topic Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks! in Recipes

Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

homedecor1 — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 00:12:30 GMT

I am hosting a small gathering for about 12-15 people.

Drinks:

Let me start by saying neither spouse or I drink on a regular basis. On the rare occassion we go out to a nice restaurant for dinner I'll order a glass of wine and he "might" order a beer. Other than this, he never drinks.

A few of the friends coming do drink on a regular basis - from beer to liquors. I have been trying to find a way to "avoid" buying UNnecessary liquor as I know it's just going to go on a shelf OR I'll buy the wrong stuff. Suggestions please! (I will buy some beer because I know they drink Coors).

Menu - appetizers with light salads

Ham & Cheese sliders

Meatball parm sliders

chicken wings

Chopped Antipasto

Brocoli salad

Swedish Meatballs

Sausage Balls

Stuffed Mushrooms

Pigs in a Blanket (franks wrapped in crescents)

Shrimp Tray

7 layer taco dip/chips

Dessert: I will serve a ice cream cake - no one really eats alot of desserts, but I think this will go!

Any suggestions for a few other EASY no bake appetizers. I don't want to keep the oven on once company arrives.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions! (I didn't want to do a big meal or lots of heavy salads).

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

scatcat — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 00:23:00 GMT

No need to offer a full bar. Wine and beer is fine. People will drink what you put out. I'd offer LaCroix or something else besides alcohol too

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

new nickname 4 — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 00:22:22 GMT

My friends and I drink, and even though we have different tastes, we all will drink either a mimosa (sparkling prosceca or inexpensive champaign and orange juice) or a sangria (again you can buy a box sangria). In each case, the box sangria will keep a long time and you might actually enjoy it on new years day yourself.

As far as appetizers, I tend to lean towards cheese and crackers. I expecially like cheese balls, but if you just choose a couple of different cheese selections, anything left can be incorporated in cooking.

Sounds like fun, enjoy!

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

Kachina624 — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 00:45:32 GMT

You could offer a punch or a "signature" drink. Homemade egg nog

That's a huge amount of food for 15 people

I'd cut out several of the choices.

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

KingstonsMom — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 00:30:04 GMT

As for your menu, I think you have a wide variety and I wouldn't add anything.

As far as alcohol, I would serve wine and beer, no 'hard' alcohol, you don't want to be responsible for anyone 'overindulging", when they have to drive home.

And I say this as someone who prefers liquor, would settle for a beer, but never drink wine (gives me a headache).

JMO.

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

Tshirtgal — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 00:33:33 GMT

At first glance your meal selections are very nice and are substantial enough to be a traditional meal replacement. With such a selection I am guessing it is a buffet style where people can graze and mingle vs. sit down and formal. If that is your intent, the appetizers I would serve would be an olive assortment with picks, pepperoni cut up, some cheese and a few nuts. If you serve more, people will fill up and not each much of the wonderful menu you will have worked so hard to make special. Cocktail time may be one hour and then I would serve.
Regarding drinks, an offer of a few different beers, two white and two red varieties, and don't forget soft drinks for those who are driving and may only want one drink. No one should be disappointed with this selection. Not to worry. Your evening sounds lovely.

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

homedecor1 — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 00:48:07 GMT

Thank you for the replies!

My gf just called she is bringing several bottles of wine (she's a big wine drinker) that she knows others would like. She also is bringing a cheese tray platter - fig jam, several cheese, soppresata, salami & prosciutto w/fruit.

I completely forgot doing a nice Sangria. Whoever suggested this - thank you🙂! I made a sangria at my last open house & didn't have a "drop" left😉!

Well, I had received a few "sorry can't attend" but those couples just called they will be coming! Yes, no sit down style just casual & mingle...

Thank you again everyone for the ideas!

homedecor1

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

patbz — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 00:51:17 GMT

Looks like you have two meatball items; I'd cut out one choice. For a wine I'd get Black Box Pinot Noir and Black Box Chablis. This wine is available everywhere (even Wal Mart) and if you don't finish it, it keeps quite a while. My son is a chef at a major brew pub in Albuquerque and this is what they serve.

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

jannabelle1 — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 00:57:54 GMT

You've got quite a bit of food planned for your guests and it all sounds delicious. A great cold appetizer is a block of cream cheese with a jar of Sweet & Hot Pepper/Onion Relish. I buy Dickensen's brand at my large grocer. Just spoon it on top of a block of cream cheese and surround it with the larger Wheat Thin crackers (or crackers of your choice). It's delicious and about as easy as it comes. Put it on a pretty serving tray with a nice cheese spreader and you're set.

