Baby shower food help

mwhitson14

I'm throwing a friend of mine a baby shower. Another friend and her sister are helping me out.

We got the guest list from her yesterday, and there are 80 people on the freaking thing. 80! And that doesn't include if they bring any of their kids!! We told her we couldn't afford to feed that money. Her reply? Well, they don't have to eat.

Argh. I mean, I know we don't have to provide food, but I kinda feel like we should. We really wanted to go all out for her, it's her first and we're all pretty close, but FECK.

Any cheap food ideas to food 80+ people?

tidetravel

Personally, I would tell her to cut the list.  Give her an approximate number of people that you can afford to host.  80 people is insane - you're not hosting another wedding.

[Deleted User]

Another option is have the hosts each bring a crockpot of something and you can supplement with sides.

AlexiaANDRobert

Yeah, I'm also a HUGE fan of cutting the hell out of that list.

My shower had 20 people, max.  And 5 of them were my sisters, mom and MIL and GMIL.

tidetravel

Even at $5 a person, you're still talking $400 in food alone.  That's too much.

mrsamyjones

A standard half sheet cake would feed all of them. I think the easiest thing for you would to make appetizers and/or pasta dishes. Pasta salad is great for large parties when you're trying to keep the cost down. Even cold cut trays or finger foods work great. Personally I always go to baby/bridal showers with the expectation that it's really going to be snacks and cake.

Stackeye210

A big pan of baked spaghetti - a couple bags of salad and rolls and punch. 

danieliza1127

I would get deli trays and rolls from Sam's Club or Costco or Super Walmart, a big cake, drinks, and call it a day.  It sounds like she's more concerned with getting gifts than hosting her guests.

Man, a shower with 80 people is a LOT of gifts for her to sit and open.  That's going to be brutal.

Pink7781

I just threw my MOH a baby shower and her list had 75 people on it and 50 actually came. Because of what her response was when you told her you couldn't pay for 80 people, I don't think you're going to get her to cut her list. I'd suggest making things like a breakfast lasagna (these are super easy, cheap and delicious) and bagels. You can get a fruit tray from your local grocery store. Costco or BJs would definitely be your friend.

Mrs.B6302007

Um, where is this going to be held?  80 is ridiculous and I think you're very much in your rights to say you can't so the compromise needs to be 40.

scoetto

Cake and punch. The end.

kate51485

Andplusalso, I think what she said about them "not having to eat" is kind of ridiculous.  What if you didn't have enough food and she ends up being one of the people who doesn't get to eat?  I wouldn't host a shower, wedding or baby, without food, and I'd think it was strange if I attended one without.

mandysmear

With a guest list of that many I forsee a lot of people offering to bring something.  If people do, take them up on it!!  I would have NO problem what so ever bringing a food item. 

Designate, sweet or savory.  Someone can bring dip, someone can bring squares, someone can bring devilled eggs, someone can bring pasta salad, someone can bring a fruit tray, someone can bring cheese and crackers, someone can bring meatballs in a crock pot.... etc.

If no one offers then, you're screwed and she has to cut the guest list. 

mwhitson14

We've begged her to cut the list, and she continues to say that she can't imagine not inviting so-and-so. Or she says she'll just invite them anyway, word of mouth.

I like the sub sandwiches idea, and cheap sides like chips, potato salad, that sort of thing. It's not until August, so we have plenty of time, but we're trying to get an idea of the cost of food now to start putting some money back.

EmmaBride2B

I agree with you! You can't invite people to a shower and not feed them in SOME way, even if it's just snacks. She really needs to cut that list, you guys will be there all day!

tidetravel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_baby-shower-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:8d67b6eb-d694-47e2-9f78-f3cce78a025aPost:e2b74dee-731a-4d67-9bc5-8755c16142d4">Re: Baby shower food help</a>:
[QUOTE]I just threw my MOH a baby shower and her list had 75 people on it and 50 actually came. Because of what her response was when you told her you couldn't pay for 80 people, I don't think you're going to get her to cut her list. I'd suggest making things like a breakfast lasagna (these are super easy, cheap and delicious) and bagels. You can get a fruit tray from your local grocery store. Costco or BJs would definitely be your friend.
Posted by Pink7781[/QUOTE]

YOU are hosting the shower, so YOU have to decide how many you can afford to accomodate.  You're not going to be a rude hostess by not hosting guests properly, so if she doesn't cut her list, she doesn't get a shower.  Its quite simple. 

Where are you going to have an 80 person shower?  You'll have to factor the cost of a rental hall into the budget if you don't have a huge house.

danieliza1127

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_baby-shower-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:8d67b6eb-d694-47e2-9f78-f3cce78a025aPost:cacb7232-6bc4-4b99-a084-04e3aa44d71d">Re: Baby shower food help</a>:
[QUOTE]Cake and punch. The end.
Posted by scoetto[/QUOTE]

I think that's a perfectly viable option too if you start pricing out even cheap options and still find that it's too expensive for 80 people.

mrsamyjones

I'm hoping by her saying they don't have to eat she was meaning that she didn't expect a meal and snacks would suffice. I may be giving her too much credit, but I don't know her or how she said it.

JessAndTrav

It's a baby shower, so you can just have light finger foods.

One cute idea that I've seen for a sweet-treat is to take brownie batter and put it in a mini-cupcake pan. It's delicious, bite size and it goes well with crowds.

Go buy a few of Pillsbury's pizza crust dough and roll it out on to a rectangular cookie sheet. Put a layer of cheese and a layer of pepperonis, then roll it up like a swiss cake roll. Put it in the oven until it's golden brown. When it's done, slice it up. You can have pizza sauce out for dipping.

