Kids party 43 kids.... and sandwich filling ham or cheese???

[peppajay]

I have 23 months between my DD and DS so this year so they are having a joint party at a church hall with a disco. I started with a limit of allowing them 15 friends each but with adding in friends are aren't school friends this comes to 43 kids. Friends are telling me I am mad and this is way too many. They have never had a big party before and my DD has always wanted a disco. There party is first weekend in July between their two birthdays and so I am thinking that probably not all the 41 kids will come as in the summer people have pre booked holidays or commitments.

Food wise I am doing a cardboard sandwich box with a sandwich crisps and a choc bar and a ice cream. Another question so I don't have to make loads of different flavor sandwiches which do you think is more popular cheese or ham??

And finally am I just plain crazy......................................

Ah well, that's my thought. Thankfully, I don't have to do children's parties anymore, so you're all safe from an invite from me!

We do entertain a lot though and if I'm having maybe 3 or 4 couples round I do of course consider what they can or can't eat, but on a scale as big as this party, I just feel the easiest option would be one cheese and one ham. Wrapped up separately and the guest can pick what they want.

In my experience of Brownie parties, with about 50 girls, there's always someone who doesn't like either too! You have to draw the line somewhere.

I would hope if someone I invited to a party had a food intolerance or allergy they would let me know, especially children I would want to make sure they could enjoy the party food the same as everyone else.

I think you should either put one of each sandwich in the box or give a choice otherwise you could just end up with a lot of wasted food.

To put the cat among the pigeons, in the past we have done slices of french stick in a big bowl where they can help themselves, cheese squares and slices of salami. Each child could build their own sandwich (no butter!) or as most did, eat the constituents separately...

My DD can't eat dairy so I'd say ham! But maybe there are veggies, or kids who don't eat pigs (I live in a Muslim area so God only knows what I'd do in this situation except run for the hills... tinned salmon probably!)

don't bother with sandwiches - honestly!!!

mini sausages all the way! cubes of cheese! LOTS of crisps, ditto party rings, small cakes, grapes

they don't want the sandwiches!

Another one here who would say slices of french sticks cut up and butter on. The children like this, it is far easier to do and you won't be left with tons of uneaten sandwiches. You can always offer little sticks of cheese and pepperami or something alongisde if you want.

When I've done 'lunchbox' parties I put in a mix of ham, cheese and marmite and tell children they are allowed to swap the contents between themselves. Makes it easy peasy.

If your are doing a food box then ask in advance.

Send invite with rsvp. Include tick box for sandwich choice. I have done this a few times, so have friends. I offered ham, cheese or jam. I also did same for drink - apple, orange or water.

I agree, no sandwiches, just sausages.

The number of DD's friends I've had over for play dates and I've asked the parents what sandwiches they like. Answer "well, they don't really like sandwiches..." For about 3/4 children. (My DD is the same)

Oh - and I find when their is a food slip involved people are generally more likely to reply as it is clear that they need to in order to get food!

And BabyBels or cheese sticks.

No hamwiches!!!

If you are doing sausages you must make sure there are no veggies or people who can't eat pork for religious reasons, etc.

I'm quite surprised no one's warned you off hamwidges yet!

In all seriousness, though - all the previous posters with their talk of putting the options on the reply slips - do that! I worked at a kids' holiday centre and we had to make up the sandwiches each evening for the following day - we gave the kids a choice and made the sarnies to that order; much easier than picking one option and being almost guaranteed that someone won't like it.

Also - make a few extra boxes in case of non-repliers turning up.

Just done a quick search re food boxes. For DD's 4th birthday we included:

1 small soft roll with their choice of filling (ham, chicken or veggie cheese - via RSVP)
1 carton/bottle of chosen drink (orange, apple or water - via RSP)
1 small bag with some salad/veg in - cucumber, peppers, cherry tomato, celery
1 small portion of cheese
1 mini pack of Pringle crisps
1 mini chocolate/gingerbread man
1 chocolate crispy bun

If they don't like sandwiches as such they can take the contents out and eat that and the bread separately.

I would do cheese and ham. Allow for half a sandwich for each child (one slice of bread) as some will eat more, some will eat less. I'd also buy grated cheese and squash it down. So for 43 children I would make 22 sandwiches, (12 cheese, 12 ham, cut into quarters). Then pile them up on a few tinfoil serving platters and put them on the table for them to help themselves. I wouldn't bother with the boxes, more expense and more hassle catering to the individual.

11 cheese and 11 ham, cant add up!

I've never done food boxes before - always a buffet. It seems a lot more work and potentially more wasteful.

We do always have certain children taking all the crisps/5 cakes/sausages etc but we monitor the table and tell them to put a few back or tell them they've had enough or to come back later when everyone has had their choice.

I can see how food boxes would help and may give them a go.

We seem to vary between far less children turning up than expected to far more turning up. I find it rude when large families turn up with all their kids and even a few cousins and want party bags. I don't mind one or two but any more and I think they should check it out before arriving.

I am getting more and more keen to try the rsvp with options on them.

I would do a mix of sandwiches and have quite a few spare boxes but would say no to the ice cream as it will be a huge pain to keep it frozen until eating time and some kids are really slow eaters.

I like Hulababy's menu.