I would provide beer and wine. A bottle of wine usually serves about 4 or 5 glasses (IMO). Or buy a box of wine and keep it in a decanter or pitcher. (Franzia Crisp White is a nice light generic white wine). You might tell your guests that's what you'll be serving so that they can bring a bottle of their favorite liquor if they prefer that.

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

Scooby Doo — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 00:58:21 GMT

I made stuff celery for Christmas buffet and it was a big hit. You can google the recipe. It's called Celery Crack.

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

AuntG — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 02:07:20 GMT

Beer, wine (red blend, white blend) and punch are the only drinks I'd provide. You've got plenty of food on the menu. All I'd add are some veggies and dip for those that don't care for meat. Have fun hosting your party.

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

Lilysmom — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 11:19:28 GMT

Remember something non alcoholic for those that don't drink or are driving. Have fun! LM

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

house_cat — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 20:44:35 GMT

@homedecor1

Your appetizer list sounds delicious! All I need to know is your address and what time to show up!

DH and I don't drink either, and it's an even more awkward situation because he's been sober for 12 years. Our good friends know this and don't expect alcoholic beverages when they visit, but more casual acquaintances do not. In a case like that I'll just tell them to bring whatever they like to drink and I have them take home any leftovers.

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

homedecor1 — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 23:58:21 GMT

@house_cat

Yes, that could cause a problem. Like I said I don't know even what to buy -- I've only done Sangria/wines. And SURE COME OVER ON THURSDAY AROUND 3 ... we will be happy to meet you!!!

Well here's a surprise!!!

I had RSVP calls today -- many told me they would bring their drinks!!!

I was surprised ... I actually didn't know what to say - it felt kinda ackward for sure since I'm the hostess.

Here's what they said: We go to alot of parties and ALWAYS bring our own drink of choice. Why would you as the hostess have to "guess or incur expense for us"?

Then added: WE are just thrilled to come to your house for buffet dinner cuz we know its gonna be delicious!

thank you for the invite!"

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

house_cat — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 01:35:18 GMT

@homedecor1

What a nice compliment! Your appetizers do sound great!

I'm glad your guests are offering to bring their drinks - I find that's usually the best solution.

We live in a metropolitan area where Uber and Lyft rides are always just moments away. My neighbors, who drink quite a bit, often utilize those ride services when they go out.. which is a good thing because I've seen them arrive home and they definitely should not be driving.

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

homedecor1 — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 04:31:29 GMT

@house_cat

Fyi: I live in a golf community and most attending will be driving their golf cart or walking to my home.

They are basically my neighbors with walking distance...and if I have to (which I hope I won't😉) I'd taxi them home!

Thank you for your ideas & concern! Now, if you decide to join us the guest room is ready!🙂

homedecor1

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

house_cat — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 15:19:20 GMT

@homedecor1

I'll bring dessert!

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

Zhills — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 17:14:24 GMT

Bring that Chocolate Yule STACK and I'll meet you there!

@homedecor1 It is quite common for guests to being their own drinks to a gathering.

Sangaria is always nice but actually, I would prefer to have my favorite drink over just a cheap bottle of Wine someone brought.

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

homedecor1 — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 00:43:49 GMT

@Zhills and others:

This is just exactly what happened -- I was "stressing" over drinks & my guests prefer to bring their own!

Sounds good to me (and less stress). I am providing soda, coffee, etc.🙂.

Happy New Year!

Re: Easy appetizer suggestions please & drinks!

mustang66lady — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 05:24:28 GMT

@homedecor1

I know your event has already occurred but just wanted to say I think your guests were very thoughtful to provide their own drinks and that your menu was more than lovely. I hope you all had a grand time. I used to try to purchase alcohol to appeal to the group-we don't drink Bud Light any more, no we don't drink Coors, no we no longer drink Corona, etc. I finally got tired of trying to please people and getting stuck with alcohol we didn't drink. Now I tell people to BYOB and try to have sangria or one signature cocktail for an event. Of course, I have ice tea, coffee, bottled water, and soda. I also try to keep a supply of good mixers on hand such as ginger ale, club soda, tonic water, bloody mary mix, sweet and sour mix so if people want to make a mixed drink with what they brought, it is available. Much less expensive to send someone home with an open bottle of bloody mary mix than purchase alcohol no one will drink. I just wanted to add my thoughts going forward for you so that you don't stress over details that don't need the worry. You sound like a wonderful, thoughtful hostess. Happy New Year!