Tips and Recipes

Recipes

Why are children served such greasy foods at many hired party venues? Chicken nuggets, chips, burgers. Yes, many children do enjoy the taste and textures and such foods are quick to prepare and cost little at wholesale outlets but always too much food is put on their plates. It is wasted as well as costly on several levels. Healthy food for growing children is just as enjoyable to most little palates. It looks colourful, it can be cool and crunchy, soft and smooth and just as quick to prepare.

Cucumber and carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, grapes, strawberries and blueberries. Egg, ham, cheese, tuna, jam sandwiches made with bread minus its crusts or in tiny bridge rolls. Add a colourful tablecloth or blanket if the food is to be eaten ‘teddy-bear picnic style’ on the floor, bright napkins and either paper mugs or juice cartons.

Simple fruit sticks — Easy

Take any favourite fruits — seedless grapes red and green, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, satsuma segment.
Put one of each fruit on a wooden skewer, the type used for outdoor bbqs, and top with a round marshmallow. Make one skewer for each child and stick the skewer in half a melon (cut-side down) and place in the middle of the table. A half melon will hold between 6 to 8 skewers of fruit. If using bananas or apples the pieces need to be dipped in lemon juice to stop them from discolouring. When placed on the table the fruit ‘porcupine’ is effective.

Jelly Boats — Easy

 
Each orange will make 4 boats
1 packet of jelly will fill 3 oranges
Cut oranges in half from top to bottom and scoop out the flesh.
Make the jelly to a strength stronger than the packet.
Reduce water by a quarter; mix well until all the jelly is dissolved.
Pour jelly into the half oranges and leave to set.
The fridge will be quicker than a kitchen shelf.

When set cut the half-oranges in half again so that you have a
quarter of an orange that is the shape of a boat. Using different
flavoured jellies gives one different coloured boats.

Rice paper can be cut into small triangles making it the shape of a sail,
attaching it down one side to a toothpick then sticking the sail into the orange boat. Food colouring could be used to paint the birthday child’s age on the sail.

3 oranges makes 12 boats. Time: preparation 15 minutes: setting time 4 hours or overnight is best.

Tips

Themes

If you and your child think that a themed party of characters would be fun but that it could be expensive for you and for the guests, especially if the guests are expected to attend in costume, an alternative theme could be colour. A red, yellow, green party. The guests could wear something in the favoured colour and party food can also compliment that colour . Coloured clothes could be socks, ribbons, a belt but not the whole outfit needs to be in the chosen colour. Children from the age of 3 years usually have a favourite colour. Girls pink or purple, boys red, blue or yellow. A much less stressful way to theme if time is short and costumes would have to be found or made. However, if your child is a Superman or Snow White why not make the party a super-hero party. Then each child can wear what they enjoy wearing most of the year — fireman, Cinderella, Bob the Builder or one of the many other popular and not so popular but personally loved characters.

What to do for an under 3 year old.

Parents be brave. Just because one family has an entertainer, it does not mean you all have to. If your child is under 3 years old and the friends attending are the same age and the numbers few, 5 or 6 guests, then try and do it yourself. Well known songs, 2 or 3 simple games and food they enjoy at that age is enough. A special cake with candles is the climax for all children. Call me for advice if you have doubts and it will be given freely and free.

Suggested time for 6 years and under.

If the birthday child is under six-years-old, a lunchtime party is perfect, between 11.00 and 14.00 hours; 11.00 to 13.00 or 11.30 to 13.30 are ideal times. It is a regular mealtime so the guests will eat well. Morning also benefits because there is not enough time before the party for the birthday child to become over-excited and possibly tearful before or when the party begins. And, I think, more importantly, there will be time after the party to reflect on the excitement and to open some of the birthday presents and appreciate them. Late afternoon parties for this age group often means bath, story and sleep without their being able to relive the fun of the day.

 
I cannot stress enough that a young child’s party should be as simple as possible. Colourful and fun, yes, but not overcomplicated. Up to the age of seven years children like unfussy foods, cucumber and carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, grapes and other colourful fruits when in season. Colour is the essence that is needed to draw children to the party table, add a colourful tablecloth and plates. Sandwiches should be the usual favourites and cut into shapes or triangles without the crusts. Not too many sweet items because the special cake is what most of the children will be looking forward to eating. Catering is expensive so if a parent has the time and family or employed support try and do it yourself. Your child will love to help so get them mixing up a mixture for fairy cakes or biscuits and let them decorate the food when cooked and cooled. It is their party and preparation and expectation all adds to the excitement. However, do not let them become over excited and exhausted before the big day.

Shared parties

A shared party works well if the parents and children are very good friends. Otherwise, tension and frustration can become apparent.