to ask party attendees to bring a pack lunch?

[cakedup]

Taking DS (11) and five of his friends out for the day for his birthday. We will be taking public transport (1 hour journey) and when we get to the venue, the kids will be taking part in an activity lasting 3 hours - similar to paint-balling. Then we will have the birthday tea before heading home.

Originally, my mum was supposed to come but is not well. This means I will have to carry all the party food including the cake myself. I was discussing with a friend about how much I need to bring and how best to carry it etc. and she thought it was perfectly reasonable to ask everyone to bring a throwaway pack lunch to eat on the journey there. This would give me less to carry and would also ensure the kids get a lunch they will definitely like and eat. I would only then have to provide the birthday tea.

But I feel VERY rude asking the parents to provide a pack lunch for a birthday party! WIBU to ask this? How would you feel if you were asked?

[BabyGanoush]

Get the kids to carry stuff, they are 11!

I find doing ham sandwiches and jam sandwiches covers for most tastes (and a few plain rolls for very fussy ones). Packet of biscuits, big bag of crisps, everyone happy 😁

[Isetan]

In the circumstance I wouldn't be bothered by being asked to make a packed lunch but I would be concerned that only one adult would be in charge. Is there no one else to help accompany you?

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

I think yabu sorry ! Make them carry their lunch instead

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

It's fine to ask parents to send packed lunch. Making one pack up is no big deal. You'll break your back otherwise. Have fun!

[PepeLePew]

I'd ask them each to bring a labelled bottle full of water or whatever else they want to drink. If you don't have to carry drinks for lunch that will make a big difference. Lunch could be slices of cold cooked pizza (smaller and less faff than sandwiches), bag of carrot sticks, packet of biscuits and some flapjacks or something. Not the healthiest ever but portable. (Though personally if asked to provide a packed lunch I wouldn't give it a second thought!)

[brummiesue]

I really think it's a bit cheeky asking parents to make a lunch for a party you are putting on. They are 11 not 5, give your son a backpack, you have one as well, that will be enough for food for 7 surely?! Sandwiches/crisps/cakes/cheese strings etc, you can get them tocarry their own drinks.

[Wordsmith]

I think you're over thinking this. You're taking them out for what sounds like an expensive activity and providing tea afterwards. Of course the parents can provide a packed lunch! I'd just tell them that's the plan and not worry about it. If I received an invite like that on behalf of my kids, I'd think "what a brilliant day out" not "blimey, can't they provide lunch as well as tea?".

[OldJoseph]

Not unreasonable at all to ask, I'd be more than happy to provide a lunch for a day out. I might bring a few extra sandwiches in case someone turns up without their lunch though.

[Ginslinger]

can't see any problem in asking children to bring their own packed lunch - at least they get what they like and they carry it.

[DulliDulli]

I would contact the venue and ask to store the birthday tea stuff there, then take it over the day before.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I don't think it's unreasonable or rude in general to ask parents to provide a packed lunch...

But I do think it's a bit unreasonable to ask now, if it wasn't on the invite and there's only one day to go. I'm at work all day today and I won't have time to go shopping.

I'd get a suitcase out of the attic, and use that. Get them to take it in turns pulling it if you need too!

[Cantusethatname]

My year 6 son would much rather I packed his lunch than someone who didn't know his peculiar likes and dislikes. I wouldn't think it was rude at all. I would be delighted you were taking him paintballing.
Don't worry about it. Tell them you are doing tea and bring your own packed lunch as you don't know what everyone likes in sandwiches.

[Blu]

Op, I would have not the slightest qualm in being asked to send a packed lunch if I knew that the host was traveling on public transport without help!

Ask parents to send a water bottle Make individual bags, incl drink, take a taxi to the station, and then give everyone their own bag to carry.

Good for you: it sounds a great trip.

[Lilaclily]

Op you sound a saint putting all that on by yourself
Good luck
Just remember next year chuck some money at Ds and leave it to him!

[Lilaclily]

Agree with Blu

[whois]

I think it's fine. The party is paint balling and a birthday tea. The journey there is just the journey. Ask that they either eat lunch beiges they arrive, or it might be nicer to bring a packed lunch to eat on the train.

I wouldn't think it was odd to send a bit of a pack up to eat for lunch before a party like this.

[AntiHop]

Could you use one of those shopping bags on wheels? I don't have a car either and I find it very useful in such situations.

[whois]

I'm at work all day today and I won't have time to go shopping

And you couldn't possibly stop at a tesco express on the way home / way to the party and pick up a sandwich, crisps and a drink???

[KidLorneRoll]

Just get them to bring lunch. Most people wouldn't bat an eyelid.

[Voteforpedr0]

Why not just ask the parents to make sure each child takes their own backpack so you can hand out each childs lunch before you set off ? Make up half cheese half ham, bag of crisps and a little choc thing and a bottle of water. Then your not carrying it all it really isn't rocket science

[Lilaclily]

Whois - as she doesn't drive probably not ! Or maybe she works , lives nowhere near teach, not everyone does !

[Gileswithachainsaw]

I'd be fine with it.

takes two mins to do a pack lunch. no big deal.

I have to ask though, can you trust the parents? how well do you know them? are they hey those who would send a cab if soup or a pot noodle with no thought as to the fact there's no where to beat it up or boil a kettle?

[Obs2016]

This all seems overly complicated. You start off wanting to have a party and it ends up with this!

[Agadooo]

Exactly as 'vote says-you make up some ham and some cheese rolls and buy a multipack of crisps and a couple packs of something like kitkat or twix and some drinks-all good-dont overthink it. Quick text to parents saying looking forward to the day and can your kids all bring a backpack for u to put their lunch in x

[PPie10]

I think it's a bit rude tbh. Get the kids to split up all the stuff and carry. You're making it into a bigger issue than it is. Make a couple of sandwiches, bake a few sausage rolls or oven pastries, and the cake. You are over complicating it.