party food ideas wanted please.....

[bossyboop]

Im having a party for a 3 year old just half a dozen children and their parents so want ideas for children especially but also things adults would like...Ideas so far include...

ham sandwiches
cubes of cheese
crisps
breadsticks
carrot sticks
fruit kebabs
fairy cakes
pizza
sausage rolls
savoury eggs
cocktail sausages
breaded chicken bites
southern fried chicken fillets
spring rolls

Tho by the time I add on the drinks, birthday cake and napkins etc its starting to get expensive so looking for nice but cheap ideas please

Already got some cheap victoria sponge mix just add an egg for 23p to make fairy cakes with, add icing and sprinkles and hey presto!

DD was 4 in January, we did sausage, mashed potato and peas/beans for chidlren and smoked salmon sandwiches for adults.

There were 7 children and 8 adults.

I wouldn't expect the children to eat much at all, so that could cut yr costs.

Really, most 3yos at parties IME will take one sandwich, a couple of handfuls of crisps, a stick of cucumber and more crisps.

Then a cake (eat icing only) and a biscuit (one bite).

parents may eat more tho (oooh I lurrve party food!)

lol yes think you are right! I know a few children that just eat the icing and well DD doesnt even eat that, just doesnt like cake at all, more for me!

I suppose in a way I would buy the food in packs but wouldnt put it all out so some would be kept in the fridge to make some picnic lunches for a couple of days.

Could scrap the southern fried chicken fillets and do hot cross buns, that would save £5, guess the adults will be too busy supervising so wont get time to eat anyway!

Yes I don't actually think you need to feed adults at parties (unless it is a big barbie in the garden for 4 hours, family type thing.

I know some on MN disagree but if I am going to be supervising one of my DC from 2pm to 4pm, I don't really need feeding then. Will prob scarf a sausage roll or two tho!

Ditto what clary says. Hilariously so.

The only food that went at dd's 3rd birthday was

Jam sandwiches
Crisps
More Crisps
The cucumber sticks
The icing off the fairy cakes

Really farked me off. All that bloody effort and was left eating sausage rolls for weeks

This year (4) am doing pancakes with things to put on them - fruit, sauces, marshmallows etc etc. That's it. No party food. And sausage butties for the parents.

Thats given me an idea, thinking about burgers in buns, a bit salad to add if you wish or cheese for the kids then i wont need anywhere near as much little bits and bobs to fill people up as burgers in buns are quite filling. Less hassle and less mess...wow cheers for the inspiration!

Then just the usual bits for the kids, like you say crisps and more crisps, excellent, dh will be pleased as he's picking up the bill for this!

Great idea - we went to a party at the weekend and the party food was a sausage in a bun and some crisps, with a cake each after, and more sausages for the parents!

Went down a treat.

sounds great, think thats me sorted, burgers and sausages, buns and salad, few nibbles and a bit of cake, excellent!

Just been pricing up and is a bit shocked at the price of salad, can tell its been a while since i bought any, theyve certainly put the prices up! Tho will still work out cheaper then buying enough party bites to fill 20 people!

I am the queen of kids party food, fivegomad has sampled my delights!

I think the key with little kids is to do bitesize, they tend to take one bite and then leave it anyway.

They love swiss roll sandiches - you need wholemeal/ brown bread - medium slice. You can do white but they don't look as pretty. Cut of the crusts, spread with cream cheese. Then roll so it looks like a swiss roll and then do slices. I also make little star and teddy shaped sandwiches using a cookie cutter. But this can be quite wasteful of bread, we have a dog so nothing is ever wasted.

I don't think you need pizza, sausage rolls, spring rolls and two sorts of chicken bites. Have two of the above only or do the burgers suggested above.

For cakes use the tiny cases when making them- they never eat them all anyway. To save time get some of those pots of ready made icing and some small sweets or decorations and get them to decorate them.

Don't buy your salad ready bagged and prepared it will cost you a lot more.

I love the sandwich ideas, I really must try that. I think you are right about not needing all the other stuff if I go for the burgers/sausages in buns idea. Going to be about £15 cheaper based on that!

Bagged salad is v.expensive and doesnt stay fresh long, tho i do have one of those fridge thingys, keeps food fresher longer and gets rid of odours - very effective at making stuff last longer. As much as I hate chopping I always have to chop my own - get a lot more for your money and more time in which to use it.

For DD's 3rd bday party in November we did hot dogs (big sausages for the parents and chipolatas for the kids) in a bun with onions, and mustard/ketchup to help self to. In a piece of kitchen roll. Very minimal washing up! Then frubes for pud and mini rolls. Drinks - big jug of squash, plastic cups.

All very easy and no washing up except the sausage oven tray and a frying pan for the onions.

Excellent, sounds great, thats what im def going to go for, if weather is good we will be outside so doubt the kids will be in and out for food, just playing in the lovely sunshine ive booked!

I just need to focus on keeping things to a minimum, if i cut the birthday cake then that can be dessert and just not do too many burgers and sausages tho i think my dh will polish off those! A bowl of salad and a few nibbles. Jug of squash sounds good - keep it easy, that will save money also instead of one of everything out the drinks section, brilliant!