25th anniversary party...food help!?

I'm planning a surprise 25th wedding anniversary party for my parents for next April. I'm paying for it on my own, so I'm on quite a strict budget. I have the location picked out. Now I need to work on the food.

I was thinking about ordering small sub sandwiches from the deli across the street from the venue. 12-15 servings of sandwiches is about $55 and I'm guessing we will have about 50 guests.

My brother also mentioned grilling chicken, burgers and hot dogs instead of buying the party plates from the deli.

Would it be cheaper to buy all the meat and grill, or buy several sandwich party trays?



Any other advice you could give would be great too!25th anniversary party...food help!?
You will be better off having either the deli or a grocery store or local restaurant make the food for you (shop around your local area favorites, check for coupons or deals). If you buy the meat someone (you or your brother?) has to cook it and be prevented from being able to mingle at a momentous occasion , and the sides are also something to take into account cost wise.



Sandwiches, cut into smaller bite sized amounts, are a simple way for your guests to munch and keep your budget down. If you are really cost conscious, make your own sandwich platter ahead of time. Slice your own meat (ham or a turkey, etc), little dinner rolls, packets of condiments, cheese and lettuce and tomatoes as you choose If the guests need to make their own (small sized sandwiches) they will likely eat less.



I would recommend having some chips and salsa or similar, low cost munchies as well. If you get some dips and bread or chips, your guests will feel like they are getting fed and at it's typically low cost for your budget.
It will be cheaper to order the food instead. Although it doesn't seem like it, if you wish to have chicken, burgers and hot dogs, you will need to purchase the meat, buns, plates, condiments, cheese (assuming you provide it), onions, lettuce, tomatoes etc. The prices add up quickly!



I suggest going to your local deli and getting like 10 pounds of assorted lunch meat ($30-$40 tops). Get a head of lettuce and 4-5 loaves of bread. Make sandwiches and cut into diagonall quarters with a toothpick (dollar store!) in them. Cheap and pretty easy to do.25th anniversary party...food help!?
If i were u i would do the BBQ(Burghers,hot dogs,marinated chicken,corn,sparagus,sweet peppers,tomatoes,onions) and Salads that u make at home like:(potato salad,macaroni salad,green salad) ,that would be cheaper and its a good idea,and if you can cook you can also make at home for example 3 trays of pasta,like penne alla vodka,lasagna..etc

ypu can alsoprepare vegetables tray with dips,you can also ask friends for help,if i were your friend i would help:)
A very inexpensive way to feed a lot of people is to have a Mexican Taco buffet. When using tacos, you don't use nearly as much meat. You can make about 10 lbs of taco meat and buy the fixings in bulk: cheese, lettuce, sour cream, taco sauce. You can also make cheese dip and offer tortilla chips for very cheap. Refried beans also go a long way. There's your buffet. I have done this several times and it has always gone over well.25th anniversary party...food help!?
If you like pizza

you can get $10 pizza specials from Pizza Hut

one is any large pizza with any three ingrediants for $10

the other is any meduim specialty



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Cheezit's in a bowl might help the guest and its completely affordable.
here is the one you can see
POINTS
I hope this helps u



Here r a few food ideas

Buffet-style

Tacos: Set up a taco bar with taco shells, tortillas, cheeses, salsa, beef, refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce and tomatoes and let the party guests make their own! Serve chips so they can make nachos too.



Hamburgers

Serve hamburgers and let the party guests add their favorite toppings. Set out plates of cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, dill and sweet pickles. Have catsup, mayo and mustard set out. Serve with an assortment of chips.



Quick %26amp; easy finger food

Deviled eggs, chicken strips, chicken wings, ham %26amp; cheese sandwiches cut into 4 squares, baby carrots and celery sticks with ranch dressing, mini pigs in a blanket, tortilla chips, salsa, crackers and cheese



Drinks

To keep the cost of drinks down, stick with punch, soda and bottled water. If there will be guests who prefer alcoholic beverages, serving beer is less expensive than making drinks.



U could decorate

Decorations could be kept simple. White and silver balloons,white plastic table covers and white flower centerpieces can be purchased at any party supply store or dollar store fairly cheaply.

In the area where guests enter, place a book for guests to sign and various pictures of the couple throughout their 25 years of marriage. Pictures can also be put in several places to help decorate the dining and food tables.
You can get leg quarters on sale for $.99 per pound. So if you used the entire $55 that is more than 50 lbs of meat. Buy 25 lbs, and you have about 25 thighs and 25 drumsticks. The other half of the money can be used on burgers and dogs. Also, a $55 budget for this many people is way to small. Even if you set aside $20 per month until April (Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr) = $140. If your brother did the same thing for that period of time and you would have $280, and might look at having it catered.



Lastly, if you get friends and family to contribute even $5 per guest (5 x 50) you would be able to add another $250 to that total. With a $500 budget you can stop being cheap and have a truly nice party for your parents' 25th anniversary. If it is not catered they should have the option to make a side dish or pay.



However, I would check out some of the links below. However, get your plan done now. Good luck and Happy Anniversary to them both.