How many guests to plan for?!
How many guests to plan for?
I am throwing a party for my mothers 60th birthday. I have invited about 70 people (this number includes the children of some guests). I have heard that it is a good rule to plan for about half of the guests to show.
Have you found this to be true?
1 month ago
Out of those guests invited, about 15 will be children. Most that will eat a full serving of the sandwiches we are buying.
We are serving sandwiches and chips, and then a few of us are making side dishes to go along. Pasta salad, green salad, etc..
Answers:
1 month ago
Out of those guests invited, about 15 will be children. Most that will eat a full serving of the sandwiches we are buying.
We are serving sandwiches and chips, and then a few of us are making side dishes to go along. Pasta salad, green salad, etc..
Please tell me you asked them to reply if they are coming, because if you didn't, I would suggest that you call everyone you invited and find out exactly WHO is really coming----you cannot feasibly have enough food and drink for 70 people and have only 20 show or vice versa--that is a lot of waste or not enough to go around and a lot of stress on you....besides the fact that you need tables and chairs for people to sit and eat at....get a count by calling the people and making them verify if they are coming--order the tables and chairs from a rental center-- order an appropriate sized cake from a good bakery and have a nice picture of your mom when she was 20 or 21 put on it. Keep the food simple--you can cook for 70 easily- tossed salad with veggies, rigatoni precooked before the party and placed in large aluminum pans with spaghetti sauce, meatballs and sausage and lots of cheese, fresh fruit cut up as appetizers and veggies with dip. And if you don't want to make the salad or the fruit or the veggie appetizer- order them from Sam's or Costco...the price will be about the same as if you made it yourself---and don't forget the alcohol.
I always prepare for more than less. You can always freeze left overs but if extra people show up and you don't have enough food what do you do ? Play it safe, you have enough to deal with that day than to be worrying if you have eonough or running to the store at the last minute.
You invited 70 but all 70 may not all come..or all 70 may come and bring extra friends..
That's what I've noticed at parties of friends and family.. so I'd suggest you plan for maybe 100-130..
Just to play it safe if you're doing a buffet there are second and third helpings for people if they'd like some more of a buffet item you know ? :)
Good luck :)
I think it is always a good idea to have more food than not enough. You should plan for at least 70 as you have invited, unless you know for sure more than 10-15 people cannot make it.
If you have left over, you could always have close family members and relatives bring them home or save them for the next day (or two) yourself.
ammmmmm......
I normally figure on about 80% of invited guests to show and order food beverages accordingly.
Can you get an approximate breakdown for the number of adults verses kids. It really affects the food purchases and preparation. Don't know what your planning on serving or I would share my formula for quantities per guest. Since is for a rather large group I'm assuming you will be serving finger foods including appetizers. We throw parties for between 30-50 people and have not run out of food and do not have a lot left over.
I attended a surprise 50th party a short time ago and the hostess only served desert type finger foods. With all the people plus the adult beverages people became intoxicated. Some left the party and stopped at a restaurant to get something to eat. The party started around dinner time.
Bad Planning on someones part.
Have fun.
Plan for more = and Happy B-day to your mom.
Good Luck
sew