Moving and DS2's 1BD is the weekend afyer move-in, so I'm anxious about doing a party while life is so topsy turvy. Wondering if this is ever appropriate. We actually did this for our first DS' 1st BD at 2:30 PM but we had a big sundae bar with toppings. So it felt substantial. Don't know if I want to repeat the same idea for DS2. But if we have to do cake and other snacks I'll have to DIY, which = stress at a time when I don't need it. We went to a pool party for a friend at 6 (7? Can't recall) nd all they had was cake/ice cream. I was a little annoyed because we drove an hour to get there and of course it took forever to get in the car, so we had to do dinner after the party and the kids were a mess. I thought timing was poor in that instance. Anyway how do you get away with cake/ice cream only? What time of day and do you mention on invitation?
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If you time it at like 2pm people probably won't expect a meal. But, if you want to, couldn't you order a bunch of pizza delivered?
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@PawPrints: I think if it were for my three year old I'd be all about pizza (we grilled out hot dogs for his last party), but with the first birthday party we invite a lot more little old ladies (grandparents great aunts) who probably wouldn't want to eat something as ungainly as pizza in public! In fact none of them came to our son's third birthday because it was at the park and too hot Lol! All the first birthday parties here treat first birthdays like baby showers and serve shower type food.
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@Mrs. Sketchbook: Oh haha well I'm no help at all in that case; we're planning DD's first birthday at a neighborhood brewery and ordering in pizza. Your ladies would be scandalized!
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@PawPrints: sounds like the perfect party in my book! My DH and I were just discussing if we wanted to court scandal by having beer and wine. When we told my MIL we were having alcohol at our wedding she excused herself to her bedroom to cry for like an hour. I just LOVE the south.
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@Mrs. Sketchbook: we just had my DD's birthday, which was about as low-key as you can get. We had an ice cream cake (2 birds, 1 stone). Some strawberries and blueberries for the kids, and for the adults I had a homemade salsa (but store bought would totally work) and chips, bacon-wrapped dates, and a platter with Boursin, crackers, and variety pack of cured meats from TJs. We did juice boxes for kids, sparkling water and wine for adults. Party was at 2 pm and people did not eat much besides cake. Kids were too busy playing to care about food. My mom helped me get the food set up. Would you have someone that could help you prep and remove a little of the stress?
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So, if we're dealing with little old ladies from the South, I do think it would seem a little impolite not to have something to nosh on. We just did a very light reception for DH's grandmother's funeral this past weekend and I think the crowd was probably about the same speed. If it were me, I would just do:
- Sheet cake
- Veggie tray and dip
- Ruffles in a bowl
- A platter of pinwheel or croissant sandwiches (hello Costco!) or just put out a basket of split rolls and a bucket of chicken salad.
- LemonadeWe basically had the same exact menu at Grandma's thing and it took us no time to get it together and we served over 100 people.
Veggies and chips with dip
Various relishes (pickles, olives, pickled beets, old people snacks)
A weird Jello salad
Sheet cake
Cranberry nut bread
Potato salad
Chicken salad on mini croissants
Ham and cheese on rolls
Coffee
Lemonade -
why not wait a week and give breathing room? i'd expect snacks of some sort, no matter the time, i'll be honest.
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I would push it a week too and at least serve some snacks. You can just buy some prepared apps at the grocery store? Finger sandwiches and such? Tea and sandwiches and cake?
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I'd wait a bit to have the party if you can! last year we moved 2 weeks before lo's 1st bday, and we waited another 2 weeks to have her party, and it was SO much better for my sanity! Lo didn't care that the party wasn't her actual bday since she didn't know any better
also, having the party a month after move in meant we had a decent "deadline" for unpacking/setting up, it was still a rush but not impossibleeta our party was mid-afternoon and we served cake, bagels/cream cheese/lox, a mezze platter with hummus/grapeleaves/pita, veggies, fruit, and then some pastries/other desserts, plus a couple mocktails that people could add their own booze to, and it was a lot of food! this year we're doing a morning/lunch party and having pizza and cupcakes for the kids and lighter snacks for adults
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Honestly, I would be fine with just cake if it were a local party at a non meal time.
I hate it when people get all crazy about what I serve. So much food goes to waste these days.
also, having the party a month after move in meant we had a decent "deadline" for unpacking/setting up, it was still a rush but not impossible
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