Vegan Birthday

[Neeley]

Hi Everyone.

My daughter is turning 1 year old in september, so I'm starting to plan for her birthday party.

I'll be having the party at my mom's house, and my daughter and I will be the only vegans at the party. I know I will get a lot of flack after I tell everyone that the party will be vegan.

What kinds of food should I have available to make everyone shut up and stop complaining?

I want my family and friends to see that it's not that bad. I don't expect anyone to "convert", I really just want them to stop whining, bashing, etc. veganism especially before my daughter gets old enough to realize what they are saying.

I hope the party can be an opportunity for them to taste good vegan food, I'm just not sure what to prepare. The things that I like might be too "weird" for non-veg people. But I'm also not sure if I should give them soy burgers or anything like that in case they expect it to actually taste like meat.

Any suggestions on what to do would be really helpful.

[Zoesmama]

What kind of vegan dips are there? Perhaps you can do a large veggie platter with dip. And then chips or better yet different healthy crackers or something with dip.

Of course a large fruit platter.

And serve soy or I'd say rice based ice cream as I think rice will go over better coming from an all omni family.


If you time it at right time of day you can get away with just apetizers and drinks. Late afternoond works well for this perferably after the child has napped. ;)

[Zoesmama]

Or what about veggie pizza. You can make it fresh and all vegan I'm sure. :) With vegan chesse or none even.

[annie7]

I agree with the "platters" idea. Veggie platter, fruit platter, crackers with dip too. Chips & salsa. Sub "veggie" sandwiches cut into small wedges with toothpicks to hold together. The seasoned dipping oil with a variety of breads to use.If you're having a "sit down" style meal...any pasta with sauces, soup with crusty breads.

[sharon]

Many one year old parties are primarily for adults, so I suggest just making the kind of food you usually do when you have guests. I have found that even big meat eaters will enjoy the variety of an occasional vegan meal, if it does not stray too far from what they are used to eating.

As for your daughter, you know what she likes. If you give her food she loves, your family will see that she is eating happily.

A few suggestions I have found popular with just about everyone:

-Blackbean and corn salad
-Peanut/sesame noodles (unless you are waiting to introduce these highly likely allergens)
-Chinese take/out
-Hummus/taboulli/pita
-Fallafel sandwiches
-Morrocan couscous stew with chickpeas

As for cakes, you probably already looked
the lively cake thread.

[Erin Pavlina]

Foods I tend to serve for birthday parties where adults are the primary guests:

Bagels with tofutti cream cheese
Garden salad with carrots, cucumbers and avocado
Fruit salad
Raw veggies with vegan ranch dressing or onion dip
Chips and guacamole
Sometimes pitas with hummus
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (for the kids)

Cake, vegan ice cream, rice krispy treats, or parfaits for dessert.

People love my parties and my food. I don't spring the fake meat on them because they tend not to like it.

[Neeley]

Thanks for the ideas everyone!
I think I'll try to stick with the platter ideas, it sounds easiest. But I might try to incorporate the veggie pizza too, I'll just make the pieces platter sized.

[bhbabee]

Veggie tacos! People could fill hard shells or tortillas with beans or seasoned soy crumbles and a variety of toppings like tomatoes, lettuce, soy cheese, and vegan sour cream. We did this for about a dozen family and friends at our house recently, and the presentation and taste was such that nobody seemed to even notice that some of the items were non-dairy. We also served a black bean and corn salad, and of course chips, salsa and vegan guacamole. We got lots of comments on what a fun idea it was, and the whole dinner was really easy to put together, set out buffet style and clean up. If you are having older kids it's fun for them too. Enjoy!