Ugh! Trying to feed 35 people on a budget!

[kctwinmommy]

My kids' birthday party is this Saturday, we're going to have 15 kids, about ages 3-7, and then 18 adults, maybe 2 or 3 more/less, depening on which husbands can end up making it or not. I was going to grill brats/dogs/etc... but I don't like the idea of cooking outside with all the kids playing out there. We don't have a really big back yard, and I was just going to let them free play, with a game I've got planned, and just low key.

Then I thought I'd get Jimmy John's subs. It would be 30 pieces, which they say feeds about 10-12 adults, and that's $43. So I would need to order at least 2 of those, and then maybe a 15 piece one, which feeds about 5-7 people they say, and that's $23. That would be a total of $110 basically, giving me 75 pieces for 35 people.

My other option was looking at Jewel (our grocery store here) and doing a party plater. I could go low end, which would be turkey and ham on rolls, serves 16-24 and is $26. Or for $40, the same sandwiches, but with cheese, and serves 18-24. Just a meat and cheese tray, that serves 10-12 people, is like $40! So then I'd still have to get rolls and all that to go with it.

Sorry, I'm just looking for some guidance, my head is spinning trying to sort it all out. And after typing it out here, it actually looks like Jimmy John's may not be as bad as I thought it initially sounded. Now that I've looked closer at the Jewel one. And the JJ's ones would be all ready, put together, and set to go. OK, so I may have just rambled a bit here... sorry!!

 

[problemchild718]

How about a pasta and salad bar? Cook a couple different kinds of pasta and several different toppings-butter and garlic sauce, tomato sauce, meatballs, cheese sauce etc. with a plain bowl of greens and many salad toppings on the side. Serve with some Italian bread and a dessert an you've got a cheep, creative meal to please everyone. You can borrow some crock pots to keep sauce warm or use sternos and fill a big bowl with ice and sit a smaller bowl in it to keep salad cool.

 

[KellyluvsDisney]

Another idea is to do a taco bar. You can cook your meat early and then put it in the crockpot to keep warm. Then set up an area for sour cream, cheese, salsa, etc.. This is really pretty economical and always a hit. Usually you can find taco shells at close out grocery stores for pretty cheap.

 

[kctwinmommy]

Thanks for those ideas... but I really wanted to keep it with sandwiches. It's the middle of the day, lunchtime. But thank you!

 

[momof296&02]

I think doing your own cooking is the way to go. We just had a b-day party for DS11, his 40 friends, their siblings & parents, it started at 1pm. We own a table top hot dog cart so putting 50 dogs in was easy (you can put hot dogs in a crock pot too). I made sausage & peppers, meatballs in the crockpot(frozen meatballs w/ chilli sauce & grape jelly YUMMY!), pasta with red sauce (I made the sauce), spinach salad & we ordered 7 pizza pies. This was the 1st year I cooked & we saved a ton of $.

 

[pixidust1976]

Just a suggestion!!!

My favorite cheap party sandwich that EVERY SINGLE PERSON that has ever tasted it has loved is BBQ ham sandwiches.

You get chopped ham (this is the cheap stuff... not CHIPPED ham... but CHOPPED ham)...

And for the BBQ sauce... you mix 1 cup of Coke and 1 cup of Ketchup for every pound of meat.... I know it doesn't sound right... but trust me... it is delicious.... you just simmer it all together in a roaster or crock pot... and Voila.... BBQ ham!

Some buns (which I can get at the Nickles Bakery outlet for cheap)... and you have a very cheap sandwich for the masses! Some chips... some pretzels... and a cake.... INSTANT BIRTHDAY PARTY....

Just my two cents!

 

[Crazoo]

You can do the brats/dogs, but boil them and then throw them on the grill when they're done for a few minutes..

 

[clh2]

Another idea is to do a taco bar. You can cook your meat early and then put it in the crockpot to keep warm. Then set up an area for sour cream, cheese, salsa, etc.. This is really pretty economical and always a hit. Usually you can find taco shells at close out grocery stores for pretty cheap.

This is my idea too! This is really economical, and you can freeze any meat that is leftover. Plus - most stores sell lettuce shreds, that don't cost too much. I've done this for about 30 people. And it is really easy.

However - since you mentioned that you want to do sandwiches, why not try pricing about 3 dozen rolls, and have the store deli help you with how much lunchmeat you would need for the amount of people, and then buy a pound of ham, a pound of turkey, a pound of chicken etc, and then some cheese slices until you reach the amount estimated by the deli. (Actually, consider the kids, and go a little less

Then get some mayo, mustard and butter, and you'll have all the sandwich fixin's.

Also - for not much money, you can get the pre-made (i.e. Dole) coleslaw mix and also a bottle of slaw dressing. It takes two minutes to mix it up, and a couple of hours to chill.

At this time of year, watermelons are relatively inexpensive, just get one and cut it up into slices.

 

[powellrj]

what about sloppy joes. Make it ahead and keep it warm in a crock pot.

 

[kctwinmommy]

However - since you mentioned that you want to do sandwiches, why not try pricing about 3 dozen rolls, and have the store deli help you with how much lunchmeat you would need for the amount of people, and then buy a pound of ham, a pound of turkey, a pound of chicken etc, and then some cheese slices until you reach the amount estimated by the deli. (Actually, consider the kids, and go a little less

Then get some mayo, mustard and butter, and you'll have all the sandwich fixin's.

Also - for not much money, you can get the pre-made (i.e. Dole) coleslaw mix and also a bottle of slaw dressing. It takes two minutes to mix it up, and a couple of hours to chill.

At this time of year, watermelons are relatively inexpensive, just get one and cut it up into slices.

