Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

Original poster

Would you mention your vegetarian

58 replies

Idontknow110 · 10/10/2025 07:51

Hey all, so my daughter who is 4yrs old got invited to a birthday party from School. We are vegetarians, I’m a little bit worried their might not be vegetarian option at the party.
so I haven’t mentioned it to the mum I just thought it’s not her stress, shall I mention it?

on the other hand I was thinking don’t mention it and pack my daughters lunch and if there isn’t any vegetarian options she has some food in her bag?

thoughts please?!

OP posts:
PurpleThistle7 · 10/10/2025 07:54

I would want to know as that would be no bother to work around and I’d want to be a good host. My children have had friends who are gluten free, vegan, veggie, allergies… whatever and I work with it. Vegetarian isn’t even difficult at all (did have a struggle when I tried to make a gluten free vegan cake one year!)

Janefx40 · 10/10/2025 07:57

Oh yes definitely say. It’s just normal for kids parties to cater for a few differences. If you don’t want to make a big deal of it you can just say “just so that you are aware, X is vegetarian but I’m happy to bring food for her if that’s easier”!The Mum will want to know.

Plus does your kid eat gelatine sweets/marshmallows etc? Personally I would bring some of those myself if not as that is more complex for non veggies who might not think of it.

fancyfrogs · 10/10/2025 07:58

I’d mention it. By the way DD is vegetarian if there’s food provided.

Often I find there’s a note on invite or message put in class chat asking about dietary requirements so very much expected id think.

Though I think most parties my kids have been to lately have been a cheese sandwich packed lunch box thing so would be fine anyway!

Tdcp · 10/10/2025 08:05

Yeah tell.them. dd is vegetarian, parents have always been lovely and bought veggie sweets etc for party bags rather than haribo for example. It's easy to work around.

Privateschoolprobz · 10/10/2025 08:06

Yes mention it for sure. It’s pretty normal, I’m sure it’ll be easy for the mum.

RaininSummer · 10/10/2025 08:10

Definitely. And yes to the taking some food with her if needed. Also if it's very important to you, make sure your daughter knows what foods she needs to avoid. You are going to have a few years now of parties where she will need to know to avoid nuggets and ham sarnies and sausage rolls.

PurpleThistle7 · 10/10/2025 08:53

fancyfrogs · 10/10/2025 07:58

I’d mention it. By the way DD is vegetarian if there’s food provided.

Often I find there’s a note on invite or message put in class chat asking about dietary requirements so very much expected id think.

Though I think most parties my kids have been to lately have been a cheese sandwich packed lunch box thing so would be fine anyway!

I had thought so too but so many sweets aren’t veggie so I had to run out last minute once…

Stompythedinosaur · 10/10/2025 11:36

Definitely mention it.

It can be a quick text. "I wanted to let you know dc is vegetarian. I'm happy to send her with a lunchbox if that doesn't fit in with your plans, just let me know. Thanks again for the invite!"

The worst situation is her finding out on the day.

Bobnobob · 10/10/2025 11:39

I’ve never had a party invite that didn’t ask for dietary requirements! I would just say that DD is veggie and that you’re happy to pack a lunch.. I expect the party mum will just make sure there is veggie food. Watch out for things like haribo and marshmallows etc.. it might not cross a non-veggie’s mind that they are not vegetarian

Menonut · 10/10/2025 11:40

As others have said, I’d mention it but not make a big deal of it, most people should be able to rustle up a margarita pizza or some cheese options and most parties these days would have options like carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, chopped fruit etc.
If you’re happy to take food then mention that too. As a host I’d rather know than have a child who can’t eat anything.

JadziaD · 10/10/2025 11:41

I'm sorry, this is going to sound harsh.... Why on earth would you NOT mention this? I find this mind blowing and frankly, extremely irritaitng.

It's not a big deal. "Thanks so much for the invite ot the party. Rachel would love to come. Just to let you know that we're vegetarian - if that causes any problems for catering please do let me know and I'll be happy to send Rachel with some food. Looking forward to seeing you x."

BuildbyNumbere · 10/10/2025 11:44

It’s likely they will have veggie options, cheese sandwiches, pizza, crisps, carrots etc are usually a party staple, but worth a mention and offer to pack her something. I would guess the mum will say not to and that there’ll be things for her.

Emmz1510 · 10/10/2025 11:48

Normally when invites go out they should include a request for parents to let you know if there are any dietary requirements- I’m surprised there are people who don’t know this. I’m always keen to cater for all children- my daughter has two friends who have halal diets and a couple with egg and/or nut allergies.
It’s perfectly fine to let the inviter know your child is veggie- it’s far from unusual.

