Party - again....

[Orla40]

I'm fast losing all enthusiasm for this party (my first). I've had three replies to the 20 invitations I've sent out .

My M-in-law has now said a hot stew is a bad idea for four year olds so should I just serve pizza and sandwiches? I wanted to give an option of something decent but do you think people will be ok with just that? I'm feeding the parents as well - or at least letting them know to tuck in too (another thing my mother-in-law has disagreed (albeit mildly) with.

Will pizza, tomatoes, cucumber, sandwiches be ok???? Also, do you put out the good stuff first and then the crispie buns/cakes etc.. afterwards??? I was thinking of cutting up some white loaf (chunky bread) spreading nutella on and sprinkles - like fairy bread minus the butter - is that a good idea or probably not worth it???

Thanks ladies for any advice you can offer.
Ox

Listen to your MIL....she knows what she's talking about!

Definitely not stew. Half the kids will do the whole 'yuk' thing, the other half will spill it.

And you do not need to feed parents. If you really want to put something ut for parents, then stick a pile of mugs, coffee, tea, milk, sugar, diet coke, water, a cake and a bowl of crisps out in the kitchen for them and let them help themselves.

Finally....either pizza OR sandwiches. Not both. Either, with a couple of bowls of cherry toms & cucumber sticks. Put a couple of plastic tablecloths on the floor and get the children to sit around the edges. Use disposable plates. Then you can roll the whole lot up and bin it after. Get some of the visiting parents to pass trays of sandwiches/pizza around the children. If doing pizza, cut small slices - most 4 yos can't eat big pieces. If sandwiches, a range of jam, cream cheese and maybe choc spread will be fine. Leave crusts on. Don't bother with fairy bread, its just more work.

Do the 'proper food' first. Maybe with a bag of crisps per child (bowls of crisps lead to some dcs grabbing big handfuls). And a carton of drink per child. Then after about 10 mins (do not wait for all the dcs to finish), take out fairy cakes/choc crunchies whatever. I usually do the birthday cake bit (candles, singing, not the actual cutting and eating) whilst they're all sitting, post sandwiches and pre-cake, as that gets their full attention.

Good luck :)

Thanks Fillybuster, they'll be eating at about 5pm which is why I wanted to feed parents as well. I'm definitely having some wine for them and crackers and cheese so might do a few sarnies as well. I'm always starving at parties and envy the children tucking in!!!!

Will do pizzas I think with the cuc/tom as a healthy addition before the good stuff comes out. That way at least they'll have had a reasonably filling dinner.

Thanks,
Ox

Totally agree with Filly

PS. How long would it take you to reply to a party invitation? I've had three replies from her nursery classmates (one a decline) and I've sent about 25. It's Saturday week - am I right to be worried? I feel like crying actually

I'm terrible at rsvping....I always forget. I much prefer the "Regrets only to Fillybuster on 07xxxxxx" approach. Generally people are more response at telling you if they're not coming.

Do you have a class email list? Why not do a brief, friendly email to the class parents that just says "I just wanted to remind you that it will be LittleOrla40's 4th birthday on Saturday and she's looking forward to seeing you all there. Please let me know by Friday morning if you can't come!"

Otherwise, i'd do a bit of asking around at the school gates to make sure people spotted the invites and are actually coming...