That was my other thought... just having all the fixings there and ready to put together. Just buying ham, turkey, cheeses, etc... I may end up doing that way too. Do you think I could buy that the day before?? That wouldn't be too early would it??

Oh, and I already planned on getting fruit for a fruit salad, we've got a great local store for that! And I have my mom making salads, and my MIL making veggie tray.

 

[kctwinmommy]

what about sloppy joes. Make it ahead and keep it warm in a crock pot.

I should clarify that I really don't want any meat products... my kids are really bad about eating hamburger meat, and my son has some pickiness when it comes to lunchmeats these days, among other issues. So no sloppy joes, taco bar, etc... I like these ideas if the party wasn't for my kids, kwim?? Oh, and I just want to keep it with one thing really, so sandwiches was the easiest to appease everyone.

But thank you again for all the ideas! I'll keep these in mind for a Holiday party I have to host this year!!

 

[bettyann29]

One year for DD15's birthday party my DH made the hot dogs on the grill before anyone got there and then I put them on the buns and wrapped them in foil.. then I put them in a pan and put the oven on the lowest setting just to keep them warm.. When everyone got there they were ready and they just grabbed a wrapped one and put their toppings on it.. The food was hot as it had been in the oven warming and it was so much less stressful to have everything ready ahead of time and we were able to relax more.. Now without knowing knowing how many everyone wanted we cooked 3 per person as it was teenagers and we did end up having some left over but we ate them at home the next day.. so none were thrown away

 

[clh2]

That was my other thought... just having all the fixings there and ready to put together. Just buying ham, turkey, cheeses, etc... I may end up doing that way too. Do you think I could buy that the day before?? That wouldn't be too early would it??

Oh, and I already planned on getting fruit for a fruit salad, we've got a great local store for that! And I have my mom making salads, and my MIL making veggie tray.

You could absolutely purchase these items the day before and just put them in your fridge. And, if your MIL and mother are helping iwth the salads and veggie tray - you've got it made!

The lunchmeat platters from the store take relatively inexpensive meats, and charge you a fortune to arrange them and make them look really pretty. Sorry, IMO, it just isn't worth the upcharge.

 

[Crazoo]

This is my idea too! This is really economical, and you can freeze any meat that is leftover. Plus - most stores sell lettuce shreds, that don't cost too much. I've done this for about 30 people. And it is really easy.

That's a great and unique idea. I think I'm going to try that next time I need to entertain a large number of people

 

[Abbie]

If you're set on sandwiches, I just want to warn you that when a sub place says 30 pieces serves 10-12 people, they are way wrong! It's closer to 20, so be careful or you will end up with a ton left over. At least that is what we have found.

You can either set out the meats and cheeses on a platter yourself (line with lettuce leaves, garnish with cherry tomatoes, etc.) or make the sandwiches yourself the day before and wrap tightly. Set out condiments and everyone is good to go!

 

[nelson84]

Wife is pregnant so I order 13 pizzas and 2 large coolers of drinks and 2 big rectangle ice cream cakes and lots of chips. Grand total just under $400. This fed 43 people.

 

[kctwinmommy]

You could absolutely purchase these items the day before and just put them in your fridge. And, if your MIL and mother are helping iwth the salads and veggie tray - you've got it made!

The lunchmeat platters from the store take relatively inexpensive meats, and charge you a fortune to arrange them and make them look really pretty. Sorry, IMO, it just isn't worth the upcharge.

Oh I know... when I look at what's on some of them, they're wayyy.... overpriced! A few of them were OK, just not the stuff I wanted.

I think I'll go with this plan then. Just get some turkey, ham, couple cheeses, and maybe roast beef. Then I'll have the lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mustard, and mayo to go with it. Already bought pickles the other day, knew I needed those. And it's a good help that the Grandmas are bringing something.

So then I just need to buy all this on Friday, and put it all pretty on a platter for Saturday. And cut up the fruit too...

 

[kctwinmommy]

Wife is pregnant so I order 13 pizzas and 2 large coolers of drinks and 2 big rectangle ice cream cakes and lots of chips. Grand total just under $400. This fed 43 people.

Oh heck, when I was pregnant, forget about any sort of "cooking!" For my baby shower, it was at a restaurant. And even when the kids were babies, everything was restaurants. But we did do the 1st birthday party at the house, and I hated cooking the food. Even though we only did hot dogs, brats, etc... it was just a pain!!

 

[TnTWalter]

I should clarify that I really don't want any meat products... my kids are really bad about eating hamburger meat, and my son has some pickiness when it comes to lunchmeats these days, among other issues. So no sloppy joes, taco bar, etc... I like these ideas if the party wasn't for my kids, kwim?? Oh, and I just want to keep it with one thing really, so sandwiches was the easiest to appease everyone.

But thank you again for all the ideas! I'll keep these in mind for a Holiday party I have to host this year!!

YOU did say you were having 18 or 30 [can't remember] ADULTS so you have to have something 'adult'...and you DON'T want LUNCH MEAT for kids....hmmmm....and you want to do on a BUDGET.......

How about cute PB&J in fun cut-outs [star, football, whatever] for the kids and the ham bbq idea for adults? Then chips pretzels big homemade container of lemonade and cake [skip ice cream]. Costco has the BEST CAKES and they're HUGE for $14.99. Voila.

Fruit platters are not budget friendly although yummy.

Trish

 

[TnTWalter]

Wife is pregnant so I order 13 pizzas and 2 large coolers of drinks and 2 big rectangle ice cream cakes and lots of chips. Grand total just under $400. This fed 43 people.

That's a LOT of money for a 'BUDGET' party?

But nice and easy for the wife, so good job there!!!

Trish