Food for a first birthday picnic?

[purplepuffa]

Please help - planning my child's first birthday picnic!

I've invited about 35 adults and quite a few little ones from 6 months to about 7 years old. Not sure exactly how many will turn up - probably about 20 core people and the rest are more casual friends from baby groups etc who might just come if they have no plans.

I've said that there will be cake but for people to bring whatever else they would like for the afternoon. Starts at 12pm.

I wasn't going to provide food/ drinks apart from getting a nice big cake, but now that it's approaching I'm second guessing myself - should I be making sandwiches, pizzas etc? If so how much do I get?

Am I over thinking it?

What would you provide? I don't want to waste food if people just bring their own, but also want it to be a nice event.

Thank you!

I think it’s ok for people to bring their own picnic food since you’ve made this clear, but it would be a nice touch to have some drinks available, maybe some fizzy drink cans, and juice cartons if other children are attending.

You'll feel better if you have a few bits and pieces set out. Diverse age range though!
Usual snack items. Are you blanket on the ground or picnic benches?
Either way I'd do an end for the children - margherita pizzas, cheesy puffs, cucumber, carrots, tomatoes, cocktail sausages (bleugh!), ready made squash and disposable cups.

Then if you, fancy an end with a couple of more 'grown up pizzas', crisps, olives... Whatever... not much but it just gives a few bits to add to.

Most people will probably bring their own for little ones. I just know that I would have thought like you then thought, oh, I look really stingy as people arrived - I'm not. I was assuming bring your own baby and food.

Have a lovely time! I hope the weather holds out for you.

Paper plates for anyone that wants one and napkins for anyone taking cake home. Knife to cut cake. Candle! Lighter!

Sorry, mine are adult now but I'm just mentally running through things I'd have to send my Mum back to the shops for! Eldest is 29. I'd still forget something.

I would do a big box of strawberries, some tubs of homous, bread sticks, carrot and cucumber, may be some big packets of kettle chips....

Bloomin heck @purplepuffa … this sounds stressful!

you are having a huge group of people over, including lots of children, over lunchtime… and you weren’t going to provide any food or drinks??!!! That’s brave. And… well unusual tight

if you were aiming to provide just cake and absolutely nothing else… you should have made it for 3pm and made it very clear to all these guests that they wouldn’t even be getting a glass of squash

The only time I’ve ever done a bring you own picnic was when I arranged picnics at the park type of event, normally in the school holidays so the children could meet up with friends away from homes. On those occasions it really was individually picnics. I did do a picnic birthday party for my son once when he was 3, I provided a full on picnic for about 20 including children, never invited people to a party at my home with no food that’s very unusual.

youve done it now, assuming you are at home, I would proved a platter of sandwiches some crisps sausage roll maybe, then some fruit and small cakes / biscuits plenty of squash / tea / fizzy. If you’re planning a relaxed come and go anytime do, I would keep fresh stuff in the fridge so you can keep refilling the plates.

got to say, it’s very strange, inviting people probably expecting a present and yet you tell them to bring their own food and drink ! I assume you haven’t even done party bags for the children ? That will be fun when it’s time for them to go home, add some tissues to your shopping list for the tears

You're hosting a party and expecting everybody else to cater it for you? You're planning on supplying no food or drink at all (bar the cake)? That's unutterably rude. I doubt anyone will turn up tbh.

Personally, I'd supply a picnic basket for each family group, including baguette, cheeses, cold meats, cherry toms, olives/antipasti, crisps, strawberries & cream etc.

So many threads will drop out of this event from other guests @purplepuffa if you crack on this idea of providing 35 guests and lots of children over the lunchtime period nothing more than a slither of birthday cake

Are you expecting lots of presents and only supplying cake?

Think again.

I just assumed it was at a park or similar.

Fucking hell people - if it’s clear from the outset they don’t have to come if they can’t even bring a few sarnies: ‘let’s meet in the park as it’s Spud’s birthday, bring a picnic and we can have a fun afternoon’ doesn’t sound rude to me - sounds lovely!

If you wanted to supplement I’d go for things that others might not have packed themselves but would enjoy a taste of. Maybe a couple of quiches? M&S do lovely picnic bits. Some nice sourdough with cold meat and cheeses?

Properly cold cans of soft drinks in a cold box would be great.

That's not a party though. It's meeting at the park for a picnic. It's rude as fuck to dress that up as a birthday party and expect presents etc.

If they want to host a birthday party, it's basic manners to provide food and drink (plus deal with the logistics, such as a gazebo/parasols, picnic blankets, camping tables for the food & drink etc).

Bring the napkins and wipes and bin bags and plates - I would also bring bubbly and cups for the adults

I don't expect presents... it is just a picnic in the park 😕

I don't have space in my flat to have everyone over or have a proper party.

Not sure where I said I expected presents! Really I'd rather people not bring plastic tat for my kid that we don't need! And I don't even know if we're allowed a gazebo in the park.

God this thread has just stressed me out 100 times more!

@purplepuffa it's not rude as fuck at all... I envisioned blankets on floor in park. Don't stress!

However, welcome to the world of plastic tat - people don't want to come empty handed!! You're fine! You've got this.

That’s a little unusual to be honest, but I understand cost maybe an issue, I think some drinks, paper plates forks blankets, glasses etc would be helpful.

Well hopefully it’s made you realise that having say 50 adults and children rock up for a 1st birthday gathering and be provided with a a slither of cake and that’s it - is probably not a great idea.

Well hopefully it’s made you realise that having say 50 adults and children rock up for a 1st birthday gathering and be provided with a a slither of cake and that’s it - is probably not a great idea.
This. Think again.

Have you made it clear you don't want presents? Most people will not want to come empty handed. Is there a playground nearby so little ones can be entertained? I probably wouldn't have invited so many people but it's still possible to have a nice picnic as long as it's not heatwave weather. Make sure you bring a few nice bits from M&S, crisps, pre-made sarnies, quiche, and such.

If you’re meeting in the park, not at your house, this is fine. I’d just be very clear that it’s a playdate with cake not something you’re actually catering. I’ve been to these sort of birthdays before and it works well as long as everyone knows they are bringing their own picnic. Don’t bring drinks or snacks. It muddles the waters. Make sure everyone knows to bring their own lunch. I’d maybe bring some bubbles or something to give to the kids to make it a little special, but you don’t need to cater everyone’s lunch in the park. Cake and something to serve it on and/or bags to take away is fine.

It's only for a 1 year old, not an 18th. Plenty of space to run around and grab some food on the go with mucky fingers - hence the kids end!

Sorry that sounded awful - obviously it's a very special day and a major milestone but nobody will be expecting fireworks. It's a gathering of family and friends. It sounds lovely @purplepuffa

I think it is fine not to provide too much, especially if you have made it clear in the invite that is a casual park meetup and people should bring what they like to eat.

I've been to loads of party meetups like this and they are generally pretty good and a popular choice on the summer!

Yours is going to be pretty big - I would absolutely not make pizzas or sandwiches because it's a lot of work per item, but depending how your friend group is, you could suggest people bringing a dish to share and providing some plates of salads / kids chopped veggies, bread sticks etc to share as well.

One idea that always goes down well is to bring a big picnic blanket with a few outdoor toys or bubbles for the children, or a 'decorate a birthday crown' station with stickers and crayons. It gives the little ones something to do while the adults chat, and it's often more memorable than lots of extra food. Cake, a few snacks and some simple activities are more than enough.