Who wants to help me plan a party??

So, we are having Tyler's party two weeks before he turns one (Oct. 2nd) so that the weather will hopefully be nice. I am thinking we will be inviting 100 adults plus kids. I am cutting the list from Jacks party for sure.

We are having a petting zoo and pony ride come to the house since we have so many kids of different ages - I felt like animals was one thing they would all have in common.

A few questions:
Would you add Cotton Candy to the package? We will also be having a big candy table at the end so I don't want to overload the kids with sugar. But, I love cotton candy so thought it would be fun. What are your thoughts?

Menu? What would you serve? For Jack's party we were able to BBQ and have tons of other food. I don't want to BBQ bc I feel everyone is over it at that point of the year. I was thinking this:

A few heros
Fried Chicken
Mac and Cheese
Baked Ziti
Chicken Fingers
Salads
Orzo Pasta
Broccoli Casserole
Some sides.

What else????

What are some other activities? Since it's the Fall I was thinking of setting up a pumpkin decorating table? Is this cheesy?

What else can I do?

I think the favors will be baggies filled with candy from the candy table (and the decorated pumpkin) Is that cheesy? Do I need another actual favor.

ALL IDEAS WELCOME!

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

I wouldn't do the cotton candy if you are doing a candy table.

Your menu looks good I was going to suggest chicken franchaise or marsala instead of the fried chicken.

I think the pumpkin decorating is an awesome idea and is great as a favor.

You could do a pinata as well. I always love a game of pin the tail on the donkey or a halloweeen version - pin the nose on the scarecrow.

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

I love love love halloween t shirts for josh in Oct. he loves them too.

If i could get them cheap, that would def be a favor i would give out.
we go to so many things in oct, he loves wearing different spooky t's.

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

wow you sound like an awesome party planner! doesn't sound like u need help, sounds delish and fun! if money isn't an issue i say go for the cotton candy machine.

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

omg...35 kids!

totally feeling fried chicken

cotton candy is cute, but josh would never go near it with a 10 ft pole.

if it cost the same as a balloon guy, i would go that route.

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

if you have outside speakers...i would totally get like a square dancing cd

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

what about doing candy or caramel apples as favors?

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

Me, me, me (you know I can't resist!)

Love the pumpkin decorating idea! I would stick with small pumpkins and get some permanent markers so that you reduce the mess factor. The kids will LOVE it! Get the pumpkins from a local place...I know there is a small farm stand on Merrick Avenue and they might be able to help.

Cotton Candy...I would say yes because you love it (I do to) and the kids do too but if you start adding on and want to go back and cut costs...then this would be something I would cut because the candy table covers it all. The kids can eat the cotton candy at the party but the candy table will be a make and take to go home, right?

Desserts: how about some apple pie? ooohhh...serve it with vanilla ice cream!!!

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

I'd skip the cotton candy - that stuff is scary - made me scream when I was 2 in Adventureland... anyway..

maybe make pumpkin cupcakes and have the kids decorate their own cupcake?

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

Oh just thought of something else....

Candy table...can you get those plastic jack-o-lantern pails the kids used to use to trick or treat to fill?

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

I love the pumpkin decorating idea...and I think if they're taking a pumpkin and a bag of candy (I'd get fall-ish candy - candy pumpkins, fall color M&Ms, etc) then you have enough as favors. IF you wanted another "favor" you could either do caramel/candy/chocolate apples, or have a "make your own" apple table...

As for activities:
- Bobbing for Apples
- Pin the stem on the pumpkin / Pin the hat on the scarecrow
- Fall-themed "treasure hunt"

Other thoughts on food:
- Roasted corn on the cob
- Apple Pie/Cobbler
- Popcorn/Kettle Corn

Sounds like a great time!!

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

Message edited 5/26/2010 3:44:04 PM.

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

I also LOVE the pumpkin decorating idea. I plan on doing the same for DDs party which will be 10/16.

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

Posted by MrsA714

Posted by Ophelia





maybe get sugar pumpkins or another cooking pumpkin and include a recipe for pumpkin pie...writing something sweat about sweat spicy boys..

Now I know it's 90+ degrees out, but no need to call the kids sweaty!

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

I think you need to make that cheese dip you make so well. I still think about it

Otherwise I think what you have is a good amount of food.

As far as the cotton candy machine. I think it will be a waste. The kids will be excited to see, excited to eat it and then dump it after 5 seconds.

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

My DS's 1st birthday was a fall theme party...

These are some of the things we did:

DH & I went out east to the pumpkin farm and bought a wheelbarrow full of small pumpkins a week ahead of time ..

We scattered them throughout the yard and had the kids do a hunt for them..Then we set up a table with the foam pumpkin face decorating kits Oriental Trading sells ...No mess, no paint no glue !

We also had a mummy wrapping contest with toilet paper..

You can also spilt the kids into 2 teams and gives them each all the stuff to make a scarecrow with and have a scarecrow making contest


http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?Ntt=pumpkin+decorating&requestURI=searchMain&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&N=0&x=24&y=16

Message edited 5/26/2010 3:52:45 PM.

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

This party sounds fabulous

how about decorating a scarecrow???

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

Message edited 5/26/2010 5:51:37 PM.

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??

Love all your ideas!

Definitely cotton candy!!! Everyone loves it!

Decorating pumpkins is adorable! Get the miniature ones. Be careful with permanent markers though. They will ruin clothes..unless you ask each kid to bring a smock or dad's "old" shirt

Favors: candy and pumpkin= PERFECT!

Food. Dont remember if you put down sausage/peppers. Always a huge hit and easy/inexpensive to prepare yourself. Hero's are perfect!! You can also get specialty ones (grilled chix with roasted red peppers)

Your party will be GREAT!

ETA: what about foam photo frames with foam stickers to decorate the frame with. You can set up a fall display with hay, scarecrow's, etc. Kids take a picture and they can put it in frame. AC Moore sells them 8 frames for 5 bucks and a HUGE tub of foam stickers for 5 bucks too.

Message edited 5/26/2010 5:58:11 PM.

Re: Who wants to help me plan a party??