Shirley's party advice thread part 2

[stealthsquiggle]

...can I take the liberty of starting another thread, since the other one filled up?

[CupOfGoodCheer]

I love the relaxed feel of a fete, but.... what if it rains? Could be a disaster...?

Your replies have made me see this in a whole new light! Thank you a thousand times

[ShirleyKnotChristmas]

Heh - Boffy!

[Tinkerisdead]

Well its traditional to piss it down at a fete. Buuut you could hire tons of umbrellas and your mum is planning on you being under a marquee anyway so i'd imagine she pictures you sat at crisp white linen tables and cut glass whereas you could fill it with haybales and stalls etc.

At wimbledon they have like a little village of stalls strawberries and cream, fish and chips etc. You could do similar with catering for some and some self service if you wanna keep costs down and people mingling. In fact can i come?

[CupOfGoodCheer]

hehe all invited, tdw46!

No, DM isn't precious about linen, crystal glasses etc at all. Her requirement is simply a big knees up that she can invite family/all her friends/hairdresser/the postman to

I'll definitely give her a ring tomorrow to discuss all these fab ideas!

[BlastOff]

I have written two massive posts today which have been eaten by my phone when I've tried to link to sites. The summary was : fete/ festival = brilliant. People love to go to what is 'authentically' British, just as if we would love to go to authentic German/ Italian / insert as applicable party/ wedding. And it's nostalgic and fun for the Brits to love too. I agree - perfect.

What about oversized garden games like Jenga, connect four etc. I would link but phone being a nightmare, but local places throughout the country and not that expensive at all. Not sure how many/ what age children but they'd love that too. I think croquet possibly a bit too garden party, but went down a storm at my wedding; copious amounts few glasses of champagne and everyone's game, and any low key, join-in-if-you-fancy games are good for mingling and mixing your guests.

[BlastOff]

Also, there are plenty of places like this one round the country which could add a real fete vibe.

I went to a wedding which had a hot potato van which went down really well as late evening food. You can also hire ice cream vans etc, but not sure how much that's getting to price wise.

[Blatherskite]

DD seems to be better!!

Am cooking the pizza ready. Will bore show you all the photos later.

Fellatio, if I was going to swap names with anybody, it'd definitely be you :)

[BlastOff]

Oh I'm so pleased. Hope dd has a wonderful party, and it all goes as you have planned and you enjoy it too! Good luck!

[Tinkerisdead]

Great news blathers. Lots of pics please!!

Fellatio if i was gonna swap names it would not be yours. Good god imagine the ideas dh may get!

[Eggrules]

Hello All

I am planning an informal get together for 2 other families over Christmas and would appreciate food and celebration ideas. The main problem I have is that one of the dads is very fussy and his whole family like very plain food - garlic bread is spicy.

So far I have had made chili, pasta, pizza and am looking for something different that will appeal to as many peeps as possible. There are 6 adults, 4 DC aged 4-8 and a 1 YO.

Very many thanks.

[Tinkerisdead]

Is greek too out their for them? My dd's godmother does a great greek spread. Feta, olives, klefitico type stew dishes, greek salads, dips and breads. Hmmm nice.

Or if pizza and pasta have done well before could you do an italian theme. Antipasti, lasagne, salad, ciabatta.

If its around christmas maybe christmassy stuff thats not turkey! A baked ham, breads cheeses, chutneys and let everyone help themselves. Im pregnant so im making pitchers of 'mocktails' could you do similar?

And has blathers not surfaced yet. Party was at 12. Hope she survived.

[BlastOff]

Eggrolls - What about a big casserole, served with green veg and warm crusty bread for mopping up the sauce. I have a lovely Italian Beef recipe I could post (has artichokes and olives in - would that be 'plain' enough?) Or Jamie's 'jools' favourite beef stew' is fabulous. Equally you could do a coq au vin or sausage casserole? Or Delia has a lovely venison sausage casserole recipe with juniper berries?

