‘Build you’re own box’ party food

[Muddlemummy]

Just wondering if this is a great idea or has hidden pitfalls.

Hosting our first ‘proper’ birthday party in our garden for 3yo in June. Also have a baby so time/money/energy are (very!) low so trying to plan carefully so it’s special but manageable.

got a few dairy/gluten free so will need separate food for them and then I thought what about a picnic box for every child?! Like you get at cafes etc- basic box with pomm bears, fruitshoot, party rings, raisin box then kids choose which sandwich, which fruit, add babybel etc.

Thought I could buy one or two things a week in the run up so spread cost and feel ready.

any thoughts / tips please? Thank you

Will you pre-fill the boxes or will the child choose what items they want on the day? If the child is choosing, will you have enough choice for everyone to choose the same? If so, what will you do with all of the ham sandwiches (if everyone chooses cheese) or all of the apples if everyone chooses a satsuma?
So that you can pre-fill them but make sure everyone has something they like, you could offer three sandwich fillings (or something) and ask parents to pick in advance and then give everyone some pom bears, a pack of raisins, some veg sticks and a piece of fruit and swap things according to dietary requirements.
I always considered party food to be a bonus meal rather than an actual meal so didn't mind if the DC didn't eat much

I did that a couple of times for parties. Worked really well. I always put a sandwich selection of cheese, ham or jam on the invite so the parents could let you know when they reply. Keep is simple and small. They don't eat much as they want to be running round with their friends.

Also did jugs of squash and watched rather than fruit shoots as they often want drinks before the food bit.

I think the kids would love their own box but I wouldn't give a choice, you'd have to over cater to make sure everyone had their choice. Just make sure the allergies/restrictions are catered for

Yes it works well we've done it a few times, added extras like party hat, little toys. Really easy and less wastage of food too as parents picked items knowing what they'd eat.
We did a fun little tick menu for them to return and space for allergies etc.
Drinks - just did big jugs on table rather than individual bottles.
Hope you have a great day!

Yes pre-fill the boxes and only give option of cheese/ham/jam sandwich, usually works well! Squash in a jug is far less wasteful than loads of Fruit Shoots.

Don't go overboard as they tend to eat half a sandwich then run off then come back for infinite chocolate fingers....

If you're asking for choices in advance then yes but it's still a lot of admin for you, listing what each person has asked for. Maybe just give sandwich choice as others have said.

I did that a few times. I put sandwich choices and any dietary requirements on the Invitations and made up the named boxes. They enjoyed it and there was so little waste compared to the buffet type meals.

And we also did jugs, just filled their cups at the table (named with a sharpie) because they get thirsty almost as soon as they get through the door!

I did this for my child's party... cheese sandwich, fruit shoot, crisps and bagf of mini fingers. I also did a few platters of fruit- pineapple, strawberries, watermelon, apples and orange. It all went down really well and we had hardly any waste.

I do this for whole class parties but I actually just pop a sausage roll in (c&o roll for veggies) so don't have to make sandwiches. Then a satsuma, babybel, crisps and a biscuit or cupcake. Normally don't have much left over and had no complaints. I don't want the admin of having to arrange and sort individual boxes (aside from those with specific dietary requirements) when have other things I am doing for the party.

Your = belonging to or associated with the person or people that the speaker is addressing.

"what is your name?"

You're = you are.

I'm sorry someone had to say it.

I did this a lot for my children and my DIL now does the same. I like the idea of a menu for the parents to preorder, I tried to make jam/ham/cheese/tuna and so each child was given 1 triangle of each filling but found this wasteful so stopped. A sausage roll went down better than sandwiches and easy todo vegetarian ones. A cheese/crisp/little packet of biscuits or a cake, maybe some cocktail sausages?

a word of advice, make a few extra sandwiches of each sort, you always get someone dropped it or wants another jam or something, they a,ways get eaten if only by dad 😂

Actually, they didn't.

Feeling nice & superior now?

Yes it works well, as others have said though, the kids really don't care about food except the biscuits, cake and berries plates, they do love a plate of blueberries, strawberries and melon wedges.

I seriously considered not even bothering with the rest one year but couldnt quite make it past the fear of other parents judgement. Instead i just went really light on the sandwiches and veg.

You missed a capital letter.

Nope, I don't feel at all superior, it was meant a little tongue in cheek. As you can see, someone also pointed out my mistake. When in Rome n all that.

Not wanting to preach to the converted but if you are doing sandwiches, sausage rolls etc you will have to be ultra careful not to contaminate gluten free food. No shared butter or jam. No crumbs spread around. And check any prepacked fruit or veg as it's not all GF.

Thank you everyone. Really helpful. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. Who knows if it will be 30 degrees or 13 degrees in June so will try to limit anything melty!

p.s. YOU’RE never going to please everyone with YOUR post! 🤪
Whooops!! That’ll (!) teach me not to post past my zombie mum bedtime. Usually in bed by 9ish with vampire baby. Can you believe I was a primary school teacher who used to teach the spelling of contractions?! Luckily I don’t give two sh!ts but in a world where you can be anything, perhaps best to just be kind. Particularly to frazzled parents clinging onto the last thread of their sanity 💙🤷🏻‍♀️