One Big Party: Planning for family gatherings (Without Losing Your Mind)
Planning everyday family meals is tough enough. Now imagine cooking for 70 people.
In my family, that’s actually the norm. From weekend get-togethers to big holiday celebrations, I’ve learned how to plan and prep meals that satisfy a very large crowd—without going crazy or broke.
In this post, I’ll walk you through my personal strategy for hosting big family meals, from setting a guest list to deciding between home-cooked and catered meals. These tips will save you time, reduce stress, and help you pull off your next gathering with ease.
👨👩👧👦 Know Your Guest Count and Set a Budget
When planning a large family meal, start with two things:
How many people are coming?
How much are you willing to spend?
In my case, the guest list is often set (we average about 70 people!). But if you're still figuring out who’s attending, begin with your budget. From there, you can estimate how many people you can afford to host—and what kind of food you can serve.
Pro Tip: Use an app like GroupMe to send invites and collect RSVPs. It’s a great way to stay organized and gently remind guests who are slow to respond 😊.
🎉 Define the Purpose of Your Gathering
Ask yourself:
Is this a birthday, holiday, or casual family dinner?
Is there one thing that must be part of the celebration (like a special cake or activity)?
What matters most—food, drinks, or entertainment?
Answering these questions helps you decide where to allocate your budget.
In our family, the priority is always food—so that’s where most of our resources go.
🍴 Home-Cooked vs. Catering: Which Is Best?
When feeding a large group, this is a big decision.
Why Home Cooking Works:
Budget-friendly
Allows for customization
Feels more personal
Why Catering Might Be Better:
Saves time and energy
Professional quality
Easier cleanup
I love cooking, so we typically prepare meals ourselves. But if catering fits your budget and schedule? Don’t hesitate to take the shortcut—it might be exactly what you need.
🥗 Plan Meals in 3 Simple Categories
Organizing your menu by category will make meal planning 10x easier:
Appetizers
Main Dishes
Desserts
Oven vs. Stovetop:
Be smart about what goes where. If your main dish needs the oven for hours, choose appetizers or desserts that don’t require baking.
Prep what you can ahead of time—that way you’re not juggling five things at once on party day.
🚨 Consider Food Allergies and Dietary Needs
If you're inviting a large group, it’s smart to plan for:
Vegetarian options
Nut-free or gluten-free choices
Common allergens (like shellfish, dairy, or soy)
In our family, we make sure there’s a wide variety of food. That way, even picky eaters or those with dietary restrictions won’t go hungry. Most often, our meals are served buffet style so everyone can choose whatever they want to eat through the night.
📋 Bonus: Sample Meal Plan for 50–70 Guests
Here’s a basic example of a crowd-pleasing menu:
Appetizers: Charcuterie board with different cheeses, dried fruits and crackers, spinach artichoke dip, shrimp cocktails
Main Dishes: Roasted beef tenderloin with grilled vegetables and/or pan seared salmon with roasted potatoes and asparagus.
Desserts: Fruit salad, cake and cookies
Add pitchers of water, lemonade, and maybe a self-serve drink station for extra flair.
