Child’s birthday party - food for parents too?!

[Dowhyy]

Having my dds first proper birthday party and have confirmed 15 children. Doing it at home, so will have approx 40 people here 😬

for the kids I planned to do a boxed lunch each as it’s easy to keep track of. But what about the parents?!

do I provide sandwiches/snacks etc, is that the norm?

my plan is to bake a big batch of scones, have jam and clotted cream plus fresh strawberries for them. A table of iced tea/coffee etc and soft drinks. Do I provide alcohol? What else could I have on offer?! Crisps??

im so panicked! Have never had to cater for many people and really want to give my lovely dd a wonderful day.

From 2 - 4pm I wouldn’t be offering alcoholic drinks. Tea/coffee/water/squash and some biscuits would be sufficient. Surely the adults would have had lunch by 2pm?

We've always had booze (beer & wine) available for the adults at our children's parties - it meant more of them stayed so more pairs of eyes on the kids - usually the Dads stay but often the Mums rushed off as had already planned things to do minus kids. The parents then ate the leftover sandwiches. Scones would be lovely too. Enjoy it.

I’ve been to kids parties at all different times and there’s always food for the kids and usually a separate table with some snacky options for parents eg pastries, cakes, breadsticks dips etc. A selection of soft drinks and occasionally alcohol. I would expect little kids to eat an early lunch at around 12 and probably be up for a high tea about 3.

The only time I've seen parents catered for is 1st birthday parties when it's really more about the adults. By 4/5 I would not expect anything as a parent attending. Tea/coffee is nice but not expected. Having said that if I wasn't driving I'd not turn down a glass of wine!

Boxed lunch much easier with allergies/dietary requirements and for reducing waste. I'd ask before does Jake want cheese/ham/chicken etc and ask for which drink carton apple/orange.
Scones sound nice - I'd offer tea/coffee/still sparking water and prosecco and a few nibbles.

Forgot to mention, we've been at school in north london (state) and Bucks - state and private. it may be different elsewhere/

What you have planned sounds lovely but dont kill yourself. A separate table for adults is a good idea. Most parties in my circuit have a small amt of alcohol if after 2pm.

I can't imagine having people into my home and not catering for them. How beyond the pale.

I honestly think tea and biscuits would be plenty for the adults. Set up an area next to the kettle with mugs, cans of soft drinks and plates of biscuits and tell people to help themselves when they arrive. Scones would be amazing but a bit of a faff to assemble, plus creating more washing up for you.

You’ll be busy enough organising everything else that day, keep things as simple as possible so you can actually watch your child enjoying themselves too!

I did a cheeseboard and tea/coffee/sparkling water for adults at my DDs recent party.

We did offer scones at one of the parties this year, but only as they were leftover from Mother's Day!

A few nibbles for the adults is fine, they won't expect to be fed. Cream teas sound lovely though I'd be delighted with that but certainly it would be unexpected. Glass of processo would also be very welcome but not expected.

Tea and coffee will be fine. No alcohol. If you put the food on the table for the kids to pick at, rather than using boxes, the adults usually polish off the stuff the kids leave.

Wouldn’t provide alcohol, someone always drinks too much.

Sounds lovely, op. If you can do some snacks and offer a drink/s to the adults, that is a bonus, but imo. at 2 - 4pm, snacks might be better than sandwiches?? You know your family and friends the best. For afternoon party, I would do squash, water, tea and coffee, plate of biscuits to offer round, a few bowls of crisps and probably have a bottle or two of Prosecco just in case but would judge the atmosphere first … 🙂

I have been to lots of parties where a cup of tea is the norm and appreciated or one time, absolutely nothing! Budgets may be a big factor especially right now so wouldn’t expect anything as a parent (always take a bottle of water now) but Tbh, I am a host through and through so was a bit surprised at not being offered anything (not even a glass of water) for two hours at that party.

Anyway, hope everyone enjoys it and kids are obviously the priority.

I agree a drink and nibbles is fine and will be appreciated

I wouldn't expect lunch at all for kids or adults if the party is from 2-4, just some small party snacks like crisps, sausage rolls, cupcakes, etc. Then the adults can pick at it too if they want. Tea, coffee and soft drinks for drinks

I always provide food for parents too but usually do buffet style, so the adults get fancier sandwiches but can pick other bits.

Cake for everyone and soft drinks are fine. I often do booze but I like booze. I’d not be at all concerned without it.

I wouldn't make sandwiches or anything. The scones sound perfect. Many wont be hungry though so just a few snacks or a cheese board is good.