Planning for My Birthday

On New Years Day, I was talking to my mom and she came up with the idea of me having my birthday party at home this year. I originally wanted to leave town and go to an island somewhere. But I have been on the up and down about doing so because I honestly just want to finish school which would include me taking a summer class. Since my birthday is in the summer it would not be as feasible to take a summer trip because I want to take summer classes so I can just graduate. By the way things are going with my school not having classes available at times for people who work I see that I am going to have to take something in the summer. Two years ago, for my birthday I had a luau party, it was in conjunction with my daughter's graduation party. The front of the house was for the birthday party and the backyard was for the graduation party, we had a lot of fun. Most of the functions at my house especially my birthday parties have always been for all ages; so with all of my family that number easily rises; it's always a very fun occasion.

In typical "mom fashion", my mom gave me ideas and told me to start buying stuff now and put away a birthday fund that is specifically for my party only, which is a very good idea. Also, every other week I will purchase items for my party that are non-perishable like water, soda, juice and liquor. I usually make a huge batch of jungle juice and the liquor for that alone is over $200. Plus I will have beer, wine and coolers for those that don't drink hard liquor. I usually make enough liquor to fill up a huge water cooler; you know, one of those that sit on the sidelines at football games and hold Gatorade. But I usually have so much liquor left over that people end up taking some home in the empty liquor bottles and I still have a bunch left over so I think what I will do this year is cut my recipe in half especially since this time I will have other forms of liquor and usually my jungle juice is the only liquor that I provide. I also plan on changing up my recipe a little bit and giving it more of an island flavor by adding different Liquors like Malibu rum instead of regular rum and pineapple juice instead of Sunny Delight.

The planning for my party will span two quarters; so I will be very busy with classes, family and work; not to mention my son's birthday. So this time I will make sure I actually plan and start my prep work well in advance. On a good note, the Dollar Tree sells a ton of luau party stuff during that time of year and I still have a lot of the stuff left over from the last luau birthday party I had, which is why I decided on this theme.

Right now my menu is pretty big and even though I have a big menu I am going to make everything on a smaller scale so there will be lots of options but there won't be too much food.

Tentative Menu
Spring Rolls
Chicken Philly Sliders
Barbecue Wings

Teriyaki Wings
Chicken Skewers
Grilled Veggie Kabobs 

My Mamas Meatballs

Mini Sandwiches 
Seven Layer Dip 
Fruit 
Salad
Pineapple Upside-down Rum Cupcakes Pineapple Upside-down Regular Cupcakes

Right now I am completely undecided on the decor, it's going to pretty much follow within the typical luau/beach party decor. However, I kept my party trays from the casino party so I will use those as well.

And...It Is What It Is!