Birthday Party on a Budget: The Food

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I sat down a few nights ago and made a list of the food I’d like to serve at Emma’s birthday party. Since we have mostly adults coming, I’m gearing the food toward them. In fact, I’ll end up making the birthday girl something just for her for dinner. My plan is to make two different soups for dinner. While soup may seem a strange party food, follow my logic here.

First of all, soup is fairly inexpensive to make. It will probably be cold, so it’s a good warm-you-up meal too. Second, soup is perfect for this party, because it doesn’t keep me chained to the kitchen. I can get everything made and leave it in the Crock Pot to stay warm. With many of our guests being from out-of-town, I want to spend my time visiting with them and enjoying Emma’s part, not slaving away in the kitchen.

That said, here’s the menu plan for the birthday bash.

Cheeseburger Soup
Black Bean Soup
a variety of crackers (from our stockpile – paid almost nothing)
bread from Panera (suggested by & brought by my mom)

I’m still throwing around the idea of a cheese tray or some chips. I may snag some Stacy’s Pita Chips and True North nuts for next-to-nothing at CVS this week. I might also make these adorable lollipop cookies to go with our Candy Land theme.

And of course there will be cake. I’m still hunting down ideas for a Candy Land themed cake, but it should be fun!

The menu is simple… The cost is low… And that works for me!

For more ideas that work, stop by Works for Me Wednesday hosted by We Are THAT Family.