Cheap Party Food ideas for a 3 year old??

sam09_2

Hi everyone! Its my sons third birthday soon and this year im on a very tight budget as i plan on getting rid of my debts by december:) I was thinking it would be a good idea to look in the supermarkets on tuesday perhaps if the shops will be selling reduced price xmas/new year food? I plan on inviting family to the house to save on paying for a venue, and will buy a banner, balloons and party poppers. Any suggestions welcome!

blossomhill_2

I hope you all have fun! Those were the days!
Do you know, for a three year old and family I would be tempted to do "proper food" in mini versions, such as home made shepherds pie in small dishes, less waste and no fancy packaging. Use good but cheap mince and bulk buy potatoes, or do some oven chips in paper cones, and ice cream to follow. At that age they are not foodies

valk_scot

Are you going to be making childrens' food, adult food or for a mix? Are you going to be doing a proper mealtime meal or nibbles?

For any combination, a buffet is easiest. Kids like mini sandwiches, cocktail sausages, crisps, cheese cubes, tiny sausage rolls, grapes, mini tomatoes, carrot and cucumber sticks etc. Nothing "made" or unfamiliar, and in child sized pieces. For adults you can add a few extra party foods (it will all be on reduction in the shops tomorrow), some dips, some salads and other cheese.

Word of advice..just put the savoury food out at first, then the sweet stuff later. Small kids will inevitably head for the chocolate fingers and sweets first so it's best not to make them visible too early on.

doodoot

If you want some grown-up food, then head to Mr T's for their party food that's on B2G2F.

Lots of little finger sandwiches, mini sausage or cheese and onion rolls, home-made pizza using ready made puff pastry (think Mr T's still doing BOGOF on these), rice and pasta salads, crisps with home-made dips.

And valk_scot is right about leaving the sweet things til the savouries have gone.

dizzypink

The best tip I can give is dont over do the food for the littlies. I have spent countless birthdays with tons of food left over as they just dont have big appetites.

The best party we had was when we set up a craft table for the kids. They made crowns out of thin card and then decorated with glitter and whatever bits I had. We then had simple food of sandwiches, sausages,crisps. I had made a load of cupcakes, which they then decorated with home made butter cream,sprinkles,edible glitter. Basically anything bright and over the top. The kids took these home instead of useless party favours.

The kids had a blast, I was cleaning glitter for a week but it was well worth it!!!!! It was the cheapest party ever. Loads of ways of making it cheaper, crowns could be made from old newspapers and decorated. Inever bothered with food for the adult family, they had a slice of the birthday cake and acup of tea.

4 kids and what feels like a million parties later and the children remember the ones we had at home that I always thought were the cheapo substitute parties. Wish I had known that at the start. Could have saved myself loads of grief,money and guilt .

Just remember whatever you do your little one will love cause your MUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dizzy

sam09_2

Im going to try and make most of the food myself to cut down on costs, His birthday is on the 27th so got time to plan ahead. I will try to make the cakes and buy some nice decorations for them, he will enjoy helping me make them! Good idea about the crafts, i will have to see what bits i have left in his craft box. Thanks for all the suggestions:)

optimistic

I always did little jellies or trifles - these dont cost a lot and used to go down well.
Also, have you a Wilkinsons near you? they usually have ballons,decorations and party bits reduced at this time and I always used to buy my little people crackers for their birthdays. hope you have a lovely party.

FairyPrincessk

What about a plate of veg for dipping with a hummous type dip--so carrots, cucumbers, peppers etc. And a plate of fruit with a yoghurt dip?

Then maybe hm sausage rolls, small sandwiches, roly poly sandwiches (roll up sandwich filling in wraps and slice), hm bread slices with a variety of spreads (peanut butter, jam, marmite etc.) either a tray of HM mini quiches (make in fairy cake tin) or a large one cut into small slices...

alternatively if you have a small family who will all be able to sit down to eat what about some sort of DIY thing--i.e. a huge pile of jacket spuds and various toppings---cheese, soured cream, chili, tuna/mayo, roasted veggies etc. Or, build your own burritto--make a big pot of black beans, cube and season some chicken, have some lettuce/tomatoes, rice, cheese and salsa with a pile of wraps. These two might be harder for small children, but I wasn't sure if you'd have more adult family members than children who could then help the children...:o

aldredd

We recently did a buffet - one of the cheapest, yet nicest parts, was just a pasta salad thing.

We got one of those large foil roasting tins - not the Really bigs one - about the size of a standard roasting tray, but foil - just right size.

Just cook a load of pasta, add a jar or 2 of tomato pasta sauce (we used the one with chunky veg in it) - and voila - about £2-£3 for a huge amount of yummy pasta - serve cold!

scousewife

I recently did a party for my 5yo. I catered for children & adults & it was cheap & cheerful.
For a snack before main food I did sticks of celery, cucumber & carrots with a melted cheese dip. Then I did Hot dogs for the kids - few cheap tins of hotdog sausages, bread rolls, Bottle of ketchup & mustard.
I did Jacket potatoes for the adults - Loads of potatoes, block of cheese grated, tub of coleslaw and few tins of beans.
For dessert I made jelly set in small bowls & added a scoop of ice cream (enjoyed by kids & adults!)
It all went down a storm. HTH

sam09_2

Thanks for all the good ideas, Im spoilt for choice now!
Will definitely be having a look in wilkinsons too:)