50th birthday party

I am hosting a surprise backyard party for my husband's 50th birthday for 20 to 30 people. Any ideas for a not too expensive caterer? Any thoughts on how to make it special? Thank you!

I did this for my spouse's 40th. I let people know well in advance - so his family was able to come in from out of town (they stayed at hotels so he didn't know), and almost all of our local friends were there. One of our friends got him away for the morning and early afternoon - I can't remember what our ruse was. So when he walked up the driveway and saw everyone in the backyard he was completely surprised.

For food: there are a ton of great catering places around and it depends what you want to do. I used New World catering - we did a couple of warm entrees in chafing dishes (chicken and salmon) and I did at least one warm vegetable side. I made a big green salad. I used Whole Foods and Kings for appetizer platters - can't recall what I got where but I'm pretty sure I got the fruit/cheese platter from Kings (it's really good, and I've gotten it again). I have used both of their catering menus many times and they are always good quality - you need to pick up. New World delivered the hot food to me.

Rented chairs and tables from A Party Pleasing Rental in Hanover - they delivered everything that morning after husband was out of the house. Set them up in the backyard with tablecloths and bought flowers from Trader Joes and put them in vases I already had for centerpieces. Drinks and ice in coolers on the deck. If you are going to have kids there, have stuff for them to do - ours were all pretty young at the time, so sidewalk chalk, little baby pool, trikes and wagons, etc. did the trick. Also LOTS of those freeze pops.

It was a lot of fun - good luck!

We've used Millburn Deli with excellent results (sandwich platters, fruit/crudite platters, salads).

I think that Dan Pupke is continuing the Blue Plate Special business and he is the first person I would contact if I needed a caterer. https://www.facebook.com/theblueplatespecial?fref=ts or http://www.bpscatering.com/

I threw a similar party for my wife and we used Celebrated Food of Maplewood. They were super helpful and very mindful of budget. Years later we still get compliments on the food, staff and event.

http://www.celebratedfood.net/

For my 40th we rented a taco truck for about 2 1/2 hours and a frozen margarita machine. Everyone had a blast!

JGM said:
For my 40th we rented a taco truck for about 2 1/2 hours and a frozen margarita machine. Everyone had a blast!

This is FANTASTIC. I want to do it every night for dinner.

We used Park Wood Diner on two occasions. Worked quite well.

There is another rental place I have used - forget what cherry lane turns into in west orange- its close to metropolitan plant exchange, other side of the street. For a large jack and jill in backyard

Agree with getting them out of the house - surprise is nice, love it when it happens for me!

Have loved celebrated food, however it depends on what food you want - what does he like. Blue Plate would be a go to for me as well. Food is a mixture of things - the truck thing is big, and can add a "feature" to the event if desired. If its summer, an ice cream truck so its not the main food, but still adds the truck and custom choice fun without the mess? For 20 would not do a truck, you really need a decent size and 30would be a minimum to make it worth it. Pizza Vita if he is crazy about pizza(Summit)

If you have the time or can get people to contribute, doing a collage of photos that get projected on a wall of the house is nice, or simply printed ones stuck as a collage on some posterboard is fun.

we always love getting selected people to speak or say a few words from each area of their lives, recall funny moments, poignant moments, the like.

Also, a board or something he likes that people who come can write a statement or just sign it as a momento. For example, my husband is into skateboard/longboard, so I would get one (second hand) that people could draw or mark up with a signature.

If you are technically savvy, you can actually have people text and send photos to an automatic stream that displays them on a screen during the party? This too may be best for a larger party, at least 30 to get enough people doing it.

Also, love photo booth stuff which does not need to be formal; someone that can capture photos of him with people,maybe some props from a favorite pastime or thing he likes (eg. loves halloween, or star wars, or the 70's or surfing) - makes a nice post party composite to send out to everyone and look back on a year later!

What types of food are you interested in? What month will it be held?

We have a big holiday party each December and each year, we try to do different foods. We've had Munchies, Dinosaur BBQ, Empanada Mama in the city, and Trattoria just to name a few. One year, my lovely Trinidadian-Indian girlfriend catered for us and the results were epic! Another year, our fashionable Queens friend who loves to cook, did a fab spread for us complete with Cornish hens, rice, steamed veggies and tarts. Amazing.

If catered, they will supply the double serving trays and maybe the burners to keep the food warm. Ask about the burners. If not, you can purchase them in bulk at Costco. Also, if don't want to use your own serving spoons, forks, ask if they can supply them. If not, the party rental place will (see below).

Try to get foods that can stretch: rice dishes, pastas, salads, etc. Because we entertain a lot, you too will find that you'll always have a bit of food leftover. Great for late night doggie bags! Costco has great take-away trays for this. I usually give away a lot of food at nights end and/or have folks come back the next day with their own Tupperwear. I don't want all that food in the house and even with two fridges, it's too much to store.

If you need tables, chairs, linens, etc., we've used Almar and United Rent-All.

Does hubby like music? Start putting together a play list of things he grew up on combined with "todays" music.

It'd do-able and not that overwhelming if you have help. Stick to a budget for food and supplies as well as wines and beer (if serving alcohol). The liquor store on Valley as a great supply of great wines and IMO, very reasonably priced when purchased in bulk.