Budget Birthday Party

[libertysilk]

On a very tight budget, and would really appreciate some ideas for food for a 3 year old birthday party. Roughly 20 people attending.
I have to budget for everything for the day, cake, drinks etc.
HELP!! please...

[Twowrongsdontmakearight]

I'd keep it simple. Mini sandwiches with basics bread. I'd stick to cheese or ham as most DC will eat those. Maybe some frozen sausage rolls (reheated!) or maybe a pack of basics mini pizza cut into wedges, carrot sticks/cucumber/mini tomatoes, (hummus?) some crisps. If you can bake, some buns, otherwise a pack of those mini ones in a plastic tub. Foxes Party Rings or chocolate fingers. I also used to do strawberries, sliced in half.

In my experience, DC that young don't eat much. By offering the range most will find something they like so you'll feel better that they've eaten something. If you're on a tight budget, I wouldn't cater for parents separately, there will be lots left over from DC that they can nibble on. Just do tea or coffee.

I also used to ask the DC if they wanted X and then put a bit on their plate rather than let them help themselves. Otherwise they pile it high and waste it which always drives me mad!

Birthday cake doesn't need to be an extravaganza. I made my own and bought candles / number 3 etc, but supermarkets sell ready iced etc. A friend has the tradition that her DC choose theirs each year.

Don't forget for you once they've all gone!

[Rainbowqueeen]

What time of day are you having it??

A lovely morning tea would probably be most cost effective.

Then you can offer tea and coffee for the adults and water and cordial for the kids.

I would work out what you want to do for the cake and then how much you have left over.

Two wrongs had some great ideas. The other thing that I do is I keep some food in reserve eg packets of biscuits and crisps. Then you can bring them out if you need them but otherwise they are not wasted and you can use them another time.

[libertysilk]

Thats great guys, thank you so much. Heading off to Lidl in a bit. I'm going to be baking everything. I'm planning on baking a couple of quiches, home made chicken strips, and baking a cake. Will now buy budget pizzas, make sandwiches and get crisps and party rings. Thanks so much for your input. Greatly appreciated.
My lo wants a princess cake so any ideas on how to make an easy one would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping she'll just be so excited, that she won't mind my idea of a cake

[libertysilk]

Oh and the party is at 2pm.

[purplefox]

A pink iced cake with a toy tiara/princess on top? I.e. www.birthdayexpress.com/p/42812/princess-cake-toppers-2-pieces

[Rainbowqueeen]

Do you have a pudding bowl you can use and then pop a barbie doll in the top so the cake is the skirt. Pink icing a few decorations and you're done

The rest of it sounds fab!