1St Bday Party, Morris County

We did my son's First Communion party at Attilio's on Diamond Spring Road in Denville. It's a BYOB place so that cut the expense A LOT! They're no longer called Attilio's, sorry, I can't recall the new name. There are a lot of places in Morris County that are BYOB. Two months earlier we had my daughter's Baptism party at home catered by Cornerstone Cafe in the Indian Lake area of Denville. Hillman Caterers (www.hillmancatering.com) in Rockaway have catered many functions in my community in Rockaway (because they are reasonably priced and the food is good). They also own Patsey's Cafe on Route 46 in Mine Hill which has a meeting room. I've never been there, but if the food there is as good as every other meal I've had from their catering business you can't go wrong. Feel free to email me if you have questions, I'd love to know what you decide. Morris County is big and Denville, Rockaway, Mine Hill are not convenient to all areas, but the BYOB tip will go in any town. (P.S. I was so overwhelmed when my daughter turned one, I skipped the big birthday thing. She's a December baby so we were in the think of the Thanksgiving/Christmas preparations and I had nothing left. She didn't care.)

Good luck, relax, and have fun, and if it's not fun or too stressful, skip it!

I used Fred's Fish Market. They did our wedding, which was about as cheap as you could get. The food was fabulous...not just seafood our anything.

I used to be a kid's party planner but with only 2 kids you have me stumped!!
As far as catering goes, we usually order in the food for our parties (when it is mostly adults) and hire a server to serve, setup and cleanup! It is so worth it. I still have names/referrals if yu are interested.
Plus, if you are still looking for that perfect p/t job, I may also be able to help you ;)

How about going the group of you to Fuddruckers? There is a location in Ledgewood and I believe Parsippany. They have a play area for the kids with an indoor slide and ball pit and the adults can have some good burgers and a beer too if they want without breaking your bank.

Hi C. -

The best caterer in Morris County (& well-priced) is Chef Michael Fagan. His wife Tina can also cook up some AMAZING desserts! If you think you love brownies, wait until you've had hers!!! I have had their food over a dozen times & it is always the hit of the party. You can reach Tina at ____@____.com to get a hold of her and Mike for your party.

Tell them K. reccomended you :)

Good luck!
-Kt

C.,
I am not big on throwing parties for kids either, some mothers like to make it a competition to see who can out do who. I'm not sure where in Morris County you are but there is a Restaurant in Dover Called Nick's, they have GREAT food and GREAT prices. We use them for all our large and small family get togethers, they have a large variety of foods and they are all cooked on the premises and they live in Lake Hopatcong. There is a place in Rockaway across from the bowling alley called giggles, it is a great place for kids to play and it is pretty inexpensive. Good Luck!
C.

Hi C., just wanted to throw the idea out to you, my name is S. and I have my own catering company,Naturally S.'s. I am in somerset county, but dont mind traveling. We can talk about your plan for the birthday party and discuss options. please feel free to email me so we can talk amongst ourselves.

Just quick, when is party for??
Please contact me at ____@____.com

S. M.

Hi C.,
Just make her feel special with a special outfit and birthday hat or tiera.. You can find them cheap on oriental trading online. Decorate your house with posters of her... let her help and give everyone a favor a picture of her... Have her favorite foods... for an excellent caterer go to Fontanarosa's Deli -
###-###-####, they will deliver, talk to Anthony.

Where in Morris County are you? I live in Florham Park. For my daughters 2nd Birthday Party, we ordered sandwich platters from Duffy's in Madison. Unfortunately, they do not deliver, but they have a really great assortment of sandwiches, and other kinds of platters, salads, etc. Everything was delicious, and I received a lot of compliments. Plus, it made everything so much easier. For a cake, we ordered from Supreme Bakery in West Orange (also does not deliver, but my in-laws live down there, and brought it up for us). Swiss Chalet in Morristown also does a great job with cakes. For her first birthday, we had gotten sandwiches form Kings in Florham Park, and they were ok, but Duffy's cost about the same, and was tons better. Just my opinion! Hope it helps.

I don't have any fantastic ideas but i can share my thoughts. (my daughter's 1st was yesterday, and my son's b'day is in May..) So it depends on the month. If it's in the spring/summer i suggest BBQ outside, decorate with balloons, buy a ball pit for your kids to play in and it will occupy both of them for hours. Bake a cake decorated with a cute theme or make cupcakes...betty crocker has cute simple ideas...and that's it.
If it's in the winter, like for my daughter, i suggest much of the same but inside. Get a few catered platters of sandwiches, hot food, bake a cake, and set the ball pit up in the house, get lots of balloons...that's it! And it's still really cute and fun for the baby and the grownups aren't bored with baby stuff. Good food and drinks, socializing for them and the baby does his/her thing with the balls and balloons.