40th Birthday Party - Outside (pool, dancing) - Menu Ideas?

Question

I'm throwing a 40th birthday party with about 50 - 60 people.

It's outside at the end of June (so temps around the mid 90s)

We are planning on swimming, dance floor, and of course food and beverages.

What are some easy (and cheap) ideas to feed this many people - ages will range from 3 years up to 60.

Thanks!

Answer 1

you can have a piniata

you can have alchohol ,ceasers,vodka,wine

you can have a waterfight witht he kids for them to win prizes

limbo

dancing games

alchol prices for adults and toys for kids

make a scavenger hunt for a price

bbq

Answer 2

Manhattan Meatballs

Fix meatballs (either frozen or homemade... there are lots of easy recipes online)

Cover meatballs with 1 cup BBQ sauce and 12 ounces of pineapple preserves (Multiply amounts as needed).

These are so easy and so good.

Everyone loves a fruit salad.  Make a bunch of it... and then make some fruit dip.

An easy one:  mix 1 big jar of marshmallow fluff with 2 bars of cream cheese.  I can never make enough of it for my guests!!!

Kids love to limbo... and so do drunken adults, so maybe try that!

Answer 3

Tell them to bring what they like. All you have to do is supply the plates, cups, utensils, rolls and condiments. That way no one is dissatisfied with your menu of choice.

Answer 4

A luau party theme and have delicious tropical cocktails drinks, http://www.pinatas.com/Luau_Party_Theme_...

Answer 5

I'd stay away from hot meals - stay with nice cool stuff since it might be hot out. sandwich trays, pasta salads and potato salads, fruit trays, maybe BBQ hot dogs or burgers and corn on the cob, taco dips, chips and dip, veggie trays, baked beans in a crock pot...most of these you can pick up premade form the grocery store or Sams Club to help save you time. Make sure to keep them all on trays of ice to help keep them cool outside- or else just leave all the food indoors and make sure it's kept cold- just serve smaller amounts at a time and replenish when necessary.

Answer 6

Get a few staple food, like mashed potatoes and baked potatoes, spaghetti and have a variety of sauce toppings, like bolognaise and carbonara. Let them put the sauce on themselves. Or buttered raisin rice?

Then have other extra nibbles items like hotdogs, nuggets, salad, fruits, ice-cream, jelly, chips, tarts, cream puffs....

Answer 7

i would pick a them such as mexican and have mexican pinwheels, quesadillas, fajitas, chips and dips, margaritas, etc.  definately do finger foods!  have fun!

Answer 8

That venue screams BBQ - tandoori chicken, mini burgers, hot dogs, veggie kabob, red peppers on the BBQ stuffed w/feta

Answer 9

You want something that doesn't require loads of cutlery plates etc., so why not go for a bar b que theme where you can lay on "finger food" have a gander at Ainsley's Bar B Q bible which has loads of good ideas. Also check out Good Food Website really helpful.  If you want to make sure that people don't get too p*ss*d then you need to get plenty of stodge into them - loads of garlic bread wrapped in foil!

Answer 10

Very large fruit salad, marinated grilled chicken, pulled pork in crock pot,

Brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, Gazpaucho, potato salad, corn relish, tomato salad with onion, basil and mozzarella,

3 bean salad, 7 layer dip, chips, cheese and crackers, crab spread, cucumber and onion in vinegar and dill, a relish platter(pickles, olives etc.)