Don't laugh at where this recipe came from, but we had it at my nephew's party, and it was a hit with the adults...more so than the kids. But it would be good if kids come to the shower:
www.nickjr.com/recipes/wubbzys-marshmallow-lasagna.jhtml?path=/recipes/wow-wow-wubbzy/cookies-treats/all-ages/index.jhtml" target="_blank">
It's a graham cracker/marshmallow sandwich dipped in chocolate. <-Link

Hummus and pita chips are always a good choice. People love it.

That's all I have for now.

mwhitson14

MrsB, it will be held in the breakfast room at my hotel. I'm still not sure we can hold 80 people, but I know there's seating for 50.

Pink, that's what I'm hoping happens. When I did SIL's shower, I invited 50 and only 30 showed. I'm crossing my fingers!

vallyhoo

she has a lot of nerve to even give you a list of 80 people.

Mrs.B6302007

Whit, if she's being that difficult you could just say that y'all wont' be able to do a shower at all.  I know it's easier said than done since she's a good friend and all but nothing is final at this point so y'all could walk away.

EmmaBride2B

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_baby-shower-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:8d67b6eb-d694-47e2-9f78-f3cce78a025aPost:70014bc0-77be-4edf-85dd-0f0d7a177e9f">Re: Baby shower food help</a>:
[QUOTE]Or she says she'll just invite them anyway, word of mouth.
Posted by mwhitson14[/QUOTE]

<div>Nice... I guess cotsco really IS going to be your friend. I'm sorry dear, that's going to be a rough shower.</div>

danieliza1127

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_baby-shower-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:8d67b6eb-d694-47e2-9f78-f3cce78a025aPost:44fd0c45-2df5-42e2-a6a3-7c897cce2ded">Re: Baby shower food help</a>:
[QUOTE]MrsB, it will be held in the breakfast room at my hotel. I'm still not sure we can hold 80 people, but I know there's seating for 50. Pink, that's what I'm hoping happens. When I did SIL's shower, I invited 50 and only 30 showed. I'm crossing my fingers!
Posted by mwhitson14[/QUOTE]

So if everyone comes, 30 people are going to be standing??  Yikes. 

AlexiaANDRobert

Man, I can't imagine being friends with someone that wouldn't even consider the host's budget.

You are a much kinder person than I am.

I just can't imagine a shower like that... seriously.  I had 112 people at my wedding.  That's only 22 more than what's on that list.

mandysmear

I never even thought of cake and punch. 

And also, I'd start buying crap like paper plates, napkins and cuttlery.  Less of a blow later. 

Also, as a host, I wouldn't buy her a gift.  I'd give her a card and offer best wishes.  And then in person I would tell her I would have gotten her a gift but I just blew $100 on her damn baby shower.

I hosted a babyshower.  No one split the cost with me.  There were 10 people there and it set me back $100. 

So, uh, goodluck whitson, she better be a damn good friend in order for someone to be forking that money over for her.

I am hoping people will offer to bring something.  I would never ask, but if someone offers, I think you should take them up on it. 

mwhitson14

Sco, it may come down to just cake and punch. We really wanted to do food and have her a really nice shower, but it just may not be feasible.

tidetravel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_baby-shower-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:8d67b6eb-d694-47e2-9f78-f3cce78a025aPost:6b8f4632-e348-41bf-b26b-c15ab34c9282">Re: Baby shower food help</a>:
[QUOTE]Whit, if she's being that difficult you could just say that y'all wont' be able to do a shower at all.  I know it's easier said than done since she's a good friend and all but nothing is final at this point so y'all could walk away.
Posted by Mrs.B6302007[/QUOTE]

Right with you MrsB.

"Friend, the other hosts and I have been talking and we can only afford to host X number of people.  We love you, but if you cannot cut your guest list, then we cannot host this shower."

AdeleDazeem

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_baby-shower-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:8d67b6eb-d694-47e2-9f78-f3cce78a025aPost:70014bc0-77be-4edf-85dd-0f0d7a177e9f">Re: Baby shower food help</a>:
[QUOTE]We've begged her to cut the list, and she continues to say that she can't imagine not inviting so-and-so. Or she says she'll just invite them anyway, word of mouth.
Posted by mwhitson14[/QUOTE]

I'm sorry, I don't know her, but your friend sounds a little crappy.  Doesn't she get that you guys are doing this as a favor to her and that your money will be spent to feed all these people that she "just can't imagine not inviting?" 

I agree that long sandwiches/hoagies are the way to go, here...

mwhitson14

Dani, we can pull chairs in. I just meant, there's seating for 50 as is.

mwhitson14

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_baby-shower-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:8d67b6eb-d694-47e2-9f78-f3cce78a025aPost:9e4503a8-97db-4f4e-968f-70dd29eee779">Re: Baby shower food help</a>:
[QUOTE]I never even thought of cake and punch.  And also, I'd start buying crap like paper plates, napkins and cuttlery.  Less of a blow later. <strong>Yeah, we're headed to a party store on Friday to start buying a few thing.</strong>  Also, as a host, I wouldn't buy her a gift.  I'd give her a card and offer best wishes.  And then in person I would tell her I would have gotten her a gift but I just blew $100 on her damn baby shower.<strong>Ha, again, I agree with you! This shower will definitely be her gift. </strong>I hosted a babyshower.  No one split the cost with me.  There were 10 people there and it set me back $100.  So, uh, goodluck whitson, she better be a damn good friend in order for someone to be forking that money over for her. I am hoping people will offer to bring something.  I would never ask, but if someone offers, I think you should take them up on it. 
Posted by mandysmear[/QUOTE]

She is a really good friend and was a huge help with the wedding, and I never really got her a thank you, so I'm kinda seeing this as her thank you?

Bleh. I'm going to see her on Saturday with the other hostess, we really do need to talk to her again about cutting the list.