First time throwing a party: on a budget... will this menu do?

[Anonymous]

Way too much food, but otherwise, it sounds like a fun party! Definitely have lots of water. More meatballs.

[Anonymous]

Are the pigs in blanket hot dogs?
I would not serve hot dogs to toddlers when everyone is running around due to choking hazard

[Anonymous]

I think you have more than enough food. Is this around dinner time, it's a lot of food, IMHO. I would get more drinks, the 2 liter are always good and less expensive.

You have pasta, I really would not do 2 pizzas it's too much. If you get a large Ledo's pizza it's cut into small squares and perfect for parties. I would make some plain pasta for toddlers that are not into ziti. I don't think it's a lot of people as one poster said. For my twins 1st birthday, I had about 70 people total. Yes, it was crazy but I wanted to celebrate their first year and our first year surviving parenting twins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've hosted several parties of this size.

In addition to ditching the Asian wraps, I would also ditch the nacho bar. Ziti, meatball subs, and pizza are PLENTY of work and should appeal to everybody. Increase the number of meatballs; if you have any leftover, you can always freeze them. Maybe add a green salad for grownups.

For the desserts, I would skip the brownies (although they take zero time to make). Cupcakes and rice crispy treats are more than enough.

This exactly. As a parent I would prefer a green salad to the option for another kind of sandwich. You can always add the pulled chicken to have another sandwich option if you're worried about non-beef eaters. I would bet, however, if you make brownies they will get eaten.

PS you have SIX crock pots?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've hosted several parties of this size.

In addition to ditching the Asian wraps, I would also ditch the nacho bar. Ziti, meatball subs, and pizza are PLENTY of work and should appeal to everybody. Increase the number of meatballs; if you have any leftover, you can always freeze them. Maybe add a green salad for grownups.

For the desserts, I would skip the brownies (although they take zero time to make). Cupcakes and rice crispy treats are more than enough.

The benefit of the nacho bar is that it's gluten free, if anyone has an issue with it. I couldn't eat anything other than the rice cristy treats and veggies.

I am GF and would eat the veggies, salad, fruit, a meatball without a bun and be fine.

[Anonymous]

Sounds great OP have lots of water is my only advice enjoy the party

[Anonymous]

1301 here again-also kudos on the budget. $220 for 65 people is freakin awesome and as for the number of guests i get it too. we have inlaws with a huge blended family...six kids, some with spouses and several kids of their own, one has a new wife who had three or four children of her own when they married..etc..it adds up fast even if you're just inviting family!

[Anonymous]

Realize you will be throwing most of this food directly into the trash after the party. It is way too much. Toddlers will eat 1/2 a piece of pizza and a cupcake. Adults will munch on appetizers and maybe have a sandwich. Everything else will not be touched except drinks. I agree on having more water. You can skip the soda, but at least those won't spoil after the party so keep them if you must.

If you insist on having massive amounts of food, at least make sure people know, as very few people show up to a toddler's birthday party hungry.

[Anonymous]

I think it sounds great - tell people you will be having lunch/dinner so that they know not to eat first.

[Anonymous]

Wow!

More water.

[Anonymous]

my god.. are you cooking for the 5000? yes, there is more than enough food, good luck and enjoy it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow!

More water.

+1

[Anonymous]

How did it go OP? Has the party happened yet?

[Anonymous]

I would drop one of the second two main courses, drop the capri sun (the second ingredient is sugar!), lower the soda, and add more water.

Just something to consider: I've had parties at places that don't allow alcohol about 10-12 times, have ALWAYS brought alcohol, and never had a problem.

[Anonymous]

Are the kids mostly family, or are they daycare/preschool friends. At family/friend parties i plan for the family to eat and would go hungry. For a daycare party, i never eat, and neither do any of the other parents.

Ww, if you can do all that for that bidget, go for it!

Capri suns sound very messy for toddlers. Id go for juice boxes.