LaMarschallin · 10/10/2025 11:48

Definitely mention it.
Totally different situation I realise but I still wince about the time a (omnivorous) friend came to stay for a weekend bringing his new wife.
They sweetly took us out for a meal on the first evening and I noticed his wife was only ordering vegetarian dishes.
Bearing in mind the rack of lamb I'd got for Sunday lunch in mind, I asked if she was vegetarian...
Rack of lamb was bunged in the freezer and I rejigged the meals but I would sooo much rather have been told beforehand.
People are more aware of catering for vegetarians these days but I don't see why mentioning it would be a problem.

TheLurpackYears · 10/10/2025 11:48

Text, state preference and offer to supply if needed. Also ask what the child would (n’t) like for a present. Jobs a goodun

Doodlingsquares · 10/10/2025 12:04

RaininSummer · 10/10/2025 08:10

Definitely. And yes to the taking some food with her if needed. Also if it's very important to you, make sure your daughter knows what foods she needs to avoid. You are going to have a few years now of parties where she will need to know to avoid nuggets and ham sarnies and sausage rolls.

This. Please dont expect the party host to be keeping an eye on her making sure she doesn't scoff a chicken nugget - your daughter needs to know herself what she can or can't have or you need to stay and make sure she only eats what you prefer.
Nothing worse than a parent dropping and going then coming back and having a go at the host because their child swapped a non veggie marshmallow when nobody was looking

KnickerlessFlannel · 10/10/2025 12:08

Please contact the host and let them know. I once did a party where the main food was hot dogs and one mum hadn't let me know her child was veggie, despite a request on the invitation. It was a drop off party and the child looked really embarrassed to tell me.

Kimura · 10/10/2025 12:21

My nephew has a 'vegetarian' kid in his class. Spends every birthday party smashing burgers and hot dogs as soon as his mum dips out 🥳

Umidontknow · 10/10/2025 12:25

No I wouldn't bother, most food at a kids party has something for a veggie. Me and my daughter are and she hasn't ever struggled at a party. (Being vegetarian was her idea and i know she wouldnt sneak a chicken nugget 😆) If you are worried pack her a little lunch like you said. I'd only let the organiser know if there are allergies rather than food choices unless they've asked on the invite. Most 4 year olds birthday parties don't go on all day so if worst comes to worse they aren't going to starve.

Katherine9 · 10/10/2025 12:26

JadziaD · 10/10/2025 11:41

I'm sorry, this is going to sound harsh.... Why on earth would you NOT mention this? I find this mind blowing and frankly, extremely irritaitng.

It's not a big deal. "Thanks so much for the invite ot the party. Rachel would love to come. Just to let you know that we're vegetarian - if that causes any problems for catering please do let me know and I'll be happy to send Rachel with some food. Looking forward to seeing you x."

Why do posters here feel the need to provide example text for messages etc? It’s beyond patronising.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 10/10/2025 12:35

I’d mention it!

I know to my hunger that traditional eaters don’t always think of any other dietary choices!

JadziaD · 10/10/2025 13:25

Katherine9 · 10/10/2025 12:26

Why do posters here feel the need to provide example text for messages etc? It’s beyond patronising.

Show quote history

Well, because, the OP honestly has herself all confused about whether to even mention it. So it seems to me that she's clearly not exactly in a place where generating a really easy to write and read text message is doable for her.

It's patronising becuase yes, I find it mind blowing that a grown adult, who is the parent of a vegetarian child, gets into such a state about making a really simple statement of fact about that child that is relevant and necessary for an event.

DiscoBob · 10/10/2025 13:32

If say it's peculiar not to mention it. If they don't know then they may not supply much that's suitable. But vegetarianism is extremely common so it's not a big hassle for the parents I don't think. Of course let her bring a couple small snacks for emergencies.

There is a chance she may eat some non veggie food though. I think that might be difficult to avoid.

Katherine9 · 10/10/2025 14:29

JadziaD · 10/10/2025 13:25

Well, because, the OP honestly has herself all confused about whether to even mention it. So it seems to me that she's clearly not exactly in a place where generating a really easy to write and read text message is doable for her.

It's patronising becuase yes, I find it mind blowing that a grown adult, who is the parent of a vegetarian child, gets into such a state about making a really simple statement of fact about that child that is relevant and necessary for an event.

Show quote history

You make a fair point!

11811B · 10/10/2025 15:22

Yes tell them! I had a mum sidle up to me at a party when mine were little asking what was nut and another allergen free for her child....I had no idea their child had allergies so hadn't prepared