3rd Birthday Party - Feed the parents ?

[carbafe]

DS is having a bouncy castle birthday party in the local community centre. We get us of the kitchen and tables etc. The party is 11-1 so I am going to do a party lunch for the kids -sandwiches sausage rolls, etc but wondered if I should do sandwiches for the adults ? As the kids are all young the adults will be staying (I hope !!) I also thought I might just make tea and coffee and get some cream cakes etc for the adults and they can have lunch when they go home.

What do you think ?,

 

[bumpbear]

We just had our daughter's 2nd birthday party yesterday at a kiddy play center and we had use of their party room for cake and snack time.

The party was a lot earlier (10-11.30), with the food part being 11-11.30. I ordered in a mixture of sandwich and breakfast pastry platters as well as a fruit platter. There was coffee, tea, water, juice too. Not much cake got eaten as it was too early for people's sweet tooth to be kicking in to gear but the sandwiches, fruits and croissants etc got gobbled up!

Overall, parents didn't eat much as they were too busy supervising their kids though so I wouldn't go overboard with the food.

 

[Boomerslady]

I wouldn't worry about the parents. I've been to a few parties and never had food laid out for parents, just offered a drink!! We all tend to snack on what's left over once the kids are finished.

 

[caz_hills]

Yup agree win previous post - don't have to feed the parents and most of the time they eat up what the kids don't eat . But some extra sandwiches and some nibbles like crisps I'm sure would be welcomed! Oh and spare cake!

 

[Rachel_C]

None of the parties LO has been to have provided food for the parents. If it's over lunch time and you want to though, I'm sure it would be appreciated - just make sure to say that food is for adults too as otherwise they might not take it.

A brew and biscuits/cakes would go down very well!

 

[SarahP13]

I would definitely provide a drink but not food. We just had my daughters party from 11-1pm at a soft play and didn't cater for adults, although there was a cafe there. The adults bought themselves a drink and pinched a couple of leftover sandwiches from the kids.

If it was later, 12-2 maybe, I would consider it but a 1pm finish is reasonable for them to have lunch after.

 

[sethsmummy]

I always try and make food for the adults as well as the kids when i do a party. Its usually just sandwiches (ham/egg mayo/cheese), sausage rolls, mini sausages, pork pies, crisps, sweeties, chocolates, little cakes, things like that. Last time i also did veg & chicken spring rolls xx

 

[special_kala]

Make sure you have extras and once the kids are eating just say to the parents, feel free to grab some food.

 

[kerrie24]

Make sure you have extras and once the kids are eating just say to the parents, feel free to grab some food.

This is what we do.

 

[Button#]

I would provide for adults, even if you just make sure there's enough sandwiches for them as well. We went to a party the other weekend which involved a fair bit of travel as the trains were being problematic and we didn't get home until 3pm. Even with a few sandwiches I was starving when I got home.

 

[noon_child]

I think whatever you do just make it clear on the invite. I went to a party at soft play (11 - 2) where there was a cafe, so we knew we could buy stuff for ourselves if we were hungry. In the end I felt bad asking anyone to supervise LO while I queued, so I was starving!! I ended up finding a banana in the bottom of my bag and eating leftover chips (fries) but next time I'll be taking a full packed lunch.

 

[jd83]

Any birthday party we've ever gone to that was scheduled during a meal time always had food for everyone. So an 11-1 party would have food for all, since scheduled during lunch time. Usually nothing major, sandwiches, hot dogs, or pizza, but always something so that people aren't starving especially if they had to travel to get to the party and to get home.

Parties during off hours, like mid afternoon, usually just have snacks and cake.

 

[sparkle_1979]

I always do for both. I do the children their buffet food and then the adults I get some sausages, cut up crusty baguettes bowl of fried onions and let them help themselves ...I also have wine and beer for the adults but our parties tend to be later on in the day so if I was doing it early I probably wouldn't

 

[TryinFor1]

I only read the first few posts but I guess I am the minority. I wouldn't throw a party without including food for parents, especially at lunch time...they have to eat too. Lol. I wouldn't feel comfortable not providing that though so if you're comfortable with it and you don't want to provide it then don't. I personally would.

 

[the why bird]

I would provide something for the adults if they're expected to stay. That said, if you're doing a buffet I wouldn't go to much trouble - just throw on a few extra sandwiches so the adults can snack. If the kids were having a sit down meal or individual boxes that wasn't easy for the adults to share, I'd make them something special.

I just think toddler parties aren't that fun for the adults unless they all happen to be friends, they're just staying to make sure you're not overrun so it's nice to make them comfortable.

 

[cait]

Personally I think tea and buns for the adults is plenty.

 

[kissesandhugs]

I must be in the minority as well because every birthday party we've been to has always had food for the adults as well as children. I also make sure we don't stuff ourselves on lunch or snacks before parties as every party we go to has food

 

[staralfur]

I would feed the parents as well (and we'll be doing so for LO's upcoming birthday). I think if they're staying and attending as invited guests then it's a bit odd to have food for the kids and not them.

 

[bumpbear]

Yup, I wanted to add that I wouldn't have even considered not getting in food for adults at my daughter's birthday last weekend given that I expected them to stay and help supervise their kids. It would feel a bit inhospitable to have done such a thing. I think there was more food choices for the adults than for the kids in the end, though i found i probably went overboard as our party was midmorning so people weren't hungry enough to really tuck in - they just snacked bits here and there.

 

[leelee]

I always provide food for the parents and it is always eaten.