I also don't understand these $100 posts! what? Maybe it's because I live in a HCOL area? But to have 30 people descend upon my house, to feed them and quench their thirst .. $100 wouldn't work at all. Maybe if all we provided was some bowls of chips/snacks and one beer/glass of wine per person... one juice box per child.. lol
I can do a 100-ish dollar party because I'm talking about 20 people (me, dh, Thad, my parents, inlaws, sil, bil, niece, and uh, maybe a few other people.) Pizza, chips, veggie platter, store cake, beer, and juice.
I think big parties are cool and I will certainly have fun parties for him when he is older, but this is just an excuse for a get together for me. My parents and in laws will bring food. There won't be invitations.
I don't have my menu set yet, but we will be doing a derby party, so hot brown sliders, pasta salad, veggie tray, dips, etc. I can make most of that pretty reasonably. Her cake will be around $40. We don't do liquor at kids parties, it would definitely be side eyed. We will provide iced tea, water, and probably lemonade.
what are you all cooking? Like salads and sandwich platters or like lasagnas and baked pastas?
We did salads and hamburgers, etc one year and it still was expensive.
I have done a taco bar with chips and dips and margaritas her first year. Last year, I did a sandwiches, sides, and ice cream sundaes. We only have 20-25 people though so it's not a big event.
We aren't doing a party this year. I kind of dread the years when her friends come but parents also come. Too much money and time to organize lol. I look forward to when she's older and can just invite the 10 friends or whatever she wants to.
what are you all cooking? Like salads and sandwich platters or like lasagnas and baked pastas?
We did salads and hamburgers, etc one year and it still was expensive.
we did a party for matildas first, and did a taco bar type thing. So one crockpot of seasoned beef, one of carnitas, beans, rice, salads, toppings etc. various tortillas/corn shells. I made the cakes and we had an abundance of beer/wine/liqor
I'd say we did end up inviting probably 30 or more people, + their kids so it was a lot. I didn't tally the costs, but I'd estimate $300-400? I don't know
I doubt we could get out under $10/head being honest. I mean most people have 2-3 drinks so that alone is $5 per person. And groceries are expensive here as you know ...
I did look into some catering recently and the good catering that we'd want (the BBQ place) is like $20+/head. Catering where we'd get trays of pasta is more like what I could see us paying, but then I'm like screw that a box of pasta is $1 I'm not paying that much for baked pasta I can make it for 1/4 the cost.
Post by creamsiclechica on Mar 4, 2015 15:27:22 GMT -5
To be honest, I spent more making stuff at home than her party AT a place. I mean, I know things vary area to area. But I also can't fathom $100 for 25 or more people. But I also can't manage to feed the four of us for a week for less than $200 at the grocery store either, lol.
yes we could have her party at the Y, it's $200 to rent the gymnastics area for the party thats only for up to 10 kids though. So it would be more, maybe 250. But I'd just buy pizzas and a cake and it would come out to less than or similar to what I'll probably end up spending if we have it at our house.. because pizza is cheap. and no alcohol cost.
but then it sounds unfun. Going to the Y during the day with 10-20 kids? blah. I drag us all to open gymnastics every saturday morning for free and I dont want to pay $200+ for the pleasure lol.
Can you all help me brainstorm what type of food I canake and buy to cut costs?
I don't want to do pizza I don't think It can be a mix of made or bought
Roughly 50 to 75 people hopefully closer to 40
Some of the Asian restaurants near us (Thai, Korean) offer catering. You can get loads of noodles pretty cheaply and the other dishes dishes are reasonable, too. Are there any Hawaiian barbecue places around you? We don't have any here (sadly), but the ones near my parents' are a good deal.
We've brought lunch to L's daycare a couple times - sandwiches, salads, and dessert from Corner Bakery. It fed 12-15 teachers for less than $150 and they had a lot of leftovers.
How do you keep the dogs hot or do you just grill to order
Grill to order if it's outside or a grill nearby, you can cover with foil to keep warm. I have know people to crockpot hot dogs but idk if I recommend it.
We always have really small parties at home. I would say we spend about 200$ or less for 20 people. It's mostly food (Wegmans catering plus some homamade), decorations and invitations. When she has more little friends we will have her party somewhere fun, those seem to add up fast though!
