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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Child's birthday party - would it bother you?

28 replies

User171762 · 09/10/2023 16:49

If your child was invited to a birthday party where there was no food other than cake (and juice)?

I'm thinking of booking a specific activity for my child's birthday party but there isn't any food, you can bring a cake and party bags for when the children are leaving but buffet style food not allowed due to the type of place.

It would be until 12pm so not past dinner time strictly.

I think it looks good fun and the kids would enjoy it but my family member commented what about food and now I'm wondering if its a problem?!

Fwiw, it's in our local town so not much travelling for any of the invitees.

OP posts:
Dacadactyl · 09/10/2023 16:50

No it wouldnt bother me, but I'd make it clear on the invites that only cake will be provided and no food.

StarlightLime · 09/10/2023 16:52

No, it wouldn't be a problem.

Tdcp · 09/10/2023 16:53

I've been to quite a few kids parties with no food. I think if you just put it on the invites or something then people will know to feed the kids beforehand :)

Gymmum82 · 09/10/2023 16:53

Wouldn’t bother me but you’ll need to make it clear on the invites as no matter what time a party starts it always includes food

Toffeebythesea · 09/10/2023 16:54

I think it's fine as long as you make it clear.
I've considered the same for my DC birthday but chickened out and conformed to the expectation to provide food.

NotSuchASmugMarried · 09/10/2023 16:54

I think you should feed them , yes.

RosePetals86 · 09/10/2023 16:54

No it wouldn’t bother me. Every party I’ve took my dc too they are disinterested in the food and too occupied with the fun/ activites going on. I usually end up making food when we get home!

AvengedQuince · 09/10/2023 16:54

I wouldn't expect food if it was two hours or less and not over lunchtime. Longer than two hours and I would expect a snack for nursery aged children.

Dessertinthedesert · 09/10/2023 16:55

How old are the children? Generally it’s fine as long as you pre-warn the parents.

Noicant · 09/10/2023 16:55

I wouldn’t mind as long as a heads up was given (probably best to say the venue won’t allow as well).

Original poster
User171762 · 09/10/2023 16:56

I mean this place does birthday parties pretty regularly so other people must have done it I guess!

If i go ahead I'll make sure to do as PPs say and make it clear on the invites.

Thinking about it myself I can't say I'd be arsed if my kid went to a party without food, providing it wasn't over the whole lunch time period which this isn't.

OP posts:
PipersDream · 09/10/2023 16:56

No, wouldn't bother me. I always did parties 2-4pm so there was no expectation of a meal being provided, obviously just snacks and cake.

If you're worried, then write it on the invite. Venue doesn't allow food, will provide cake to take kind of thing.

Ostryga · 09/10/2023 16:57

It would be fine as long as not over lunch and not longer than 2 hours.

Most parties we go to do an hour ish of activity, and then an hour of eating/cake and candles and then goodbyes.

How old are the children? I find 5/6/7 don’t need much more than 2 hours for a party.

Original poster
User171762 · 09/10/2023 16:57

Children will be 4/5, party only 1.5hrs

OP posts:
FusionChefGeoff · 09/10/2023 16:58

I'd be annoyed TBH as the trade off for the faff / cost of attending a party (particularly if they're little and I have to stay) is that they at least get fed.

But if you were clear on the invite, I'd have a little moan then get over myself Smile

StarlightLime · 09/10/2023 16:59

User171762 · 09/10/2023 16:57

Children will be 4/5, party only 1.5hrs

It's fine, of course they can go for 90 minutes without filling their faces!

MuggleMe · 09/10/2023 16:59

Sounds fine to me, just be clear. Alternatively do a little picnic box on the way out.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 09/10/2023 17:00

Is it a slime making party? Wouldn’t bother me if specified.

AvengedQuince · 09/10/2023 17:00

I'd say something like 'join Johnny for a play and cake' or someone will word it better than me!

Myusernamehistoryislong · 09/10/2023 17:02

@NotSuchASmugMarried what do you suggest? A buffet from the boot of the car?

I think you're fine OP as long as you say on the invites as others have suggested.

Original poster
User171762 · 09/10/2023 17:02

MuggleMe · 09/10/2023 16:59

Sounds fine to me, just be clear. Alternatively do a little picnic box on the way out.

That's not a bad idea!

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 09/10/2023 17:02

I would just put it in the invitations - “due to nature of the activity, I’m not allowed to provide any food except for cake at the end”

Hopefully then people won’t turn up hungry!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 09/10/2023 17:03

Or the picnic boxes sound good

FeelingOblivion · 09/10/2023 17:04

Wouldn't bother me, as long as it was on the invite as PPs have stated. I'd like to know in advance so I could make sure my DCs had had a decent breakfast/lunch/snack (whichever was more applicable to the party time).

Just because most parties include a meal I don't believe that means all have to, and often my kids are still hungry after party food, as (due to the excitement usually) they often don't eat enough anyway!

Ivebeentogeorgia · 09/10/2023 17:07

It’s fine, they never eat the food anyway. My niece had a 6th bday party at a pamper type place where they got loads of glitter on their faces and hair and had a dance. There was no meal but they got to design and make their own sweet bags and got cake at the end. My sister just mentioned on the invite that only sweets and cake will be provided- nobody minded at all.