surprise party

Kimberley82

I want to organise a surprise party for my husband for his birthday. I am house sitting for my dad that weekend so could have it there which would mean he wouldnt notice anything.

Its in June so I am thinking a BBQ.

The problem is I would have much money to spend on it. And as you lot are so good with your money saving tips I thought you would have a good way to feed 20-30 people plus drink on as little as possible.

eyelinerprincess

What our family do every year is a BBQ but with BYOF (bring your own food), but the hosts help out with side dishes (salad, coleslaw etc) that way there are no arguments over who gets what.

jetta_wales

Ask people to bring something. Even with just your close friends and family bringing a plate each, salad, pasta salad, potato salad or packs of burgers, kebabs etc and everybody else just bringing a bottle it'll soon fill a table up.

pigpen

ooh... naughty teenage behaviour!!! trashing dads house with a wild party lol!!!!!!!

Costco food is nice and serves plenty if you needed a few cakes and sarnies to bulk out bbq. Speak to a local bbutcher about doing you a deal on meat... make sur it isn't aread frozen/defrosted as you can then freeze what you don't use without having to cook it first.

BBq.. who would be cooking? lighting BBQ before you got there?

Drinks.. get some soft drinks, a couple of crates and bottles and ask everyone to bring a bottle or 5.

Spendless

I think you need to 'bulk out' a BBQ for lots, to save spending a lot on meat. I'd have salads (garden, pasta, potato ones, jacket potatoes (done in oven), coleslaw and bread rolls. Drinks-wise, i'd ask people to bring a bottle.

jetta_wales

Garlic bread is cheap and easy too the long ones. And Farm Foods does loads of large deserts for about £2.

shellsuit

I'd tell everyone to bring their own drinks! I'm never put out by that request and it's better because everyone is drinking what they like and it doesn't cost the host a bean!

With regards to food, just have the normal burgers, sausage and chicken, then do some salad, crisps and dips.

Failing that, ask each person to bring something with them.

I always go overboard with food when people are coming, when I really have no need!

moggitymog

what about a big pan of chilli and some jackets

onlyroz

I couldn't imagine anything worse than a surprise party. I'd be mortified if anybody did this to me.

Kimberley82

onlyroz wrote: »

I couldn't imagine anything worse than a surprise party. I'd be mortified if anybody did this to me.

It wouldnt be a surprise but I know he would say no if I suggest it, but from past experience I know he will love it.