What foods and drinks should I serve at my son's party?!
Answers: My son is turning 1 yr old, and I'm having a party with 12 adult neighbors/friends and 4 children (ages 4,6,9, and 12) as well as my mother and father in law. Our party is on a friday at 6 pm at our house and we are having beef and chicken shish kabobs (as requested by my husband and his friend). I'm also going to make a big dish of home made mac and cheese and a large sheet cake, shrimp salad and regular salad (dressing?) The neighbors are much older than ourselves (in their 40s, 50's, even 70) and usually drink wine spritzers or other alcholic beverages. the kids- soda. We usually don't drink either at our house- mostlly water and juice. What would you suggest we serve as far as drinks, and what kind of foods do you think woudl be good for both adults and kids? should we serve alcohol? I have one girlfriend coming that doesn't drink at all for religious purposes, and two of the neighbors usually drink diet soda or crystal light but four of the neighbors are heavy drinke
I like to keep it simple and especially so with such a variety of guests. Since it starts at 6 definitely offer alcohol, wine or wine spritzers as you mentioned. And serve one kind of festive non-alcoholic drink such as a punch with beautifully sliced fruit thrown in or lemonade in a pretty pitcher. Also have water, still and sparkling (which you already have for the spritzers) available at the ready.
As for the food, since you're serving beef and chicken kebobs, and homemade mac n cheese, I think you've got your bases covered as far as what both adults and children like. However, I not convinced you need the shrimp salad. Perhaps a simpler green salad to go with the main, and if you've already bought the shrimp, make a shrimp cocktail for an appetizer.
Good luck and remember to have fun!
If you're a non drinker, and don't want to buy alcohol, then don't. It's a kid's party and you don't want anyone getting drunk.
I think your menu of kabobs, mac and cheese, the two salads and cake are fine--it provided everyone with something. I find that adults and kids always like pasta dishes and chicken, so even baked zit or lasagna or chicken parmagiana is good.
As for drinks, try to provide a variety and choice--water, juice, soda and some alcoholic beverages. Keep it simple with the alcohol and maybe offer wine. You don't have to go out and get one of each thing each person drinks--give them a choice and its up to them.
Good luck with the party!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlFuygSWW...
You know what... I saw a coca cola baby bottle filled with coca cola and the mom fed it to the child. I find that scary! Best drinks to serve, in my opinion, would be natural juice for the young ones and soda for the teens and up.
First, it's a kid's party, no alcohol should be involved. Finger foods are always good. Water, coffee, tea (sweet and unsweet) soda and juice. Then there is something that everyone will like. Remember, this is for your child, keep that in mind. Good luck, hope you have a great party.
If you/family are not drinkers than by all means do NOT serve alcohol... If anyone questions it just say with all the children present I didn't want them to get a hold of an alcoholic drink by mistake... I think that 6pm is late for a children's birthday but, I can understand since it's AFTER a work day. The menu sounds pretty solid.