Right, people who don't do things last minute, I need you to HELP me organise some cook/prepare in-advance party food

[funnyhaha]

So, ds & dd are having a joint party in a couple of weeks time. Usually I do chaotic running round in the days prior to party, but this year, dh is going to be away for a week just before the party.

So I need to get everything I can done & frozen. Or something. I am not a prepared-in-advance sort of girl.

I do however like cooking, so don't just want to buy it all from Tesco & take out of packets.

Advice, oh wise Delia types....

What ages are your DS and DD?

Are we talking jelly and ice-cream type of party or teenagers.

2 & 4 - still jelly stage
And expecting about 30 kids, mostly under 5

Pathetic, hopeful bump

do not bother
really
don't
for kids that age

If you really like cooking do a selection of hors doeuvres for the adults when they come to pick up the kids

children at that age like
crips
chocolate crackle cakes
ice cream
jelly
cake

trust me

For kids that age you wnat something they can pick up easily and won't make too much of a mess.

How about:
mini quiches
suasage rolls
mini pizzas
potato wedges
homemade burgers

Oh, suzy i sort of know I'm wasting my time, but I enjoy it.

And tbh, even if I aim lowish, I still need to do some advance cooking (even just cake, mini sausages, chocolate crispie cakes & sarnis for 30 kids seems slightly daunting without dh around to take the kids off for a couple of hours....)

What can I cook & freeze? I assume sausages could be cooked, frozen then defrosted, but not much of the rest...

I think pretty much all the things I have suggested can be frozen.

IMHO kids of that age dont really eat quiche.

I would go with breadsticks, mini sausages (cooked and frozen), cucumber and carrot sticks, crisps, fairy cakes (cooked and frozen and decorated later) and a big cake.

Concentrate on the adult food and do big quiches and salad etc and lots of wine!!