Planning a Unique Birthday Bash
When brainstorming ideas for my 8-year-old’s birthday party, I was torn between classic options like burgers or pizza for the main course. Then it hit me – why not go out with an appetizer-only birthday party? The concept seemed both easy to execute and excitingly different. With many appetizer choices to cater to everyone’s taste, I realized this could be a hit. I discussed the idea with my partner, and we decided to present it as a buffet-themed party, knowing how much kids adore buffets.
The Costco Adventure: Appetizer Galore
We headed to our local Costco, accompanied by our soon-to-be 8-year-old, to get everything we needed. Costco’s appetizer selection was practically endless, and we had a blast exploring the warehouse in search of finger foods and delicious bites. Our first stop was the deli area, where we picked lunch meat, cheese, and other goodies for a homemade charcuterie board. We also grabbed fresh fruit bowls and some smoked salmon for the adults. Although I wanted to explore more deli options, I didn’t want to have excess leftovers.
Frozen Food Finds and Smart Choices
Next, we ventured to the frozen food aisles, and my son was ecstatic to pick out mozzarella sticks, mini tacos, chicken nuggets, wings, and Italian meatballs – basically, anything and everything that caught his eye. While we loaded up on some frozen appetizers, I didn’t want to rely heavily on them as they required cooking, which I wanted to minimize during the party. I set aside an hour before the party to heat up and cook the appetizers, most of which could be easily baked in the oven.
The Finishing Touches
The chip aisle was our last stop before indulging in Costco’s food court hot dogs. My son eagerly chose three jumbo-sized bags of chips – Cheetos, cheddar and sour cream ruffles, and some pirate’s booty. The kids had a blast with the smorgasbord of appetizers on the big day, joyfully selecting their favorite treats. Forks and knives were unnecessary for these finger foods, and we were grateful to have stocked up on napkins.
Success and Happy Memories
The party was a resounding success, and we managed to stay under budget, which was a big win. Everyone had a blast, and the leftovers provided a tasty lunch for the following day. With such a positive outcome, I’m already looking forward to planning a similar appetizer extravaganza for next year’s birthday celebration.
Jessi is the creative mind behind The Coffee Mom, a popular blog that combines parenting advice, travel tips, and a love for all things Disney. As a trusted Disney influencer and passionate storyteller, Jessi’s authentic insights and relatable content resonate with readers worldwide.