To expect to be fed at a kid's birthday party?

[Lalunya85]

Took my two DC aged 2 and 1 to a birthday party this weekend. The party was for a girl turning 3, organised by her parents who are close friends of my DH.
First part of the party was at a playground in a local park, second half at home. We were invited for 11 till 4pm. It took us 1.5 hours each way to travel to the party.

Day before the party they rang to say that we should bring snacks for the park. Fine, we got some baguettes, humus, fruit etc. Around 6 families were there, all with one or two kids. Assumed everybody would share snacks in the park. Turned out that nobody was sharing, so we just ate our own snacks which we thought was odd but fine.

Then we all transferred to their home at around 2pm. It was freezing and everybody was cold. Kids were hungry. At their house they served water. And when I asked we got a cup of tea. But that was literally it.

It was a fun party otherwise, but is it the done thing to not offer ANY food at a kid's birthday party??

Disclaimer: both my partner and I are from different countries so are now wondering whether this is an English thing? Have we been overfeeding our guests at our parties for years???

[Thefishewife]

I am having a party for my child in 3 weeks I will be feeding the children that's it I also won't be feeding any siblings who are not invited but parents choose to bring along

[KingJoffreysRestingCuntface]

Very weird.

There's usually a buffet of sausage rolls, tiny sandwiches and cheese and pineapple on sticks stuck in a melon.

Maybe they don't have much cash? The cost of food can quickly add up.

[Sassypants82]

I'm not British either, but find that crazy. I'd be embarrassed to have people visiting my home and not feed them. YANBU.

[Marmite27]

I only catered for children at my DCs party, but the venue wildly over catered. I shouted out to ask if every child had had enough to eat, (they had) so invited parents to eat.

Though I did pay for tea/coffee for grown ups, and got two cakes from Costco.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Not normal at all.

Absolutely there should have been food.

God they sell sausage rolls fir a quid in Iceland how sodding cheap...

[ZoFloMoFo]

Who the hell hosts a 5 hour party and provides nothing but water, and a cup of tea - but only when asked?

It sounds like one of the strangest most cheapskate parties I've heard of.

[DubiousCredentials]

The usual two hour kids party where parents (might) stay - cup of tea and a biscuit is the norm round here.

A five hour party for a close friends child involving a three hour round trip - yanbu to expect food!

[Eevee77]

YANBU considering it was 11--4. Snacks for park was a reasonable request but I'd have thought at least a small picnic/buffet type food for the kids at the house and biscuits at minimum for the adults.

[neonrainbow]

I wouldn't expect to have to feed adults at a kids party but if hosting at my house and the adults were specifically invited as well then i would.

[TeaBelle]

I think they were really rude - I wouldn't necessarily feed adults if they weren't there for a mealtime time but in your situation that's really odd behaviour.

[Sparlklesilverglitter]

I would expect a few picky bits to be on offer

Who is that tight they have a party and offer nothing to eat

[Etak15]

Sounds like it was a strange party! In a park? We feed the kids and adults at our kids party's think everyone does - or at least defo feed the kids!!

[Grilledaubergines]

That's really odd. And not usual at all. Even being asked to bring snacks to the park is a bit odd.

Tight arses!

[EatTheCake]

I have always had food at my 4 DC parties ( sandwiches, sausage rolls, jelly, party rings, cakes, crisps etc)

I don't normally provide food for the other parents but I do always have tea/coffee/sparkling water and biscuits on offer

Some people really are fucking tight!

[rocket74]

That's very bizarre. I'd be really confused by that.
ALL of the kids parties in the last year have had kids food and also food for adults. Ranging from croissants to home made cakes to chilli or jerk chicken or just crisps.

Bunch of weirdos!

[Trifleorbust]

Not much of a party, is it? Rude too.

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

Round here parties last around two hours, kids get fed. Adults get left overs.

[SarcasmMode]

That is ofdd.

I'd imagine most would have a buffet type thing. All the parties I've been to so far (granted DD1 is just 3) has had one and cake. Did they not even have cake?!

[Rattusn]

Weird and cheap.

I once went to a party like this, hosted by very rich parents. There was no food for Tue children either other than a small packet of biscuits between about 20 children.

Odd

[SarcasmMode]

odd

X posted with usual.

[Ohyesiam]

I've never been to, or hosted a kids party where everyone didn't get fed.

[hoddtastic]

i've never been to a party like that- but i guess if you'd had hummus/baguettes etc. in the park and it finished at 4 you had a self made lunch and erm, a hot drink. There's no need for 2 meals between 11 and 4?

hope you didn't spend loads on the pressie!

[OnwardsAndUpwardsYo]

Parents aren't usually fed at parties I've been to, but they haven't been 5 hours long either! Surely the children were exhausted & grumpy after a time?