topic Re: Need Party Suggestions please! in Kitchen

Need Party Suggestions please!

terrier3 — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:01:47 GMT

I tried this in VP - no reaction...here goes -

It will be for two more people who quit working where we all first met. One guy went on to another TV station, the other is retiring. The whole crowd will be coming.

I am having a party the last Friday in April - after Lent Fish Fridays (and no alcohol) are out of the way.

It will be stand up - about 25- 30 people total. I have actually never had a party like this before!

We aren't big drinkers so I'm not sure what to get. I was going to have Pinot - white and red - Rhine wine, beer and light beer, and maybe a special Vitamix drink. Is it OK to not have a full set up with vodka, scotch, tequila, etc. It's after work on a Friday night 5:30-10PM or so.

I plan on getting party pizza, green salad, heating a bunch of Trader Joe Pastry Pups, shrimp and cocktail sauce, chips and dip. Coffee and cake at the end.

What else should I have to eat? Mini sandwiches?

Or should I scrap the pizza and get Dinosaur BBQ catered? Pulled pork sandwiches, mac salad, green salad, cornbread (I'll make it myself).

I'm excited to have the party - first time for the whole gang to be here at once.

Hostesses with the mostest - what do you think?

Re: Need Party Suggestions please!

scotnovel — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:04:42 GMT

I'd go with the BBQ.

Re: Need Party Suggestions please!

fbm2lsm — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:09:34 GMT

I would not worry about a full bar, wine and beer should be enough and somethings for the non-drinkers.

The menu sounds good to me for a fun, casual gathering. What ever you decide to serve be sure that it can be done ahead of time so that you can enjoy yours friends. I like how you are having a salad in case someone is a vegetarian, my new DIL is so now I think of that when planning a menu. How nice of you to do this.

Ending with cake and coffee is perfect. Are getting a specialy decorated cake?

Sounds like a good time to me!

Re: Need Party Suggestions please!

terrier3 — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:15:27 GMT

On 3/20/2014 Scotnovel said:
I'd go with the BBQ.

Dinosaur BBQ just opened up here...it would be different.

Every work party seems to involved pizza.

T thought I could use mini-slider rolls for the pulled pork.

Re: Need Party Suggestions please!

fbm2lsm — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:30:44 GMT

On 3/20/2014 terrier3 said:
On 3/20/2014 Scotnovel said:
I'd go with the BBQ.

Dinosaur BBQ just opened up here...it would be different.

Every work party seems to involved pizza.

T thought I could use mini-slider rolls for the pulled pork.

Here in VA BBQ is done to death, it seems like every tailgate ( I live in a University town) and casual party involves BBQ. Pulled pork sliders and Burger sliders woudl be good too.

I think the most inportant thing is the fun of being together the food is secondary! What ever you decide on will just fine.

Re: Need Party Suggestions please!

chrystaltree — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:48:22 GMT

Wine/beer/soft drinks will be fine. Better than a full bar because people always drink to much when the drinks are free. Since this is a stand up affair, you definitely do now want bbq or anything that is messy to eat. That's a tragedy waiting to happen? Pizza is boring, everyone eats pizza all the time. It's a party, you should serve party foods. You can serve a salad, I make antipasto platters when I'm entertaining a crowd. You know your guests, you know what they like. Any party food that is easy to eat standing up and easy to put on their plates will work. Sliders, mini sandwiches, chicken wings, chips, dips. You'll probably have a cake. A cookie bar would be fun; a penny candy bar would be fun too. All that really matters is that you have lots of food and terrific decorations and the party will be big success.

Re: Need Party Suggestions please!

Mominohio — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:22:44 GMT

On 3/20/2014 chrystaltree said:
Wine/beer/soft drinks will be fine. Better than a full bar because people always drink to much when the drinks are free. Since this is a stand up affair, you definitely do now want bbq or anything that is messy to eat. That's a tragedy waiting to happen? Pizza is boring, everyone eats pizza all the time. It's a party, you should serve party foods. You can serve a salad, I make antipasto platters when I'm entertaining a crowd. You know your guests, you know what they like. Any party food that is easy to eat standing up and easy to put on their plates will work. Sliders, mini sandwiches, chicken wings, chips, dips. You'll probably have a cake. A cookie bar would be fun; a penny candy bar would be fun too. All that really matters is that you have lots of food and terrific decorations and the party will be big success.

I like all theses suggestions. And I agree about pizza being boring, unless there is a budget and that fits a tight budget issue, I go with the sliders and mini sandwich ideas.

Re: Need Party Suggestions please!

Lynneuk — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:23:07 GMT

I have been to a couple of parties catered by Dinosaur Barbeque and the food is great but it definitely needs to be eaten sitting at a table,lol.Very messy and requires a knife and fork and a lot of napkins.

