Easy, fun daytime party for adults and toddler. What food? Other tips?
March 26, 2017 6:08 AM Subscribe
I’m having a mid-afternoon party for around 20 people as a sort of shared birthday party for me and my 2-year-old. Looking for food (and other) suggestions for a fun party that’s as easy as possible.
I’m looking for suggestions of how to do this in a way that’s as easy and stress-free as possible.
Here’s what I’m hoping for:
- We want to have the party at our house.
- Mrs Maninsuit and I are both super-busy right now, so wanting to figure out how to do this in way that creates a nice fun time, while minimizing how much time we spend on the the work of setting things up, cleaning etc.
- It’s okay if things cost a little extra money for the sake of added convenience.
The last time we did this, we were able to hire a friend who very occasionally does catering as a sort of sideline, to cater. She made a bunch of little finger-food-y things (alll stuff that did not need cutlery or plates, for easier cleanup). It was great! We had the advantages of a caterer- which is that it was super-easy for us. But we didn’t have what I see as the disadvantages of a caterer, which is harder for me to define, but, like, it didn't *feel* like a catered party. (I guess I feel like having an actual caterer at a party like this would a little impersonal or something). Sadly, our friend can’t do this this time.
Some stuff I’d love to know:
- What are some ideas for super-easy and nice food for this sort of situation? (We thought about – ordering in pizzas cut into small party-size pieces, or maybe party sandwiches). By super-easy I mean, ideally, something that can be done with a couple of phone calls and/or emails (best) or a trip to a store or two (okay). We are not shooting for fancy, but would like a nice mix of stuff – maybe 4 or five different things people can snack on.
- Any other tips for making a party like this easy and low-maintenance?
- Any good cost/benefit tips for making it be fun are certainly appreciated. (I mention this because a friend said “You’re getting balloons, right”? And I thought – geez, I had not even thought about that. Balloons really are fun.)
The party will be, I think, around 20 people- a mix of adults and little kids/toddlers.
We are in Toronto, in the west end, if that affects things.
Thanks!!
I’m looking for suggestions of how to do this in a way that’s as easy and stress-free as possible.
Here’s what I’m hoping for:
- We want to have the party at our house.
- Mrs Maninsuit and I are both super-busy right now, so wanting to figure out how to do this in way that creates a nice fun time, while minimizing how much time we spend on the the work of setting things up, cleaning etc.
- It’s okay if things cost a little extra money for the sake of added convenience.
The last time we did this, we were able to hire a friend who very occasionally does catering as a sort of sideline, to cater. She made a bunch of little finger-food-y things (alll stuff that did not need cutlery or plates, for easier cleanup). It was great! We had the advantages of a caterer- which is that it was super-easy for us. But we didn’t have what I see as the disadvantages of a caterer, which is harder for me to define, but, like, it didn't *feel* like a catered party. (I guess I feel like having an actual caterer at a party like this would a little impersonal or something). Sadly, our friend can’t do this this time.
Some stuff I’d love to know:
- What are some ideas for super-easy and nice food for this sort of situation? (We thought about – ordering in pizzas cut into small party-size pieces, or maybe party sandwiches). By super-easy I mean, ideally, something that can be done with a couple of phone calls and/or emails (best) or a trip to a store or two (okay). We are not shooting for fancy, but would like a nice mix of stuff – maybe 4 or five different things people can snack on.
- Any other tips for making a party like this easy and low-maintenance?
- Any good cost/benefit tips for making it be fun are certainly appreciated. (I mention this because a friend said “You’re getting balloons, right”? And I thought – geez, I had not even thought about that. Balloons really are fun.)
The party will be, I think, around 20 people- a mix of adults and little kids/toddlers.
We are in Toronto, in the west end, if that affects things.
Thanks!!
Potluck? Not sure if that will work with the group of adults you have. It can help split up the tasks quite a bit and you can do it as strictly (assigning courses to folks) or as leniently (just bring "something") as you'd like.
Pro-Tip: When you are more lenient people will either (1) badger you on what they should bring or (2) bring a bunch of varied stuff, as they are worried some course won't be covered. Up to you if you see that as a bug or a feature. :)
posted by chiefthe at 6:40 AM on March 26, 2017
Pro-Tip: When you are more lenient people will either (1) badger you on what they should bring or (2) bring a bunch of varied stuff, as they are worried some course won't be covered. Up to you if you see that as a bug or a feature. :)
posted by chiefthe at 6:40 AM on March 26, 2017
Fruit tray, deli meats and/or other cured meats, pickled vegetables, olives, cheeses, breads or crackers. Kids will eat the cheese, fruit, crackers, deli meat. Or they won't eat at all because they're too busy playing. At least that's been my experience as a mom of a five year old and a 2.5 year old.
posted by teamnap at 6:44 AM on March 26, 2017
posted by teamnap at 6:44 AM on March 26, 2017
Either the pizza cut into small pieces, or bagels (get them pre-sliced), lox and cream cheese, plus fruit. Or for a bit more substantial, if you have a decent Middle Eastern place that delivers, people take what they want from small trays of falafel, salads, hummus. Because toddlers love to dip, get some very small (paper) bowls so parents can give their kid a dollop of hummus and some pita.
