Birthday party dilemma- Please HELP!?!
My daughter's first birthday party is in 10 days!. I'm a single mom & lost my job a few months ago, so I was very selective on the number of people I invited & have been cutting corners in every possible way to save money!. I had to rent the hospitality room where I live because my condo is too small & crowded to entertain!. This cost me $75 + a & $150 refundable deposit!. I invited 30 people, mostly family & a few friends assuming some might not be able to come because they live out of state!. Well, everyone is coming & to make matters worse, several people are bringing boyfriends & girlfriends- & one of my old friends from school decided to take it upon herself to invite several other classmates (people I haven't seen in years) who she said "might show up"!. I'm looking at roughly 60+ people & I'm going out of my mind wondering how I'm going to pay to feed everyone, not to mention I'm going to have to possibly rent tables & chairs because there isn't enough seating- nobody seems to have any for me to borrow!. This has become a fiasco & I don't know what to do!. Any suggestions!? Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
I know its tough, but that is just rude that one of your old friends would invite other people!. You need to start by calling her first and let her know that as much as you would love to have other people you just want to keep things SIMPLE!. Its easier for you to use the word "simple" rather than explain financial situation!. Then I would call each person or 1 of each family and explain that things are growing and you really need a count so you can figure out what you will need!. Actually do you need food at all besides cake and punch!? Have you told anyone that there would be more than that!? That's really all you need and all that your ONE year old will care about! The party is for her and big groups are pretty overwhelming!. If you do food, think creatively like bowls of chips, crock pot of beanie weenies, carrots and celery only!. Think appetizer and small! I'm sorry your going through this, I have been there in the same situation with party's that grow and the best thing to do is be honest with yourself and to your close family and friends!. They really will understand! Best of Luck to you!! Www@FoodAQ@Com
You need to put the word out now in writing to all the people that you sent invitations to that in lieu of a gift for your daughter, they need to bring a covered dish and their own folding chair!. You will probably need to explain that this is due to your financial situation and that you hope everyone understands!. Your friends and family will be very understanding and if they aren't, they probably won't come!. Good luck to you!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
You have two options you can check and see if you can borrow chairs or give a small monetary donation to your church or neighborhood church!.
(I gave 25!.00 and used about 15 chairs for a function that I had-I squeezed them in my Honda Civic Trunk)
OR
You can not worry about extra seating!. People will be talking and mingling so most will be standing!. also parents with kids will have to follow their kids around the room!. Just make sure you have a few chairs (I'm sure the party room has a few) for elderly or pregnant women!.
As far a food your biggest bang for the buck would be to buy in blulk from Costco or Sams!. Sheet cakes are 15!.99 and cupcakes for 24 are
about 11!.00-if you need to buy them from your neighborhood store cupcakes are always cheaper!!
Plates, Utensils, decorations-Go to Dollar Tree-I got pink plates, cupss, and utensils-they also have character Sesame street, dora etc
or buy a huge quantity of plain foam plates from grocery store or costco!. They also sell a package with plate!.
You could ask your closest friends and relatives to bring a dish or assign each person an item -one bring 2 big bags of chip, 1 bring 4 liters of soda, another bring 5 bags of buns
OR
Keep food simple-Salsa/chips,7 layer dip or guac, potato chips, hot dogs, juice boxes, soda for the adults (liters), baby carrots and broccolli w/ ranch dip
fruit-grapes and apples are the cheapest!. (If you don't want to do hotdogs chicken nuggets
If you want more substantial food then -homemade spaghetti or frozen lasagna and a green salad w/ tomatoes will give you the biggest bang for your buck!. Get a bag of wings also!.
Good LuckWww@FoodAQ@Com
(I gave 25!.00 and used about 15 chairs for a function that I had-I squeezed them in my Honda Civic Trunk)
OR
You can not worry about extra seating!. People will be talking and mingling so most will be standing!. also parents with kids will have to follow their kids around the room!. Just make sure you have a few chairs (I'm sure the party room has a few) for elderly or pregnant women!.
