Pizza Stations

• Create a lively birthday atmosphere by setting up pizza stations. Each station or table should have ingredients necessary to make the pizza, like dough and tomato sauce at one station. Place cheese and other toppings at a different table. The final station is the oven. Each birthday guest bakes his own personal pizza, so each is made to order.
  
  

Finger Foods

• Provide an assortment of finger foods for a lighter menu idea. Vegetable and fruit trays with dips, meats with cheeses and crackers, chips and nuts create an appetizing and filling meal. Instead of a birthday cake, create small cupcakes or cake squares. Serve lemonade or fruit punch for a cool refresher.
  
  

Cookout

• Invite friends over for a backyard cookout to spend time with the birthday honoree. Cookouts are casual and give guests a chance to mingle. Prepare the meats before guests arrive. Provide a variety like chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers and steak. Roasted vegetables, baked beans, potato salad and coleslaw make delicious side dishes. Get a large tin tub and fill it with ice and sodas so guests can choose their own beverages.
  
  

Sit Down Dinner

• The birthday menu for a sit down dinner should be more elegant for the guests. Prepare a table with fine linens and china to set the atmosphere. Cook a chicken or turkey dish and also a beef dish to give guests a choice of two meats. Prepare the side dishes close to serving time to keep the food warm. Serve roasted or mashed potatoes with gravy, macaroni and cheese, green beans and fresh rolls for the meal.