40th birthday party

[janeiteofthelivingdead]

Dp is going to be 40 soon and says he'd quite like a party - but tbh he's not the most sociable button in the box!!! Does anybody have any ideas? A party at home would be better - it would probably be for around 20 people. What food/entertainment do you think would be appropriate? Should it be for adults and children? Should it be tea time or evening? Can you tell I've never done this before?!!!

All ideas very welcome indeedy. Thanks!

Thanks SueW. So - when you say finger buffet, what sort of things did you do please? Dp will eat anything but I'm veggie, so would prefer not to have to do much meat-wise except slap it onto plates.

I'm not sure people would appreicate a disco, much as I'd love it, as it would be family, not just friends, so the oldest would be in their 70s!! Also the house is only a bog-standard terrace.

With background music, did people just amuse themselves, rather than needing entertaining?

Any more ideas much appreicated!!!

Thanks for typing all that out! Did you make the quiches etc yourself? I am a decent cook but have never cooked on that scale before.

I think dp may agree with you that you can't have a party without pork pie!

I guess I'm a bit nervous about just leaving people to talk amongst themselves... what if they don't?!!!!

Would a quiz of some sort be a really naff idea?

Background music - we are into really indie stuff - I can't imagine how we'd choose music to appeal to such a range of people.

Am I taking this all too seriously?!

Thanks again SueW.

Does nobody else do parties at home? I'd love to know what sort of things you do!

If you like cooking, have a go at the following:-
Roasted veg couscous
Pesto pasta
Bruschetta - slices of toasted baguette with choice of toppings e.g mozzarella & cherry tomato, avocado & soy sauce (really yummy combo!)
Lentil & feta cheese salad
Mini caesar/bean salad wraps (alternative to sarnies)
Mini wedges of Spanish Tortilla
Spinach & ricotta filo parcels
Broad bean dip
Aubergine dip
Humous
Toasted pieces of pitta bread / cheese nachos
Feta cheese & caramelised onion pizza slices
Variety of quiches
Bowls of rocket, watercress & spinach salad.
If you prepare all that, I would splash out on a decent b'day cake which they can all have for dessert.

Ooh all that sounds fab and very do-able. Do you have a recipe for the broad bean dip by any chance? I love broad beans (dp hates them though!!).

And would you just stick it all out and let them eat and talk? Or would you do something else as well? Thanks.