Party Planning Help

[UnderProtest]

So my kids 1st birthday party is this weekend and I'm trying to think through food and stuff. Its about 20ish people, mostly adults with one kid their age and some cousins that are elementary school age so I haven't planned any activities. Just a normal party with food, beer & wine and cake. Should I have any activities? I do have party favors, but they are really for the adults, not the kids.

Here is the proposed menu. Let me know if I should add/delete something.
Pulled Pork BBQ
Pulled Chicken BBQ
Beef Brisket
(including hamburger buns for those who want to make it into a sandwich)
Mac & Cheese
Baked Beans
(above from a yummy restaurant)
Veggies & Hummus
Beer
Wine
Soft drinks
Cake

[chia]

I'd take away either the pork or the chicken - they seem too alike to me.
And, I'd add some fruit.

[UnderProtest]

They are alike, but I'm a fan of the chicken. Most of the meat will be the pulled pork though.

[dexteroni]

I agree that you don't need three meats. I would eliminate the brisket myself, but it's up to you. And I would offer a cold side dish like pasta salad or cole slaw.

I also agree with the suggestion to add fruit. I feel like you need more "fresh" food, for lack of a better term, and fruit is something that the other kids will eat. And with this menu, my preference would be for ranch dip instead of hummus, but that's a minor point.

[UnderProtest]

Ha, yeah the meat thing is excessive, but my husband and I can't agree on less than three. I worked him down from four or five. He wanted all types of BBQ.

[dexteroni]

Oct 8, 2012 21:13:03 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Ha, yeah the meat thing is excessive, but my husband and I can't agree on less than three. I worked him down from four or five. He wanted all types of BBQ.

lol. OK, just don't have a ton of each.

[Roc A Bee]

I'd add a salad and a veggie and take away baked beans.

[UnderProtest]

Oct 8, 2012 21:41:37 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Oct 8, 2012 21:13:03 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Ha, yeah the meat thing is excessive, but my husband and I can't agree on less than three. I worked him down from four or five. He wanted all types of BBQ.

lol. OK, just don't have a ton of each.

Ha, yeah, we are splitting based on the total recommendation from the restaurant. BBQ is serious business around here and I don't care too much as long as I don't have to cook.

[Becca]

I agree on the fruit. And I assume the mac and cheese is meatless for anyone who doesn't eat meat?

And what beverages do you have for the kids? Juice?

[dexteroni]

Oct 8, 2012 21:53:58 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

BBQ is serious business around here and I don't care too much as long as I don't have to cook.

Oh, you're not cooking it? Heck, then go nuts.

[niki]

I would only have one meat. Even two seems one too many.

[countthestars]

DONT TAKE AWAY THE BEANS

Add cole slaw (you have to have it with pulled pork!) and maybe fruit and then I think you are good to go!

[Deleted]

Since youa re not cooking it I say go for it! Sounds wonderful. I would also say add some fruit.

[wannabe]

Please send me some brisket. Man, I love that shit.

I think your menu sounds great! As for activities, I wouldn't worry too much. Just make sure there's somewhere safe for the little ones to crawl/walk, and maybe put out a few toys to keep them entertained. A cheapy bubble machine is always a hit at parties for little ones too. The adults will keep each other occupied.

I might suggest even small goody bags for the few elementary school aged kids, just so they have something. Even a couple tubs of play-doh, coloring pages or sidewalk chalk will make them happy IMO.

[UnderProtest]

Oct 8, 2012 22:34:35 GMT -5 wannabe said:

Please send me some brisket. Man, I love that shit.

I think your menu sounds great! As for activities, I wouldn't worry too much. Just make sure there's somewhere safe for the little ones to crawl/walk, and maybe put out a few toys to keep them entertained. A cheapy bubble machine is always a hit at parties for little ones too. The adults will keep each other occupied.

I might suggest even small goody bags for the few elementary school aged kids, just so they have something. Even a couple tubs of play-doh, coloring pages or sidewalk chalk will make them happy IMO.

It is some damn good brisket too. Everything this place has is amazing. That's why we can't narrow it down to one or two meats.

