Anonymous wrote:My dd14 wants to have a dinner party with her friends. I don't even do dinner parties so need some ideas that actually make sense. She wants to have appetizers, main meal and dessert. I can do that, she plans to have her bff come over early and help with the food and set up. But what else do they do? As adults, we just sit around and talk and maybe play cards. But what do teens do? I want her to be successful. Thanks.

Do you have any idea how ridiculous this sounds?

sushi, and you don't have to use raw fish. You can fry some eggs, cut it into strips, avocado, cucumber, imitation crab if you want.. basically, a California roll. Get some seaweed packets, and let the girls make their own rolls. You can even have a little dish of soy sauce for them to dip it in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hired a professional chef from my DC's favorite restaurant to lead a cooking demonstration for a three-course dinner and the kids loved it. The chef sent us options ahead of time then the kids made a choice together. They seemed really proud of their work when they were finished eating and had a really good time learning from the chef. It was a nice birthday!

Good God, what is this? Real Housewives?!

Us poor folk can't even imagine.

We resurrected my moms fondue set from her 1970 wedding registry! The kids really really liked it. We used it as a dessert but my DD already has plans to make a "savory cheese" version for our appetizer next time. For the dessert we did brownie bites, marshmallows, cheesecake bites (I just made a cheap jello cheese cake and cheap boxed brownies, froze them, cut into little squares), and store bought cookie dough. Huge hit. The meal was lasagna and salad as another PP already mentioned is easy to pre prep and a crowd pleaser. The next idea on DD's list is a panni bar. We are going to set out different breads, cheeses, and meats and have DH make panini's to order.

Anonymous wrote:I hired a professional chef from my DC's favorite restaurant to lead a cooking demonstration for a three-course dinner and the kids loved it. The chef sent us options ahead of time then the kids made a choice together. They seemed really proud of their work when they were finished eating and had a really good time learning from the chef. It was a nice birthday!

Good God, what is this? Real Housewives?!

I hired a professional chef from my DC's favorite restaurant to lead a cooking demonstration for a three-course dinner and the kids loved it. The chef sent us options ahead of time then the kids made a choice together. They seemed really proud of their work when they were finished eating and had a really good time learning from the chef. It was a nice birthday!

You definitely need some kind of non-alcoholic cocktail. A Shirley Temple seems extra fancy if you serve it in a champagne glass.

Apples to Apples is a fun board game and I don't even like board games.

Love the idea of make your own sundae.

Appetizers could be nachos; dinner a taco bar; and maybe virgin margaritas.

Advantage to a taco bar is kids can put what they like in their taco.

I love it!

I would maybe have her set the table or identify the things she wants to use at least a few days in advance. Figure out what each dish will be served in. Buffet, or plated? Etc. If she’s into flowers, you could go to Potomac Floral a day or two in advance - you can buy just one bunch, retail - you don’t need an account. Maybe pick something unusual and beautiful and just do a bunch of bud vases to keep the budget in check. Plus, instagrammable. I might suggest floral crowns as well but I’m pretty into that stuff.

Fairy lights could be fun too, the tiny ones on copper wire with battery packs. Warm white. Amazon. Or a bunch of tea lights. Make the overhead light really dim so it feels like a party.

You could start with a signature mocktail maybe in cute glasses. IKEA is great for that.

Honestly for the food I might just order sushi and buy ice cream so it’s her thing and you’re out of the way, unless she really likes cooking or really likes your cooking.

I'd go for something that could be made ahead of time like lasagna or similar - just has to be put in the oven. That gives you more flexibility to do some kind of fun appetizers. Love the idea of a flexible dessert like make your own ice cream sundaes. Could serve with brownies and/or cookies.

After dinner, cards, board games, or a movie!

I e cream with different toppings I’d also a low key dessert that will get everyone moving around and not as much of a set directive as cookie decorating. There are fun dinner games that could also work. But I bet it will be fine to hang and chat.

I think all you need to do is create a flexible plan with some contingencies (the plan is to sit around and chat, but what if it's just quite and awkward, the plan is to decorate cookies, but everyone think that is weird and babyish). Let her lead, and even if you are willing to do the cooking make sure she does the planning and shopping. Sounds it will be a fun night!

a cookie decorating challenge

Anonymous wrote:My dd14 wants to have a dinner party with her friends. I don't even do dinner parties so need some ideas that actually make sense. She wants to have appetizers, main meal and dessert. I can do that, she plans to have her bff come over early and help with the food and set up. But what else do they do? As adults, we just sit around and talk and maybe play cards. But what do teens do? I want her to be successful. Thanks.

For my DD, they did all of the things you mentioned, including the cards (or a board game). They also liked to segue into a movie or a series they were binging.

My dd14 wants to have a dinner party with her friends. I don't even do dinner parties so need some ideas that actually make sense. She wants to have appetizers, main meal and dessert. I can do that, she plans to have her bff come over early and help with the food and set up. But what else do they do? As adults, we just sit around and talk and maybe play cards. But what do teens do? I want her to be successful. Thanks.