Is it tacky to say on a birthday invitation that you aren't having food?

Question

I am getting ready to have my daughter's 6 year old birthday, and I don't want to have to serve a meal in addition to cake, ice cream and doing games, etc. I wondered if people would be offended if I said something like "Join us for cake and ice cream as we celebrate" or something like that.

Not that I'm trying to be cheap, but it will save almost $75 not to serve pizza or burgers or something. (so I guess I am being cheap, but I have 4 kids and it gets really expensive!!)

Thoughts? : )

Answer 1

I don't know where parents got the idea they had to feed the birthday party guest anything more than cake and ice cream, but I think it's wise of you to do things just the way you planned and your idea about wording the invitation is great!

Answer 2

No, I don't think it would be tacky to invite people for cake and ice cream.

Answer 3

i think the way you phrased it is perfect. it sounds nice and festive but explains there wont be food...although it might be a little too subtle

Answer 4

I think the join us for cake and ice cream sounds great!!

Answer 5

no, how you've done it is fine - but I do think that a few bags of potato chips and a few pieces of fairy bread would only cost an extra $15 or so and would be worth it.  As a Mum though I would be happy with the situation, but would just want to know first so that I didn't starve my kid !

Do you guys have fairy bread in the states ?  It's just white bread, with the crusts cut off, spread with butter with 100s and 1000s sprinkled over them.  Um ... also not sure what you guys call 100s and 1000s, you know those multi coloured tiny sugar balls that you sprinkle on ice cream ?  Sprinkles maybe ???!

Answer 6

yes, that would be very tacky.  if you don't want to feed the kids, then you'll need to arrange to hold the party between meals (around snack time) so that you won't have a house full of crying kiddies running amuck!!

good luck!

Answer 7

I like your join us for cake...

I wouldn't say "We aren't serving fod, so eat before you get here"...

Answer 8

join us for cake and icecream is acceptable

I think if you have lots of treats like chips and stuff, it will be fine. Or make some home made pizzas. its easy and really affordable. Or mini pizzas:

get an english muffin, cut it in half. Each individual half has some sauce you can buy at the supermarkt in a big jar, cheap too. Then sprinkle some cheeze, 2 pepperonis and there you go, just stick it in the microwave till the cheese melts. its a good extra treat for kids and its cheap! it'll fill them up along with chips and cake.

The only thing is some parents might be a bit turned off, but oh well. They might expect that since they are taking to buy your child a present that costs at least 20 bucks, then you should feed their kids too.

But honestly, some filling snacks with cake is fine in my opinion. Just dont do ONLY cake and icecream.

Answer 9

That sounds fine by me.  Make sure you leave plenty of time between the party and the closest meal of the day to that party.  (So a party at 2 PM would be good.  After lunch, but way before dinner.)

Answer 10

They way you phrased it is perfect! I don't think it's too subtle, but it gets the point across. People can't expect a whole meal at every party. Maybe you could put out some snack bowls with chips or something in case people get a little hungry.