Going Away Party

elisagoulart

I'm throwing a going away party for my boss and his wife. We have about 12 ppl coming (including me and my DH). I live in Belgium, so the crowd likes beer, but the party is also on a Sunday afternoon. I'm really not sure how much they will drink/eat...Here's what I was planning:1 lb bag of meatballs (for crockpot)4 bags chips, 2 large jars of salsa1 platter crackers (have 1 big box reg, and 2 smaller packages flavored)1 platter cheese (assorted)1 platter rolled up lunch meats, assorted (with bowl of olives in the middle)2 2lt bottles of Diet Coke1 2lt bottle of SpriteBeers: 3 6packs Blonde (their fav one), 2 6pack Dark beer (DH preference); and 1 6pack fruity/girly beerDoes this seem like enough food/drinks?!?

6fsn

Is this a meal time?  Regardless I think you'll want at least 2 lbs of meatballs and some sort of veggie- a tray, marinated veggies, something.  If it's a meal then I'd add some rolls to make sandwiches and a couple of salads.

You know the crowd, but I'd have some regular coke and definitely some water. 

What about some sweet stuff too?  Cookies, a cake, ice cream sundaes.

lsgarver

It totally depends on what time.  I think this is ok if it's at 10 am or 3 pm, although you'd still need something sweet and some fruit/veggies, IMO.

If this is meal time, you need way more--at least rolls for sandwiches, maybe a platter of wraps, a salad (like pasta or potato) or scrap those and get something heartier like a lasagna.

BlackDiamond3201

I agree with increasing the amount of meatballs. And adding rolls so people can make a sandwich with the meats. You don't want people to go home hungry?

What about a cake? Cookies? Or any dessert?

elisagoulart

Hi all,

Thanks so much for your wonderful suggestions. I definitely did not even stop to consider I said 5pm on Sunday - so that IS meal time. Hopefully my changes to the menu will be enough.

There's only 12 people, but everyone will eat different amounts. Unfortunately, I'm really not sure I can get more meatballs in time. I went to the American Army commissary with an army friend to get them. And I don't think more than one bag will fit in my small crock pot. I will double check tonight to see if the whole bag fits with room enough for more. Maybe I will be able to get lucky and find some in Belgium... Do you think I should just scrap that whole idea? Do I have enough other stuff now?

The packages of lunchmeat and cheeses usually have about 10 - 12 slices in them. I'm not sure what kind of dips I will be able to find for the cracker platter..sour cream pretty much does not exist in the stores here that I have seen But I have seen a lot of premade dip-looking things before. Any suggestions? Any dip recipes without sour cream?

New Menu:

Food
Sandwich Rolls (20-24 count)
1 jar mayo (w/1 extra as back up)
1 jar mustard (w/1 extra as back up)
1 platter of lunch meat (3 packages ham, 3 packages chicken, 2 packages salami)
1 platter of sliced cheeses (3 packages - assorted)
1 small bowl of pickles

1 platter assorted crackers and some kind of dip (?)
1 platter of Shrimp (from 2 large bags, with bowl of cocktail sauce in the middle - 2 jars of cocktail sauce just in case)

1 lb bag of meatballs (for crockpot)
4 bags chips, 2 large jars of salsa
1 large bowl pasta salad (made with 2 boxes of pasta, salad dressing, assorted chopped peppers)

Desserts
1 apple pie (or something similar)
1 fruity pie (think pie crust with creamy filling topped with fruit - those are everywhere here and yummy)
plate of assorted cookies

Drinks
Water is available - should I get bottled water? 
Beers: 4 6packs Blonde (their fav one), 3 6pack Dark beer (DH preference); and 2 6pack fruity/girly beer
2 2lt bottles of Diet Coke (most popular)
1 2lt bottle of Reg coke, caffeine free
1 2lt bottle sprite

We also have a bunch of bottles of wine at home we could open too (but only 4 ladies in the crowd - I think all the men will want beer).

Does this sound like enough now? I did not want to over do it, but at the same time definitely do not want to run out or not have enough. Thanks ladies!

6fsn

You have a lot of snacks, but no meal.  You've got sandwiches, meatballs, shrimp, pasta salad and chips. Do the shrimp or the meatballs and add a couple of more salads.  Since I don't know what's available, do things you like.  One easy thing I like to do blanch asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower and marinade overnight in some sort of vinagrette.

elisagoulart

Since your post I have added a green bean salad. So, the meal is Sandwiches, Pasta Salad, and Green Bean Salad. Then there are lot of snacks to munch on which go great with beers - the main drink of this crowd. Hopefully it all turns out well I'm finally feeling at ease about the menu.