Would this be tacky for my son's 2nd birthday party?!
Answers: My son's 2nd birthday falls during the Xmas holidays. I'm expecting about 15 people (adults & a few kids), mostly extended family) & will be making appetizers & ordering pizza & having cake etc. I don't want to wash a gallizion dishes so I was thinking of buying some nice festive paper plates (the fancier ones) & matching napkins. Do you think this is tacky and should I use regular plates? Also, what about cutlery? If I use the paper plates then should I just use plastic knives & forks? Also, how do I invite people so they know it's not a sit-down dinner? I don't want people to come expecting a full-course meal. Thanks for the tips....entertaining stresses me out, as you can tell..ha ha!!!
This is a party for a 2 year old. The way I always looked at making preparations for a children's party was:
How much does this child care? (Read: how important is this party to this child at this point in his or her life?)
and
How much will this child remember?
So, to answer your question paper plates will do. No, it isn't tacky.
Platstic flatware will be fine. And yes, if you go with the paper, go for the plastic utensils.
Your invitation will (or should) indicate that the birthday party for a 2 year old. Few people will expect caviar, canapes, and candlelight (except for those on the cake).
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A few tips for future birthday parties (for your son):
Keep it simple until he is old enough to request more. Less stress and aggravation on Mommy.
My guest list was always age-based: The younger the child and guests, the more care, attention, and supervision they will need. No one wants to play, 'where did 1 year old Timmy get to, and what does he have in his mouth?' I would keep the guest list short--very short--during the years the party was more for observance than anything else. That it is meant to celebrate a milestone is an annual given.
Finger foods, paper plates, and plastic flatware. Make sure the finger food is age-appropriate (no choking hazards). Paper or plastic tablecloths too.
Two cakes: a tiny one for the baby, which will result in some great and adorable photo ops of the baby, happy with fistfuls of cake withfrosting from head to foot. It's the one mess I used to count on, until they were old enough to eat with a spoon and fork.
Keep beverages baby-friendly as well. I made punch for my little ones party using a variety of fruit juices...far healthier than carbonated beverages. consider the ones that are 100% fruit juice, although the refrigerated variety may be the healthiest.
If you want to include some food and beverage selections for the adults, that's fine. Keep that simple as well, but provide enough to last for the entire time.
Time: the last frontier. The younger the child, the shorter the party. Younger children may get overexicited and not settle down as readily after any party, but moreso after a lengthy one. Age is such a great rule of thumb: for a 2 year old, about 2.5 hours of party time should do it. 3 max. If you think you and the guest of honor can handle more, go for it.
Of course, when the majority of the guests were family members, they could stay longer, but the party would conclude just the same, even if everyone hung around.
I did (and do) decorate for the occasion. It's just so festive!
Also, if you plan to have balloons, make sure they are helium-filled, and discard any that pop immediately, as they present a choking hazard.
I hope you find a useful nugget in the list.
Congrats on your son's upcoming birthday!
Hope I helped. God bless you and your family.
Just invite them on Children's Party invites. I am all about using paper products, then you can enjoy the party instead of worrying about clean up.
For a 2 yr old's party I think paper plates and napkins are more than adequate! Plasticware will eliminate dishes, but I think either is fine. Just mention it is a casual get together with pizza and cake. Be frank!
It's a kids party -- not a formal dinner party. Paper plates are fine. And unless you are having something that is hard to eat with plastic, plastic cutlery is good as well. I don't think that anyone who goes to a birthday party expects a full course meal...you can put on the invitations or tell people that it is a "pizza party."
Paper plates and plastic forks? That's what family get-togethers are made of!
I hate it when my mom gets out the nice china for fancy dinners, because then we have to be extra careful not to break it.
If you decide to use regular plates, it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask for volunteers form among your relatives to assist in washing them.
