Party food bags - sound ok?

[BikeRunSki]

I am doing good bars for DDs 8th birthday party. The venue has a kitchen, but no oven. Does this sound OK for a party pack up?

Capri Sun
Sausage roll/veggie sausage roll
Cheese String
Hula Hoops
Tunnocks Teacake
Satsuma

I was going to put bowls of microwave popcorn on the tables too.
Do I need the satsuma? Will anyone eat them?

Have checked allergies/intolerances/religious diets

Sounds good to me. If you're feeling generous you could add in a yoyo. The children tend to like the cards inside as well as the yoyo itself

What will you do about drinks? Big jugs and paper cups or small cartons in the box?

I'd say you were being very generous with that lot - I'd probably do drink, roll, crisps and mini chocolate bar or slice of birthday cake/fairy cake. but then I hate teacakes

The food is the least interesting part of a party

I think you need a sandwich/roll in there.

Is it an energetic birthday party? I'd probably have squash and water jugs freely available too, so I might swap the capri sun for a paper cup that you've pre-named for them.

it's possible I'm just really tight

I'd do a cheese sandwich rather than a sausage roll and one of those small bags of party rings instead of a teacake.

Actually good point, I can save money on the Capri Suns and do jugs of squash.

Shall I sack the satsuma? Actually, might do a plate of biscuits and fruit for the adults, then they can give the kids some fruit if they want. Most will be staying, the venue is a bit of a hike from home.

I'd also do it buffet style with plates rather than packed lunches so they can help themselves from more choices.

As a children's party veteran, I think that sounds really good op!

I was going to do bags of party rings, but couldnt find multipacks on the Tesco website!
, I really don’t want to make 30 sandwhiches and get into debates about fillings.

I like the sausage roll idea, less prep and most kids will eat them.

Sounds fine to me!

Are teacakes vegetarian? Not all marshmallows are vegetarian (gelatine).
Is it a mealtime ir just a snack.

Good point about teacakes, I’ll check the ingredients and with the appropriate parents. Think I will swap for choc cupcakes or party rings.

It’ll be about 4.30pm

[Waves to Expletive ]

I must admit I always found pre-packed food boxes/bags a lot less hassle to serve and clear up than plates and serving dishes (depending on how many helpers you have) but the latter are probably better for the environment! (We did take the half-finished food boxes home in a bin bag and sort them all out for recycling afterwards when it was quiet though!) Eight year olds could probably do a bit of that themselves at the time though if directed to do so and you had plastic trugs available.

Don't forget party venue "essentials" kit: industrial quantities of kitchen roll, extra loo roll (just in case!) , blue tack, sellotape, scissors, spare batteries, charger for phone/music player, camera, balloon pump, string, plasters, small bucket, Dettol, bin bags, j-cloth, washing up liquid & sponge.

Oh and tea bags etc for you (and other parents if you are offering). I personally didn't if I didn't have a specific helper to spare on teas and coffees as it was too time consuming. Did make up jugs of Delia's chilled ice tea with mint in advance and just directed parents towards it and paper cups if I had my hands full.

Oh and try and make sure an observant helper is on the doors at arrival/departure time. One little guest's younget sibling nearly escaped through the outer door at one of ours!

Mine would defo eat the satsumas.

@Solitarycaddis and @ExpletiveDelighted

I’m normally big on low impact, low waste, recycle everything. I’m hosting 30 DC on my own, I want to make everything as simple as possible, and food bags will be one of my “hacks”. I’ve sacked the Capri suns, bought recycled paper bags, we recycle crisp packets and I chose Tunnocks teacakes because they are wrapped in foil rather than plastic. I’m trying my best!

@Solitarycaddis - good list!

We’re also doing plastic-free party bags and making paper chains instead of balloons.

I think a small amount of fruit or veg is a good idea (mine would eat it, anyway!). If you are doubting the satsumas what about a box of raisins?
I too would be tempted to add half a sandwich, but totally get why you dont want make 15 rounds of the things!

No criticism at all intended Bikerunski - sorry it was me who brought up sustainability issues - not meant as a jibe at all. All of your prep sounds fab and hats off to hosting 30 DC on your own! That alone deserves a medal! Will any mum friends stay and help out (different culture where I live and no one tends to stay) ?

I’m hoping some mums will stay. The venue is about a 20 min drive from our village, so maybe they will. I’m loathe to ask though. There’s a couple I think will, who I have in mind as”bouncers”.

Unfortunately DH has to go away, and will either miss DD’s party or birthday, so we have her the choice, hence why I’m on my own for the party. It’ll be reet as we say in S Yorks.

I did food boxes last weekend for 30.

Mine had Aldi fruitshoot-alikes (£1.15 for 8) and Aldi French Fancies (£1 for 8), plus pombears, raisins and mini cookie bags.

Plus a hot dog and small pasta pot, but they’re not relevant to you.

Can you get to an Aldi? It could reduce your cost significantly. Plus less risk of spillage than trying to put a straw in a Caprisun (I still can’t do it).

I also had a jug with squash in (brought 2x2L bottles of water to make up there) and our extensive supply of Ikea cups because they needed more than just a drink with their food.

Waves from W Yorks!