£15 budget for mini buffet

bluestarrz · 5 August 2009 at 6:06PM

Hello to all,

Thought I would ask for any ideas on this one. My DD will be 3 on Saturday and we will have lots of people coming to the house with gifts etc.
My mum has given me £15 towards party food (to include a birthday cake) as part of her present for DD. This is a great help because it means I don't have to budget any extra - things tight with school holidays etc.
Anyway I have a little list of things to put on a small buffet table but when I checked prices online (asda) it's spent on just a couple of items.
I was hoping to really stretch this money and maybe even use leftovers for lunches through the week?
My list so far is:
cocktail sausages -£2.00
puff pastry - 86p
cheese - around £2
pineapple chunks - 75p
pizza £2
Cake £7
=£14.61

I know the cake is the biggest expense but I would feel guilty not using the money for a proper cake - although she hasn't picked one out so maybe a small saving can be made here?

that's not even including drinks either...I could always use some of my shopping budget but was hoping not to if possible

any ideas? preferably stuff I could freeze leftovers or that keep well in fridge?

Thanks in advance!

candice56 · 5 August 2009 at 6:16PM

Il bet you'll get some great answers but maybe consider doing a hot buffett instead, big bowl of chilli or bolognaise, bowl of chips/wedges, bowl of salad and plate of bread. You can then freeze whatevers left.

You could also go down the 'whoopsie' route for the cake, often reduced at the end of the day.

As for making the above dishes just search these forums I always see great bulking our recipies for budget chefs.

HTH

Olliebeak · 5 August 2009 at 6:22PM

candice56 wrote: »

.......You could also go down the 'whoopsie' route for the cake, often reduced at the end of the day......

That was going to be my suggestion too lol :rotfl: - and never let them get into the habit of choosing their own cake - let them grow-up thinking it's all part of the 'birthday surprise' :j.

Have you thought about a frozen gateux style cake? Very often cheaper

.

torikate · 5 August 2009 at 6:32PM

I recently bought a packed of Betty Crocker chocolate fudge cake mix. It was £1.99 and made either one big cake of smaller fairy cake type ones. One box made 30 cakes! You just had to add some vegetable oil and eggs which you may already have. Would it be worth maybe doing that instead? You could make up some icing to add a bit of colour. This may also help as you wont have to worry about cutting the cake etc. If you also look on the betty crocker website there are also some lovely cake recipes that may suit. I understand you want to buy a cake as apposed to making one but a cake can be £8+ which is quite a large chunk on your budget and to be honest (without sounding mean) at 3 I dont think your daughter would mind what it looks like...rather what it tastes like! Hope this helps.
Tori xXx

bluestarrz · 5 August 2009 at 7:12PM

thanks guys, will definitely be visiting stores late friday night hoping for some last minute bargains! Fingers crossed for a reduced birthday cake!

geek0 · 5 August 2009 at 7:12PM

Is a home made cake not a proper cake? could make a huge chocolate cake for a couple of pounds, covered in chocolate buttercream/icing , anything you like really, and there are lots of decorations that are cheap enough to put on. It is worth looking in the reduced section for birthday cakes though i see them all the time.

LilacPixie · 5 August 2009 at 7:23PM

I made my DD a cake for her 1st birthday, just a sponge with jam and buttercream and a candle. I totally agree with checking the whopsie aisle. there was a ben 10 one in my local for under a quid a few weeks back.

Other th
an that how many are you feeding?? could you cook some bits like mini quiches a hm pizza or two maybe a fritata or mini fajitas?

skiTTish · 5 August 2009 at 7:33PM

really retro but vol-au-vaunts(sp?) filled with condensed mushroom soup are scrummmy!!

jacand · 5 August 2009 at 7:35PM

What about buying just the ready made plain individual fairy cakes and then decorating them yourself with sweets/marshmallows/etc. Or even get the kids to decorate them themselves at the party.
As for nibbles I would make a huge homemade pizza and cut it up. Make up your own jellies with a little bit of fruit in the bottom and a bit of squirty cream on the top.

bluestarrz · 5 August 2009 at 7:56PM

thanks again guys,

Think there will be about 20-25 coming - spread out through the day hopefully! Will look into idea of making fairy cakes to decorate etc but I'm not very good at baking.
How long can buffet food be left out for? if people are coming throughout the day will it be ok or will i need to keep making fresh?

mrbrightside842 · 5 August 2009 at 8:01PM

Cucumber and carrot cut into sticks shouldn't cost much.

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£15 budget for mini buffet

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