Open Invitation Reception Dilemma

If the candy table is going to be geared for the kids I would take great care to be sure all the candies are still wrapped. Small children could choke . As a sanitary point of view keeping them wrapped.
Unless your planning on having more of a "Dessert Table" with the candies then multi dishes with candy treats unwrapped would be fine. Supply small bag`s for them to put the goodies in to carry around or a small dish.
If your leaving the invitation open so as not to neglect anyone it could be advisable to simply send an announcement card out including a simple "Yes" or "No" box if they would be attending.?? Really in the long run I feel leaving it open could do more harm than good and you could be left feeling more stressed out than need be.

Thanks for all those wonderful ideas to ponder....

We are sending class invitations to all the Sunday School classes. Would it be appropriate to include RSVPs with this?

What about an RSVP box set up in the church foyer, maybe Valentine-decorated to match our theme, where folks could place yes/no information. Should I ask if children are coming?

We`ve also thought about having a couple of sheet cakes back in the kitchen to have on hand for a possible emergency situation..

I am toying with the idea of asking our singles` department, of which we are both members, to find 10 volunteers to bring 4 dozen cookes for a cookie table, as well....They wanted to know how they could help...Is this presumptious?

Thanks again! I have no idea what I am doing!

By all means, let anyone who wants to be involved in some way help you. I think it is wonderful that they offered, and that members of your congregation are close enough to all enjoy your special event together!

Hi,
If someone offers to help, by all means let them help. When i offer to help someone, it makes me happy when they accept.

Also, the more stuff you bring the better, it would really be embarrasing to not have enough food. My advice though is to focus on two or three items and bring alot of them. It really shouldn`t cost that much probably $100-$150 if your doing it the way you are.

Here is a great tip. Watch for cake mix to be on sale. Sometimes you can get a box of cake mix for a .99 cents. You will need 4 boxes to make a nice big sheet cake. Then purchase those big aluminum trays they sell at sam`s club that they use for catering. You get 10 for less than 10 dollars.

For one cake you will need 4 cake mix boxes, a dozen eggs, and about 2 cups oil (this might difffer depending on which cake mix you need). Mix all together, bake in the aluminum tray(make sure to spread a thin layer of oil on the tray, than flour) bake until a knife inserted comes out clean. One tube of icing should be enough to frost. This cake will cost less than 10 dollars, and will freeze well.

You can make this cake ahead of time, freeze it and take it out the night before and frost. Than slice it into one inch wide and about 5 inches long each slice. This recipe makes about 50-60 slices and comes out good.

If your expecting 250-300 make sure you have enough for 400 people. TRUST me, open invitations brings strangers. I was one time at a wedding that was open invitiation when i was talking to a guest adn asking them if they knew the bride or groom, they said they didn`t know either one! they came along with a friend who knew the bride and said it was an open invitation, and thy just wanted free food.......... So be careful.....