Birthday party: Is it lame to not have food?

Renting out an indoor play area. My son is three and it will mainly be family with one or two exceptions (adults included). I want to provide drinks, cake, and ice cream. But every party I've been to (like Chucky E Cheese) there has been pizza/food. I cant afford more than cake/ice cream/drinks. Is that lame or acceptable? It's not like I even expect extravagant presents in return or anything- I just want everyone to play and have a good time.

2012-02-17T11:24:18Z

Outside food or drink not allowed- must be bought at the place i'm renting,

2012-02-17T11:27:14Z

It will be around 2 on a Sunday (after church) so they shouldnt expect a meal at that time. I wanted something special since my son has has a difficult year with the birth of our second child.

Anonymous2012-02-17T12:09:29Z

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As long as it does not coincide with mealtime, I think it's fine. Cake and ice cream and drinks are plenty. Hopefully the kids will be playing too much to eat anyway.

Canadian Snowgirl2012-02-17T11:10:16Z

Absolutely not lame. One of the advantages of hosting a party is that you can do whatever you think is reasonable. And serving cake and ice cream at a birthday party is perfectly reasonable.

Most birthday parties I've been to have only served munchies, cake and ice cream. You could add some chips or crackers as well. Not an expensive addition.

EDIT - If you have your party at a time such as 9-11, 2-4, a meal wont' be expected. In addition to what Pippin said, our indoor play area party packages are $200 and include pizza and cake.

Kume.kun2012-02-17T11:08:53Z

That's not lame. People will clearly have things to eat, the cake, the ice cream. And they'll have drinks.

All you really need is SOMETHING for people, so they don't starve.
I would give them the cake in the middle/middle slightly twords the end of the party, so that they'll spend more time being full ect.

?2012-02-17T11:25:29Z

I don't think it is lame as long as you have it at an obvious time where people won't expect to be eating a meal like 3pm or something like that. Also if your sending out invitations you could put please join us for cake and ice cream for so and so's birthday.

Pippin2012-02-17T11:11:10Z

If the party is scheduled during or close to a regular meal time, the guests will expect to be fed. If you dont' want to or can't afford to supply food, the plan the party for mid-afternoon, and they will expect nothing but cake and ice cream.

(Though really .. renting an indoor play area sounds pretty extravagent. Couldn't you have the party at your home, invite fewer guests, and provide more to eat?

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