Party ideas

Brooke:

Congratulations on the promotion in your family. I have a few suggestions to your inquiry. First, I suggest you check out the "It's my Party" board here on TKL for ideas already posted to similar events posted by others.

One of my favorite from that board is a combination baked-potato and tossed-salad area to a buffet table. Page originally posted the idea of a "pile of potatoes" (or was it hill...) whereas you carefully clean and bake a lot of potatoes. Pile them high and dramatically on the table and make available a huge collection of potatoe toppers so the guests and assemble their own.

This idea was recently expanded (on the party board, that is) to include a basic tossed green salad on the buffet and the guests can build their own salad and baked potatoe from the same topping selections. You can include chopped chicken, ham, bacon, margarine, butter, sour cream, low-fat sour cream, multiple cheeses, chives, brocolli pieces, etc. You could also have chili available as a potato topper or just as a side dish.

This also enables any vegetarian guests to make themselves a nice meal from the non-meat selections. If you know you are having some true vegetarians, you may want to label your cheeses so they know which ones they can eat without asking. You might want to make your chili using a vegetarian recipe.

And, I hope you solicit lots of help from friends or young folks. Appoint specific people who will keep the table supplied and who will pick up empty plates and dishes. Have lots of large trash bags available that can be replaced as needed.

I hope you have a great time at your party. And, do check out the TKL party board. There are some great ideas and recipes there.