As far a food your biggest bang for the buck would be to buy in blulk from Costco or Sams!. Sheet cakes are 15!.99 and cupcakes for 24 are
about 11!.00-if you need to buy them from your neighborhood store cupcakes are always cheaper!!
Plates, Utensils, decorations-Go to Dollar Tree-I got pink plates, cupss, and utensils-they also have character Sesame street, dora etc
or buy a huge quantity of plain foam plates from grocery store or costco!. They also sell a package with plate!.
You could ask your closest friends and relatives to bring a dish or assign each person an item -one bring 2 big bags of chip, 1 bring 4 liters of soda, another bring 5 bags of buns
OR
Keep food simple-Salsa/chips,7 layer dip or guac, potato chips, hot dogs, juice boxes, soda for the adults (liters), baby carrots and broccolli w/ ranch dip
fruit-grapes and apples are the cheapest!. (If you don't want to do hotdogs chicken nuggets
If you want more substantial food then -homemade spaghetti or frozen lasagna and a green salad w/ tomatoes will give you the biggest bang for your buck!. Get a bag of wings also!.
Good LuckWww@FoodAQ@Com
go on freecycle!.com in your city and see if you could "borrow" some chairs!. I don't know what your food budget is but if you enjoy cooking, preparing food yourself is much less than buying already made foods!. Email me for some menu suggestions along with recipes!. I love to cook and do so on a strict budget!. You can cut corners on some of the decorations!. Baking her birthday cake yourself will save you money too!.
Instead of gifts for your daughter, you can tactfully request donations to go towards her college fund!. Lots of people here (in southern California) often opt to do a kids birthday party at the park (so you can save money on the room rental cost)!. Good luck!. :-)Www@FoodAQ@Com
Instead of gifts for your daughter, you can tactfully request donations to go towards her college fund!. Lots of people here (in southern California) often opt to do a kids birthday party at the park (so you can save money on the room rental cost)!. Good luck!. :-)Www@FoodAQ@Com
Sweetie, I absolutley think for 60 people, you must ask people to bring stuff!. Have someone bring a veggie tray, someone else bring a side dish, someone bring a desert, someone bring a 12 pack of soda etc!. There is nothing wrong with having people bring 1 dish!. It is $15 dollars for them, which after a few people, will save you a ton!
FYI- Chips and salsa are an easy and cheap appetizer!. As well as, tostinos pizza bites, a bag of chex mix,
-Get litered pop instead of cans!. Maybe make a punch! Put 2 Liters of 7up and one of those frozen Rasberry Lemonaid mixes!. It will look cute and like you planned it!.
- For a main course, you could have a burrito/taco bar!. Just include the shells, hamburger, lettuce, salsa, cheese, and sour cream! Chips and rice a roni on the side!
- Cupcakes for desert!. It will save on plates and forks, and people don't have to sit to eat them!.
- also, if you are worried about seating, I am not sure what the place looks like that you rented, but maybe there are places outside that you could throw down a blanket!. I am sure some kids and families would love the picnic idea!.
Good luck!
Www@FoodAQ@Com
FYI- Chips and salsa are an easy and cheap appetizer!. As well as, tostinos pizza bites, a bag of chex mix,
-Get litered pop instead of cans!. Maybe make a punch! Put 2 Liters of 7up and one of those frozen Rasberry Lemonaid mixes!. It will look cute and like you planned it!.
- For a main course, you could have a burrito/taco bar!. Just include the shells, hamburger, lettuce, salsa, cheese, and sour cream! Chips and rice a roni on the side!
- Cupcakes for desert!. It will save on plates and forks, and people don't have to sit to eat them!.
- also, if you are worried about seating, I am not sure what the place looks like that you rented, but maybe there are places outside that you could throw down a blanket!. I am sure some kids and families would love the picnic idea!.
Good luck!
Www@FoodAQ@Com