2nd Birthday party food - is this enough?

[laketaupo]

So my dc's 2nd Birthday party is next week and I have about 30 adults coming and probably 20 under 3's.
I've ordered 30 sandwich quarters, 20 mini wraps, 24 mini fruit tartlets and have a cake suitable for 40 servings.
Also thinking some packs of grapes, breadsticks , humous , maybe a baguette or two - any other ideas ?!

I'm greedy and tend to over cater. I would have ordered double that. An I right in saying you only have 7 and a half full sandwiches there? Adults could easily eat a 1/2 to 3/4 of a sandwich or more. Some toddlers will also eat loads! I would make or order more.

So every body gets 1\4 of a sandwich OR a little wrap, not everyone can have a fruit tart and not everyone can have a piece of cake?? Even the toddlers will eat more than that!!!

I would do at least 2-3 sandwiches, couple cocktail sausages, crisps, couple of different a pieces of cake, couple of other west things like chocolate fingers, party rings etc, per person, and that is the very least I would do and in reality do loads and loads!

Hmm, I don't think so.

On a per person basis, some will only be getting a quarter of a sandwich and a mini fruit tart.

I'd probably be working at a full sandwich and mini wrap per adult, half sandwich per toddler and still think that would be on the low side.

If it's a budget thing, cold pasta salad is cheap enough. Or a cooked ham and salad to bulk it out. Or a few cold cooked pizzas.

Also I'd have some mini cupcakes.

The suggested serving size on cakes are often optimistic and not really 'normal' sized portions.

Those square pizzas are easy to cut into strips for toddlers - maybe more manageable than slices.

Cocktails sausages and sausage rolls.

Quiche.

Fritatata.

Definitely not enough, I'm afraid.
You need at least twice as much, if not more.

If you're unable to order more sandwiches now, I would cook some easy extras- a few pizzas, loads of chicken nugget type things.

Maybe buy a couple of loaves of some nice bread (or tear and share type things) and cut it into slices for the parents with dip?

I would precook some mini sausage rolls - maybe 50? and have a couple of packs of cocktail sausages on hand too. Also a plain cake cut into small squares for easy picking by adults.

I would double that at least. What time of day is it and for how long?

Always better to be up with stuff left over. Not a waste of money because it saves you having to shop for the next few meals! My DD's party left-overs lasted for a week of lunchboxes!

really sorry to have to say I don't think it is.i ont know anyone who would not grab a few quarters of sandwhiches from the off.never a though to only take 1!
what about some mini pizzas.or pastry tartlets savoury style
sausage rolls
some bread like French stick cut into slices is always a good one.
fairy cakes.
cocktail sausages.
are you ordering or making?
coleslaw
crisps
cheese twists
jam tarts
little cake portions.like mr kipling do
chocolate fingers
party rings.

It's 2:30-5pm timings , I'm keen to stay away from biscuits and too much crisps and stuff. I'm ordering the sandwiches in and the cake is home made!

30 sandwich quarters for 50 people is nowhere near enough. Keep the bought in nice ones for the adults and make up basic ham/cheese/jam ones for the children. Have sliced baguettes and cheese/pate. Sausage rolls and cocktail sausages usually go down well. Piles of fruit - grapes, strawbs, peeled satsumas etc. Sticks of carrot/cucumber/pepper for dipping in the hummus. Crisps. Party rings (no child's party is complete without them).

I'm keen to keep costs down but also want this party to be really good since it's the only one my mum is likely to witness/be around for so want to make it special. Think I will just have to push the boat out!

At that time of day I wouldnt worry too much. They should have had lunch.

I'd order some extra mini tarts or equivalent and have extra bread and filling on standby. Someone could then make some up if needed. That way you won't have wastage.

Deffo need more. My Grandma always taught me that you must never let party guests go hungry! I'd order double of what you already have + a couple of baguettes sliced and buttered/pate. I know you said you want to stay away from the junk food but it is a party and most people will allow for treats at a party. Bowls of crisps, veg sticks and dips, fruit platters and party rings! My friend recently threw a party and did cupcake cases with some ritz crackers and cheese chunks in for the kids which went down a treat.

Aside from
@blueskyinmarch , everyone on here seems to have suggested a list of the most unhealthy food (for two year olds!)? I personally wouldn't want my toddler picking at party rings, sausage rolls, cupcakes etc!
Maybe do a fruit platter? And a platter of things like cucumber, peppers, carrot sticks, crackers etc with dips?

Rowyourboats all the kids party's I've been to have those sorts of foods. It's a one of treat which is the whole point of a party!

If I was going to a party I’d probably have just a small lunch. I’d be starving leaving your house!! 1/4 sandwich and a small piece of cake is really not enough per person.

@Steeley113 around the year your child must go to quite a few birthdays? I don't want my toddler consuming that much rubbish (especially sugar), but maybe that's just me!

DS recently turned 2 and we had a mid-afternoon party (1430) so nibbles rather than lunch. We served the following:

• Pom Bears
• couple of big bags of adult crisps
• cocktail sausages (the kind you cook yourself)
• big platter of veggies (cucumber sticks, peppers, carrots)
• hummus
• bowl of fruit (strawberries, halved grapes and raspberries)
• mini fruit muffins
• bowl of chocolate animal biscuits
• 1 enormous bus cake!

Most of the parties I've been to have been mid-afternoon ones. One served multiple pizzas cut into slices, as well as sliced veggies, strawberries and some biscuits. Another served fairly typical party food like sausage rolls.

Based on my experience, the adults will eat more than you expect and the toddlers will eat less. And everyone will want cake. Think about whether you need to allow for cake slices for party bags (if, of course, you're doing them).

It's a party. Forget being healthy and get some crisps etc in.

My kids often eat biscuits for breakfast and eat McDonald's so I'm not concerned about 10-15 parties a year when it comes to junk food.

Ah I'd forgotten I was going to do some carrot sticks, cucumber sticks also , pepper sticks maybe.
I really don't want to go down the route of crisps and biscuits , are they really needed ? I have said light refreshments will be served on the invitation!
Water + teas/coffees for drinks as well.

Have ordered 30 vanilla buttercream cupcakes from my friend also

If you don't have crisps and biscuits you definitely need lots more savoury food. You can make more cheese or ham sandwiches quite cheaply. I don't really see how cupcakes are any healthier than crisps though.

You also really need enough cake for everyone I would say. Cupcakes are a good choice and usually popular.

Some squash would be good as some children might be fussy about water.

In my experience all the fruit and veggies go to waste, the parent dload upnthe kids plates with the healthy stuff and it all gets licked and left uneaten!!
I do always put out healthy stuff but young kids never eat it.