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 🤪

Tell you what, I find that the well-off parents are more likely to be tight on party food!

Because a typical kids birthday party has food

I think everyone’s just skint.

There are different ways to do things. Cake being served at the party after the singing and the candles is a perfectly valid option and how we've always done it. Who wants cake stuck to a paper napkin when you can have it freshly cut on a plate?

I agree, we always offered extra cake to go home for anyone who wanted some, to share with siblings if it was a big cake but I can't imagine singing Happy Birthday and candles then, nothing?

I don't know the context. But you don't know people's financial situations.

Why do you think parties are suddenly being held without party food?

It's either financial or they're overwhelmed by the amount of children citing allergies or religious intolerance. It's probably the former.

Or they're scamming other children into buying presents. But if they're permanently in your neighbourhood, it doesn't help them if their child is regarded as a scammer: A donut in exchange for a £10 gift.

But be reasonable, you didn't exactly have to produce something out of nothing - unless you're on the breadline. The majority of families have a tin of baked beans, bread and even fish fingers in the freezer to feed their kids at short notice.

So seriously. Why do you think the parties had no party food?

Who wants cake stuck to a paper napkin when you can have it freshly cut on a plate?

Children do.

Course it's fine if there's actual food there, to eat the cake at the party! But-

They don't want to play for 2 hours, getting exhausted from having fun only to have a single slice of cake. And a bottle of water, squash if they're lucky. And then they then eat at the party, and go home empty handed

I was a child not that long ago, and even at that age, it was disappointing to have no food at a party. Or a square inch of cake because the parents are tight

I LOVED the cake in a napkin! For breakfast the next day. The best bit!

They aren't going home empty handed if there is a party bag or alternative. Though I would also send home cake with anyone who wanted any.

I remember the fun and activities at parties from when I was a child, food wasn't the highlight. Cake was always better freshly cut, the piece I took home was for my sibling.

Obviously someone who serves a donut at a kids party ....all the sugar lol!!

I'm pretty sure that's illegal.

I don't think it's the law that "cake is meant to be taken home". Says who? What if it's an ice-cream cake?

I don't think it's the law that "cake is meant to be taken home". Says who? What if it's an ice-cream cake?

It doesn't HAVE to be taken home but it is absolutely NOT a substitute for party food. That is just tragic.

We have a narrowboat and when DS was 8 we had a pirate party. There wasn't anywhere to put out a spread of food safely so I got pirate lunchboxes and put the usual things in those. It was brilliant. No waste.

2pm until 4pm

Did you really need some to tell you there wasn't going to be food? I'd say it would be pretty obvious and for that reason I've said YABU

HOWEVER, I agree that it's weird.
I personally wouldn't have a party at those times and have always provided plenty of food and drinks.

Our DDs most recent party was 2-4 due to getting the venue and entertainment lined up. We provided snack boxes rather than a full spread but we did make this clear on the invitations.

It's party ... There's an assumption of food. Seeing this is what humans do all over the world and have been for centuries...

Kids party without party food is odd.
Completely odd.

It's an assumption on your part. Not everyone would make that assumption.

This is not what humans do all over world. Food is not always assumed.

If I got an invite to a party 2-4 I would assume that food would not be provided. If it was at someone's house, I'd probably ask 'just to confirm, should I give DC lunch beforehand'. I would expect water to be provided, and birthday cake.

As I said, I would not give a party this way and have always provided food and drink (and usually for the adults too)

Show me a celebration or party where friends/family are invited where food is not expected/the norm?

Kids party - food included.

Thats the way it’s always been, you know, ‘party food’..

Never attended a party growing up without food, hosted a party without food or taken any of my 3 kids to a party without food.

That is a lot of parties.

This!

Yes and they have invited CHILDREN to have fun at a party. It is not the job of the parents to entertain or provide food for all the adults as well

Food for kids should always be provided, even if it’s jam sandwich’s.

Food for adults no way!!!

I reckon the cheapest way now to feed a kids home/hall party has to be those 95p pizzas from the supermarket. Get a mixture of those, a few bags of own brand chicken dippers, frozen wedges/fries/onion rings. Borrow a couple of air fryers. Just do a few batches and they can help themselves when they’re ready. They never stay sat down long anyway.

All parties I have been to have food however they have all been over lunch time. Got one coming up 2-4pm and this was my first thought if we’ll need to have a tea planned for after. It’s not soft play so I’d be quite happy if they just did drinks and cakes