Need Advice on Tactful Telling

I agree with all the other moms....you don't need to serve snacks or a meal at 2:00...cake is plenty. "Cake will be served" is exactly appropriate.

Don't worry about being tactful, just write on the bottom of the invitation, We'll have light refreshments, cake and drinks.

Hi S.

I don't really think it is necessary to put anything on the invites, I know that when i get an invite I don't assume there will be food served. As far as the snacks go, I would just put out some Chex-Mix, cheese cubes, chips and dip and some juice or punch!

Good luck with hosting your party, I know how hectic it can be =)

Happy Holidays!
B.

S.,

As far as foods go...that's tough. Maybe a party platter from Chick-fil-a or something??? I don't know how much they are, but someone at my work brought them for a party recently and it was pretty well-received. Now the invites...I wouldn't word it they way your hubby mentioned...I would just simply state what you ARE serving not that you aren't serving. That way, they can figure for themselves that they need to feed themselves prior to the party. Ex: "We will be serving light snacks", etc. Hope that helps!

why not put "children's snacks, cake and ice cream will be served" on the invitation.... so they know the snacks set out will be for kids...

or better yet, save yourself the headache and simply put "cake and ice cream will be served" then they know NO food will be there - -but have out some goldfish and maybe chex mix for the kiddos if they get hungry.

Stick with the cold snacks like crackers and cheeses and stuff like that. That way you are not in the kitchen constantly heating things up. I think 2:00 is a great time to have the party if you are not serving a meal but I do think that it would be a good idea to serve some snacks.

I love birthdays! Hope you enjoy this one! The "correct" way to say what you're not serving is just to say what you are. Please join us for cake and icecream, or cake and icecream will be served are perfectly fine. That's perfectly fine, especially for a 2pm party!
Good to have some fun snacks for the munchies and also to kinda keep people occupied without constant pressure on you to "do stuff". People love to just chat while munching. I agree with the previous post that the rotel/velveeta cheese dip is super easy and everyone likes it. For so many people, I'd use the big size cheese with the big can of rotels! Usually gets eaten pretty fast. I usually do that, plus a veggie tray that I make myself. For my son's birthday in October, I looked at the premade trays at the store and it cost $30, but I spent $11 to just buy veggies (cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, baby carrots, celery sticks that I cut to the right size, and a bag of cauliflower/broccoli that was on sale) and a ranch dip. It didn't take much time to wash/slice them the day before, put them in baggies, and make my tray right before the party. Leave the harder, more detailed snacks for a later birthday when the kids will think they're awesome. Have fun!

When we attend a bday party in the afternoon, I never assume that lunch will be provided. I personally write "pizza served" or whatever on our invitations if we are doing it close to lunch or dinner time. I think you can just write "cake will be served" and that covers you.
Good Luck! :-)

I would put on the invitation something like:

Join us for cake and snacks to celebrate Christianna's 3rd birthday!

I think it's polite and to the point. Good Luck!

I recommend you put "cake will be served" or "cake and ice cream will be served" on the invitations. That way they know what to expect. If you serve any extras, they'll be pleasantly surprised. Guests shouldn't expect a full meal at 2 pm.

B.

I never expect food to be served unless the invitations clearly says "pizza, Hot Dogs, etc". I think cake and ice cream is plenty- expecially for a 2 pm party. From previous experience, I have wasted lots of money on food because the kids want to play, not eat. As for the adults, surely they can get through on cake and ice cream. Just have a variety of drinks available. Dont spend the time in the kitchen, spend it with your child on her birthday! Have Fun!

You could make cheese dip in the crockpot. One can of Rotel poured in the pot then chop up a block of Velveeta, then add a can of no bean chili. Adults love this and they can just spoon out some on their plate and eat with chips. It takes a while to melt so prepare 30 min to an hour before guest arrive then just leave on. Have fun and it will be contagious!

Maybe you should skip the snacks and just do cake and ice cream. You could say, Please join us for cake and ice cream, and by that people should gather that food will not be provided. If you do opt to do snacks you could say, light snacks will be served...simple yet understandable. Good luck, parties/food can be quite an expense!

I was in the same boat. I put Please join us for cake and ice cream to celebrate .....

if you put 'cake and ice cream' you can go light on the snacks because guests won't be expecting it and it will be a nice surprise for them.

RSVP with "Regrets Only" if you will not be able to join us for FUN, Cake, and Ice Cream! (Kinda says it all) I also have to put in a plug for Delighful designs Cakes. Amanda does a great job! Taste Wonderful...Soooo moist! ###-###-####. And snacks could be Cold or room temp. "grazin" finger foods. Chips n dips, nuts, veggie tray, fruit n cheese plate, finger sandwiches,etc.
Have a great time.

"Light snacks and cake will be provided"
As for snacks, pretzels, Chex-Mix, crackers and cheese, or a cheese platter with crackers, assorted cheese and meats, veggies and dip. Costco has HUGE platters, and you won't be in the kitchen the whole time.