Questions on house warming party???!
Questions on house warming party???
In 2 weeks i am planning on hosting a house warming party, It is my first house, and i am only 19 so i am super excited about it! I am inviting family and friends. There will be at least 25 people there, What would be the best way to do this? Have it as a dinner or a day party, and what types of things do i do except show the house. If i prepare dinner what do i make for that many people? And if i dont prepare dinner what kind of food do i serve? Any tips would be much appreciated. I am a little lost when it comes to planning this as i am planning this on my own. Thanks!!!
Answers:
Have it as an open house. Serve finger foods from a buffet set up: tortilla pinwheels, cheese ball and crackers, veggies & dip, finger sandwiches, or sliced ham, beef, turkey (any or all) with a basket of small rolls so people can make their own sandwiches. Use a small crockpot to keep cocktail franks or meat balls warm. For sweets set out brownies, lemon bars, small cookies. Brew up a pot of coffee, and have hot water & tea bags available. Have soft drinks available as well. I am going on the assumption that you don't have a lot of 'service' ware but you can always borrow an extra coffee pot from your mom or a friend (to keep water for hot tea ready). See if you can get a couple of good friends to help you (with setting up and keeping an eye on the buffet table).
When I held mine, I set the drinks up in one room and the food in another, so that people had an excuse to wander about and see the house on their own. If it is not a cold or rainy day, you could always set the soft drinks in tubs on the patio.
try a buffet, have different foods or finger food
sandwiches,dip, simple and easy preperation
cold cuts, salads, this will also give you more time to relax and enjoy your company.
I think you sohuld have a dinner party. It's more classy. You could watch TV, just give a tour, play board games like pictionary, and just all around play music and talk. Shrimp, A roast, King ranch chicken all would be great foods to serve. Just set out a bit of everthing, desserts (Pie, Cookies, Cake,...) Appetizers (Cocktails, Shrimp, Salsa with chips,...) and possibly alcoholic bevarages like wine or martinis would be classy too. If there's children serve Shirley Temples.
Good luck on your party, don't stress it, and HAVE A GOOD TIME!!
It will be easier on u to just have a hot/cold buffet some cocktails. Truly friends & family don't want u to go overboard. A buffet will allow for people to come a little later if they need. If u go with preparing a dinner u may want to use disposable plates & cups. Sometimes Hallmark stores have idea books u can look at.
I would do it as a simple, daytime party, maybe around 3: PM. For that many people, prepare something simple, like spaghetti with a meat sauce & a green vegetable salad, and some garlic bread (which you can buy at the supermarket already made up, just warm it in the oven) and a simple dessert like cake or a pudding parfait. You could even go simpler and have cold cuts like a variety of lunch meats and cheeses and potato chips. As far as doing things, you can play your favorite CDs and just mingle with your guests. Tell them to look around and make themselves at home. Just relax and enjoy the day !!!
Well first - CONGRATS! When I moved into my first apartment (which was just about a year ago when I was 20) I threw a little get together. The best way to do it is to have a lot of drinks and appetizers. You would kill yourself and stress out too hard on a sit down dinner for 25. Plus, that would be really expensive. Here's a couple great appetizer and drink ideas, hope they work for you like they did for me!
Savory Three Cheese Spread
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
3 slices OSCAR MAYER Smoked Ham, finely chopped
1/4 cup KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Tbsp. chopped red bell peppers
1 Tbsp. sliced green onions
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper (cayenne)
SPREAD cream cheese onto bottom of microwaveable 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese, ham and Parmesan cheese.
MICROWAVE on HIGH 1 min. or until heated through.
TOP spread with bell peppers, onions and ground pepper, sprinkling each topping in a row over one-third of spread. Serve with RITZ Crackers.
Artichoke Dip
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained, chopped
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese
SPREAD cream cheese onto bottom of microwaveable 9-inch pie plate.
MIX artichokes, butter and garlic; spoon evenly over cream cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
MICROWAVE on HIGH 1 min. or until heated through. Serve with TRISCUIT Thin Crisps.
Baked Crab Rangoon
1 can (6 oz.) white crabmeat, drained, flaked
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, 1/3 Less Fat than Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup KRAFT Mayo Light Mayonnaise
12 won ton wrappers
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Mix crabmeat, Neufchatel cheese, onions and mayo.
SPRAY 12 medium muffin cups with cooking spray. Gently place 1 won ton wrapper in each cup, allowing edges of wrappers to extend above sides of cups. Fill evenly with crabmeat mixture.
BAKE 18 to 20 min. or until edges are golden brown and filling is heated through. Serve warm. Garnish with chopped green onions, if desired.
