How do you phrase no food on a party invite

[Missteacake]

We are having a disco for my DD 5th birthday. It's on 14:00 to 16:00 so I'm not going to do any food. It will be sweets and treats only. Have been to a couple of discos where the kids barely touch the food and/or there isn't enough time for the disco man to get all the games done because it's only two hours long. As it's the middle of the afternoon it seems silly to serve a whole spread anyway. I wouldn't eat at this time but it does seem like the thing to do at parties I haven't been to one that doesn't serve food.

I don't want to seem rude and it seems a bit abrupt to just put "no food served". What do you think?

[Missteacake]

Sorry forgot I equally don't want to go round to each parent verbally saying there is going to be no food.

[pootlebug]

My DD has been to a 2-4pm party that didn't have more than cake and nibbles. I didn't expect her to have eaten properly because of the time - even if there had been a 'meal' she wouldn't really have eaten much. We weren't told in advance and I wasn't at all bothered.

[PestoSurfissimos]

I wouldn't do it, I would make sure there was party food. Even if you don't think the timings are appropriate. Children going to a party will be excited and part of that will be in anticipation of party food.

[SanityClause]

DD1 once went to a china painting party. The invite said, "please note that no party tea will be served".

And that was that.

I agree with you that eating an enormous meal in the middle of the afternoon is quite unnecessary. But people may expect it, and plan other family meals accordingly, so it's only fair to mention it.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

"Nibbles and sweets only"? Saying what you are providing looks less negative than saying what you aren't providing, if you see what I mean.

[EvilTwins]

My DTDs went to a roller disco party where no food was served. The invitation said something like "birthday cake will be served but there will be no party tea". It was actually a PITA because they came home ravenous after all that exercise!

[Bowlersarm]

I'm not sure. My DSes have never been to a party where there hasn't been party food.

Maybe parents will asume there won't be food given the time it's at.

[addictedtosugar]

Agree with saying what you are doing, rather than not.
So either "join us for dancing and games" or SDTG's nibbles and sweets.

tbf, I'd expect to feed my 5 yr old after a 2-4 party. But it might be a bowl of porridge, or a boiled egg rather than a full meal. I'd judge it on the day.

[Missteacake]

Yes that is a good point SDT it does sound better mentioning what you are providing.

From previous experience it does seem like a good idea not to serve food but a part of me thinks will everyone think I'm just being cheap (hides head in shame!!)

Hahaha I know I shouldn't care.

[MrsMaturin]

Dd3's party was 2-4 and I did usual party food but not huge quantities. It seemed to be enjoyed. I would do more than just sweets tbh. They'll all be sick if they only gorge on sugar.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Provide food for sure but just not loads and loads.

[calzone]

Sweets, treats and drinks will be served......

Job done!!

[AnnoyingOrange]

I would do some savoury snacks food like sausage rolls, crisps, mini cheddars and lots of drinks

[MajesticWhine]

I think saying nibbles and sweets only is a good idea. But in any case, if I received an invitation for 14,00-16.00, I would assume no proper meal.

[Pancakeflipper]

We had a party with no food. I said on the invite that there would be cakes and drinks at the end but no party tea. We were doing an activity where there was no catering facilities. Same times as your party.

All parents appeared happy about it, well they were to my face.

[helensburgh]

Hot dogs and a drink

Job done

[fanjobiscuits]

I like your phrase OP 'sweets and treats only'

[DoItTooJulia]

You'll have a drinks station though? In that case I'd put bread sticks, crisps, fruit, batons of veg, cake and biscuits on the same table in case they want a snack with their drink.

[Missteacake]

Yes I will be providing drinks. I thought about doing snacks but I don't want kids running round eating (choking potential not to mention the mess) and I'm not going to sit them all down, a feat in itself, to serve a few crisps and a carrot stick.

Now I'm confused if I'm being silly not serving food but I know I will end up chucking a load away anyway plus losing time when they could be having disco fun.

[Missteacake]

Hahaha as my DH just pointed out "what are you so bothered about the kids don't care about some crap sandwiches your just bothered what the parents think" I knew I kept him around for reason

Perspective!

[trufflehunterthebadger]

A party we went to recently had no formal tea, just a "help yourself whenever" buffet. It worked really well

[sleepyhead]

Exactly Missteacake. If you asked a bunch of 5yr olds whether sweets and treats were sufficient, I doubt many would be saying "Nooooo breadsticks and carrot batons please!"

It's 2 hours in the middle of the afternoon. No need for more. Drink and a slice of cake would be sufficient imo, but I don't really get the whole child snack culture.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Lots of drinks, bowls of crisps, mini sausages, grapes and strawberries and birthday cake.

Providing party food is hardly 'snacking culture.'

[MsVenus]

I would provide light refreshments and drinks as opposed to nothing which is rude & inhospitable if you receive gifts from the guests.

You could state on the invite 'light refreshments will be served'. Be prepared for hungry danced out kids though, bowls of crisps, cocktail sausages & popcorn are ideal.

[Friedbrain]

I would say nibbles and drinks provided....

Couple of plates of popcorn, couple of plates of cucumber, carrot sticks and grapes

Cups and jugs of dialuted juice and water

Few plates of haribo Jellies...

Sorted...

2-4 is to late for lunch and to early for tea!!!