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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not do food for party

371 replies

ttctimeforme · 06/02/2023 18:54

If you went to an party in the evening at a venue, around 7:30pm onwards.. would you expect food to be provided?

OP posts:
Thatboymum · 06/02/2023 19:59

I have dinner about 5 so no I wouldn’t expect food at 7.30 but crisps and nibbles I would

XelaM · 06/02/2023 20:00

ttctimeforme · 06/02/2023 18:57

I was thinking of just doing some sweet food, cakes, doughnuts etc

Would that be sufficient?

It's not about budget it's because it's a surprise party it will be very difficult to arrange food and the venue doesn't offer it

Pizza delivery

Original poster
ttctimeforme · 06/02/2023 20:00

@BungleandGeorge I don't think half the people there would drink champagne 😂 maybe a shot instead 🤔

OP posts:
blackbeardsballsack · 06/02/2023 20:00

ttctimeforme · 06/02/2023 19:56

@blackbeardsballsack did I say it doesn't have any take aways? I said i couldn't find any caterers

I think some of you need to learn to read personally

Thank you for the helpful replies those who have given them

You said 'it will be very difficult to arrange food', in spite of a myriad of ideas suggested by helpful posters.

You said pizzas would be naff, you said that 'beige buffet food' would be unappealing.

Everyone has given you SO many ideas, that you could have googled yourself and sorted out within less than 5 minutes.

DisforDarkChocolate · 06/02/2023 20:00

I'm middle aged to alcohol and cake just means a massive headache. Surely you can get something delivered.

RedAndBlueStripedGolfingUmbrella · 06/02/2023 20:00

Did I say it doesn't have any take aways? I said i couldn't find any caterers.
No, but you are making out like there's no options for food available.
I think this is a fairly unanimous AIBU - yes, food is expected (not doughnuts and cake, something savoury needed) otherwise people are going to get bladdered or bogging off home early to go to Maccy D's or whatever! 😁

HowDoYouOwnDisorder · 06/02/2023 20:02

Honestly I think anything is fine

i went to a party that had no food, just donuts brownies and sweets (weird!) and drinks

it was still fun, we just did not stay that long as we all got hungry so went looking for chip/pizza by about 9:30

Original poster
ttctimeforme · 06/02/2023 20:02

@RedAndBlueStripedGolfingUmbrella I haven't at all 😂 I've said I won't be able to find a caterer in my area, the venue doesn't supply food

I said I had considered pizza delivery but wasn't sure, if other people think take away is acceptable then i'm happy to do that. I find that more appealing option and more substantial than a buffet

OP posts:
Doodar · 06/02/2023 20:02

I really wouldn't bother, or make some proper effort. Costco do great sandwiches/wraps.

Delatron · 06/02/2023 20:04

You’re just inviting people to a bar to see the birthday person. It’s not a party as there’s no hosting and nothing is provided?

Which is fine. Just bill it as such - ‘see you all for drinks at such and such pub to celebrate the birthday’. And push the time back so people can eat first - 8pm maybe.

Those suggesting food vans - the cheapest quote we had for our party was £800 for 40 people!

Either it’s a party or it’s not. A party is where you provide some free drink and food.

TildaRae · 06/02/2023 20:05

Think the pizza delivery or food van would be the way to go with this.

I went to a party that had a hog roast van, it went down really well and there was also a massive cheese board with crusty baguette, chutneys and salad and fruit.

Rainbow1901 · 06/02/2023 20:06

I realise that this is a surprise party but it's not for the 30 - 40 people that have been invited. Why not get back on to them and ask them to bring a plate of food with them? You may need to negotiate who might bring sausage rolls or whatever but at least then there would be food for the evening.

Chocbuttonsandredwine · 06/02/2023 20:06

Contact your local takeaway. Ours does platters of pakora, onion bhajis, naan, chips and curry sauces. That sounds like it would work well.

Or pizza.

or fish and chips?

Blindsandcurtains · 06/02/2023 20:06

Yes, I also would expect food and definitely not food like donuts.

Pizza delivery would be good. Then you aren’t presenting food yourself etc.

Bunce1 · 06/02/2023 20:07

fish chip van or pizza van is fun

Or
loads of French sticks cut up, block of farmhouse cheddar, block or Stilton and some grapes/figs to garnish. Pots of chutneys with spoons and a couple of baked hams. Some olives. Easy to make look pretty, reasonably priced and a real crowd pleaser.

also I think it’s nice to offer a welcome drink on arrival for free…..maybe a punch or a mimosa?

MargaritaRita · 06/02/2023 20:08

Would the venue allow you to bring food in from a take away? Sometimes they can be a bit sniffy about this. I'd check that out first.

Delatron · 06/02/2023 20:09

All these food vans suggested will be at least £500. I don’t think the OP will be spending that much.

Snugglemonkey · 06/02/2023 20:09

ttctimeforme · 06/02/2023 18:57

I was thinking of just doing some sweet food, cakes, doughnuts etc

Would that be sufficient?

It's not about budget it's because it's a surprise party it will be very difficult to arrange food and the venue doesn't offer it

No it would not.

nex18 · 06/02/2023 20:09

You definitely need food. What about the surprised birthday girl or boy, where will they think they’re being taken when they’re warned they need to make sure they’ve eaten first?

Snugglemonkey · 06/02/2023 20:10

Chocbuttonsandredwine · 06/02/2023 18:56

yes… unless you say “drinks at mine 7.30”

what lkind of party and where might make a slight difference.

I would read drinks at 7.30 and assume there would be food.

Greensleevevssnotnose · 06/02/2023 20:11

Maybe hire a burger van, or a pizza van etc and tell everyone to bring money to pay. I assume it's a free bar so they can buy their own food.

Original poster
ttctimeforme · 06/02/2023 20:12

@Bunce1 yeah i think the person who's party is would be more than happy with pizza

I like the cheeseboard/grazing board idea but it's just transporting it, I'm not going to be able to go there to set up the food myself so i would have to leave that in someone else's hands if I want to keep up the surprise

Wondering if I can get some nice trays from somewhere and make the food up at someone's house in the day and ask them to transfer it for me

OP posts:
lap90 · 06/02/2023 20:12

It would be pretty poor hosting if you didn't.

There must be caterers for your area.
Try community facebook group/pages for recommendations?

caringcarer · 06/02/2023 20:13

You can buy tubs of precooked sausages, buy 10 scotch eggs and just cut them in halves, it takes about 5 seconds to pop open a packet of pringles. Same with crisps, tip into a bowl. Buy the M&S wraps and a couple of platters of sandwiches. Chocolate fingers can be just tipped on to a paper plate. Turkey dippers and chicken nuggets need cooking but can you get someone else to do that? A few bags of salad leaves and a couple of tubs of cherry tomatoes. Slice up a few cold quiches. Should all be done in 10-15 mins and use paper plates so no washing up.

Delatron · 06/02/2023 20:13

Greensleevevssnotnose · 06/02/2023 20:11

Maybe hire a burger van, or a pizza van etc and tell everyone to bring money to pay. I assume it's a free bar so they can buy their own food.

It’s not a free bar.