Entertaining Ideas
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Housewarming party

We're hosting a housewarming party next week, and it's an all-day open house sort of thing where people can drop in as they like.

I'd like some ideas for small bites that won't taste awful if they've been sitting out a while. I'll replenish and re-microwave stuff throughout the day if I can but I can't do it constantly. I *think* we have a few ceramic chafing dishes (shower gift that we haven't opened yet), but it might be lost in our pile of stuff since we just moved in two weeks ago, so I have to look. I can borrow sternos and aluminum chafing dishes from my mom, so that can help keep stuff hot.

Ideas: stuffed mushrooms, buffalo wings, deviled eggs, potato skins, pigs in a blanket, sausage dip, corn and black bean salsa, a pot of chili with cornbread or biscuits, pulled pork sliders, southwestern eggrolls, fruit and veggie platters, cheese and crackers, potato chips/pretzels/Tostitos.

Dessert ideas are brownies, cookies, and possibly some little cheesecake bites.

Drinks: sodas, bottled water, beer, wine, coffee, hot tea

Here's my shopping list of supplies, tell me if i'm forgetting anything: disposable plates (dinner plates and small plates), knives/forks/spoons, cups (hot and cold drinks), paper napkins, ice, cooler. Borrowing extra chairs and table from Mom.

Thanks!

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Re: Housewarming party

  • Anything "re-microwaved" is going to taste awful. I'd only put out hot food if you have a chafing dish and sterno for it. And I'd get rid of the stuffed mushrooms - maybe it's just me, but I think that those get really rubbery really fast - especially if they're only being held warm.
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  • You have a lot of stuff on that list.  I'd probably pare it down so you don't have to refill as much.  I'd get rid of the chili because then you also have to add bowls to your shopping list.  Probably also the pigs in a blanket since you also have sausage and pork in other areas.

    You can put the pulled pork in a crockpot to keep warm.  The sausage dip can go in a small crockpot.  Put the eggs on smaller platters so you can keep rotating in the frig. 

  • I agree with the PP, I 'd scale down the menu some. We're having a housewarming soon and we are also doing small bites.
  • Just in case, add cream and sugar to your shopping list.

  • Because I'm a decor freak, I'd be worried about buffalo wings and chili on my upholstery or carpet. 

    I think you'd be fine with lighter fare - veggies and dip, cheese and crackers, chips & dip, pigs in a blanket.  Guests will only be there for 45 minutes or so, they don't need a full meal.

  • Thanks everyone! Great ideas and tips.
    image
  • imageTarHeels&Rebels:

    Because I'm a decor freak, I'd be worried about buffalo wings and chili on my upholstery or carpet. 

    I think you'd be fine with lighter fare - veggies and dip, cheese and crackers, chips & dip, pigs in a blanket.  Guests will only be there for 45 minutes or so, they don't need a full meal.

    Agree with the upholstery/carpet comment. That's why we served mostly light colored food.

    About what I put in bold...we just had our housewarming party. It was 1-4 pm on Sunday. We assumed the above would be true, but over 50% of our guests showed up at 1:00 and didn't leave until 4:00. Seriously, they just hung out the whole time, and we specified "Open House" on our invite assuming they'd come and go. They didn't.

    That being said, what we learned is that people grazed on snacks but focused more on drinks -- they maybe ate a small plate of food but had two or three glasses of tea, coffee, or juice. That's what we spent the most time replenishing.

    Also, I'd advise to get your "tour" ready. I've now walked the same pattern in my house more times than I ever thought I would. Wink

    Have fun!

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  • Thanks! Your blog post is very helpful!
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