We're having a birthday tea party for my 2 year old Saturday with kids ranging in ages from 1-15 and adults. I was planning to just make some simple ham sandwiches, turkey sandwiches and possibly PB/J sandwiches (light on the jelly of course to avoid messes) cut into fourths. We just eat wheat bread at home, but I know most people eat white. Do any of you have suggestions for what kind of white bread I can use as well as brands of meat and how many layers? Do you think I should add cheese or mayo/mustard? My kids wouldn't touch it, but I wanted to ask... I think all of this b-day party planning, plus another party I'm planning and my end of the month work is making me blank out... PLEASE HELP! LOL Thank you in advance.
If you have a Market Street close by they're Classic Finger Sandwich trays are yummy, beautiful, and really affordable! I just had one last weekend for my 4 year old's birthday party and there wasn't a single sandwich left.
Even if lots of people eat white, most will also eat wheat. At my baby shower, they made sandwiches (pimento cheese) with white on one side and wheat on the other side of the sandwich and they used cookie cutters to cut them into flowers. ADORABLE.
You could cut slices of cheese and meat with cookie cutters too. I think more people are tolerant of mayo than mustard. I dont put mayo on my sandwiches, but if that's what was served, I'd eat it (but go LIGHT on the mayo). The new flavored mayos are great - the chipotle has good flavor.
Depending on your budget, you can never go wrong with Boars Head meats (have it sliced fresh in the deli). Not everyone likes Swiss cheese, but most everyone I know does like cheddar and mozarella, so maybe stick with those.
I think you may just be overthinking it. If that's what's served, people will eat it. Or call a friend who IS coming to ask her opinion on the subject (what HER kids will eat, what most kids she knows eats).
No clue what and how much you should put on the sandwhich, seems like personal preferance - but - how about using cookie cutters to cut the sandwhiches into fun shapes.
Love tracy k's suggestion!!
In my 3 years of making sandwiches for preschool parties, nobody has had a problem with wheat. In fact, I think most people eat wheat considering all the lite wheat options that are available. For the kids, I would do meat and cheese as well as pb&j. You could also do crackers with peanut butter in the middle, or meats and/or cheese. I think assembly is helpful and makes things flow more smoothly. You could always set out jars or bowls with spreaders for the mayo, mustard, etc and people can add as they choose.
Peronally I do whitewheat bread. However you need to know if the kids have any allergies or special needs before giving them wheat/peanuts ect ect. I like the idea of a few simple different sanwiches but doing cookie cut outs of them are fun for the kids. Adding mayo and mustard is hard decision either way you could just do it as you wish or set up a "dressing area" so they can add their own. I know it makes a mess but kids love that!
Four our daughter's wedding last month I bought the long skinny loaves of bread (at a friends' suggestion) and sliced it and made finger sandwiches. I thought they were really neat (except we had about 5X too many of them! LOL) You can get Italian, wheat, multi-grain, etc.
You might try using butter on some sandwiches instead of the mayo/mustard. My kids really prefer the butter instead. And, for a nice easy sandwich, you can try cucumber sandwiches. Just very thinly slice the cukes and put on the buttered bread. Huge hit with kids. Have fun!
I agree with the one who said to just arrange a tray of meats, cheeses, and condiments. You can have sliced bread (cut in half or fourths), croissants, rye/sourdough/etc rolls or whatever other breads you like. Don't forget chicken/tuna/egg salad, too. Kids love to make their own food and adults will appreciate being able to pick their flavors.
Another idea that I like (and my almost-2-year-old LOVES) is a sandwich roll (large tortilla, thin layer of cream cheese, layer of lunch meat, half layer of cheese--roll it up and cut into 1/2 inch disks. They look very pretty and can have many different toppings (try: sliced black or green olives, lettuce, peppers, etc).
I would skip assembling the sandwiches (except the pb&j) and instead put your time into displaying the cheeses & meats on trays and provide little bowls of dressings to use. Everyone will like being able to build their lunch to their likings, and the leftovers will be much easier to re-use. We did this at a bday party and it was a huge hit.
Do you have a Giant Eagle around you? They have mini sandwich trays, 36 mini sandwichs for $30. They are so good and you can have them do half wheat half white bread. They put meat(s) and cheese(s) of your choice on them. Either way, I would not put mayo/mustard on them. Just have it available for your guests to add it if they want it. They would get soggy and some guests, especially kids, might want theirs plain.
