texasgirl said:
My sister is turning the big
50 on the 29th of December, so, my niece is going to have her party with New Years Eve. She has asked me for ideas.
I need ideas for finger foods and dips. She doesn't want to just do hot dogs as the 50th is a milestone. We need stuff that are not going to break the bank and that are not real time consuming to make as we both work.
Any decorating ideas are welcomed too
We're already planning on black and orange theme {Harley colors
} Plus, black is the normal for over the hill.
Thanks in advance for your help!!
Texas are you making the birthday cake(s) or ordering? Do you need ideas in that dept & for beverages?
Re finger foods - Call around for prices from catering companies in the yellow pages. It may be less costly and time consuming than cooking for a large crowd - like party trays (hors de' houvres, deli platters, meat/cheese/fruit/seafood quiches etc.) -- or pick up platters from a local deli.
This time of year, the supermarkets are offering lots of party trays to pick up. Or deli/meat/cheese/antipasti trays or shrimp on ice can be made at home. Buy the disposable foil trays, arrange shrimp etc on the trays w cocktail sauce in the center and get bags of ice.
In the dip dept - you could buy or make mushroom pate, artichoke dips, cream cheese-based dips, etc., and assorted crackers and chips. You could arrange fruits on party pics like kabobs and have a strawberry-yogurt type dipping sauce. Or maybe a chocolate fountain for dipping fruits/nibbles.
Beverages - Don't know if you can swing champagne - so I'd go with Sangria or egg nog (this time of year), sparkling cidar. If you have a trader Joe's around - they use to sell "Two Buck Chuck".
The Chinese combo take out places are great for party food - the kind that offer one main dish (i.e. the orange sesame chicken we spoke about, beef & broccoli, etc.), fried rice and a noodle dish for about $4.00 a plate. Call the take out place and they will give you prices for making up big trays. Or check out their prices for i.e. egg rolls, dumplings, paper wrapped chicken, etc.
Re decorating - Can I talk you out of a black theme?
I'd go with something festive for this time of year - like a winter wonderland in all white or white and silver. I saw an idea that was used for Oprah's 50th, if you like.
If you'd like something more substantial in the food dept, but not a lot of work:
GO Pasta: Homemade or storebought ravioli and sauce of choice. A friend made fettuccine alfredo and another fettuccine in a red sauce for her wedding (as funds were limited). Ziti or lasagna is another thought.
This time of year is ideal for turkey, ham, duck. Some markets offer - Buy one and get one free. You could do a buffet and have the turkey (etc.) sliced, mashed potato platter and a veggie platter, etc. - rolls, salad, fruit and think you can rent a huge coffee machine, where people can serve themselves.
Here are some more ideas:
http://www.restaurantfoodsathome.com/asp/categories/appetizers.asp