Plan a couple of activities, like making musical instruments out of paper cups, tape and rice, and make sure you have a decent playlist that isn't too odious for the adults.
posted by flourpot at 6:47 AM on March 26, 2017
Plan a couple of activities, like making musical instruments out of paper cups, tape and rice, and make sure you have a decent playlist that isn't too odious for the adults.
posted by flourpot at 6:47 AM on March 26, 2017
Find a bakery or bistro type place that offers small function/ event catering. Order family friendly finger food to be delivered to your home. They can probably sort you out with soft-drinks and suitable plates etc. If that is your/your friends' thing do one run to the shop to obtain any alcoholic beverages and whatever balloons, bunting, party xyz that takes your fancy. And yes to the child entertainment.
posted by koahiatamadl at 6:51 AM on March 26, 2017
posted by koahiatamadl at 6:51 AM on March 26, 2017
Most every grocery store offers catering. Go to the website of yours, or go see the deli manager, and tell them what you want. They'll put together deli trays, hot appetizers, and fruit and vegetable platters for you. Buy a bunch of paper plates and plastic cups. And, juice boxes for the kids.
Now, look online and see if you can rent a bounce house for the kids. You can also buy a basic one for less than $200 and it is a great thing to have for rainy days.
You might consider hiring a teenager or someone to corral the kids, avoid mayhem in the bounce house, and help with set up and clean up.
Wa la. Party is done.
posted by Kangaroo at 7:30 AM on March 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
Now, look online and see if you can rent a bounce house for the kids. You can also buy a basic one for less than $200 and it is a great thing to have for rainy days.
You might consider hiring a teenager or someone to corral the kids, avoid mayhem in the bounce house, and help with set up and clean up.
Wa la. Party is done.
posted by Kangaroo at 7:30 AM on March 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
Metro has a catering service if you want to go the finger foods route and you can pick up drinks and anything else you need while you're there. If you want to go the Middle Eastern route which is great, we've ordered catering from Pitaland and it was yummy.
For entertainment if you know any crafty teens you could hire them to come up with a non-toxic simple craft for the little ones. Or if you have play space, some big balls, a few push/ride toys (ask friends) and a bunch of pillows make a party for toddlers. Or if you have a cleaning crew after, letting kids decorate their own cupcakes with sprinkles (stop at the Bulk Barn) is pretty awesome.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:39 AM on March 26, 2017
For entertainment if you know any crafty teens you could hire them to come up with a non-toxic simple craft for the little ones. Or if you have play space, some big balls, a few push/ride toys (ask friends) and a bunch of pillows make a party for toddlers. Or if you have a cleaning crew after, letting kids decorate their own cupcakes with sprinkles (stop at the Bulk Barn) is pretty awesome.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:39 AM on March 26, 2017
Do you have Whole Foods (or another grocery store near you?) - they have catering trays with exactly what you are looking for. Call ahead, get two deli sandwich (they probably have a tea sandwich tray), one fruit tray and one with desserts. If you are short on time, hire someone from Task Rabbit (in Canada, I hope?) to pick it up, get balloons and deliver.
20 minutes of your time, and done.
posted by Toddles at 7:54 AM on March 26, 2017
20 minutes of your time, and done.
posted by Toddles at 7:54 AM on March 26, 2017
Dim sum? Or appetizers from a local Thai or Chinese place?
For entertaining the littles, would covering a coffee table with butcher paper and giving them large crayons work? Or maybe picking up some large boxes for them to color on.
posted by vunder at 12:52 PM on March 26, 2017
For entertaining the littles, would covering a coffee table with butcher paper and giving them large crayons work? Or maybe picking up some large boxes for them to color on.
posted by vunder at 12:52 PM on March 26, 2017
Does Toronto have Chickfila? Because where I'm from, "toddler + adult party" plus "finger food" equals Chickfila nugget tray. Add a fruit tray and veggie tray from the closest grocery store and you're done.
posted by raspberrE at 4:14 PM on March 26, 2017
posted by raspberrE at 4:14 PM on March 26, 2017
How westend are you? I got charcuterie/cheese/fruit platters delivered from Cheese Boutique for a party. They do a lovely job. Toddler food might need to be a bit simpler depending what they eat.
Personally I am scared of balloons and never have them so I wouldn't worry about that but you will need toys or activities for the toddlers. I think if you offer plain cupcakes or cookies and get grocery store premade icing and sprinkles to decorate them with that the kids enjoy that and the parents can help.
posted by biggreenplant at 7:23 PM on March 26, 2017
Personally I am scared of balloons and never have them so I wouldn't worry about that but you will need toys or activities for the toddlers. I think if you offer plain cupcakes or cookies and get grocery store premade icing and sprinkles to decorate them with that the kids enjoy that and the parents can help.
posted by biggreenplant at 7:23 PM on March 26, 2017
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posted by JPD at 6:31 AM on March 26, 2017 [1 favorite]