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How does this sound for a casual 50th celebration?

17 replies

Nothavingfunrightnow · 23/07/2016 08:51

This is the first birthday party I am holding for myself since I turned 30! Thing is, I am on a budget... so I cannot do expensive, flash things.

Does this sound reasonable? BBQ with gazebo, crisps and nuts out when people get here (what else can I put out?), burgers and sausages (good quality from the butcher), green salad, coleslaw, rice salad, various extras like olives and feta in separate bowls for the pickier ones, vegetarian kebabs on the bbq, followed by strawberries and ice cream or cream plus cones for the kids.

Drinks: white and red wine, prosecco, maybe Pimms, various fizzy soft drinks and fruit juice. Lots of ice.

that okay?

I have bunting to put up and large ice bucket for the drinks.

Will hire glasses and get disposable cutlery and crockery.

I am a bit nervous about it so some Yes! or Rather do XYZ! would be lovely. Thanks :)

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Nothavingfunrightnow · 23/07/2016 08:52

and beer and cider. I have invited about 25 adults plus about 8 children.

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Chasingsquirrels · 23/07/2016 09:07

We had a post wedding celebration party at home in the garden recently with around 30 adults and 5 children, so similar.

We didn't have a gazabo as intention was if it rained we used the house, and we had buffet food not bbq - so we didn't need to use the outside to cook. In the event the weather was perfect so everyone was in the garden, but not too hot that we needed shade.

We had prosecco, red & white wine, lager & bitter plus champagne for the toasts. We thought about pimms but just decided to stick to the above. Plus juices, lemonade and coke.

We were lucky enough to be able to borrow a couple for extra fridges so had everything cooled that way, we brought some ice but it didn't get used.

Your food sounds lovely. We didn't want to have to do anything at the party itself hence the buffet, but if you have people who will do the bbq it sounds fab.

I'd probably stick with cream rather than ice cream for the strawberries as it's easier to serve, and maybe ice lollies rather than cones for the kids for the same reason?

And birthday cake??

Have you got enough chairs & tables? DH insisted we needed seating for everyone with tables and it did make it nice, we borrowed garden tables and chairs and set up the garden with about 5 tables of 6-8 chairs, much better than people standing around.

Sounds fab, hope you get good weather and have a lovely time!

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Sparkletastic · 23/07/2016 09:14

Sounds perfect and I would say deffo yes to Pimms as easy to make a couple of jugs up for aperitifs. Kids can have picnic rugs - wouldn't worry about seating them. Have you got anything for kids to do in garden? Popcorn is brilliant for nibbles.

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scurryfunge · 23/07/2016 09:23

We are doing something very similar soon. I've bought a couple of gazebos and currently making some additional seating area from pallets. I've bought a couple of glass drinks dispensers from Aldi this week for a fiver each for the Pimms station. I'm also doing a huge paella on a paella burner.
I'd forgotten about a birthday cake!

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Nothavingfunrightnow · 23/07/2016 09:35

Birthday cake! Yes, of course! Thanks.,

My house and back yard (no grass, just paving) is not big so it will be an inside / outside kind of thing.

Good idea re ice lollies and only ice cream, thanks, Chasingsquirrels.

I like the idea of popcorn! thanks.

Glass drinks dispenser? What is that, Scurryfunge?

As for stuff for the kids to do in the garden - there won't be much space, but we are in a quietish cul de sac so the older ones can play out. I will get some water bomb thingies if it looks hot! I thought of a pinnata but that is asking for trouble. Besides, the older ones will probably be playing Pokemon Go!

Music. Eek what about that? I am clueless about downloading music online!

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scurryfunge · 23/07/2016 09:38

The dispenser is large glass jar ( looks like a killer jar) with a tap at the bottom. Says it will hold 8L.

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scurryfunge · 23/07/2016 09:38

Kilner not killer!

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Nothavingfunrightnow · 23/07/2016 09:40

:) thanks, scurryfunge

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gettingtherequickly · 23/07/2016 09:42

Sounds lovely, make sure you don't have to do much on the day itself, it's your party to enjoy as well.
When people offer to stay and help clear up then accept! Flowers

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Nothavingfunrightnow · 23/07/2016 09:45

Good idea, Gettingtherequickly. My dad, his partner and my partner will be here, too for a couple of days before and after the event. So they will help out.

So excited! Grin

Oh, another thing - people have started asking what they can bring along: I supposed I could just say drinks if they insist?

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Nothavingfunrightnow · 23/07/2016 09:46

another question: how many bottles of Pimms should I get - two?

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scurryfunge · 23/07/2016 10:38

I'm only going for one but then I'll also have plenty of wine, gin, beers and cider.

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Sparkletastic · 23/07/2016 13:28

2 bottles Pimms. Tell guests to bring a bottle (or 3 Wink)

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MiddleClassProblem · 23/07/2016 13:38

Obviously a bit more expensive but john Lewis do a plastic 9l dispenser for £15 if you can't get hold of an Aldi one. Supermarkets my have them for click and collect too.

You can do veg sticks and dip quite cheaply. We use to do a "bar snack" type thing of croutons, chorizo and manchego (could use cheddar) all cubed so get a whole chorizo, mixed together and tossed in a little olive

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Chasingsquirrels · 23/07/2016 15:21

We had veg sticks and dips on the tables before the food, they were the only things that didn't really get eaten.

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JamieVardysParty · 23/07/2016 15:28

Sounds like everyone is on track with food.

Do you have a smartphone/iPad? I'd download Spotify and use/borrow some speakers. You can either create your own playlists or use existing party type ones. It's totally free too.

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Nothavingfunrightnow · 27/07/2016 09:30

Thanks, JamieVardysParty! That's a good idea.

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