Hello! In a couple of weeks my DH and I will be hosting about 12 other family members for my 2 year old son's birthday party. There are no cousins yet so he is the only kid and the adults aren't too fussy when it comes to food :) The main restriction is me because I am 9 weeks pregnant. We did a meat and cheese tray last year but I am avoiding lunch meat when pregnant. I thought of sloppy joes in the crockpot but as of today the thought of warming meat makes me feel sick (morning sickness has not been kind to me). Other ideas?
We did lasagne for my daughter's 1st Birthday. I made it ahead of time and froze it, then just popped it in the oven the day of. (just a note** frozen lasagne does take longer to bake)
We were able to serve a lot of people and it was a crowd pleaser.
why not do a potluck?
I vote pizzas, and a salad bar with different toppings:
dressings [ranch, thousand island, and a vinaigrette], croutons, slivered candied almonds/sunflower seeds, cheese [feta, cheddar, Parmesan], fruit [dried cherries, mandarin oranges] meat [deli ham cut into thin strips, chicken] and veggies [onion, tomato, cucumber, julienne-cut bell peppers, sugar snap peas].......
and also a fruit bowl. Something for everyone that way... and part junk, part healthy. Yummy!
I do like the pasta bar idea though...macaroni, fettuccine alfredo, and lasagna would be good. Add italian salad, and good garlic bread/breadsticks and it would be a great meal.
S., the simplest suggestion would be that you change your time to 2 p.m. and have a cake (or cupcakes)and ice cream party. Your toddler won't care (doting grandparents, presents, party hats, etc., will be very distracting) and your family probably won't either, given your current aversion to food.
Hope you have a wonderful time.
I always put on my granddaughter's birthday parties since their house isn't big enough to hold all the family (usually around 24 to 26 people). Last year for her second birthday party, I had a taco bar. I had soft and hard shells, tortialla chips, salsa, nacho cheese, lettice, onions, tomatoes, black olives and sour cream. They could have super nachos, taco salad or tacos.. whatever they wanted. It worked out very well and everyone loved it.
This year I am going to have a Sandwich bar which I will have ham and turkey, a couple different cheeses, chips, pickles, onions, probably a vegetable and fruit tray. I did this for each of my childrens graduation reception and it worked so nice.
Some of the meat markets will have pre-made meat, like hot turkey or beef sandwiches. All you would need to do is warm it up in the crock pot, buy some buns, make or buy some salads and have a cake.
Hi
I did a great baked mac-n-cheese dish for my daughters bday party and it was a huge hit-for kids and adults alike! I designed it around her favs so we did the mac-n-cheese and then a big fruit and yogurt salad (truly just whatever fruit you want-although I would stay away from the bananas b/c they got brown and mushy real quick-and then a fruity yogurt mixed together) and then a veggie tray and maybe a sausage and cheese tray or something like that. It was a huge hit! I totally understand you on the meat not being appetizing even to cook for others during early pregnancy! i am almost 20 weeks and i am still not keen on making meat. i am really hoping it goes away soon!
Good luck, congratulations and Happy Bday to your little one!
Jen B
I too like the pasta bar idea and may use it for my three year olds upcoming party. For her 2nd birthday we did a lazagna pasta in a roaster. I basically took all the ingredients of lazagna and put them in the roaster with different kinds of noodles. Everyone seemed to really like it and my husband actually perfers this to regular lazagna.
I usually make homemade macaroni and cheese for parties, the kids eat it and usually so do the parents, and it does not smell. You could have a veggie and fruit tray along with the mac or just create a cold pasta salad.
Another idea is to turn it from lunch into a brunch thing and make eggbakes and queishes, or make a crepe station where your guests can put on their own toppings, strawberries, whipped cream, carmel, nuts. I am just thinking back to when I had morning sickness and I ate breakfast food all day long because I could not handle the smell of meat.
Hi S.!
My sis in law had a great idea for her sons birthday party! how about a pasta bar? Make a huge bowl full of noodles and then have a couple different sauces in crock pots (spag, alfredo, cheese, etc...) Besides being easier on your tummy - most kids love noodles! And i am sure the adults would appreciate the options of sauces.
Good luck!
I second the sub shop idea- some sub shops will create a big platter with all the fixings and supply the bread- then you can have an assemble-your-own-sub lunch at the party. Everybody gets to choose what they put on their own sub and you don't have to touch the lunch meat.
(alternately, buy your own fixings. More prep though).
My favorite for hosting parties is Captain Ken's chilis. It's just heat and serve. Their shop is on Robert St, down the hill before the bridge going into downtown. You get 2 bags for I want to say $17 + tax, and it's 10 lb a bag (?) I usually only get the regular chili, but they have a white chili as well, I think it's chicken. They have a few others things as well, BBQ (?), I can't remember what else. But it's a great price for the amount of you get, and you have to get it in case, 2 bags to a case. Look 'em up in the phone book, and the person who answers the phone can answer all your questions.
You could still do a meat and cheese tray, just get a turkey breast and a chunk of ham and slice them yourself, or have your butcher do it. They don't contain near the amount of nitrates that 'lunch meat' has since it's not at processed, and with the turkey you can control the flavoring (if you buy whole and cook and slice at home). Also, if you are the only restriction, you can always buy for the others and make yourself a little something else and serve them the lunch meat! :) Good luck!
You could host a grill out or cook a roast and make BBQ beef shredded sandwiches in a crock pot.
I like the pasta idea, make some garlic bread have some Parmesan cheese with the 3 types of sauces.
Why don't you just order pizza and salads from a local pizza place? Everyone will understand not making homemade food if you're pregnant and not feeling well.
order subs from the deli or sub shop!! that way you have no mess cooking and no morning sickness making anything. and for you since you don't eat lunch meat....you can order a meat ball subs or chicken subs!!
