Help with a 5 year olds birthday party

[Helpmeiiam]

I thought I was choosing a cheaper simpler option but I'm over £400 down and haven't bought the food yet.

2 hours in a village hall, I have a lady coming dressed as a character and doing the disco. Will do pass the parcel & musical bumps etc.

Have a list as long as my arm for the buffet.
Sandwiches, veg sticks, fruit, sausages, crisps, cakes, pizzas, chicken nuggets.

Sorted party bags.

Will put up balloons & banners.

Doing my own disaster of a cake.

Have I forgotten or missed anything important?

And a face painter!

Sounds great & you've got alot already so don't need anything else.
You don't need to fill every second. Depends on the age but let them run around, play, chat etc.
If parents are staying some tea & coffee & cake is prob welcome too!

I'm having sleepless nights stressing about it 😫

I would save yourself a bit of cash and a lot of mess and leftovers and cut down the food options. Most kids that age don't eat much at parties anyway - 3 or 4 different foods plus big jugs of diluted juice and paper cups (don't forget a Sharpie for writing names on the cups).

Otherwise I think you've got it covered.

I agree with minimising the food.
I wouldn’t bother with sandwiches. Take ages and no one eats them. Veg will also be ignored!
A typical 5 year old at a party will eat - 1
pizza slice 2/3 sausages and nuggets. Some crisps and some cake. That’ll be about it.

Do a food box per child. Pre make them with a sandwich, crisps, veg sticks, raisins and a drink and that's the food done. So little waste this way and they can take the left over food home with them if they want.