Need Opinion on 3 Yr Old B-day Party. to Serve Lunch or Not???

I know this party probably took place months ago, but I wanted to chime in too. Maybe it's a regional thing, but here in the South (I live in Dallas), parents would absolutely NOT expect pizza or any other meal at a party that starts at 2pm. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old and we probably attend at least 2 parties a month between playgroups, church friends, and preschool classmates. A party that runs from 10 to 12 might include a light lunch (like pizza), or certainly a party that starts at 11, 12, 4 or 5 would include a meal, but a mid-afternoon party? No! Kids barely even eat when they're at a party even if it IS meal time, so why spend money on food that's going to go to waste? Just my 2 cents.

3 moms found this helpful

What a thoughtful friend you are, M.---- and NO you don't want to serve lunch at 3 --- your plans make perfect use of the space, and time . My daughter and my two precious grandchildren ( they all lived with me until 18 months ago -- so I've been more than lonely) moved to Ohio in Sept. of 08--- and are in the process of moving back.
LONG story- but oh I'll be so glad to see them again- . Ohio is beautiful - but so different in many ways from Seattle. Blessings, -- enjoy.There are so many incredible things to see and do there --- The Great Lakes - and Amish country and -- I hope you all love it.

Blessings,
J.
aka- Old Mom

2 moms found this helpful

Just another idea to throw in...my daughter went to a birthday tea party and they served sliced apples & pears, and bought the uncrustables (PBJs) from the market and sliced them in halves. Then followed with cupcakes for dessert...not too messy and seemed to hit the spot with all the girls.

But honestly, looking at your time frame, you really don't need to serve anything but the cake and maybe ice cream. 30 minutes isn't really time to do very much at all. Pity that's all the time you get...most of that will be spent just unwrapping the presents. Best of luck to you.

2 moms found this helpful

I totally agree with you. It is not lunchtime and I think it is ridiculous that parennts will think that you are going to give them lunch. Plus kids at parties rarely eat much anyway. I woould suggest bringing fruit though. Some cut up grapes, watermelon, or somehting will be good for the kids who do not like cake (more than you can imagine).

2 moms found this helpful

Hi M.,
We just went to a 4 year old's birthday party at the Little Gym (in Twinsburg) a few weeks ago. first of all, it was a ton of fun...so great choice! the party started at 3 and the mom did serve pizza. (Pizza Pan--also in Twinsburg--sells pizza at a buy one, get two free pick-up price) The kids did alot of running and bouncing, so they were hungry and very thirsty at 4:00 when we got into the party room.
I think if you don't serve a lunch, have a good snack for them, because they'll expend alot of energy during the first hour.
I hope that was helpful. I just wanted to tell you about our experience...
Good luck w/ the party!
M.

2 moms found this helpful

I have twin grandson's who turned 3 in
November. Instead of cake they had cupcakes. Save from cutting cake and the portions are just right. It would save on your time for opening presents. Put candle on the one cup cake for your child and all can sing happy birthday and your child will feel very special.

2 moms found this helpful

I know this is an old request, but want to respond for other users...here is my take.
It is your party and have a right to do whatever you can possibly handle financially and in some ways mentally. Parties are work.
However, as a mother I have noticed a lot of parties are moving towards just fruit trays or just cake and juice box. I think it really depends on the people you are inviting. If it's more just school friends and the party place is strict limtied timing then doing the aforementioned would be okay, but PLEASE be sure to put on the invitation that cake/juice or light snack only to be served. This way parents know ahead of time to feed their children and to not have expectations for food. It's a courtesy.

If you have lots of kids, family and close friends then find a way to feed your guests appropriately. Pizza, hot dogs, burgers are fairly inexpensive. Me personally, I always have a great spread...including sides, different drinks and plenty of food. One thing I've noticed sometimes hosts do not account for enough food and kids get left out. My true thought is if you are hosting these guests and it's a party that people took the time to come to and bring a thoughtful gift then you can take the time to figure out a descent meal. I know I don't appreciate the "snack" parties, especially when it's at a person's home.

In M.'s case, pizza or small sandwich bites with chips would be appropriate. Kids can eat the cake while your child opens presents. This way it keeps kids sitting down instead of getting in your child's gifts.

2 moms found this helpful

I would suggest maybe a chip bowl or fruit bowl like the other mom suggested. I think 30 minutes is going to be a long time for just cake and the kids may want something else. Or perhaps you could pass out a goodie bag at that time with cheapy things from the dollar store in them and maybe a few candies. That should occupy the time and give them something to do, but not lunch and perhaps more inexpensive than pizza.

2 moms found this helpful

Some people have mentioned time for opening gifts in their response. We go to many birthday parties and it is seems to be the norm to wait until guests leave to open birthday gifts and even take them home to open. It saves on the stress of other kids "helping" or getting upset. Definitely do not serve lunch at mid-day to answer the question.

1 mom found this helpful

I know this is late, but I own a gymnastics school and we do parties on the weekends. At that time, it is not only not necessary, but a good idea NOT to do lunch. A snack at the most (pretzels, goldfish or animal crackers) followed by cake or cupcakes is plenty. We have one party time that the kids do their 1/2 hour at noon and even then, most do not eat pizza or whatever is served. Have fun and take and it easy. These types of parties are meant to alleviate the stress on the parents. I have seen way to many parties overthought when all they care about is the gym part and the mayby the goody bag.

PS_ If you haven't sent out the invitations, you can write..."Snacks and Cake will be served". I have seen that come back on our invitation they have to hand in. When people are serving pizza, they usually write "pizza and cake".

1 mom found this helpful

I also wanted to add you made a great decision. I am a bit of a stickler for healthy food so it will be good to have some healthy choices with the fruit and cheese instead of more processed snacks like goldfish and pretzel.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi M.,
Absolutely fine to not serve more than cake. That's why you have the party at 2:00 and not at lunchtime 12:00. Its perfectly fine. We have been to plenty of parties that didn't have food unless they were at lunchtime.
Have fun

1 mom found this helpful

Hello, personally I think that you should serve hot dogs or something small for the kids because many parents expect that when there is a party there will be food for the kids. I have 4 children and sometimes I surely didn't feel like cooking or sometimes may have not wanted to splurge BUT I would buy hot dogs and cheese puffs or chip and lil juice boxes or pizza and that would be that. And if you are not serving lunch just mention it to the parents so that thet can feed the kids before they come. Just my opinion

1 mom found this helpful

I'm not sure if you are talking The Little Gym or Turle's but I've been to parties (multiple) at both and have always been served pizza. I know at Little Gym, it can be a part of the package.
I have 2 kids and next month they will be 3 and 9, so I've thrown plenty of parties and been to a TON and have never been to a party at any time of day that food wasn't served. That's just something guests come to expect when coming to a party. They take time out of their day and schedule, buy your child a gift and usually expect some sort of meal (whether small like just pizza or a large ordeal) in return. As far as the time frame, most places choose that for you. I know when I booked mine at Fun-n-Stuff, they gave me time options, all in the middle of the afternoon.
We are having two parties next month. One at Fun-n-Stuff in Macedonia and having pizza. The kids will be running around and playing in this heat, it never occured to me not to feed them. The other at our home (for the 3 yr old) with ride ons, a kid's pool, sprinkler and tons of games with a full menu (since parents will be staying too).
I seem to be the minority but I figured you'd want input for someone who's "been there-done that" many times.

1 mom found this helpful