Why not do lots of appetizers like.....buffalo chicken dip, shrimp and cocktail sauce, deviled eggs, veggies and dip, cheese platter, roasted corn dip with blue corn chips, hummus and cucumber slices, pepper jelly over cream cheese with crackers,stuffed mini peppers, your pastry pups,etc. You can make nearly everything ahead of time to make it easier on the night.

Easier to eat but filling enough to satisfy and nice with a glass of wine or beer.

Then do your cake and coffee and you are all set.

Re: Need Party Suggestions please!

Poodlepet2 — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:25:58 GMT

Your set-up sounds perfectly fine, but if you want to change it up-and maybe you could get a few people to help in the making, meat balls seem to be all the rage. You could do all kinds-Swedish, barbeque-chicken, pork with a variety of rolls or condiments or perhaps non-messy pastas that are easily handled (I'm a klutz and I tend to "wear" spaghetti: when in public, I'm better off with shells!) Salad...hot party apps that you heat and serve are always good. A couple of Thanksgivings ago, my SIL got some delicious apps from Sams. If you don't like this idea, I think you would be just fine with the ideas you presented.

Poodlepet

Re: Need Party Suggestions please!

tkins — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:48:34 GMT

Not sure if this would work for your situation, but the best, most fun and most successful parties I ever had, were pot lucks (actually they were surprise anniversary parties for my folks and I actually pulled it of 2 years in a row). If you have everyone bring something it is less work and worry for you. I found that if I asked people what their specialty was, it worked well and ended up with more variety, you will probably have people ask what they can bring and you have those people bring dishes that you are short on or if they don't cook or bake, they can bring plates etc. Also, at the time I pulled off the surprise parties, I was in my teens, so if people wanted to drink they brought what they wanted, even now when we go to parties with friends it is always bring what you want. The only alcohol that we do not allow at our parties is red wine, did it once and it was not good, still have stains. Not to put a damper on things, but one thing to consider with having alcohol, is if it is at your house, you are responsible. Oh and RSVPs are a must, so you at least have a good idea of how many people you will be entertaining and then figure for at least a few extra. Good/fun music is important as well. Even though you are planning on a stand up event, make sure to have some chairs and tables (tv trays or something) that people can set things down on and places for trash.

One other idea that has been successful, is all finger foods set up at different stations through out the party area, you can pull that off with just napkins, so less mess.

Lastly, have a few people come early to help with set up and door answering, introductions etc and be sure you visit with guests and have fun. Much success on your first party.

Re: Need Party Suggestions please!

rustysmom — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:55:59 GMT

Meatballs are a great party food, I have started buying the frozen ones and making my own sauce. Also, if you can find them, mini quiches and deli spirals (made by Nancy's. They are in the frozen section. The quiches are wonderful, they need to be baked but the deli spirals you can serve hot or cold. We just had a St. Patty's party last weekend and had meatballs, deli spirals, cheese ball and crackers, spinach dip with Hawaain bread, cookies and cake, vegies and dip, those sort of things. We are not drinkerr so there was not alcohol, just soda. We had a great time.

Re: Need Party Suggestions please!

luvdoodles — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 22:40:52 GMT

I don't think pizza will be boring at all, everyone loves pizza, just pick up a few with different toppings like bbq chicken, meatball, pepperoni ,pepper and onion etc. For a casual stand up party your choices sound perfect. I would skip the hard stuff and offer beer, wine, soda and water. I think everyone will be happy and have a great time. Don't over think it and just have a good time.

Re: Need Party Suggestions please!

house cat — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 03:24:52 GMT

I haven't seen one since moving to the west coast, but when I lived back east it was very popular to have those six foot long "hero" sandwiches. You could have half American style and half Italian style, for instance. It feeds a lot of people and could hardly be easier.

Re: Need Party Suggestions please!

AnneMary — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 04:35:12 GMT

terrier3: I hope you get a chance to read all these responses below. There are some good suggestions/ideas there! 25-30 people....stand up party........right after work? The wines and sodas, etc. sound practical and smart. Right after work means they will most likely be getting hungry. I also suggest you keep things simple and go for heavy appetizers, not the pizza or bar-b-Q stuff. Think of the slops and messes or spills that might end up on your floor and furniture.

Do you have a friend or co-worker who can help you with set-up, clean-up, re-stocking the wines and foods? Someone below suggested you do as much of it ahead as you can do. And do you have a Costco store nearby? I don't know about yours, but our has really lovely big trays for parties..........shrimp cocktail, the little rolled flour tortilla sandwiches, croissant sandwiches, and I don't know what all. They are so reasonably priced too. I believe you can talk to them in the deli department and place an order ahead. And don't forget a veggie platter also. Keep things easy, do ahead as much as you can, and enjoy yourself!!! It's a lovely thing you are doing. Good Luck!!