Please help me with party hosting!

[MulderitsmeX]

Help! I've never really hosted anything before and have DC christening in early Feb which I'm going you organise myself. We have a church hall with tables and chairs and that's it!
So far I know I need
Crockery, cups and cutlery
Table cloths
Ice bucket and Ice (do I buy ice on the day?)
Canister and balloons
Booze - beer and wine
Corkscrew
Have seen some stuff on the Waitrose party food thing son will order some pies.
Party food I make myself??
Serving bowls - big
Fairy cakes either made by me 2 days before or delivered on the day.
Black bin bags to throw all the rubbish in.
Maybe toys for the 5 kids coming??

Anything else? Party for about 20 people, My wedding was organised by the venue and I don't normally have big parties precisely because I'm bad at organising.

What facilities are there at the church hall? We have fridge freezer, crockery glasses etc already there. Is cutlery needed? You could sort your food out to be just finger food.
Places like Costco and Morrison's do fantastic sandwich platters and stuff like that.

20 people? Oh that's fine - wouldn't do toys for the kids but maybe some colouring bits around, depending on their ages - they'll either play together with balloons or their parents will have brought stuff for the.
How many balloons do you want? Might be easier to just get them blown up for you?
Other decorations?
Music?
If it's just 20 people, it shouldn't be too bad - think about what food you will provide firstly and then sort out details after?
What sort of party are you wanting?

I’d also do finger food if possible.

Your list sounds really good
I would find out how long you have to clean up after the party and how long to set up. Also do they have an oven for you to heat things up?

You also need napkins. Will you serve tea and coffee. If so add milk and sugar to your list

When you work out your menu think about allergies gluten free eat if relevant. Don’t cater to fads. There’s a difference between not liking the food and not being able to eat it

Yes buy ice on the day

I would check with the Church hall if they have kitchen stuff that you are allowed to use, and then go in and look at it_ (room hirer might say you are welcome, but not really know what is there - or some churches don't leave stuff out for private hirers).
Unless you prefer to avoid washing up and have all throw away cutlery and plates.
You'll still need to take things like knives or slicers for some things.

20 isn't too bad at all just 4 times what you would do for an average family get together.

Decide how much of a 'meal' it is (some Christenings are in the middle of the afternoon = less of a meal, and some are during the main service on a Sunday morening = main meal time).

Can they supply glasses etc, Access time to heat it (feb=cold),, turn urn on - is there one for teas/coffees- loo roll check do they supply/ enough- hand towels/soap- do you want people back to yours later- who washes up at hall/sweeps floor- looks after baby? Just do a timeline if who needs to be where and when and work it out. What about making a vat of soup as Feb, keep warm in a slow cooker and serve with rolls - present table with cloth, extra sellotape to stick cards to presents do you can identity what from who later for thank yous - you need to either set up early or make sure you delegate to trusty helpers or tap up local students/ bar workers to pay them to run about and be the glue for the day while you enjoy the occasion and be host rather than skivvy everywhere but too busy to engage & enjoy - make sure you have someone taking pics x

OP - can you tell us....
Is the service during the main service on a Sunday morning? or a separate thing in the afternoon or even on a Saturday?

Is the Church hall attached to the Church where you are having the Christening, or somewhere else? (see pp point about heating)

If attached, will the Church folk be using it during the service (perhaps for Sunday school or a creche) or after the service (for coffee etc) or can you set up before hand ?

Either way, you need to know what time you can get in beforehand to set up.
Also, what time you need to be cleaned up and off the premises by.

You need to check you can have alcohol on the premises - not all denominations allow it.

Do you have access to a kitchen ? If so, how well equipped is it?

Have you got a Costco near you? They do platters of sandwiches and party foods - we did my 40th party food from there. They also do great cakes that they personalise.

*If attached, will the Church folk be using it during the service (perhaps for Sunday school or a creche) or after the service (for coffee etc) or can you set up before hand ?

Either way, you need to know what time you can get in beforehand to set up.
Also, what time you need to be cleaned up and off the premises by.*

Really important points @BackforGood 👍👍

Thanks so much all, really good points to think of.

The hall is attached to a primary school across the road from the church so need to investigate heating

I can set up in the am and I think I need to clear straight after so was hoping for mostly disposable stuff so I can just throw it all into bags.

The service is at 1230 after the main Sunday service but no one else will have access to the hall that day.

Will check out the alcohol thing and look into Costco too! :)