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What have I left out?
I am having a really informal first bday party for my son. The theme is brightly colored polka dots. We will have a cookout and a bounce house. I am inviting about 40 people, but only expect about 30 to come. It will be outside in the evening so it won't be so hot. I am planning hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, a couple of dips and fresh veggies. Oh, and I am going to attempt to make cupcakes and a smash cake and of course we will have ice cream. For drinks I was planning sodas and maybe a few bottles of wine. I am on the fence about the wine, because I am on a pretty tight budget. Also, is wine to formal for a cookout?
A friend is making a bday banner, and I bought the polka dot plates and napkins to mathch the invite. I am planning to sprinkle dots on the cupcakes. I want to do cupcake toppers, but I would like to make them myself, and haven't found a good template yet. I am thinking I would give out candy in a gift bag, like skittles or m&ms.
Is there anything else I have left out? Any tips you would like to share on having an cookout bday party?
Re: What have I left out?
Since money's tight, skip the wine, the favors, and the bounce house. Wine isn't necessary at a casual cookout; no one actually needs candy
and you've already fed everyone dinner and dessert; and a bounce house is really an incredible expense, especially when this is his first birthday and he won't even be able to enjoy it - you're setting a very high standard for yourself - what are you going to be able to do that's new and special when he gets older if you do a bounce house now?
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What about replacing the wine with alcoholic punch???? Its a kids party so I'm sure most parents won't be drinking too much alcohol anyhow, plus it would be a great way to save money.
For cupcake toppers, what about borrowing a large circle punch from a friend that scrapbooks and pre-printing them on your colour printer and then punching out the circles and attaching them to the cupckaes with skewers?? This should cost you less than $5.
I agree with the pp and would skip the bounce house and the candy favors.
I think you are fine without alcoholic beverages, but if you think you need them, I would get 2 bottles of white wine and a case of beer. I would also include some side salads (pasta, potato, etc.) and maybe a fruit salad. I would also just skip the cupcake toppers, it sounds like a lot of work and your guests won't really care about them.
I would throw in some fresh fruit like watermelon - kids love watermelon...will there be a lot of kids? If not, then I would save your money and not get the bouncehouse. All kids really need to entertain themselves at a cookout are bubbles, coloring pages, some toys, and balls. At my kids' parties I set up three to four blankets around the yard in the shade and bring out the kids toys. Each blanket has a theme - books, farm animals, puzzles, etc. This keeps the mess out of the kids room plus keeps the kids busy.
A cheap bottle of white zif won't hurt...you can usually get one at the supermarket for like $8. I prefer wine to beer but is not necessary/expected at a kid's party. I agree with nixing the favors to save money. If you really want to do something for the kids - they love pinatas. You can either make one yourself (visit youtube) very easy to make or buy one on sale and fill it with candy. Happy planning!