AboutPatty Sachs Expertise Anything about planning parties for weddings, showers, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations,retirements, bar/bat mitzvahs, business promotions, fund raisers, and civic events. If I cannot answer I will direct you to the answer.
I am not an expert in children or teen parties. There are hundreds of sites that specialize in that information if you google "kids parties" you will find an amazing amount of bright ideas. We do have a page on our site that leads to al the different kid's party themes, however. http://www.partyplansplus.com/themes.htm
Not for those seeking information about party/event planning as a career. That information is found on the internet under "event planning careers" or at our site www.partyplansplus.com/started.htm
Experience My complete bio is at http://www.pattysachs.com/bio.html
Question I am giving a surprise 60th B'Day Party, Buffet Style for 26 people will serve hot and cold dishes in our cottage.
do I have to seat 26 people as this means I would have to seat people almost in a circle as room is limited. also they could not mingle. Help need ideas
Answer Dear Lorraine:
If you are serving food that requires a fork and a knife you must provide seating for your guests. This does not mean all have to be seated at a table. If you provide trays of some sort they can eat off their laps seated on chairs, benches, stairs (oh, yes, it is done often) pillows placed near coffee tables, standing at a bar height table or counter, and other imaginative eating surfaces.
If none of the foods require a knife you could possibly get by with china, glass, plastic or very sturdy paper plates, with folks standing and eating. Remember they will need a nearby surface to place their cup/glass, though.
Mingling is not usually a part of eating. Folks typically land to eat. Moving around while eating is pretty awkward and can be messy with people bumping into each other while balancing a plate, utensils, glass and likely a napkin.
There are those small dinner plates that have the recess or clip to hold a beverage container. They are great for sit/stand buffets.
I hope these options have given you some ideas of how to serve our guests so that they are completely comfortable. The most elegant and lavish buffet will fizzle if the guests are not able to enjoy the process of eating and drinking.