A big one pot would be lovely and warming and once prepared is done and you can concentrate on drinking your guests.

Blatherskite - how did it go? Hope the teddy bears enjoyed themselves and you have a large glass of in hand.

[Blatherskite]

It's over. It was complete chaos and a little too much for DD if I'm honest but I think everyone had a good time. My family came back here afterwards for a sit down before they drove the 2 hours home which is why I've not been back for an update before.

I couldn't have done it without my family helping. Even my Brother's brand new girlfriend who I've never met before pitched in and helped. He can keep her [wink}

I'm totally knackered now so will upload the photos tomorrow.

Time for a fried egg sandwich and a large drink now I think - I've earned it

[BlastOff]

Enjoy - well deserved. Hope you've done better with the photos than I did!

[Tinkerisdead]

Yeahhhh great to hear it went so well. And well done blathers bro for picking a good'n.

Todays advent activity here was a magic bathtime. Dd had bath paint soap stuff. She was as blue as a smurf! Blue hair. Totally loved it.

Cant wait for pics please blathers.

[Eggrules]

I missed some essential information out

Egg Towers has a shortage of space. I struggle to seat 2 families, 3 is out of the question. I like the idea of (stifado) stew, veggies and bread - I could bulk this out with mezze type things.

I think it will be too too exotic for my plain eater though (pasta is out). Ham, cheeses etc is a good alternative; as is a fried egg sandwich.

Blathers- your cake was amazing. Glad the party went well and that your DD was ok.

[BlastOff]

sorry Eggrules for calling you Eggrolls It must have been Blathers fried egg sandwich which did it Anyway have you considered moussaka? Would that be plain enough? Or if you do go with stew you could make two - one very plain and the other a bit more exciting. I think for that many people you will need two anyway, and the base is the same for both.

[Eggrules]

Rolls/rules it's all fine .

I have a massive slow cooker that will feed that many people. I need a house big enough to entertain properly in (and less fussy guests).

[BlastOff]

Ahh, unfortunately I can't help with those two

[Eggrules]

In fact I love my little semi and it would fit 2 families comfortably .

Nah I'll be nice

[Blatherskite]

Photos are finally up. :)

[stealthsquiggle]

So was everyone suitably admiring of cake and concept and everything, Blathers? AS for it being a bit much for DD, I often felt that with my DC when they were smaller - but when they reflect on the party afterwards they claim to have really enjoyed it. DD secured her next completely OTT party with a sleepy "Thank you very much for the party, Mummy" as she snuggled down after this year's [sucker].

Eggrules as soon as anyone says "I can't eat...." all I can think of is recipes which won't work. My Godmother, who can't eat cheese, and a friend who can't eat garlic (properly can't, it makes her throw up, even if she couldn't taste it ) have the same effect on me. DM and I even once made cheescake for Godmother's visit without thinking it through. All I can now think of is lots of lovely spicy food for feeding crowds!

[BlastOff]

Blathers - love it! The table with the food on looks great, and I love the picnic basket too. Your cake still looks spectacular! Fabulous - you must be really pleased.

And now for Christmas...

[stealthsquiggle]

Ah yes, Christmnas. Must do something about that . Actually, today (apart from working) I need to make a guitar-playing penguin and finish the left-over 3 mini cakes (no idea what the other 2 are going to have on, or who they are for - but DD wants one for her guitar teacher who is coming tomorrow)

[Tinkerisdead]

Wow Blathers...look at that massive table! Loving all the detail, well done you. Picnic basket is brilliant. So what party are you planning now then

I'm trying to work from home, quickly catching up as much as I can. Neant to start mat leave on the 15th jan which is three weeks before baby comes. trying to persuade DD to watch a disney DVD and let me get on. We've made DH's xmas card, a footprint penguin which resulted in DD running across the lino with black painted feet! arghhhhh.

so blathers is now exhausted in a heap, eggrules has to cater for the masses with no room. what are we all doing for christmas?