Children's party food ideas for lazy mother

[KristinaM]

Have a birthday party for 30 five year olds soon.Hiring a room in community centre with no access to the kitchen for heating food. Party is mid afternoon so they SHOULD have already eaten lunch. I am a very lazy mother so need easy things that don't require hours slaving over a hot stove Any suggestions apart from chipolata sausages and crisps???

Have just reread my post and am at the surprisings.

Yes, jugs of squash incredibly cheaper, Sparkler. Was just thinking about disposability and lack of washing up!

a trip to macds before you arive only £2 a head they get hot food (we hope) and a cold drink and all you have to do is order it

JanH - I've thought of it all!!!!!!!! No washing up in my parties!!!!!! Buy disposable cups. Into the back bags with the party boxes. All you have are two jugs to wash up - one from blackcurrant squash and one from orange squash. Sorted!!!!!!!!!

I've learnt my lesson since dd1s first birthday party. I had hoards of people to the house. I did a full buffett. chicken legs, quiche, sandwiches of all flavours, cakes of all types and all the rest of it. Was I mad or what?????? Even went out and bought a giant family sized paddling pool - was fun at the party - but was punctured by the following summer . I take all the shortcuts I can now!!

Thanks for all these ideas .
SS - caterers good idea but a bit ££££££££
Cheap cartons from Lidls ? Must check that out for packed lunches.
Don't suppose you know where I could get these "happy meal" type boxes?
Jan - can i just digress and ask you if its true that you write primary times? What region?

• sorry I'll stop now

kristina - party boxes you can buy from a good party shop. Where do you live? If you are near me I could recommend a few places.

Hey Sparky - what are you doing next saturday????

Don't worry - I'll be there - I love it. x

Probably not near you I'm afraid - in Scotland???

I don't mind a trip to Scotland. Always fancied going there!

Oh no, I don't write it, Kristina! I just do events listings, for Herts, Beds and Lancs. Most of the articles come from a central pool I think.

Lidl juice, apple or orange, is 5 little cartons for about 65p (don't quote me though!) I buy it for packed lunches too.

Last year i had 25 kids to the house and did the full buffet thing. A bit like you. Loads of food for the kids, seperate buffet for adults. Was exhausted as 6 months pregnant. Loads of food left . What a waste.
Asked 4yo DD afterwards what she liked best about her party.
" It was funny when we all jumped on the sofas and Aiden was sick all over the floor"
....so now I am going for easy and simple!!!

Oh Jan I'm so disappointed - i thought you were famous . Good Lidl's tip though - cheaper than Asda.
Sparky - will send the bus fare

thanks - I shall go start packing.

Ok Lidl expert - what other bargains would you recommend there??

sally i went there today and bought dds a packet of lidl mini jaffa cakes each. Scoffed one earlier thinking "ah well they can share a packet". Sat here now scoffing the other one. Am doing Slimming World diet - or supposed to be

yum yum

in the orange and yellow bags?????? actually I feel a bit sick now

Sounds good to me

Lidl recommendations here!