Alright, let me tell you, planning my kid’s 7th birthday party food here in the Philippines was quite the adventure. You’d think it’s straightforward, but oh boy, there’s this unwritten rulebook everyone seems to know except you when you’re in the thick of it. I remember staring at my notepad, completely blank, a week before the big day. Panic mode was setting in.
Figuring Out the Crowd Pleasers
First, I went down the rabbit hole of fancy catering menus. I looked at mini quiches, salmon puffs, all sorts of stuff I wouldn’t even eat on a normal day. Then I stopped myself. Who was I kidding? This is a 7th birthday party, not a corporate gala. The guests are mostly kids, and their parents who are just trying to survive the sugar rush.
So, I decided to go back to basics. What did I love at parties when I was a kid? What do my nieces and nephews always devour? The answer was pretty clear: Filipino party staples. You just can’t go wrong with them.
Here’s what I ended up putting together, and trust me, it was a hit:
- Sweet-style Spaghetti: I cooked a massive pot of this. You know the kind, with the bright red sauce, sliced hotdogs, and a generous sprinkle of cheese on top. I initially thought about making a more “adult” bolognese, but thank goodness I stuck to the classic. The kids went wild for it, and I saw a few adults sneaking seconds too!
- Fried Chicken: Forget those fancy breadings or special herbs. I just made sure it was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I bought a couple of those big buckets from a popular local chain because, let’s be honest, frying chicken for 30+ people while managing everything else? No, thank you. It was the first thing to disappear.
- Lumpiang Shanghai: These little fried spring rolls are a must. I enlisted my sister’s help, and we rolled what felt like a thousand of them the day before. We fried them in batches right before the guests arrived so they were hot and crispy. Gone. Every single one.
- Hotdogs on a Stick (with Marshmallows!): This was purely for the kids, or so I thought. I bought a pack of red hotdogs, skewered them with colorful marshmallows on the end. So simple, so classic. I saw a few titos and titas munching on them with a nostalgic smile.
- Puto and Kutsinta: For a bit of local kakanin, I ordered a couple of bilao of these. They’re great for balancing out all the fried stuff and are easy for guests to just pick up and eat. Plus, the lolas and lolos always appreciate them.
Drinks and Dessert – Keeping it Simple
For drinks, I didn’t overthink it. I had a big dispenser of red iced tea – the kind that’s super sweet – and another one with pineapple juice. I also stocked up on bottled water, of course. For the kids, those small tetra pack juices are always a winner. Easy to handle, less spillage.
And the cake! Well, the cake is always the centerpiece, isn’t it? We ordered a themed cake, but for extra dessert, I just put out a platter of sliced fresh fruits like watermelon and pineapple. It’s refreshing, especially after all that party food.
What I Learned
Looking back, the key was really to focus on what kids genuinely love and what’s familiar and comforting to Filipino families. I spent so much time stressing about being unique or impressive, but in the end, the tried-and-tested favorites were what made everyone happy. The kids ate, the parents ate, and there wasn’t a mountain of weird, untouched food at the end of the day. My advice? Keep it simple, keep it fun, and definitely make sure there’s enough sweet spaghetti to go around!