First Birthday Party - Ideas and Food

[LLBigJ]

Hi All,

I’m American and we are coming to Manchester to visit DH’s family and our son will be turning one. We will have party, but it will just be family, maybe 15-20 people or so.

We are renting an AirBNB and plan to have a garden party. I have lived in the UK several years ago but what type of food should I plan on having? So I make it or order in?

In the US we go big, surprise, and I catered DS1’s first birthday. But I don’t want to be out of place and rather just go with a When in Rome type of deal.

Also what type of theme have people used or is turning one enough? For DS1 my SIL organized everything including bouncy castle, but she’s split up with my BIL and likely can’t have a bouncy castle at the AirBNB.

Any input is appreciated!

[BillHadersNewWife]

First of all, just check with the AirB&B hosts that it's acceptable to host a party at the property. You don't want to annoy them if they'd prefer to know in advance.

Regarding food and entertainment, it's had to comment without knowing how many children will be attending and what ages they are.

[Blondie1984]

Given that most of your guests are likely to have experienced many U.K parties, why don’t you give them something different and do whatever you would do in the US catering wise? I know if I was a guest I would welcome that. If not then sandwich platters, sausage rolls, mini pizza, cold chicken drumsticks, cocktail sausages, jelly and ice cream, cake...those are the “norm” and if you wanted to save yourself the effort then Waitrose do good ready made platters
I wouldn’t bother with a theme for the 1st - unless you particularly want to be on par with / outdo what your SIL did in which case see if you would be allowed a mobile petting zoo

[Standrewsschool]

Are you members of Cipostco? If so, that make it easy for catering. Just buy Adele toon of hams, cheese, bread, salad etc plus their large cakes, cheese cakes etc.

If it’s a family party, you don’t need to. Provide entertainment as such, as everyone will just mingle, unless there’s lots of kids there. If there’s kids, you’ll need party bags for them.

When are you coming over? British weather is unpredictable, so you have sunny days in March, and wet days in June.

Good point about checking with air BnB about hosting a party there.

[Standrewsschool]

That was supposed to read Costco.

[BillHadersNewWife]

sausage rolls, mini pizza, cold chicken drumsticks, cocktail sausages,

No. These are traditional party foods for many but not appreciated by everyone.

Most of my children's friends parties had none of that. They had sandwiches, cake and icecream sure but not all that processed meat.If it's a party for a 1 year old with more adults than children, then definitely do something more adult friendly like pulled pork and crusty bread, salad and a cheese board, plus olives and nuts.

Or do something hot such as a curry or two or even chilli. If there are one or two children, many will eat the same as adults but have some simple sandwiches and crisps for them just in case.

[Blondie1984]

The only processed meat there is the cocktail sausages - and you can easily buy high quality ones from the butcher to manage that

[corduroyal]

If it was my one year old, I'd do buffet stuff (sausage rolls, salad, sandwiches etc) and not bother with anything themed because he's one and will not have the faintest clue what's going on. Just being in a new place with people around will be terribly exciting. But then I'm a Scrooge.

[BillHadersNewWife]

Blondie Sorry not being critical...I just don't like processed meat...sausage rolls, cocktail sausages and often pizza if you don't make it yourself, are highly processed.

Cold chicken on the bone is not nice to me either.

I don't think kids' party food is ideal if the child is one because usually, a one year old's party consists of more adults than children...but of course OP might know a lot of children.

I make pizzas myself for my children's parties...also sandwiches because most children love them...crisps naturally and a lot of dishes of soft fruit, dishes of cucumber and baby tomatoes...plus cake and ice cream of course.

I never provide sausage rolls or anything unless my friend offers to make them because his are amazing.