Cheese n Ham Spirals
1 egg
1 Tbsp. water
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (1/2 of 17-1/4-oz. pkg.), thawed
1/4 cup KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper (cayenne)
8 slices OSCAR MAYER Shaved Smoked or Brown Sugar Ham
PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Beat egg and water until blended; set aside. Unfold pastry on lightly floured surface. Roll into 14x10-inch rectangle; cut in half lengthwise. Brush both pastry halves lightly with some of the egg mixture. Sprinkle 3 Tbsp. of the cheese and the pepper evenly over one of the pastry pieces; cover with ham slices. Place remaining pastry piece, egg-side down, over ham. Roll gently with rolling pin to seal. Brush with additional egg mixture.
ROLL up tightly to form a 14-inch log, starting at one of the long sides. Cut log crosswise into 24 slices. Place, cut-sides down, on parchment-covered baking sheet. Brush with remaining egg mixture; sprinkle with remaining 1 Tbsp. cheese.
BAKE 12 to 14 min. or until golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Stuffed Mushrooms
20 medium mushrooms
3 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. finely chopped onions
2 Tbsp. finely chopped red peppers
14 RITZ Crackers, finely crushed (about 1/2 cup crumbs)
2 Tbsp. KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Remove stems from mushrooms. Finely chop enough of the stems to measure 1/4 cup; set aside. Cover and refrigerate remaining stems for other use.
MELT butter in large skillet on medium heat. Add 1/4 cup chopped mushroom stems, the onions and peppers; cook and stir until vegetables are tender. Stir in cracker crumbs, cheese and Italian seasoning. Spoon crumb mixture evenly into mushroom caps. Place on ungreased baking sheet.
BAKE 15 min. or until heated through.
Easy Deviled Eggs
3 hard-cooked eggs, cooled, peeled
3 slices OSCAR MAYER Shaved Smoked Ham, finely chopped
1 CLAUSSEN Kosher Dill Mini Pickle, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. MIRACLE WHIP Light Dressing
1 tsp. GREY POUPON Dijon Mustard
Pepper, to taste
CUT eggs in half lengthwise. Remove yolks; place in bowl and mash with fork.
ADD ham, pickles, dressing, mustard and pepper; mix well.
SPOON egg yolk mixture evenly into egg whites. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with paprika, if desired.
Macaroons
1 pkg. (14 oz.) BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut (5-1/3 cups)
2/3 cup sugar
6 Tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
4 egg whites
1 tsp. almond extract
PREHEAT oven to 325°F. Grease and flour baking sheets; set aside. Mix coconut, sugar, flour and salt in large bowl. Stir in egg whites and almond extract until well blended.
DROP coconut mixture into 36 mounds, 2 inches apart, on prepared baking sheets, using about 1 tablespoonful of the coconut mixture for each mound.
BAKE 20 min. or until edges are golden brown. Immediately remove from baking sheets to wire racks. Cool completely.
Brownie Bottom Cheesecake Squares
1 pkg. (13x9-inch pan size) brownie mix
4 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
3 eggs
2 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted, cooled slightly
PREHEAT oven to 325°F. Line 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan; grease foil. Prepare brownie batter as directed on package; pour into prepared pan. Bake 18 to 20 min. or until top of brownie is shiny and center is almost set.
MEANWHILE, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Spoon over partially baked brownie batter in pan. (Filling will come almost to top of pan.)
BAKE 40 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife or metal spatula around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Let stand at room temperature 30 min. before serving. Lift cheesecake from pan, using foil handles. Drizzle with chocolate; let stand until chocolate is firm. Cut into 16 bars to serve. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.
Sparkling Champagne Punch
2 cups boiling water
1 pkg. (8-serving size) JELL-O Brand Lemon Flavor Gelatin
2 cups cold orange juice
3 cups cold ginger ale
1 bottle (750 ml) champagne, chilled
Ice cubes
STIR boiling water into dry gelatin in large bowl at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Stir in juice. Cool to room temperature.
POUR into punch bowl just before serving. Add ginger ale, champagne and ice cubes.
Golden Glow Punch
1 tub TANG Orange Flavor Sugar Free Drink Mix
1 qt. (4 cups) water
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen unsweetened strawberries, partially thawed
1 can (6 oz.) frozen lemonade concentrate
2 cups cold club soda
Ice cubes
PLACE drink mix, water, strawberries and lemonade in large plastic or glass pitcher. Stir until drink mix is dissolved and strawberries are separated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
POUR into large punch bowl just before serving. Stir in club soda and ice cubes.
