Party- food ideas

[daisybuchannan]

So C's first birthday party is turning into a bigger affair than I anticipated.

I'm doing my best to keep it low key, and will have a lot of alcohol provided (this is a given, lol). 

What would you do to keep it easy but good? Burgers, dogs, and get the sides catered?

Also, there will be kids there and I feel like they need something to "do". Is a bounce house good? Any other recs?

Local ideas especially welcome 

[demofea01]

When is the party? Is a water fight/water ballons/running through the sprinklers type party an option? SO and I threw a huge BBQ with his family last weekend and the kids had a blast with an impromptu water fight. I would get the sides catered.

[wannabe]

How old are the kids?

[daisybuchannan]

Jul 22, 2013 18:25:49 GMT -5 demofea01 said:

When is the party? Is a water fight/water ballons/running through the sprinklers type party an option? SO and I threw a huge BBQ with his family last weekend and the kids had a blast with an impromptu water fight. I would get the sides catered.

September 7th. I'm not going to do water stuff bc our yard isn't big and I don't want it to become a mess where the kids are soaking the adults. 

Not enough alcohol in the world to not make that annoying. 

[daisybuchannan]

Jul 22, 2013 18:28:21 GMT -5 wannabe said:

How old are the kids?

A bunch of babies and then kids from 2-10. 

I know, this is not an easy request!

[karmasabiotch]

Rent a bounce house. They are always a hit.

I would order ziti and salad and not cook at all.

[pugz]

we got BBQ catered and did the sides ourselves. Also ordered cupcakes from a bakery. So food prep really wasn't that labor intense.

[demofea01]

Jul 22, 2013 18:39:09 GMT -5 daisybuchannan said:

Jul 22, 2013 18:25:49 GMT -5 demofea01 said:

When is the party? Is a water fight/water ballons/running through the sprinklers type party an option? SO and I threw a huge BBQ with his family last weekend and the kids had a blast with an impromptu water fight. I would get the sides catered.

September 7th. I'm not going to do water stuff bc our yard isn't big and I don't want it to become a mess where the kids are soaking the adults. 

Not enough alcohol in the world to not make that annoying. 

Ah ok. Our backyard is big enough that they were able to screw around without soaking the adults as well.  Maybe a scavenger hunt? My mom used to do those at our parties when we were kids. I remember it being pretty fun. 

[bornbaker]

If you're going with burgers and hot dogs, I would get some chips, some nice fruit, and a veggie tray. You can buy fruit/veggies pre-cut! You could do baked beans too - but those can be messy.

[tacokick]

I would get BBQ catered and make the sides myself. Sides are pretty easy/cheap and can be made ahead. I've done a couple of cold salads and some baked beans in the slow cooker and it worked out well. I didn't really have to do anything the day off, just turn on the slow cooker and pour things into bowls.