Kids parties: buffet or food box?

[SockTurtleMoop]

(I’m shamelessly using AIBU because I want the voting feature.)

DS(4) birthday party coming up and I can’t decide whether to do buffet or food boxes for the kids. What do people generally prefer?

Kids aged 2-8 present, most of them 4/5.

YABU: party boxes
YANBU: buffet

What kind of box would you use?

would you end up needing more food?

I do like the idea of a food box but haven't seen them used IRL

I used plastic Tupperware boxes. Quick and easy to give out. I think buffet would be messy for that age

At home? Would there be a choice?

Many parties my kid has been to have brown paper bags each with a sandwich, drink and a few snacks. I think it works well and is easy to prep in advance.

We always used cardboard food boxes with a sandwich, packet of crisps, small box of raisins and something sweet (a Freddo). Then put sausages, strawberries and cucumber sticks in the middle.

In a village hall.

Boxes a bit like a happy meal. But contents normally the same as a packed lunch.

My friends probably do it 50/50.

I did a buffet last year and it worked well, but I did end up over catering especially on the sarnies. (Which are not fun to stand and make!)

I think the food boxes/ bags are a great idea. I saw a video online where they asked on the invite for child's preferred sandwich option I think it was like ham, cheese or jam so limiting waste as much as possible.

We've always done boxes. It's easier to cater for allergies too.

This is a great idea. Quite a nice compromise between the two. Thanks!

I’ve noticed that with the boxes things often go to waste as kids will open the crisps but then don’t like them, don’t like the type of sandwiches etc although that can be managed through asking preference.
Ive had a few parties for my DC and now I make minimal sandwiches as they don’t really seem to go and do cold pizza instead and generally a lot less than I did at first

I switched to food boxes because I massively over-catered when I did buffet style food.

Done boxes. Certainly cut down on waste. Good when kids were young. Sarnie, crisps, something sweet, cucumber and carrot sticks, plus a drink of some sort.

Better still has been hot dogs and burgers. Shove them all in the oven to cook for ease and loads get eaten. And you can use any leftovers as you hand them out rather than putting them somewhere to be man handled. Add a few bowls of crisps and jobs a good’un. Don’t forget the ketchup!

Boxes much easier to prep in advance.

This was my mine concern. Kids are so fussy. I’ll ask for sandwich preference in advance but the thought of picking what else is where I start to doubt the idea.

I’m thinking Pom bears, mini pack of party rings, a juice carton, some strawberries/blueberries… All seems pretty inoffensive?!

And then I might put some sausage rolls, cocktail sausages, carrot/cucumber sticks and some of those mini brownie bites out on the table? ….am I going back to over catering here?? But that’s all pretty easy to chuck out, only the sarnies to make beforehand.

I always think a food box looks mean and I party like. A table of party food set out nicely looks way better and more inviting. It doesn’t need to have cost a lot.

unparty like

I would do a food box/bag including a drink but keep the sandwiches separate. Then you can ask the children on the day and the remainder can be handed out to parents.
My experience is that asking for preferences will stress you out a bit. Loads won’t reply.
You hand the sandwiches out then any left can be reused (no grubby kids hands touching).

Boxes. Or you have the parents who didn't "drop and go" climbing into the buffet.

Yes. Really. And then not enough sausage rolls for the kids 🙄

I think buffet is better - lots of kids are picky, I would think boxes would mean more waste

I like the food boxes, the kids seem to love it and it means every bit of food hasn't been touched 100 times or sneezed into by 10 different kids!

I always did buffets but did boxes (or rather sturdy brown paper bags) for an outdoor activity based party.

I did choice of ham, cheese or jam sandwiches
Choice of plain pom bears or flavoured monster munch
Bag of mini cookies or mini muffin
Apple or banana
Choice of apple or orange juice carton (would have gone for fruit shoots but ds had a sweetener intolerance)

I must admit I agree. But I’m going to put a few bits out for the adults anyway, and as PP said I think adding a few extras not in the boxes works well. Then hungry kids can top up! Never considered a hybrid… I think that’s the answer.

Two of my three have allergies anyway, so if anything it makes it easier for me to feed them this way too.

@SockTurtleMoop your putting so much thought into this that I’m sure the children will have a great time. 😀

You can get party boxes and make up individual packed lunches. Much easier to cater for allergies and choice that way.

I think food boxes are great. Much easier to work out how much stuff you need and less wastage. We had over 60 kids at my daughter's party this year (it was a joint one) and they all got a packed lunch and ate them picnic style on the floor (there were tables, they just preferred to do that!!) and it worked really well. Also helped us with catering for allergies.