What to serve @ 1st Birthday?

**kettlecorn** · 04-01-2008, 10:17 PM

DS is turning 1 next month and we are having a party for him. Just family and a few friends equals 30 people. I thought grilling hamburgers and hotdogs would be cost effective, however DH would be hanging over the grill the whole time and I would have to make various side items. I had an idea of buying a couple large pans of lasagna, serving salad in a large bowl and baking some rolls. Does this sound like a better idea? Or should I make the lasagna from scratch? Thinking that might be even more once I buy all of the ingredients. I know that I can get lettuce and rolls very cheaply, not sure about the lasagna but I think that Aldi sells some of the large pans? Any suggestions would be great, we want to do this frugally but don't want to spend most of the party cooking. Thanks

**Missy** · 04-01-2008, 11:19 PM

I'd do the lasagna and salad/rolls.

**geckoace** · 04-02-2008, 09:39 AM

lasagna is always a hit and it would allow you to enjoy the party i definitely think thats worth it. you will have plenty of other birthdays to run around like a madwoman

**lwlynch** · 04-02-2008, 09:42 AM

I do lasagne in a crock pot and it turns out fantastic and easy.. check out my blog.. any questions let me know.. but it was the bomb...

**Twinkle** · 04-02-2008, 10:24 AM

I'm with the lasagna crowd too - but I would buy it. I'm sure there are brands that are good down there (in Canada at store called M&Ms has wonderful frozen lasagna that you just pop into the oven for an hour and it tastes like homemade). I think this way you would have more time to spend with your guests

**jill5** · 04-02-2008, 11:39 AM

I've taken to doing taco bars at birthdays. I make a big crock pot full of taco meat (made w/turkey burger from Aldis... no one notices!), then the sides and rice and veggies. Everyone likes it, it's cheap and easy!

**G'MaDebbie** · 04-02-2008, 11:39 AM

If I were doing the lasagna, I would buy it, too much to do when you have a special party going on. Depends on how much time you have and how much effort you want to put into it, not to mention the budget.
Other than that, I always did sloppy joes in the crockpot and had chips and a veggie tray for sides. It was cheap, easy, and hardly no clean up....
Happy Birthday to your little one!