Cranberry Lemonade Spritzer
1 tub CRYSTAL LIGHT Pink Lemonade Flavor Low Calorie Soft Drink Mix
1 bottle (48 oz.) reduced calorie cranberry juice cocktail
1 bottle (1 liter) seltzer, chilled
PLACE drink mix in large plastic or glass pitcher. Add cranberry juice cocktail; stir until drink mix is dissolved. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.
POUR into punch bowl when ready to serve. Add seltzer. Serve over ice cubes.
For that many people (and as an inexperienced host), a buffet is the best way to go. Have a mixture of hot and cold foods, as well as a mixture of colors, flavors, and textures. You can buy some frozen, heat-in-the-oven hors d'oeuvres at Costco or Sams, and make some things. To reduce stress on the day of the party, try to make as many dishes as you can in the days before. A veggie/dip tray and a meat/cheese tray are basics which can be bought pre-made (although this is a lot more $ than if you do it yourself). Look on line for recipes. Good luck!
Have a buffet. finger foods, d'or Hourves, at least one or two hot items like chili, or lasagna, desserts, drinks, lots of water too. Use paper plates, plastic knives and forks, and paper cups, so you don't need to clean up much after wards. You can go to a dollar store for that. Cheese and crackers, deli meats, fruit platter, veggie platter, dessert platter(brownies, cookies, mini cakes, cup cakes etc...), pasta salads, meat balls, garden salads, wings, M&M Meat shops offers a lot of variety for finger foods, skewers, etc....Best thing to do for 25 people. Pop, juice, punch are really good beverages.
Have fun and GOOD LUCK!
For that many people and with little entertaining experience do a buffet. Housewarming parties tend to be pretty casual, and arrival times may vary considerabley so food that is already out that you don't have to mess with might be best. Plan for things that can be made ahead and warmed at the last minute if necessary and do absolutely as much as possible ahead of time. You might even want to purchase platters of food.
Dress up the house with flowers and/or plants.
Also, enlist a couple of friends to help so you can enjoy the party too. I'd also go for a day party, you're showing off your new home so having the light would be good. It also (weather permitting) allows the party to spill outside if it needs to.
Remember that the more relaxed you are the more relaxed your guests will be. It's actually pretty stressful to be the guest of a completely harried hostess so keep it simple, have your friends help you and do most of the work in advance.
Oh, and disposable dishes are probably a must. And be sure you have plenty of space in your trash can.
Have fun - I'm sure it will be a big success!
Couple of suggestions here. One, have a big old fashioned spaghetti feed. Spaghetti is easy and all you have to serve with it is french bread and green salad. Set it up buffett style and peeps can serve themselves.
Or do a buffett with various lunchmeat and cheeses, rolls and potato salad. Again, everyone makes their own. Set out a couple of different chips/dips, too!
This all leaves you to be a great host or hostess, and you can enjoy the party, too, instead of slaving over a hot stove.
Party on and congrats on your new house!!!
Your best bet is to make it an open house and give people a four to six hour window to come on by and visit. Serve "picky" foods buffet style. Things people can pick on while they're there - kind of cocktail party style. Also, try to think of foods that can sit out for a few hours, foods that are best eaten cold or at room temperature - cheese and crackers, veggie platters, etc. Plus, if you think you're out of food, have a few take out/delivery places on speed dial. You can always use the excuse that you're testing out the new goods in the neighborhood.
Congrats on the house at a young age! Since you will probably be having a big variety of ages at the party, I find that it's helpful to start it in the afternoon and have it go til whenever. That way all the adults can ooh and ahh and still go home early and then you and your friends can chill for the rest of the night. Buffet style works best in my opinion...you don't want to try and time everything right for a sit-down dinner for 25, especially when you're not used to your kitchen yet! Besides, that way people can grab a plate and wander around your lovely home. Keep It Simple...Don't stress to much about having it look perfect either...your family and friends won't care! Enjoy!
I was just about your age when I had my housewarming. I suggest you... Do finger foods. Be sure you allow your guests to bring gifts. You're young, and this is your first place. It's okay to give out your interrior colors and themes so that the guests can buy accordingly. At my housewarming, the family and friends kinda ate and laughed. We opened gifts, and our parents shared words (I had a roommate) and we in turned shared thanks.
Nothing too formal or fancy...it was to welcome family and friends to our space. I would also suggest something during the day so that they all can see your place in the sunlight.
A house warming party usually isn't a party.The people bring you gifts and look at your house.the ones that I have attended have finger foods,and some desserts.Veggy tray,fruit tray,cheeses(on toothpicks),cookies,breads,coo... coffee(or tea or both)All the finger foods can be put together the day ahead,and wrapped with saran wrap.Congratulations on your new Home.....