AIBU to plan a 90s-style birthday party with traditional party food?

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These children are 7 yes? Not 7 months?

I'm honestly wondering where on earth you live that this isn't completely normal party food? What healthy food do they all eat?

Isn't this just a standard kids party? It's very similar to what mine had (food and activities) ten/fifteen years ago.

How do the parents know what the food is in advance?

Totally agree, I think it sounds great. Just can't fathom why parents would be complaining about a party menu in advance. Surely the kids just turn up. My kids are older, maybe things have changed

I don’t see anywhere the op has indicated this which might explain your confusion?! She hasn’t actually said why the parents are causing a fuss.

i think it sounds like a great party and I’d like to come please! With a request for finger rolls (my mum used to call these bridge rolls?), some with ham, some with egg mayo please.

We had our dcs first couple of parties at home before it all got a bit manic and easier to book something elsewhere, much more fun in some ways than having it out of the house although a lot more work obviously!

@Onetimeonly2026 they've complained about the food have they?

One of my friends had this. Only one parent though. Their DD was only allowed to eat super healthy food. And had a limit on fruit, I think. Can't remember what happened.

Don’t forget the cheese and pineapple hedgehog

How is this a 90s party?
this is most kids parties through the ages!

I'm a bit confused why the parents know the menu in advance?

What are they complaining about??

And whatever it is, how bloody rude of them to whine that someone else’s party isn’t to their liking!

Huh? This sounds like every kids party we've been to this year let alone in the 90s! Where are you living that people have a problem with it??

The food sounds standard where I am. Are you good at corralling children? I always do traditional party games and get many compliments on them but I'm a teacher which I think helps massively. My kids have never been to a party with more than one party game, usually pass the parcel, and I honestly think many parents would struggle to get the children to take part.

You're missing the Sarah Lee chocolate gateau.

I still love the chocolate game (massicve bar of refrigerated chocolate, knife and fork ion a plate next to hat gloves and scarf. Kids sit around it in a circle. Take it in turns to roll a dice - the first to roll a 6 has to put on the hat, gloves and scarf + use the knife and fork to cut up + eat the chocolate. Meanwhile the kids keep rolling the dice trying to get a 6. If you're at the chocolate when the next person rolls a 6 you have to take off the hat gloves etc and let them go, and so on.

Absolutely! Add jelly and ice cream too.

We had a similar party for my 5 year old and the kids loved the party games especially musical statues and musical chairs.

Not sure still 90s but we also had a bouncy castle in the garden and ended with a sweet filled piñata for them to fill their party bags with falling goodies.

I thought you meant for an adult party, I had a 90’s party for my 40th. That just sounds like a kids party to me. Probably don’t put hooch and Bacardi breezer on the menu though

I would also add hanging donuts on string off the washing line. They each get 1 each and eat it off the string, no hands tho. Takes them ages and keeps them quiet

I don't really get what is controversial about it, unless you've created a very pork-heavy menu and your child is at either a Muslim or Jewish school... but hopefully noone would be so crass. Why are the other parents kicking off?

That's a standard kids house party 🥳 should be fully expected at primary school 😁

Eh? What on earth have they complained about??
Junk food at a party is standard, plus sandwiches aren’t even bad? My kids had a generally healthy diet but I wouldn’t have bat an eyelid over this! Ignore them OP, and crack on-your plans sound great.

Where is the cheese and pineapple hedgehog? And either the red jelly rabbit on chopped up green jelly grass (which in turn was a 70s style birthday thing brought back in the 90s) or the cupcake table - cheap fairy cakes, glace icing to dip it into and then bowls of sprinkles to add?

Where I live (another European country) this is still the norm for kids' birthdays. Food tends to be a bit less junky (more like veg sticks and fruit, cheese, crackers, maybe pizza) but it's definitely still very much the done thing and the kids always love it

This isn't a 90s party, lots of people still have parties exactly like this especially in the summer when they can utilise their gardens?

No idea why anyone would find it controversial or unusual?

You need to tell us what the parents are complaining about.
If it's the food, why are you releasing a menu in advance? Surely you just ask if any allergies and then the food is the food

This sounds lovley . Food wise most of the parties I’ve been to have very similar even if in a village hall, i haven’t been to many at a house but I think the kids would love it. I did try this once with my then 3 year old (now 5) and it was difficult keeping them all from going upstairs and wrecking the place😂 so maybe get some gates and some firm rules in place!