The zoo does a great party. The price includes zoo admission, pizza, a craft, a goodie bag (we also made our own), they'll bring a zoo animal to the party (we had a turtle) and the teach the kids all about it. The best part was that it also included an ice cream cake from Gannon's. We did that for B's 4th bday and he loved it!
We always have really small parties at home. I would say we spend about 200$ or less for 20 people. It's mostly food (Wegmans catering plus some homamade), decorations and invitations. When she has more little friends we will have her party somewhere fun, those seem to add up fast though!
The zoo does a great party. The price includes zoo admission, pizza, a craft, a goodie bag (we also made our own), they'll bring a zoo animal to the party (we had a turtle) and the teach the kids all about it. The best part was that it also included an ice cream cake from Gannon's. We did that for B's 4th bday and he loved it!
I love Gannon's ice cream so much! My mom and I were just talking about it yesterday, saying that this summer we would have to go there.
We always have really small parties at home. I would say we spend about 200$ or less for 20 people. It's mostly food (Wegmans catering plus some homamade), decorations and invitations. When she has more little friends we will have her party somewhere fun, those seem to add up fast though!
The zoo does a great party. The price includes zoo admission, pizza, a craft, a goodie bag (we also made our own), they'll bring a zoo animal to the party (we had a turtle) and the teach the kids all about it. The best part was that it also included an ice cream cake from Gannon's. We did that for B's 4th bday and he loved it!
That's a good idea! We have a membership too. Do you guys? We will have to all meet up there again when shmoo comes back home. Yearly tradition now
The zoo does a great party. The price includes zoo admission, pizza, a craft, a goodie bag (we also made our own), they'll bring a zoo animal to the party (we had a turtle) and the teach the kids all about it. The best part was that it also included an ice cream cake from Gannon's. We did that for B's 4th bday and he loved it!
I love Gannon's ice cream so much! My mom and I were just talking about it yesterday, saying that this summer we would have to go there.
I love Gannon's too but I have to stay true to arctic island, my grandparents live right up the road and we walk there all the time
This year we are going more low key. Her preschool class has a party during school. You supply treat, snacks and craft. Between stickers and construction paper for school and home, I have almost everything except cake pops and drinks. This will cost about $20.
The American Girl party is for family. It's $45 for kids and $35 for adults. I think with tip, favors, food and cake it will be $200 total. We were going to have a party at the house, but since important family members will be at American Girl, we will skip that. So, around $200 ish for everything.
I grew up in one of the finger lakes towns and my family is still there. We usually come back for a week during the summer. I think we will be there the first week of August this year.
How do you keep the dogs hot or do you just grill to order
Grill to order if it's outside or a grill nearby, you can cover with foil to keep warm. I have know people to crockpot hot dogs but idk if I recommend it.
Jeff's grandma always makes "stadium dogs" for the kids when we have a big family gathering. She boils the dogs, puts them in the buns, and then wraps each one in tinfoil and throws them in the oven or a cooler. The buns are super steamy and delicious!
I just went through and added up costs from yesterday and I think we came in right around $320-350 or so. I spent about $150 at Sam's on cake and most of the food, $60 on gift bags and plates/forks, $70 at Walmart on chicken fingers and pinwheel platters, and then about $60 on 3 cases of beer for the adults. We already had liquor, so I didn't count that in the cost.
I come from a big Italian family who drinks at every family function.
So, we are between $1,000-$2,000 for this year's joint party.
About 60 people, being fed dinner (we are doing a catered taco bar this year by our cousin, should run about $10/person) so $600 for food costs.
We will get two kegs of beer plus about 6 bottles of wine. That will run about $300. Plus juice boxes for kids and pop for those who don't want to drink or want to have liquor from our stock.
Emerson Kate, born 38w5d on 4/6/12 at 6:02 p.m., 5 lbs 13 oz and 18 3/4 inches. Lucas Matthew, born 39w5d on 4/11/14 at 8:20 a.m., 7 lbs 4 oz and 20 inches.
Emerson Kate, born 38w5d on 4/6/12 at 6:02 p.m., 5 lbs 13 oz and 18 3/4 inches. Lucas Matthew, born 39w5d on 4/11/14 at 8:20 a.m., 7 lbs 4 oz and 20 inches.