70th Birthday Picnic

Dorris, that would be my choice too. I love sitting on beach with fish and chips it reminds me of when my parents took us as children. Nothing nicer and ready made entertainment for children with beach and sea on hand. Throw in an ice cream with a flake in and I would be in heaven.

My daughter did this about four years ago to celebrate her husbands 30th. Quite a few of their friends do it on a regular basis. It was in August and a river venue where you are allowed to barbecue with a small park as several children attended. She emailed around a list of food items to their friends who were coming and each couple/family put their name against one item and brought enough for 30 adults + kids. She provided paper plates, serviettes, juices/squash and bread rolls. We took burgers and my sons chicken legs/thighs and a variety of sauces. Her in laws took sausages. There was loads of food and some lovely deserts and some left over.

You could say you are going to provide paper plates, serviettes, all salad and rolls then work out which other foods you want and list them and email list. That way you will end up with a good variety of food and enough for all.

It sounds divine! I'm quite envious as I just don't trust the weather for mine later this summer. I am also thinkinģ of asking people to bring a dish.
Have a great day!!!

We don't know him, though, quizqueen - we only know what we have seen on tv and in the news.

I thought you meant Nigel the dog at first.

Dreadful, isn't it, people being nasty about Mr Trump. Such a lovely man.

Flowerofthewest I hope you have a lovely day, it sounds like a lot of fun. I'll be praying the weather is kind to you!

For my 60th I wanted all close family to share a day at the seaside. So 17 of us had fish and chips on blankets in the gardens of a popular resort, followed by of course ice creams! Everyone paid for their own food, so no big bill to pay, no hassle, then off to the amusements, rides and Sunday market. The sun shone, we all had a paddle and the memories of sun, sand, fun and giggles will always be with me.

Perhaps at Nigel's picnic he'll like a pinata of MawBroon (referring to her comment earlier on). I doubt it though as, if you knew him, you'd find he's actually a true English gentleman. Such nastiness still on this site about him and Mr Trump which only reflects back on the poster.

We went to an outside 'do' on Sunday and there were several gazebos which people had taken - we thought it was a good idea but luckily it didn't rain.

I'm also providing a pile of throws/blankets. Asking people to bring ....plate, cutlery, dish, picnic chairs etc. I'll have some soft drinks but asking them to bring their drink of choice especially tea or coffee.

not in original plan but..heyho...men and barbequs
Caveman syndrome
Leave them to it - less work for you!!

Ask if people can bring gazebos in case it does rain - or it's too hot to sit in the sun!

Thanks for lovely ideas and comments.
No contingency plans
I've decided to provide savoury foods myself and as people to bring a pudding if they wish.
My friend is in charge of childrens' entertainment...as there are brick barbeques on the site my youngest had put himself in charge of that (not in original plan but..heyho...men and barbequs) no loos but a garden centre 5 mins away if desperate.

Forgot to say we do the bread and salads too

In my experience, these bring a dish parties are always very successful with lots of high quality, home cooked food. I’ve also found that specifying savoury or sweet isn’t necessary as it usually balances out beautifully anyway.
A big table and serving spoons will be needed as Situp said above. Disposable plates and cutlery might make it easier (and a black sack).
Have you got contingency plans in case of bad weather?
Have fun!

We do this sometimes and it works well. We have a general idea of who is best at what, we request savoury from the cooks, sweet from the bakers amongst us and ask for some cheese and biscuits or fruit from the less confident in the kitchen. If it's mainly friends and family they will often communicate so doubling up doesn't happen. People generally bring a bottle of wine or a few beer cans. We supply the venue, home, garden or beach depending on weather, the cutlery and crockery, soft drinks, wine at half bottle per person and a few cans of beer per guest. We supply seating and tables unless it's a beach do when we ask people to bring a blanket or towels for seating. We have a good supply of folding beach chairs between us all after years of doing this.
Weather permitting we follow up with rounders and boules otherwise dancing once the dining room has been cleared.
I sincerely hope that your day is a resounding success. If anything is forgotten in the way of food, drink, entertainment, etc., laughter fills the gaps beautifully.
Have a lovely time.

Why not ask people to bring a dish to serve 6/8 people (no one minds contributing that!) and ask them to check with you first so that you don't end up with 10 salads and no puds for instance!! Definitely get everyone to bring their own picnic tables/chairs/rugs. Hope it all goes well.

I would ask about half to bring a main type dish and the other half to bring a dessert. It's not unreasonable given the numbers and the venue!

I have just organised my own 70th, with help from family and friends. They all made something for an afternoon tea and brought drinks. I provided allsorts and did feel quilty for asking them for help. They were all so brilliant and we had a wonderful party in a lovely Beach Hut in Lytham St Annes. The sun shone down on us, so we were blessed with a fantastic day and this was the middle of April.!!!! Don't be afraid to ask for help, because everyone will want to. ? Have a wonderful day. ? ? ?

I’ve done this. No one minds bringing one dish or supplying baguettes or crisps if they haven’t time to cook, just make a list and ask people to pick one thing they’d like to bring. Maybe a group WhatsApp or email. Organise a game of cricket or rounders or a walk, and cross fingers for the weather.

Sounds lovely-have a great day!

Hello Flower...... We have just had a 60 ++++ birthday party. Not so many people but it was organized to meet in a large free park. We had to pay £5 car park per car. It was said to bring your own sandwiches and then sharing food.
It was a wonderful day. Adults, children and x2 dogs.

How lovely hope you have a great time.
Just do what we used to do when our children had a school Christmas party, make a list ask people to decide if they want to bring sweet or savoury things, salad pasta or rice and tell them to let you know what they are going to bring.

I did something similar for one of my big birthdays. I told people I didn’t want gifts but that if they could bring along a plate of savoury food to share with others, that would be great. I then went to the supermarket and provided all of the desserts! It went like a dream. Little effort for me and a brilliant buffet for around 120 people. Enjoy your celebration!

Why not circulate a list of food and let your friends tick the item they would like to bring?
Hay bales with blankets over would make great seating.

If you will be seeing the guests before the big picnic then I would probably put food types on bits of paper and fold them up and put them in a hat to let folks pick out of the hat what they are to bring. They might feel as if they have chosen themselves that way but you do need to have some control of what people bring otherwise you could end up with lots of the same ..imagine a picnic with 20+ massive bags of tortilla chips and dips...eek!!!
So make a list of everything you need and cut it into pieces that way you will get everything that makes a picnic.
I think it's a great idea ,one which we as a family have done a few times.

Each person can bring their own chairs and picnic table or rug and their own drinks but you can always take a bit for everyone too , don't forget not drinks too either by flasks or a bbq or camping cooker and kettle . You could provide paper plates ,plastic glasses and some drink and maybe the cake .