Food for parents at kids parties...

[Tinkjon]

Would you expect food for parents at a kid's party? I don't mean proper catering, I just mean some cakes/nibbles/whatever. I wasn't planning to do any (there's enough to sort out for the kids without adding more stuff to do) but a friend seemed surprised when I said I wasn't going to do any. I've been to parties with adult food and without and whilst it's nice when there is food there I certainly don't expect it... do others? Am I being really mean by trying to save myself some extra work?! (I'll have tea/coffee btw).

i always provide it, just some chips & dips, extra biscuits/ cakes etc.. all bought in, so not extra work...

no

Never been to a children's party where the adults get food - might eat a few of the leftover cakes or biscuits though.

A few extra sandwiches and cakes wouldn't be much extra work would it? I'm often starving at kids' parties so something to nibble on is always welcome.
We're often offfereed wine too, which is always nice.

I don't expect it. A drink is nice. An alcoholic one!

I was just thinking that it involves going to get food a day or so beforehand (all kids food I've done can be done way in advance) and then unpacking it all at the venue, then offering it to everyone etc.

dont expect it - but tis bloody nice when its there.

i have invariably not eaten anytime recently when i go to these things - and feel like a right greedy piglet trying to keep my hands off the kids sangers etc.

When I have done children's parties at home (in moment of madness), I have always provided drinks including wine and biscuits and cheese on the side. I have just left it in the kitchen and told the adults to help themselves. I would never expect anything though.

you dont have to walk about with it like monsiour spoiling them at the embassy

just have it on a side table and mention it. hungry parents will find it, dont worry.

Same as Fairymum but I provide a non-alcoholic drink I'm afraid. (Don't think children's parties & alchohol are a particularly good mix, particularly when parents are driving children around.) But I make an effort to do Delia Smith's ice tea for parents - loads of fresh mint and ice - plus some bottles of water, along with some simple adult nibbles (nuts, cheese biscuits etc) out of the way (up high) in the kitchen. Also expect them to serve themselves.

Then, when it's all over, I drink five gallons of cranberry vodka and lie on the lawn and weep ....thankful that it's over for another year ....

Alcohol and children's parties mix or do not mix well?
Great idea for thread title one day!LOL.

One party that we go to each year is the best ever re food (for both kids and grown ups)

The family is Spanish and both grans come over to the UK for the party. They spend a week cooking themselves into a frenzy, and we all have the most magnificent tapas you can imagine! Served with Cava

But this is devotion above and beyond the call of duty I think!

Tea, coffee and maybe some nachos and choccies. Nothing major!

tea coffee nice biscuits....

All our parties have been at home and while I have never done anything extra for the parents, I always provide the usual stuff in enormous quantities- and of course the kettle is there so it's not trouble. I usually feel the need for a cuppa halfway through a party, so naturally anyone who is around gets one too.

In my experience, lots of adults like teh chance to scoff childrne's party food.

I don't expect it but I do do it.
last year DS1 had friends to play for his party in the garden at lunchtime we did party food.

I made a quiche and bowl of salad for the Mums then when the boys had chocolate mouses the Mums had one each as well.

This year DS1 is having an afternoon party so will probably just provide tea coffee biscuits cakes things for the Mums. But I think we are getting to the age where mums aren't staying as the kids are old enough to be left so there is less point.

we always do food for adults as well. but never expect it. everyone is different. however, i always nibble on my kids leftovers. and if platter ofsandwichs etc then every mom i know always eats.

I don't expect it, but do provide it - usually same/slightly souped up versions of children's 'classics' that the grown-ups are gagging to snaffle (little sausages; hula hoops, fairy cakes & jelly seem to go best)
We also provide wine & beer (dh's home brew)
We find an unusually high percentage of families arrive with both parents to our parties

Wine is another issue altogether - I did it one year and the parents seemed somewhat horrified at what a lush I obviously was to even suggest it As for whether alcohol goes well at a kids party or not, personally I think it's the best way of getting through the horror

Just make sure you have tea/soft drinks available too.
One year at DS2's party all the mums sat in the garden drinking wine in the sunshine while the children ran around having fun. I think they were a bit tipsy when they left
No-one was driving though, so all ok.

I would not expect it, but I always do it. We have the kid's food, plus stuff for the adults: beer/wine/non-alcholic drinks, nibbles, cheesecake/chateaux (and cream!) It makes it more of a PARTY, rather than just a kids thing, and as ours always go on for 3-4 hours, I think the parents need it. I know I do!

Cat64, depends on the age though. You wouldn't want the parents dumping their two-year-olds then scarpering for two hours would you? Fine when they're 6, or whatever.