Cheaper Appetizers for a party

athlete010688

Good morning all.  I am looking for cheaper appetizers for a bridal shower I am hosting next month.  At most there will be 22 people at this shower.  I'm not looking to spend a fortune on appetizers, but I don't want to be super cheap either.  Does anyone have any ideas for cheaper appetizers that would be good for a shower?

 Thanks!

maeghan21

I have a slew of appetizers on my blog in my siggy. Cheese and crackers is always a winner. Make some nice crudites and dips,but up the ante by not doing the typical ones. It's not what you make, but how you present it. If you make it look pretty it will look like there is more Big thing with keeping cost down is try to make what you already have in your pantry. Don't start buying one ingredient you know you'll never use again or an ingredient like seafood or something that will up the cost big time.

athlete010688

maeghan21:

I have a slew of appetizers on my blog in my siggy. Cheese and crackers is always a winner. Make some nice crudites and dips,but up the ante by not doing the typical ones. It's not what you make, but how you present it. If you make it look pretty it will look like there is more Big thing with keeping cost down is try to make what you already have in your pantry. Don't start buying one ingredient you know you'll never use again or an ingredient like seafood or something that will up the cost big time.

Thanks!

Jim&Jaime

What sort of theme/feel are you going for with this event? That can dictate what you prepare and how you present it. Also, will the apps be the meal or is there a meal being served as well?

athlete010688

Jim&Jaime:

What sort of theme/feel are you going for with this event? That can dictate what you prepare and how you present it. Also, will the apps be the meal or is there a meal being served as well?

It's in the middle of the afternoon (starting at 2pm). So, I just plan on doing light apps and a cake/punch for dessert.  I haven't thought too much of a theme for the food.  The only thing I know I'm definitely making is a nacho dip and serving with tortilla chips.  I love that dip, and make that all the time.

Jim&Jaime

athlete010688:

Jim&Jaime:

What sort of theme/feel are you going for with this event? That can dictate what you prepare and how you present it. Also, will the apps be the meal or is there a meal being served as well?

It's in the middle of the afternoon (starting at 2pm). So, I just plan on doing light apps and a cake/punch for dessert.  I haven't thought too much of a theme for the food.  The only thing I know I'm definitely making is a nacho dip and serving with tortilla chips.  I love that dip, and make that all the time.

Without seeing the recipe, this seems more like party food than shower food, which is fine, it just sets a tone. Maybe, if you're set on making this, go with a Mexican theme for the shower food and decor.

If you were hoping for more of a girly shower, I would ditch the nacho dip in favor of lighter, fancier fare in little portions and lighter flavors. This doesn't mean diet/no flavor food, but just not things you might see at a tailgate or such. 

DanniLynn88

My parents paid for my wedding(mostly) and shower. They kept food costs down by getting a lunch meat tray at our grocery store, they went in and got like a pound of three meats and three cheeses and set up themselves, which was cheaper. They got like 3 dozen dinner rolls, and mayo mustard, etc. They also got chips and drinks. That was it, but it was nice and didn't cost them too much and everyone was happy. Oh and she made her famous pasta salad.

daveandlaura2009

I just made these cucumber bites for a baby shower. I think they'd be perfect. Boursin can be expensive, but you could substitute in a pub cheese and use less cream.

I've also made the Caprese Skewers on this post for many showers.

I love finger food type appetizers for shower events.

vjcjenn1

so you are hosting, are you providing all the food? Is the food going to be all appetizers (that's fine but you need more of them)

to compliment the nacho dip...I'm thinking a veggie tray, those ham/cheese sticky sandwiches, sweet/sour meatballs...and maybe 2 other things...I don't think any of these are very expensive

Ginger Le Coeur

one of my favorite simple things to do is to take store bought phyllo tart cups, place a little apricot or raspberry jam in the bottom, then a small dollop of brie, you can put a slivered almond on top, but that's totally optional. Bake them according the directions on the package. They are no mess, no fuss individual baked brie and they are very yummy.

I have also "stuffed" them ahead of time, put them back in the freezer and baked them off just before the party. 

 

MirandaHobbes

My go-to cheap but nice app is in the frozen section of Costco. They have this ginormous box of frozen spinach spanikopita. Makes a huge platter, is filling, and delish. There are tons of stuff at Costco worth serving at a shower.. like premade gourmet dips, salsas (to go with your nacho dip), frozen taquitos, etc. I hear you on keeping costs down- I try to do this a lot. I've learned to (1) use what's in your fridge or (2) buy one nice item instead of something elaborate. I just served an app last night that was cheap- I got a huge bag of frozen shrimp from Costco, and wrapped it with a pound of bacon I had in my fridge. Grilled it on skewers and everyone was moaning about how great they were. I also do shrimp cocktail pretty often. Large bag of shrimp ($15 Costco) defrosted, jar of cocktail sauce, done.