The only elementary school kids coming are their cousins so do I really need to make them a goody bag since they are here for the weekend?

[wannabe]

Honestly, I would. They'll love it and it's always a thoughtful gesture. It doesn't even need to be elaborate, just a few fun things.

It's totally optional, of course, but I enjoy making my guests feel special

[chia]

I misread. I didn't realize someone else was making it!
Forget my advice to take away the chicken.

I still think you should add some fruit, though.

[UnderProtest]

Oct 8, 2012 22:57:20 GMT -5 chia said:

I misread. I didn't realize someone else was making it!
Forget my advice to take away the chicken.

I still think you should add some fruit, though.

I know I'm a little nuts, but there is no way I'm making all that while taking care of two kids!!!! Fruit is now on the list!

And wan, I'll look at target for something for the boys. You made a good point.

[sporky]

Does everyone who's coming like barbeque?

[mbcdefg]

I think three meats is OK as long as you don't order a ton of each. If you need to narrow it down, I'd offer the chicken for sure and probably the pork, unless the brisket is off-the-charts good.

I wouldn't go nuts on the amount of beans you order, and I might swap the hummus for ranch dip or blue cheese.

I would add a green salad and maybe a fruit platter (even as part of dessert).

I would make a small goody bag for the kids. Bubbles, crayons, a small toy, a piece of candy, jump ropes, something along those lines.

[dexteroni]

Oct 9, 2012 9:23:26 GMT -5 sporky said:

Does everyone who's coming like barbeque?

I don't know any meat eaters who don't like it. It seems like the guests are OP's close family members and friends, so I presume she would know if any of them were vegetarian and would have included them in the menu.

[definitelyO]

sounds great - my first thought was to drop one meat 0 but now I see why you want them all.
I would add a fruit platter and coleslaw or another cold/veggie type dish - maybe broccoli salad or something along those lines.

[Deleted]

I'd add a cold side. I vote for this:

allrecipes.com/recipe/ramen-coleslaw/

[UnderProtest]

Yeah, both our families are huge meat eaters. Most of his family won't touch a vegetable. The only vegetarians we know and invited are not coming. The restaurant has cole slaw and BBQ coleslaw, should I just order one of those?

[dexteroni]

Oct 9, 2012 10:30:14 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

The restaurant has cole slaw and BBQ coleslaw, should I just order one of those?

Yes. What is BBQ cole slaw?

[jennistarr1]

I'm confused as to why you would have favors for the adults and not the kids...regional difference?

[UnderProtest]

Oct 9, 2012 10:31:57 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Oct 9, 2012 10:30:14 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

The restaurant has cole slaw and BBQ coleslaw, should I just order one of those?

Yes. What is BBQ cole slaw?

Ha, I'm not sure. So that's a vote no for BBQ slaw?

[dexteroni]

Oct 9, 2012 10:36:34 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Oct 9, 2012 10:31:57 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Yes. What is BBQ cole slaw?

Ha, I'm not sure. So that's a vote no for BBQ slaw?

No I was just wondering what the difference was between regular and BBQ. Maybe it's vinegar based instead of mayo? The only way I say no for sure is if it has actual BBQ sauce in it, which would be gross.

[UnderProtest]

Oct 9, 2012 10:35:42 GMT -5 jennistarr1 said:

I'm confused as to why you would have favors for the adults and not the kids...regional difference?

Nah, it's a me thing. Only 4 kids are coming and 3 of them are cousins. I just thought they wouldn't want a bunch of junk. Plus, my friend's jewelry line named a piece after my daughter and I wanted to give it to the family anyway, so this seemed like a good opportunity.

[UnderProtest]

Oct 9, 2012 10:39:15 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Oct 9, 2012 10:36:34 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Ha, I'm not sure. So that's a vote no for BBQ slaw?

No I was just wondering what the difference was between regular and BBQ. Maybe it's vinegar based instead of mayo? The only way I say no for sure is if it has actual BBQ sauce in it, which would be gross.

Their menu doesn't have any info on that. I guess I'll have to ask. Although I'm pretty sure their normal slaw is yummy, so I might just go with that. I'm really not into planning this week and that isn't a good thing since its 5 days from now.