Cans or big bottles of soda for a party?

[EllenFrasier]

Do you use cans of soda or large bottles of soda for a party? We are having ds's graduation party in a couple weeks and I was all set to find cans of soda on sale. Dh has it in his mind to use large bottles of soda and ice. I think it's a pain to have to scoop ice into a cup and pour soda. The kids spill it all over, one flavor is always more popular and then you run out, etc. I'd rather have cans in coolers. That way they are cold. I could make lemonade too and have small cooler of ice.
What do you all do for your parties?

 

[Sarahlovy]

Cans any day, for the reasons you stated above. IME, if we are talking name brand soda, you will spend less on cans than bottles as well- you have to get cups, and it seems as though people drink more when it is open pour. Also, I personally would prefer to have a bunch of cans left over of stuff that I don't like than bottles.

 

[nsmith]

I like to use cans, I don't know which is more economical. I find the bottles go flat, and get really warm, they can also attracked bees. You will need to buy cups, ice and more cups as everyone misplaces their cup and just get another.

I just fill a large cooler w/ the cans and dump ice over top, stays nice a cold all day. Send someone around now and again to gather up the empties and "due-gers" our family name for drink left half full.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Cans would be better. If you or someone you know belongs to a wholesale club like Sams or BJs' you can get a little bit of a better deal.


The cost different is .13 cents for 12oz serving from a 2 litter bottle if the cost of the bottle is .99 cents. But then you would have to buy cups. And either way you go you will have to buy ice.

Verses .25 cents a can if a case cost $6.00.

But you could recycle the cans.

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

Another alternative to can drinks. How about bottles of water with kool-aid, crystal light or store brand equilivant name brand drink packets. Just a thought, some people like to pour can drinks over ice.

 

[QueenRocks]

I used to use cans all the time for parties, but I've since switched to the larger bottles. I was constantly finding 1/2 empty cans everywhere. The kids would grab a drink and put it down. They wouldn't know which drink was theirs, so they would take another. I put out cups and they write their names on the cups with a sharpie.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

I just had to buy soda for a party, and I found the little 8 ounce cans of store brand soda on sale. It was great for the party. Too many times people don't drink the full can, and I feel like it wastes a lot, but the little cans were almost all empty when cleaning up later. The store I was at had 5 different flavors so I could get a great variety. It made it worth it because it was on sale. If it hadn't been, then I just would have bought whatever cans were on sale. Bottles with cups is too much hassle.

 

[angierae]

Cans, definitely. And then what we do is fill a children's plastic pool full of ice and put the drinks in there, and then tuck it under one of the food tables.

 

[bellarella]

I'll go against the trend.

Bottles all the way. The running out issues isn't any different. And I can't stand to see the waste with cans. People often don't want drinks in "can" amounts, so I always wind up with tons of half full or barely drunk cans. Add to that, the cost (I can usually get 2L for $.99), and I always go with bottles.

I sent out cups and sharpies (people write their name on the cups). I keep them in a cooler (no need for ice).

The spilling would be the only issue that might sway me, but usually I'm either in juice box land (for little ones that can't help themselves) or outdoors (where I don't really care) or adults (where some will be drinking wine, so I already have spill danger).

 

[rockundergirl]

CANS! germ freaks like me cringe at the idea of having to scoop ice that is outside with everyones dirty mitts in it lol . and left over cans can be saved open bottles go flat.

 

[mum4jenn]

I used to use cans all the time for parties, but I've since switched to the larger bottles. I was constantly finding 1/2 empty cans everywhere. The kids would grab a drink and put it down. They wouldn't know which drink was theirs, so they would take another. I put out cups and they write their names on the cups with a sharpie.

I agree with this!
Been there done that

 

[tlenzendorf]

I would say it depends on the amount of guests. I would go with cans for a lot of people, bottles for a small group. I would also go with a store brand soda so as not to spend so much.

 

[elgerber]

While I do think cans are more convenient, I do also agree that you find half empty cans everywhere. I just bought 15 2 liters yesterday for my sons graduation party. Target has Coke product 2 liters on sale for $1 each, and I couldn't pass up that price.

 

[Earstou]

We used to work with large groups of youth, and our organization quit serving cans because extras would walk out the door in pockets and purses.

With that in mind we decided to go with bottles, especially since there are a lot of parties graduation weekend and some people go from party to party. We also use Sharpies to write names on the glasses.

Along with the pop we had punch. I used jello to make a turquoise punch to match school colors and it was very popular!

 

[puffkin]

The cans seem to get so expensive for me and there is a lot of waste. I usually do store brand bottles. My grocery brand usually goes on sale for .69 every month or two, so I stock up for parties then. I usually do a diet, cola, and sprite. I only put one of each bottle out and then replace as they get empty. That way there isn't as much waste and they don't go flat as fast. Sharpies and cups help solve the missing drink problem too.

For the kids I usually do some kind of juice boxes to help with spills.

 

[powellrj]

We did cans for my DSs graduation because it was in our church and I didn't want the mess of cleaning up spills from bottles, BUT if I am having it outside I use bottles and pitchers because I hate the 1/2 filled cans left around.

 

[pjlla]

Don't have time to read all replies, but here is my take on it.

I would go with bottles of soda and plastic cups. Keep a Sharpie nearby for folks to write their name on cups.

When canned soda is provided I find that people pick one, open it and take a few sips, put it down, and lose it..... and then go grab another.... and another! It gets so frustrating to be cleaning up after a party emptying can after can of soda that is 3/4 full!

Plus, some folks who are more germaphobic than others prefer to identify their drinks with their name! If it is an outdoor party, may I suggest a kiddie pool full of ice to hold the bottles of soda?? Hope your event is good.....P

 

[ragtopday]

I agree with everyone who has posted!! (yes, both sides)

When I'm at a party I prefer cans, because I think the soda inside is fresher and I just like having my own can, versus a cup.

When I'm hosting a party, it really depends on the age of my guests. If I am hosting a party where people are bringing a lot of kids under age 12 or so, I'm more apt to go with bottles and cups with sharpies. Kids simply cannot drink a full 12 oz can so there is a lot of waste. If most of the guests will be older I go with cans because I tend to think everyone thinks like me!

 

[chris31997]

I have done both

Bottle if you can get them on sale and get cups cheap w/ a sharpie

Cans only if you can get them on sale for cheap.

Just like others have said, you will find all sorts of half empty cans all over the place when cleaning up. I am guilty of it

 

[3pletprincesses]

I would do bottle for parties. you will find that people waste less. I too use to find half empty all the time. We the large bottles, you find little bits here and there plus people poor what they want usually.

For home use, I use cans as we don't drink too much of it and the large bottles always get flat before we get around to drink it all