Help me plan a party.

[Miss Chicken]

I am throwing a 30th birthday party for my son in about three weeks time. There will be between 20 and 30 people coming and the party will be alcohol free. Some of the guests will be children.

I am mostly concern that I won't provide enough food but wouldn't mind suggestions on good/finger party food.

Among the foods I have already listed are

Party pies
Sausage rolls
Chicken wings
Birthday cake
Lamington fingers
Potato chips (crisps)
Doritos
Quiche

What I need to know is how many chicken wings etc would it be best for me to cook seeing that some people won't want them and other might want more than one. Would 30 be enough?

 

[Captain Ice]

Finger sandwiches, cheese trays, and veggie trays with some sort of dip (usually ranch dressing) are usually good items to have for finger food.

 

[Omnius]

lol, I'm turning 30 in 4,5 weeks. Perhaps I better takes notes!

 

[Captain Ice]

A couple more items....

A half gallon of ice cream could be a good thing to have should someone want some with their cake.

30 wings sounds like to small a number. Given how big chicken wings are and how popular they are, I'd probably make 60 to 80 myself.

One thing you forgot to mention that could be important - what time is the party starting? Food expectations are different if you start the party at 5 pm than they are if the party doesn't start until 8pm.

 

[Miss Chicken]

It is during the day between 2-5pm so that his friends with children can bring them. If it wasn't winter I would have a good old Australian BBQ.

 

[Captain_Nick]

Go with 45-50 wings, those that will have some are likely to want more than one.

 

[Tribbles]

I think your food list sounds good, Miss Chicken, but I agree with Captain Ice about increasing the number of wings. Chances are that the people who do eat them will want more than one. Maybe at least 45-50? If you end up with leftovers, you can probably freeze the meat for use in other recipes.

We often make cheese balls to serve with crackers for gatherings around here. You can find some simple recipes for them online if they aren't available in stores in your region (sorry, not certain how common of an item this is).

Another common, easy party dish is sweet and sour meatballs: throw a bag of frozen meatballs into a crockpot, and add chili sauce and sweet jelly (grape, peach, or apple). Sounds strange, but usually pleases a crowd!

Good luck!

Edit: Just realized Nick the Munificent said the same thing I did about the wings...

 

[auntiehill]

Finger sandwiches, cheese trays, and veggie trays with some sort of dip (usually ranch dressing) are usually good items to have for finger food.

This. I don't see any veggies on your menu. It's always good to have a veggie option. Variety is as important as the amount available.

 

[Captain_Nick]

She's catering for Australians - veggie free zone here mate

 

[Kibbin]

All I'd say is be prepared to be eating small pork pies and chicken wings for the next week at least? Parties in my experiance are like christmas, you know you can't get not enough cos you want the party to be good and so you always get too many, which is better for the party but not so good on your wallet or eating habits.
Gd luk though

 

[Miss Chicken]

Finger sandwiches, cheese trays, and veggie trays with some sort of dip (usually ranch dressing) are usually good items to have for finger food.

This. I don't see any veggies on your menu. It's always good to have a veggie option. Variety is as important as the amount available.

I will probably have carrots and celery with dips. And tomato and cucumber sandwiches.

And strawberries, kiwi fruit and banana slices on top of mini pavlovas.

 

[Shazam!]

You've already hired the strippers, right?

 

[SmoothieX]

You've already hired the strippers, right?

Are they bringing the donkey, or is that separate?

I agree on the wings, bump that number up. They go quick.

I've gotten burned on cold cut platters in the past. You realize how expensive they are until you get 3 or 4 lbs of meat and cheese and drop a lot of cash.

What we tend to do is prepare a large batch of ziti or lasagna in advance, and put it in the oven once the guests arrive. It's cheap to make, and just as easy to make a double batch.

 

[KimMH]

Good luck and have fun!

Some of your entrees sound a little exotic to a Northern Michigander like me - I had to look some of them up!

okay - just the Lamington Fingers - kind of like people sized petit fours!

 

[Colonel Green]

I plan to attend your party and will eat at LEAST 36 chicken wings. Please plan accordingly.

 

[KimMH]

If we all bring something can we come too? I've never been to Tasmania. It even sounds fun to say!

 

[Holdfast]

... the party will be alcohol free...

I'm experiencing cognitive dissonance between these concepts.

Some of the guests will be children.

Then you DEFINITELY need the alcohol.