Kids party no food

[Thebabewiththepowerof]

Quick one

Aibu to think the recent move towards not providing party food at kids parties is a bit odd?

Just picked up DS from yet another party where no food was provided (and no it’s not a cost thing, not in this case anyway) just a doughnut 🍩.

The kids don’t care I’m sure but I wasn’t planning on doing a “dinner” tonight so had to come home and produce something from nothing because he was hungry. If you aren’t providing food then at least tell us in advance so we know!

Anyway, am I?

ps for context he is 8, appreciate if he were 16 this would all be a bit weird 🤪

So many dietary needs to be considered and allergies and whatnot that no food would be a no brainer for me!

This.

The OP literally said “The kids don’t care I’m sure but I wasn’t planning on doing a “dinner” tonight so had to come home and produce something from nothing because he was hungry. If you aren’t providing food then at least tell us in advance so we know!”

I’m doing a pool party at my local swimming baths and first thing I worried about was food, so I’ve decided to send them home with a packed lunch/cake etc there isn’t anywhere to eat it there but I couldn’t do no food at all it’s weird, they are 9

I was on that thread too and l still have no idea what a jam slag is !

Maybe dad drove off with it on the car roof or something 🤷🏻‍♀️

We went to a party recently that neither provided food nor cake and there was an embarrassing bit at the start where it turned out it wasn't an official party at the venue and so adults attending all had to pay. Felt really sorry for the parent who I assume couldn't afford to do the official party but still wanted to provide one for their child. The lack of food and drink was probably because the venue didn't allow it (unless a party or you buy theirs) but they did a party bag so could've put cake in there I guess. I did think that they probably should've warned people as the venue only took cash and also some people may not have accepted the invite if they knew they'd need to be able to afford the entrance fee and a drink for their child. But at the same time I understood the parent wanting to give their child a party that other parents provide but on a limited budget, and how really could they have pre warned without feeling embarrassed or having to divulge their personal circumstances. It is a tough one. Perhaps some not providing food in the examples in this thread are purposefully choosing times etc where they think food is less needed to save money and without it couldn't have done a party. And I'm kind of glad their kid gets a party. I hadn't realised though that all parties wouldn't have the standard party food and cake provision so now I know, I can at least be better prepared and take a drink and snack in my bag, prepare my child that there may not be cake (ASD) etc.

We’ve been to a cpl of class parties where they didn’t do party food, but they let everyone know in advance. One was because it was an odd time, the other was because the venue wouldn’t let you take in outside food, but their price per kid to provide food was insane

Both times the kids got snacks like a donut or mini muffins and a drink. Tbh, most kids don’t seem to eat much anyway at parties, so I’m not bothered about it.

Party food could be the deal breaker for some families nowadays so could be the difference with having an outing or not. Party food adds up and is generally full of additives so quite likely your son got a good deal with a donut.

I threw my mum a horse riding party with a children’s birthday inspired afternoon tea. We had fondant fancies, party rings, little sandwiches etc and a homemade birthday cake with age candles.

Kids parties aren’t just for kids 🤣

Complete nonsense unless you have an extraordinary big chip on your shoulder.

I have done and brought my kids to both, as it happens. Village hall/ laser tag had no relevance whatsoever with the financial status of the parents.

It's rare to see 40 kids invited to a softplay for a start, even for families who could easily afford it.

Village hall for a bunch of 8 years old? Cost very little, but it's more work. You provide FOOD, throw a few balloons, have a decent sound system and it's a DISCO. You have the kids running and jumping around for a couple of hours. It's exhausting but it works really well.

I imagine it would be a relief for the host.

Do the party meal providers do their kid’s parties over a meal time? For example 11am to 2pm or 4pm to 7pm? Myself and everyone I knew when the kids were under eleven /not at senior school did parties outside of meal times. This wasn’t to save money but out of respect to others meal planning and dietary requirements. We all did snacks and a cake. For those here who say a present was expected the answer is no and gifts were always token gifts or no gift - crayons, a notebook, packet of sweets. I gave a party bag containing similar items and a piece of cake. It was all great fun and we all kept it easy going. One thing about not having a party over a meal time is that the kids could really play and enjoy their time having fun. Lots of energy and the aim was games, perhaps at a centre with bouncy castles etc or planned at home it was 100% activity that was inclusive.

Profiteer? How?

All children are entitled to a birthday party.

@StormingNorman

@RubySloth doesn't know what profiteer means. They're just being a smart arse

I would imagine @RubySloth means getting/accepting a shit loads of gifts and cash for your child's birthday, whilst giving fuck-all back except a sodding doughnut!

I don't imagine the poor child whose party it was will be getting many attendees if they have another party next year!

@Chanelbasketballandchain

Complete nonsense unless you have an extraordinary big chip on your shoulder.

I was making a sarcastic point about the poster saying children would be nasty at school if a child didn't have sandwiches at their party because it's different from everyone else's party. Well nowadays a village hall party at that age is also different from most.

I don't have a problem with village hall parties, given I've thrown two of them. But I do think the price can stack up quickly for an older child's party.

Your username is so apt.

most children will have birthday parties that are not 40 guests in a soft play, even if cost of said soft plays can vary a lot.

MY 3 kids never went to any party without food whatever time it was held. I always provided food at their parties also .

Jam Slag = Jam Tart

My kids are at uni now but I still remember the party my daughter attended aged 6 where there was no food! Definitely not related to cost.

Food at kids’ parties is a social norm. Whatever the timing. So parents plan their kid’s eating around it for that day. It’s a bit of a pain to discover your child hasn’t eaten and then to have to rearrange your plans around that.

If there is no food, people should say so on the invite to manage expectations.

Bullying?!

I am from a culture where guests are king. We would never host anybody in our house without offering food and drink as soon as they walked in. Even if they were popping in for ten minutes. This kind of stingy joyless hosting is so alien to me. People who can afford soft play can afford a basic lunch.