When I’m planning a party, I have one of two modes:
- Mode 1: this is a serious event, like my wedding I planned in 3 days. In mode 1 I’m going to need catering because I am not qualified to perform at the level I’d like. My specialty is balloon garlands, not even overall decorating, and food is just too much for me to handle.
- Mode 2: friends and family. Probably for one of my children’s birthday parties or a casual holiday gathering. I’ll attempt to make a few appetizers to please the crowd… but likely still order pizzas in bulk. Re-read sentence 3 of Mode 1 to understand why this is necessary.
What I can easily make to provide noms for my peeps:
Do not look at the ingredients. Just make the food. Don’t think about your diet. Just make the food. Your peeps (family, friends, neighbors) will thank you. I do consider myself a somewhat crunchy toddler mama, but when you’re throwing a party it’s best to remember that you’re in survival mode.
If there’s an easier route offered in these recipes (like buying bacon bits instead of frying your own bacon or buying a rotisserie chicken) I definitely did that, instead. If there’s a fancy board with fruits or veggies, rest assured I chose the 15 mins or less recipe online for you guys… but I actually just cut up whatever I had in the fridge because toddlers and threw it on my cutting board. #LikeaBoss #MomBoss
Call me PC does an excellent job with this recipe.
At that point, because I’m a minimalist, I’m throwing some bottled water in an ice chest and calling it a day. I also ask my grandma to make my kid’s birthday cakes and usually end up getting Papa Johns delivered.
Please don’t think this is a comprehensive guide on how to feed a crowd. It’s just how I pretend to know what I’m doing when throwing a party at home. Which likely means that I’m simultaneously cleaning my house in somewhat-manic-shame. Because there’s nothing quite like realizing how raggedy your fixer upper is approximately 2 hours before your daughter’s party starts.
