Shirley's party advice part 6 - don't be afraid to interrupt us!

[Tinkerisdead]

Okay, this is shirley's party advice part 6. Shirley ducked out a while ago and you'll notice us chatting about all kinds of stuff whilst we wait for party planners to barge in.

So, don't lurk, jump in and chat. We'll give you any advice on parties from costumes to cakes....

[Tinkerisdead]

Kids lunchboxes i did put cocktail sausages in. I bought little 4oz pots/lids from ebay to decant stuff into.

Christening:

For mass catering we've often called upon shirleys pulled pork idea. Blathers will link to a recipe in a moment im sure but if you can borrow some slow cookers get pork shoulder joints cooking then you shred them up in bbq sauce that uts cooked in. Serve in rolls or with with jacket potatoes, wedges, rice, salads anything you like.

We have suggested this is a cheap way if doing a hog roast type thing, instead if the bbq sauce if you do plain pork shoulder and maybe some gammon serve with apple sauce and stuffing in rolls.

Lasagnes work well but you need the oven space, curries in slow cookers work well too with varying accompaniments which you can buy ready made for the oven etc. or as you say a buffet!

[Tinkerisdead]

If you go for the pork/curry slow cooker options you can def use paper plates as all scoopable whereas lasagne needs a but more sitting down and cutting into.

[stealthsquiggle]

Personally I would endorse lasagne for mass catering - buy cheap veg from the market and make meat and veggie versions. I have done it for house parties. The advantage is that all the mess of cooking is over and done with and you could leave them in the oven on a timer while you are at church - you can get easily enough for those numbers into a normal oven. All you need then is green salad and garlic bread. Ice cream and pavlovas would be the perfect pud, especially if you are having cake as well?

[RhondaJean]

Music - the venue will have a Dj.

Ok so I could do balloons myself? Does anyone have decoration ideas for a grad party? What and how do I do them? HELP

I'm making choc lollies for presents for everyone there, almost forgot that.

Do I need to get prosecco for everyone or would people be okay just buying their own drinks? Really can't afford an open bar - if it was a sit down meal I'd probably get wine for the table but because it's an evening party I don't know!

[stealthsquiggle]

Get someone with a Costco card to get you their polystyrene plates and plastic forks - more than up to the job of lasagne.

[RhondaJean]

Sorry that's all in reply to much realiser comments about the graduation party for DH!

[stealthsquiggle]

Rhondajean - glass or two of prosecco or orange juice, and then a cash bar? Or save fizz for toasts.

[RhondaJean]

If I save on the decorations I can use the money for some bottles of fizz eh. Or oj.

[stealthsquiggle]

DW is master of pinterest. She will find you graduation party decorations [copout]

[RhondaJean]

Hooray thank you!

[Tinkerisdead]

I'll have a look for decoration ideas but balloons are so easy. Buy helium from somewhere like partyrama, a reel of curling ribbon and balloon weights. Ive done balloons for christenings and even made a rainbow balloon arch for my dd's birthday. Make table decorations of either three or five balloons tie to balloon weight on each table. To do a balloon arch you thread cotton or fishing line through the neck of each balloon neck being careful not to pop the balloon.

[NonsenseTalker]

Personally, I am going to pinch the pulled pork idea for myself but as a guest, I would appreciate lasagne. It feels like more of an effort has been made iykwim?
Also, hats off for doing it all after having your 4th! Don't think I'd know my own name if it were me!

[stealthsquiggle]

I like these for a graduation party.

[Tinkerisdead]

Yes i admit i love lasagne the most!

Rhondajean im looking for graduation decor, the most obvious is a black and white theme which works great with mortarboard and diploma etc unless your dh has different colour robes? It should tell you on his hire details what colours he will be having.

[stealthsquiggle]

and this

[RhondaJean]

That table is beautiful but it's too much for me to manage.

I like the jam jar tea lights. Even if I don't use them for this, I will definitely use that idea. So simple and so effective.

[Tinkerisdead]

easy cake!

[Tinkerisdead]

my phone is playing up so some ideas to look at overall til i can link specifics properly

[RhondaJean]

These are amazing

pinterest.com/pin/220465344231434696/

I should have mentioned anything would need to be easy for me to be able to pull it off! Plus it's a surprised party so I can't spend too much time making things without raising suspicion.

[stealthsquiggle]

table confetti would be easy enough

[RhondaJean]

Confetti I have, plain black caps, hopefully to match the cake my friend will make.

The choc lollies are caps and scrolls I think it's this mould

www.inspiredbychocolate.com.au/product_images/G0006/Chocolate_graduation_candy_molds_00006.jpg

And I could print up little labels for the bags?

[stealthsquiggle]

What is the venue like? Would black a white bunting go well with balloons?

[RhondaJean]

It's in a pub - there is a raised area with brass railings, and a bar, which I think would be nice with bunting. I'd like a centrepiece for the buffet table, I'm thinking the jars with the book pages in and the candles for the other tables, is that just jam jars?

And a couple of small balloon bouquet things to tie to the brass railings either side of the steps up to the raised bit?

[RhondaJean]

Numbers - I've invited about 80, expecting about half to turn up?

[ThreeDaughtersLoveSandwiches]

Hello. I think I am going to go in today and try to book the venue. DD3s birthday is in the middle of August but DD2s is not until right at the end.

She is in reception and I was thinking organising the party for before they break up from school in July. The main reason for this I'd that DD2s best friend is from Germany and I think she normally goes home for the holidays.

Would having a party more than a month before the actual birthday be ok? I would then probably take her out for lunch on the actual day.