Hey,
So, it's my 30th coming up soon and I have no idea what I want to do.
I'm really wanting a cocktail party with finger food. But money is T.I.G.H.T.
I have all these amazing ideas running through my head, but they're going to cost a heap and most venues I like I need at least 60+ guests (I don't even know that many people). So I'm swaying towards a backyard bash - because I have a backyard and it's a free venue lol. But my backyard is a blank canvas - literally. It's not people friendly, not for entertaining anyway - It's not concreted and grass everywhere, not undercovered it's just bare.
Had a conversation with a close friend today and she has offered me to have the function at hers. Her house is massive and 'party-friendly', backyard deck (undercovered) and would be the perfect place to have a cocktail party and all I would need to organise is the catering and Alcohol. She also knows all my friends and family, so perfect fit - no stranger weirdness.
But I'm 'THAT GIRL' who hates being a burden to others -- AHH! Should I just take up my friends offer and have it there or....
And I'm "IFFY" and I say that lightly as everyone has children (myself included) but iffy if I want the kids to join in or not... It's a hard one as everyone I know has kids... There will be alcohol, adult banter, possible intoxicated people... I'm not really conformable with children associating in that scenery, as those I know have babies/toddlers, primary aged children (my child a pre-teen). I dono --- What do others suggest? I just want those I care about to have a good time, let their hair down and yeah "kid free might be fun". But I truly have no idea - as I don't want to step on other's toes (((Grr, me not wanting to burden others))).
Also, those who have done a birthday on a budget - please share those budget friendly ideas. I'm in Brisbane if that makes any difference :) How did you all celebrate you Major B'day party on a budget? including budget friendly (but good) catering in Brisbane :) please.
TIA all :)
EDIT: regarding catering? would it be cheaper to just do the catering myself and buy platters e.g. Subway, Sushi, platters from Costco? etc simple finger foods. Private catering is from $22 a head (for basic servings). Would love others suggestions.
2 Replies
Booze, buy cheap Gossips wine and a carton or two of beers. Everything else is BYO. Catering is easy! Make stuff in advance that is finger foodie type stuff. Bacon wrapped quiches made in mini muffin tins, puff pastry topped with parmesan cheese, twisted and baked to make cheese twists, little sliders with pulled meat, smoked chicken wings etc. If you have the food ready on the cheap, pay a few teens in the family/friends kids to reheat and serve for the night.
Your friend has offered, if they didn't want to they wouldn't offer. Help her set up and help her clean up but if she's offered and you want to have it there do so. We have heaps of parties here for the same reason.
Kids, I'd go with no kids but that's me, I'm not really a fan of other peoples kids at the best of times. If you started off with kids there for the birthday songs, some sparklers and cake would the parents all pitch in for group overnight babysitting? Say if some teens had the kids under control elsewhere at the same place. For instance babies inside sleeping, toddlers on a mattress in front of the telly with a kids movie or 3 and the older primary aged kids in tents for a camp out (is the yard big enough for that?).
Have it there! And just ask everyone to BYO alcohol. Most people will anyways because they want to drink their specific wine or beer :D I don't know many people who would bring kids to an alcohol fuelled event - but just say no under 18s please. I did this and no one had an issue. People generally can organise a babysitter with enough notice, at minimum with family or if they say they can't find one just say you can find one for them ;) As there's a tonne around!
Catering wise, we always buy the food ourselves as caterers mark up on purchases, so buy it all yourself and then hire someone to come in and cook it/serve it for you! We do this and it's about $30 an hour (we usually do 7pm - 11pm as they clean up afterwards too!). Normally we get party pies, sausage rolls, dim sims, spring rolls, tempura prawns, all those type of things and then a few sushi platters. If a party starts at say 7pm and you write on invite "Finger food provided" then they know to have a dinner before they arrive :)