Affordable birthday party food?

[oceanbaby]

Ds1's 8th birthday is in a few weeks, and we're having the party at our house. It will likely be 10-15 kids, and at least as many adults (our family will be there as well). The party is from 1-4, so I don't need to do a big lunch or dinner spread, but I would like to have a good amount of food. The problem is that money is pretty tight right now, and I'm not very skilled at preparing quality food that is economical.

I thought about having dh fire up the bbq and just doing hamburgers/hot dogs, and putting out some snacks, but then he's working the bbq the whole time. Any other ideas?

[Dandelionkid]

How about build your own tacos buffet style? Same for dessert- sundae buffet.

[crl]

Personally I'd skip "meal" type things and put out more snack type food. Pita chips and hummus, grapes, cheese and crackers, cake and ice cream. . . .

[Aubergine68]

How about boiled hot dogs in a crock pot?

I would probably do crockpot of chili, one of hot dogs, buns that would work for chili or hot dogs, condiments, taco chips, a veggie platter with a creamy dip and salsa, sliced cheese or cheese dip, fruit platter and whatever the "party" dessert is.

If you wanted less of a "meal" maybe do a warm chili-cheese dip , salsa, hummus and assorted dippers/veggies.

[tinyblackdot]

I always do tortilla wrap ups, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches ( cut into 1/4ths or you can get little cookie cutters and use them to make cute shapes) you could do turkey ones, or paminto cheese ones. A bag of tortilla chips, or Potato chips and make onion dip, or ranch dip (a big thing of sour cream and a pack of dry soup mix) Pita chips are easy (its just pita bread sprinkle seasoning and bake, and you could do hummus or guacamole. Fruits and Veggies (and you could use the onion or ranch dip) are always good. And then cookies, or cake and icecream.

Oh and then iced tea and lemonaid to drink.

[Treasuremapper]

I would change the time from 2 to 4, if possible, and serve only light snacks. I would focus on activities for the kids instead.

[lil_earthmomma]

I love to feed people, and since we are on a really tight budget I have to find ways to do it frugaly!

I usually do crudites and dips, salsa and tortilla chips, and other dips. Some of my faves are layered bean dip, quacamole, crab dip etc.

We just had a party and bought a big inexpensive roast. Cubed it, and marinated it overnight. Then I made shishkabobs and we grilled them.

Instead of making a fruit tray, for that party I made fruit kabobs!

Often I will make a bunch of pizza dough (so cheap!) brush with butter and sprinkle parmesan cheese over top and bake. Cut into strips and serve with marinara sauce and spicy ranch! Definitely a crowd fave!

[Carley]

Forget all that work. BBQ some hotdogs. Kids love em, adults love em, they're $1 for 8.

You said your family is comming? Two words: Pot Luck!

My daughters 3rd was last weekened & we bought dogs, buns, charcoal & a six pack. Our family & close friends all brought stuff... baked beans, fruit salad, green salad, pasta salad, birthday cupcakes.. you name it! And lots more beer, too.

Family loves to help... let them!

[onlyzombiecat]

For dd's last birthday we had build your-own-tacos, chips, dip, pretzels and cake. I mixed refried beans in with the meat to stretch it farther and be more filling. It wasn't very expensive and I prepared everything in advance.


I would think from 1-4 you could get away with just crackers and cheese, veggie/fruit tray, chex mix, quesadillas, chips and dip kind of foods in addition to cake.

[Aubergine68]

Homemade air-popped popcorn is a pretty inexpensive snack....

[cristeen]

I'm with the pp - I wouldn't serve a "meal" at that hour. Veggies and dip, big bowl of popcorn... stick with finger foods.

If you have a bunch of family coming though, ask them each to bring something snack-ish rather than absorbing the expense yourself. That's what family's for!

[oceanbaby]

You all have much more helpful families than I do! My mom usually offers to bring something, but then she buys it (liked a prepared fruit tray) rather than making it, so it ends up being expensive for her and I feel bad. My MIL usually offers but she is coming from an out of town wedding, so it's probably not the best time. Neither my sister nor dh's sister ever offers to bring anything.

The other issue is that the day before the party I am gone from 8am until 9pm with various events, so I won't be able to do much of any prep until the morning of the party.

I think I will go more snacky. Maybe just have hot dogs (veggie and regular), a couple side salads, chips and salsa, crudites, popcorn. I should be able to pull that off without too much expense. I'll even make ds's day and buy regular fluffy white hot dog buns, instead of the whole wheat ones I usually make him eat!

I can make a couple of pitchers of frozen lemonade. I like iced tea, but I always brew it myself and find that hard to do in large quantities because I don't have tons of big jars to put it all in. I'd love any suggestions you may have about this . . .

Keep the ideas coming - I'm going to save all the replies for future events!

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by oceanbaby

Neither my sister nor dh's sister ever offers to bring anything.

Have you ever asked? There are many people in my family who wouldn't offer, but would be happy to pitch in if I asked them to.