Party Food Suggestions

I'd say it depends on how many people. For my daughter's 1st, I made homemade ravioli's, my dad make some Italian bread, and we had a nice salad for the adults. We also did an artichoke dip (daughter loves artichokes) for an appetizer. It was perfect because everything was made ahead of time (I even made my vodka sauce the day before and just reheated).

For dessert, we had a blueberry tart, with a small individualized one for my daughter. She loved it.

I think there were only 12 of us. For a larger crowd, I'd probably make stuffed shells or something like that.

What does your daughter like to eat? I'd go from there.

We just had a 2y old party. I had a veggie tray, chip and dip, and I made spinach dip with wheat thins for snacks. For dinner I made a huge Lasagna and I bought Papa Charlies italian beef..in the frozen section, I bought ours at costco, cheaper. Big salad and cake from costco and done!

Hi V.. You have to think about the group that will attend your party. If there are going to be kids there, you have to have food that both adults and children like. Pizza and or hot dogs with chips always works for me. I usually order plain cheese pizza for kids that are picky and sausage pizza for the rest of the group. If there will be lots of adults attending, then order a more creative pizza for them: one with spinach, mushrooms, etc. Ordering from one place will just be easier on you: less stress. Also, you should have appetizers in bowls/trays. I like to buy veggie trays with ranch dressing, Hawaiian bread with spinach dip, and chips with salsa. I also make a side green salad (romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, dried cranberries) and I will have 2 or 3 dressings for the guests to choose from. These appetizers usually go really fast.
Don't forget to get candy bags for the kids :)
Hope this helps and have fun!!!!

We are having about 25 for my son's 1st birthday party next weekend and here is what I'm preparing. A pasta dish I can make in advance and warm up when we're ready - pasta, ground beef, pasta sauce and cheese. Italian bread, veggie and a salad bar. I'll also have several chips and dip out as well as other finger foods like olives, cheese cubes, maybe a veggie tray etc. For dessert, cake (of course), ice cream, warm apple chrisp. I'll have hot chocolate since it's supposed to be cold, coffee, and pop/lemonaid.

For my daughters birthday (last month, so it was a little warmer) we had sandwiches with all the fixin's - several types of bread (white, wheat, croissant) and several meats and cheeses (ham, turkey, roast beef, american, swiss and provolone) all the condiments, lettuce, tomato etc. All the same finger foods, plus pickles and snacks. I made cupcakes for dessert, cookies and brownies.

Good luck!

what town do you live in
is this a family party or a kid party

Hi V. Besides the cake and ice cream, sloopy Joes and hot dogs and potatoe chips. Usually the food is for the parents because the children are having so much fun. And you didn't say the ages of the children. Because if they are same age as your one year or older, the above will do just fine. Pizza is also good to have.

V.,
Congrats on your pregnancy & baby's First Birthday! Since you are pregnant, I highly suggest you order pizza! It's easy, everyone likes it & usually pretty affordable.

If that's not an option, I make something called crock pot pizza - you cook egg noodles & toss with some butter, oil up your crock pot so it won't stick, then layer noodles, sauce, various pizza toppings (if you use sausage, cook it first) & cheese, then repeat until you use up your ingredients. Cook on low for about 2 hours or until everything is all melted & gooey. Kids go wild for this.

But honestly I'd order pizza, you're pregnant, it's tasty & EASY, everyone wins! I did that for my baby's Baptism & was so happy, I got to enjoy my own guests for a change.

Have fun.
D.

We bought country style pork ribs at Dominicks (on sale for .99 a lb) and put them in our crock pot for several hours to cook. Then they just fall of the bone. We pulled them apart and added barbeque sauce and served pulled pork sandwiches on buns w/ cheese. We put out pickles and slices of red onions. You can serve that with potato salad or whatever other sides. The entire meal is super inexpensive and delicious. Enjoy the party!

We set out bowls of cheerios, goldfish and bananas cut in half - all baby/kid friendly foods - for kid friends. Then had more substantial food for the adults - quiche or a fancy sandwich (check out martha stewart's ideas) or barbecue, ... basically whatever you'd normally serve adults.