It wouldn't be tacky to have simple paper plates as long as you make sure that your guests know it's not formal. You can tell them that it is a informal get together to celebrate your son's birthday, and that you will only be serving lighter refreshments. You can do this by telling everyone what you will be doing for food. You can use plastic knives and forks if you want, but it might seem better if you use real silverware because it gives the impression of casual but not messy, and that you are using the plates because they are festive and not because you don't want the mess. (;D)
I hope that this helps a little, and good luck with the party!
well my thoughts are this, no it wouldn't be tacky to use paper plates and plastic forks spoons etc, but would it be good for the environment. just a thought!
not tacky at all. get some plates and napkins with one of his favorite cartoon characters or something. my family always uses paper products and plastic cutlery, it just makes the host/hostess's life a whole lot easier. and just make sure people know that it's going to be very casual!!
It's a birthday party and they are there to recognize and honor the birthday boy not to have a 10 course meal. Don't be so hard on yourself and use the paper plates, cups, tablecloths, etc. However, I usually use real flatware as the plastic has a tendency to break.
As for the invitations just send out regular birthday invites which has the time and date and that should do just fine. Don't stress! Whatever you serve will be just great.
Happy birthday to your son!
I always invite with a birthday card invite to a party... Then on the card say Pizza, cake, snacks included. By all means use paper plates and throw away cups and plasticware. It's not tacky, at least I don't think so. So much easier to throw away. Be festive and use a theme like Elmo or something. Have a great party!
Paper plates are fine! If you want to use paper utensils too, fine! It would be different if it was a full course meal. About letting guests know its not dinner, on the invites, write, 'we will serve orderbs (or appetizers), pizza, and cake' (near the bottom but where they will see it) Hope i could help!
well first of all just state on the invitation it's a birthday party with such, and such to drink and eat. and no it's not tacky using paper plates and plastic ware, unless your inviting the KING and Queen. relax its a birthday party not a formal dinner. i have twins who's birthday is on the 24th of christmas and my wife and i specifically state what we are serving and for a child's b-day hot dogs,and pizza are top hits with the kids. don't forget the ice cream and cake of course. relax it's a b-day party for a child or young adult no big deal, and everyone will love you if you remember its not about you its about your child.
Go with the paper and plastic stuff. They will probably expect it, and if you did that, it wouldn't be tacky at all. Also, my suggestion is that if a few kids are coming over, try hiring some entertainment, like a clown or a magician....
call it a" buffet style party" of the celebration of your Lil' persons 2nd b-day. all adults should come prepared to play . must love music,food and body-slams by a 2 year old.
the paper plates and cutlery are very polite. the more the merrier on the party theme. and the menu you've picked out seems great! just remember to give your guests -cameras -to be a part of the birthday.
p.s. you can never have enough pictures of them growing up. after 14 -they never want to be in pictures.
I have hosted all of the family get-togethers for a half-century or so. When the "family" got so large that I had to borrow dishes & silver and people had to bring their own chairs, I had the marvelous idea one year while washing a stack of dishes taller than I am (after cooking all week!) to use sturdy paper and plastic the following year.
Never once have I looked back. Anytime that I am serving more than a half-dozen people you are guaranteed to get good quality, decorative paper and plastic products. Nobody minds. And nobody feels like they have to help do the dishes.
Bonus: I have time to enjoy the party myself!
I don't think any one goes to a kid's birthday party expecting a sit-down dinner. They should be expecting pizza and kid-friendly food. I would also go to a party supply store and get birthday specific plates and plastic utensils. Spiderman or whatever he is into.
Ok, every holiday at our house we use paper plates. We just use the nicest ones we can find. Since it s a kids birthday party use birthday plates and napkins or a theme. You can also use plastic cutlery. You dont need to specify its not a sit down meal. You will have pizza and appetizers thats plenty. Also, make a nice salad and a garlic bread. :))
No it's not tacky we are talking a child's party, they tend to break things , your menu is fine, the adults will do most of the eating, kids want ice cream and cake. Relax and have a fun time.
It is a kid's birthday party, you are serving pizza & cake, I think paper plates are expected! As for the invitation, you can say in the invitation that you would like them to join you for a Pizza & Cake party to celebrate your son's birthday.