Cream.
On the invite, say "dessert will be served"
That way people won't be expecting anything more or less :)
It's in between meals, people should seriously not expect anything more! Whenever I have bday parties I always say what food I will be serving :)
(I guess cause I personally would want to know if I was headed to a party if I need to feed my kids beforehand, etc). GOOD LUCK and please keep us updated.
Hi D.! I was actually surprised to read all of your responses that were talking about all of these other snacks. I guess I'm one of the few that does the birthday parties like when I was a kid. Cake and icecream and a drink is plenty! Why go overboard. ...They've already eaten lunch and they're going to go home and eat dinner, so cake and icecream is PLENTY for a snack. Maybe you could put a little cup of gold fish crackers at each spot at the table if you really think they need more. 3 yr. olds don't each much!!
If adults are going to be there during the party, then you can put out some chips and dip and a beverage choice or two for them. Usually they just eat cake and icecream also.
Just keep in mind, 2-4 is not meal time! :)
C.
hot dogs, sloppy joes, Dirt, or pizza.
It's tea-time (I'm English, so forgive me!) so I'd serve cakes, cookies, perhaps scones, some fruit. You could also put some string cheeses and crackers out, or vegetables and dips too. Give the kids juice boxes. If your party is at home, make coffee and leave a kettle and tea bags near the stove. Have fun!
Hi D.
I agree with others, snacks would be perfect. You could have a fruit tray and vegetable tray (with dips). Chips, cheese and crackers, even some basic sandwiches cut into small triangles.
If you don't like the idea of snacks, what about doing hot dogs and/or chilli, something equally easy.
I'd keep it really simple.
Good luck
I would serve snacks like a veggie tray, crackers, cheese. Maybe a meat tray. Chips and salsa or chips and dip. Maybe some sandwhiches made with rolls, sliced cheese and lunch meat.
Since 2-4 pm is between meal hours you won't need to serve a meal. With that age group - that's a wise choice. Light snacks, cake/icecream would be plenty. Do you have a b-day theme? Planning on any little games? Opening presents - that will all take time and you won't have time for much else. Good luck with your pary - my little princess is going to be 10 this year. We have had a blast planning her b-day parties through the years.
Finger foods!
Fruit, cheese and crackers, maybe something a little sweet. Keep it simple. It's past lunch, before dinner.... perfect for snack foods.
Have fun!
How about crackers & Cheese, fruit, and wraps (sandwiches)?
I did cake and juice boxes (for the kids, less mess) and a small bowl of punch for the adults. I made little name tags for each of the juice boxes, so the kids felt special they had their own. It was easy to prep and clean up, which you will need after having a bunch of 3 year olds running around your house!
I would definitely just stick to cake & ice cream and maybe chips/crackers (some light snack) if you want. Since that is between meal hours, I don't think anyone would expect anything more.
cAKE AND ICE-CREAM.
I would (and did) serve just cake and drinks. The 3 yr. olds will be thrilled and they (not their moms) are the ones who count. Besides, when you serve more than that at such a young child's party, the focus of the party becomes the food and not the other fun activities. You know how long it takes that age group to eat!
If it was me...just the cake! Maybe some easy snacks too, nothing too elaborate. That's the perfect time for a party really, just after lunch and over just before dinner...so sice it's 2 hours, I'd stick with pretzels, chips, easy drinks (at meijer they have animal cups with lids...which are awesome for kids)...good luck!
I have done in the past snacks. My Daughter will be 4 on the 12th so we are have a party on the 18th 2:30-4 and I will be serving Fruit with a yogurt dip and veggies and dip, cake and Ice cream. I also will be having the parents along with other adults and I will be doing appetizers for them. Since I will be doing the party i will have it buffet style.hope this helps.
At that time of day for 3 year olds, you could just do cake, icecream, punch, and maybe some chips.
I wouldn't worry about too much food. Kids that age aren't interested in the food at the party. Just the cake! :)
We just had one of those for our 2 year old. We had cake & ice cream of course, but I also put out cheese & crackers, some chips & sour cream & onion dip, and some basic veggies (carrots, celery, etc.). Not much, just a little snack-type foods.
Mini burgers, mini hot dogs, chicken tenders w/ranch sauce, individual pizzas (let them put the stuff on themselves/choosing what they want - can bake on disposable pie tins), or grilled cheese sandwiches cut in quarters or cut with cookie cutters into shapes. Also fruit, shoestring fries, baby carrots & peapods with ranch.
If you want to serve something other than cake, I would say serve whatever you might normally serve your daughter for snack time: fruit, cheese and crackers, veggies and dip. This stuff would be good for kids and adults. If you are expecting other kids around the same age, they may just be coming after trying to squeeze a nap in too, so I would be prepared for them to be hungry and need something to snack on.
I'm throwing my son's (3rd) birthday party from 3-5 and I'm doing cake, veggies and dip and chips and dip.
Finger foods such as cheese wedges; crackers; tacos made with mini shells; peanut butter & jelly sandwiches with the crust cut off and cut in quarters. Also fresh fruit cut into small pieces. Make sure the grapes are cut in half if served.
I agree that you don't NEED to serve anything other than b-day cake. We just had our twins' 3-yr-old party in January, and I did 1-3pm. I did get a cheese tray w/ cracker and a fruit tray; but we came home w/ MANY leftovers. I also put out some bowls of color coordinated M&M's (bulk bins in the produce dept of Meijer) that went w/ the party theme. Those were a hit.
