Whilst food is not supplied with a Party Solution Party my suggestion for serving food at a Party Solutions Party can be summed up in three words.
Keep it simple!
Here are a few simple ideas to keep planning and organizing to a minimum.
Prepare as much as possible in advance. Defrost any frozen items so heating time is reduced and pre cook any items that can be served cold. Plate food like chips and cakes before guests arrive and prepare items like fairy bread, then wrap in glad wrap and store in cool place.
Have someone to help you! It is very hard to co-ordinate food preparation when you are blowing up balloons for racing!
Write each child’s name on a cup so they know which one is theirs and can return to it throughout the party. Less cups means less waste.
Only serve soft drink, juice or cordial with the meal, the rest of the time have a ready supply of water to quench thirst. Better for the children and cheaper for you!
Children are already hyped up in party mode and will be getting lollies in their party bag so I prefer NOT to have a bowl of lollies on the table as well.
Traditionally food is served at the end of the party then everyone goes home.
That does not mean YOU have to.
Bottom line - Serve food when you want to serve food.
Any of the following suggestions may help you acheive the party you want.
Have some food ready when children are arriving. Fill them up on savoury first. Then play some games. After an hour or so, serve sweets. As they ate not that long ago they will only need a small amount (food and time!) then back to more games. 15mins before the scheduled end of the party bring out the Birthday Cake, sing, serve and eat. By this time parents will be arriving to take home their children. Hand out party bags making sure all accrued items are safely inside before children depart.
With approx 45 mins to go to the scheduled end of party serve savoury food allowing children time to eat then follow with sweet food. When children appear to be finished bring out the Birthday cake, sing, serve and eat. By this time parents will be arriving to take home their children. Hand out party bags making sure all accrued items are safely inside before children depart.
If you are on a really tight budget schedule party away from traditional meal times. Only serve a few nibbly savoury foods, potato chips and twisties, then play a game line eat the donuts off the clothesline. This will fill them up and keep them busy. Then bring out the Birthday Cake at end of party, sing, serve and eat. By this time parents will be arriving to take home their children. Hand out party bags making sure all accrued items are safely inside before children depart.
Another way to decrease food costs is to use baking as a party activity. Have the children help prepare gingerbread men or cupcakes. While they are cooking play a few games and when the biscuits/cakes have cooled, ice as children desire (another activity!) and enjoy as part of their meal and/or take them home. Essential that you have plenty of help on the day. Burning biscuits/cakes would not make for a happy party.
Alternativtly pre-prepare pizza topping have each child make their own pizza. Pizza's can be cooking while games are being played. Pizza can then be served as their meal with a bowl of potato chips and a simple veggie and fruit platter.
Once you have decided on when you then need to decide what food you are going to serve. Again, Keep it simple!
Make it easy to organise, prepare and serve.
Keep in mind how many people you have to help prepare prior to the party and who is on hand to help you on the day.
Try any of the following suggestions to acheive the party you want.
Cook sausages on the BBQ. Serve with bread and sauce. Have a bowl of chips and a simple salad of finger food veggies and a fruit platter ready when to serve with the sausages. Serve cocktail franks, chicken nuggets, party pies and party sausage rolls, potato chips (hot or cold), veggie and fruit platters. Don’t forget the tomato sauce.
Give each child a moderate serve of ice cream. Have a bowl of sprinkles, crushed ‘Flake’ (type bar) bar, nuts (if no-one has allergies), and a bottle each of choc-ice and strawberry topping. Then let them add their choice of toppings.
Serve individually wrapped ice creams
Check out 'Home Ice Cream'. On hearing the bell our children race out and eagerly choose the ice creams we will be eating for the next two weeks. They are very reasonably priced and use natural ingredients - taste good too! Box sizes range from 6-30 individually wrapped ice creams so get one box or a selection. If you don’t already have access to a regular round they can be found at Home Ice Cream 36-38 Merchant Cres Pooraka SA (08) 81629311. Give them a call to arrange a home delivery or drop in a pick some up from their depot.
Serve a selection of cupcakes, fairy bread, honey joys, chocolate covered biscuits and chocolate crackles.
Use baking as a party activity, (also helps to decrease food costs). Have the children help prepare gingerbread men or cupcakes. While they are cooking play a few games and when the biscuits/cakes have cooled, ice as children desire (another activity!) and enjoy as part of their meal and/or take them home. Essential that you have plenty of help on the day. Burning biscuits/cakes would not make for a happy party.
Alternativtly have a selection of pizza topping and small individual pizza bases. Each child gets to make their own pizza. Pizza's can be cooking while games are being played. Pizza can then be served as their meal with a bowl of potato chips and a simple veggie and fruit platter.
Hang donuts from the clothes line and get the children to eat the donut without using their hands. It is a game and part of their meal, you can serve less sweet foods this way. Have a selection of cinnamon, chocolate and strawberry topped donuts.
Alternatively stack donuts in a pyramid shape and put a happy birthday sign on the top. Then place the right number of candles randomly around the stack and use as a Birthday Cake. Chocolate Iced - cream filled - donuts are particularly impressive!
In summer freeze a selection of fruit boxes or sunny boy ice block (yes they are still available!). Have a good supply of metal spoons and possibly face washers to hold frozen packaging and let them loose. Guaranteed to keep children quite for ages!
