<p>My 16 yo rising sophomore son is leaving on September 1 for sophomore year in France! September 1 is a Saturday … and I am assuming he is leaving on a 7 pm flight … and obviously won’t make firm plans until I have his travel itinerary in hand. We do know he will be in a small village in Provence for the year.</p>
<p>I want to do a bon voyage party for him – and invite his classmates (yes, the sophomore class plus some juniors and seniors) which would probably be a max of 50 kids … plus some community friends … plus some parents, maybe teachers/administration even (his french teachers, the US head, his advisor etc) … so maybe 100 people all together.</p>
<p>What I am thinking of is Saturday morning brunch – with a French breakfast theme. Yes … a same-day bon voyage party. It’d be over well before we need to leave for the airport. And yes, it’s Labor Day weekend.</p>
<p>What should I serve? Would you have something like this catered? I’m thinking that I want to do crepes … but then I would really like to have a “crepe station” and I don’t know where to find such a caterer. </p>
<p>Any ideas? Am I crazy for thinking about a same-day bon voyage party? I am also thinking this will be a surprise party for him …</p>
<p>I spent a blissful few weeks in Aix many years ago, eating my way through some wonderful restaurants. French breakfasts, in my memory, consisted of tartines, sometimes croissants. My nieces and nephews have converted to cereals and cold milk, American style, and one niece went home laden with Vermont maple syrup for her waffles. </p>
<p>Crepes (originally from Brittany) must be eaten right away. I’ve seen some ready-to-make at Trader Joe’s but have not tried them out. Since the party is not until Labor Day, you could try them out and see if they work out. You can then stuff the crepes with all sorts of savories, such as ham and cheese or lobster, or frutis such asstrawberries.
You could also make some quiches and some provencale tartes with onions and tomatoes. Omelettes aux fines herbes is a very popular lunch dish. Deli (charcuterie) should also be easy, as would various kinds of salads.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t plan a surprise party for his last morning at home. He’ll be jittery, anxious, and probably want to hang with special friends. Do it the previous weekend.</p>
<p>Call any caterer in your area and ask if they can do a crepe station.</p>
<p>I also question the idea of a surprise party on the last morning. My daughter left for a summer abroad two weeks after returning from college. The stress and confusion level in our house was very high as she struggled (and, in the end, managed) to get everything she needed done before she left, especially the night before she left. (She had to leave early in the morning.)</p>
<p>She has been away for almost two weeks now, and her adjustment and experiences have been fantastic, even beyond her and our most optimistic expectations! But getting ready to go and getting out of the house was very stressful, as I said, and I can’t imagine entertaining guests at that time.</p>
<p>He has the whole summer to prepare for the trip and pack his bags, unlike MotherofTwo’s D who was on a tight schedule.
But I would also not plan the party as a surprise. It’s for him, and he should have a say as to how adn with whom he wants to spend the day.
If he wants one, a brunch would be fine as long as there was a definite ending time for last minute checking of luggage. If the flight is at 7pm, the student should get there between 4 and 5pm.<br>
Some more ideas, yogurt or fromage blanc, strawberry jam, cheeses, fruits, various kinds of pies.</p>
<p>I agree with VeryHappy, I’d do the party the previous weekend. Less stress, less emotion, and less chance of having these relatively new foods upsetting his stomach before the long flight. :)</p>
<p>Many years ago, I studied in Tours and Poitiers…and spent much time on the road in Paris, Angouleme, Aix, Marseilles, Chamonix, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lyon, Grenoble, Arles, Limoges, Tarbes, Pau, Nimes, Avignon, Toulon, etc. What a terrific opportunity for your student. An experience that will be life altering. Enjoy every moment!!!</p>
<p>With summer weekends the way they are … it’s not that easy to do it earlier in August. The weekend before we probably need/want to visit and take up supplies for our older son at college … the two weekends before that bookend our family vacation … and then it’s a month ahead. I’m not sure that Labor Day weekend is our best option for having his friends available either … but I think it’s the best option. His close friends may plan a little thing during the week ahead …</p>
<p>Thanks Marite for the food suggestions. I’d forgotten about quiche!</p>
<p>Yes the previous weekend for sure, it is CRAZY getting ready for a trip like that, no matter how well planned it all is- laundry, copies of all documents, etc</p>
<p>I couldnt imagine trying to pull off a party for 50plus people AND try to get all packed, etc in the same week</p>
<p>If you do the party the week before, which is crazy making enough, you have the following week to get all organized</p>
<p>But if you have no other option- I wouldn’t go with French food, he will have lots of that</p>
<p>i would do a traditional American BBQ- burgers, ribs, corn on the cob, all the stuff he WON’T have for a long time- or if its breakfast- pancakes, sausage, bacon, etc- </p>
<p>My D last meal everytime she goes on a trip is a burrito from our local place, as she knows she won’t get one for a lonnnggg time, and its the first thing she gets when she returns</p>
<p>What a lovely thread
I just finished reading all the posts and can’t help to think that french food is so much healthier from what we it in America.
I want to go to Provence! Well, will have to pick up some Peter Mayle from my library:-)
Many happy travels…</p>
