To not put on food at my child birthday party?

[LittleDonkeyKong]

Having a party for my eldests birthday next month and have booked a DJ with a 2 hour party package. The party is 2-4. I think stopping for food is such a waste of precious dancing time and the party isn't over a meal time. Am I being unreasonable?

Since the party finishes at 4 I would expect kids to want some tea later in the evening regardless. Unless you usually eat tea at about 3 o’clock!

I was at a 2-4 party at the weekend, the food was mainly cake / crisps / sweets, with a few sandwiches. The mum had also rented a slushy machine which went down really well. The party bags were the sweets from the piñata and a piece of cake. She had also put on tea and coffee and a separate plate of sandwiches for the parents that stayed, and again that’s a nice touch if you can make it happen.

Given you haven't sent out invitations yet, why don't you just extend the time of the party, so that the food isn't getting in the way of the dancing, and is at more of an early tea time.

Though I think drinks and some crisps throughout would still be needed.

Are you mad?
It’s a party.

OrangeMini100Points

What are you doing about about party bags?!

Run Forest, run!!!! 🏃‍♀️

Just to add:

Definition of party - a social gathering of invited guests, typically involving eating, drinking, and entertainment.

HTH.

😂

2 hours is quite a long time for little ones to run around and dance. At DD's party they were all looking for food and drinks long before it was ready!

Just give them some bowls of crisps, sausage rolls, and bob's your uncle. They won't eat much but they'll want a break.

I'd feed them skittles and red bull so they can continue dancing when they get home.

Just do a bloody buffet and stop being so tight, I've never been to a party where food wasn't provided. If it's not to do with money then what is it to do with?

I have never understood why food is expected at childrens parties especially when it's not over a usual mealtime.
So you don’t get it. It’s not a party for you. Serve some food!

@sanssherif

I love how reluctantly and begrudgingly the OP is now providing food!

Kids at 8 years old are very experienced party goers. They know the running order and will expect food half way through the party. It doesn't matter if they have eaten a full Sunday lunch an hour before, they will ask you to your face where the food is if it doesn't appear.

I just hope to God you are doing party bags, as there will be a complete riot if these are not given out...

Don’t think op is coming back actually. Having never done a proper party for her child, she know so much better than everyone else. Let’s hope no one is horrible to her kid when she only produces cheese sandwiches, crisps, slice of cake, a balloon and a pencil. Parties should be talked about for the right reason. But hey, she’s not tight oooh nooooooo.......

Why would op come back when she said on page 8 that she would do food! Pp have since just piled on ignoring all updates.

If you want the party to be remembered and spoken about for a long time afterwards (by both tots and parents) then don't serve food. It would be the ultimate social faux pas on so many levels and really single out your daughter for all the wrong reasons! It's not just a case of BU, it's outrageous!

the majority of parents now just give out a slice of bday cake as a going home gift and a thank you for coming

Are we back to the Good Old Days? Thank Christ for that.

I loaded, hated and detested the children's party bags! One of the kids at one of DS's parties spent the entire two hours refusing to join in any games - she just followed me round the house whinging "Where are the key bags? I want the lucky bags? When can I have the lucky bags?" AT a couple of points in the afternoon she disappeared and I thought "Thank Gawd - she's realised she's not getting anything till she goes home" - only to find her creeping round upstairs looking for the sodding things!

I HATE party Bags.

An table heaving with of all that delicious and usually rationed food is what makes a kids party.A children's party without cakes,crisps,sausage rolls etc is like an adult's party without alcohol-pointless!