s/o meals at parties (clicky)

Arnegard · March 2012

So my Sis and I are planning a 40th anniversary party. Her DH is now planning to food to make him happy - but if you were invited to an anniversary party at 7 pm would you expect a full meal, or a few snacks?

It will be at a rural Moose Lodge, very casual. My Sis and I debated about what to do with a 7 pm party.

[Poll]

Rebekah1021 · March 2012

It's a nice occasion. Even if it's at a moose lodge, I would try to make it as nice as possible with a dinner.

Arnegard · March 2012

Rebekah1021:
It's a nice occasion. Even if it's at a moose lodge, I would try to make it as nice as possible with a dinner.

Does it influence your opinion at all that it is more of an open house, come and go affair?

At this point I don't even know what the food will be!!

CocoBrynne · March 2012

I would do a dinner also, I usually don't eat until at least 6, so 7 wouldn't be too big of a stretch

MrsCAA · March 2012

I would do dinner, or enough food to make it a dinner: Sandwiches (either a hot meat or even a make your own with cold meats & cheeses), veggies, a side.

That way if people want to come and go they can snack/ and others can eat enough for a meal.

The_Jen626 · March 2012

This makes me laugh... I think 7pm is "dinner time".

If you don't think a full meal should be served, then what time do you typically eat dinner???

sunnydays99 · March 2012

I would be fine with it just being snacks or finger foods especially if it's an open house type thing. I would definitely want to know this before hand though...I hate trying to guess if I'll be served a meal or if I should eat before going!!

Arnegard · March 2012

The_Jen626:

This makes me laugh... I think 7pm is "dinner time".

If you don't think a full meal should be served, then what time do you typically eat dinner???

We eat at 5 pm. 7 pm is practically bedtime for the kiddos here!

Rebekah1021 · March 2012

Arnegard:
Rebekah1021:
It's a nice occasion. Even if it's at a moose lodge, I would try to make it as nice as possible with a dinner.

Does it influence your opinion at all that it is more of an open house, come and go affair?

At this point I don't even know what the food will be!!

Then have a buffet. I will always pick a meal at a party.

Arnegard · March 2012

I believe the food plan is that there will be a table with finger foods available - appitizer type stuff - meatballs, cheese, crackers, fruit, veggies, etc. My BIL will also make hot appitizers that he will bring out every hour or so (not sure of his schedule).

The_Jen626 · March 2012

Arnegard:
The_Jen626:

This makes me laugh... I think 7pm is "dinner time".

If you don't think a full meal should be served, then what time do you typically eat dinner???

We eat at 5 pm. 7 pm is practically bedtime for the kiddos here!

So your DH is home everyday at 4:45pm? What kind of job does he do?

HarrietNJMommy · March 2012

My kids eat at 5pm. I do not, even though I sit (and DH) at the table with them. Their bedtime is around 7pm.

For a party like this, I'd do a buffet. I would expect dinner at a 7pm party, casual or not.

Rebekah1021 · March 2012

Why don't you call your parent's favorite place to eat and order the food. This way, you can enjoy company and not have to cook and the food will be ready and hot.

Mc_Newlywed · March 2012

I think serving a full meal is overkill but you could definitely do heavy appetizers or a light buffet.

Either way, I'd put it on the invitation though. "Please join us for cocktails and appetizers at 7pm" or something like that. That way people know what to expect and they can plan accordingly.

wifeandmama · March 2012

HarrietNJMommy:
My kids eat at 5pm. I do not, even though I sit (and DH) at the table with them. Their bedtime is around 7pm.
For a party like this, I'd do a buffet. I would expect dinner at a 7pm party, casual or not.

This exactly. My kids eat at 5, always. My husband is never, ever home at that time and bedtime is between 6 - 7 (depending on how early everyone was up) so my husband and I eat later. For a party, I'd definitely expect food, though. How about easy stuff like meatballs with rolls, ziti, chili, cheese, crackers, etc? Buffet-style on warmers?

babypuplove · March 2012

The_Jen626:
This makes me laugh... I think 7pm is "dinner time".

If you don't think a full meal should be served, then what time do you typically eat dinner???

Ditto. I thought 7:00 was dinner time. Although I feed the kids earlier, when I'm not pregnant and DH and I eat together, it's usually around 7:00.

Arnegard · March 2012

Rebekah1021:
Why don't you call your parent's favorite place to eat and order the food. This way, you can enjoy company and not have to cook and the food will be ready and hot.

My parents live rurally and rarely eat out (like 1-2 times a year).

Arnegard · March 2012

The_Jen626:
So your DH is home everyday at 4:45pm? What kind of job does he do?

My DH works shift work. He rotates days and nights. On days, he gets home about 7:45 and on days he leaves about 4:15. I do not eat meals with DH, but I do eat with the kids consistantly weather DH is home or not.

The_Jen626 · March 2012

Huh...I'm not even hungry yet at 5:00! We typically eat dinner around 6 or 6:30, but DD doesn't go to bed until 8:30 at the very earliest, so that's probably why!

speckledfrog · March 2012

I would definitely expect dinner or heavy apps.

MJCF · March 2012

The_Jen626:
Arnegard:
The_Jen626:

This makes me laugh... I think 7pm is "dinner time".

If you don't think a full meal should be served, then what time do you typically eat dinner???

We eat at 5 pm. 7 pm is practically bedtime for the kiddos here!

So your DH is home everyday at 4:45pm? What kind of job does he do?

I plan on eating at 5:30p everyday and DS takes a bath at 7. If I push dinner much later DS is near melt down. DH works 6a-3p so he's home by 3:30 or 4 most days. I would put on the invite what you intend to do. Appetizers or dinner. If you don't have someone cater it I would pick foods that can be served at room temp or kept warm in slow cookers. Have it all set up before the party starts and then no one has to babysit the food table.

Arnegard · March 2012

MJCF:
Have it all set up before the party starts and then no one has to babysit the food table.

I know. BIL kind of threw a fit because he wanted to do the food. Whatever, as long as I do not have to tend to it!

melissa0726 · March 2012

If we were going to a 7pm party with family and friends, I would expect there to be food. Since you said it was a casual venue, I would definitely go with a mix of hot and cold apps and throw in a few meal-like options (i.e. baked ziti, maybe an easy chicken dish or chicken fingers, mac n cheese). This way people who already ate can pick and snack, and people who came hungry have options to fill up. Just my thoughts! LOL or you can just leave it to your BIL, and if guests complain about the food, send them his way Wink

notkateanymore · March 2012

If I was invited to a party at 7pm I would arrive hungry expecting dinner. 6-7pm is dinner time around here, so I was be really shocked not to find food.

MesmrEwe · March 2012

The_Jen626:

This makes me laugh... I think 7pm is "dinner time".

If you don't think a full meal should be served, then what time do you typically eat dinner???

7 is actually early for us to eat supper too... I like the PP's idea to choose something that could be made as either a dinner or late snack...

ktsnshn · March 2012

I would probably do heavy enough appetizers that people could either just snack or have enough to feel like they have had a whole meal. For me this would mean appetizers that include meat, veggies, bread and fruit.

jw87 · March 2012

lolonyo:
I would be fine with it just being snacks or finger foods especially if it's an open house type thing. I would definitely want to know this before hand though...I hate trying to guess if I'll be served a meal or if I should eat before going!!

this.

Want a personalized experience?

s/o meals at parties (clicky)

Re: s/o meals at parties (clicky)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards