Need some party planning help

[dizluvah]

I am hosting a dinner for the organizers of a playgroup I belong to: 7 women (including myself) and I have a $65 budget. I can go over budget but I am hoping to keep the costs as close to $65. Basically I want to do something nice for all of us who work really hard to plan fun events for our kids and mom's only events.

I like the idea of make your own bars: salad, potato, chili, etc but was hoping to do something a little more upscale (not fancy per se but not something we are likely to do with our kids). I would like to avoid pasta as I feel like that is a go-to meal for alot of us busy moms.

It will have to buffet style I don't have enough table space for a sit down meal for all of us. I thought about a bunch of different appetizers but worry I'll spend too much in the kitchen preparing tapas.

Anyone have any creative ideas?

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

How about a breakfast foods? Kinda like a brunch but at dinner time?
Quiche, muffins, fruit, waffles with chocolate chips and whipped cream, bacon or sausage, did this a few weeks ago for 3 adults and 7 kids and it was a HUGE hit!!!! and some cheap champagne and orange juice for mimosas

 

[ENSOCK]

How about a mexican theme? You could have a taco dip or taco salad. Then have enchilias (sp) and tacos. then a mexican dessert to top it off. Of course the margaritas as the drink special, with or with out tequila.

 

[princess barbara]

What about make your own flat breads or calzones. Have ingredients in bowls with the flat bread or pizza dough set up and baking sheets to have everyone make their own.

 

[dizluvah]

This is why I love the dis! All 3 of those are awesome ideas . Thanks

 

[mjkacmom]

One of our playgroups always had lunch included (we'd rotate houses), and the most popular was a nice quiche and a good salad (lettuce/nuts/fruit/cheese). Or how about some grilled paninis? Honestly, if someone is feeding me dinner (rare), I'd prefer it completed than make my own. And I prefer "adult" food - food I wouldn't make for my kids.

 

[Soulsearching]

I am hosting a dinner for the organizers of a playgroup I belong to: 7 women (including myself) and I have a $65 budget. I can go over budget but I am hoping to keep the costs as close to $65. Basically I want to do something nice for all of us who work really hard to plan fun events for our kids and mom's only events.

I like the idea of make your own bars: salad, potato, chili, etc but was hoping to do something a little more upscale (not fancy per se but not something we are likely to do with our kids). I would like to avoid pasta as I feel like that is a go-to meal for alot of us busy moms.

It will have to buffet style I don't have enough table space for a sit down meal for all of us. I thought about a bunch of different appetizers but worry I'll spend too much in the kitchen preparing tapas.

Anyone have any creative ideas?

Since you only have $65.00 to spend, I would bake some chicken parts, thighs, legs and breast. Spray large pan with Pam (olive oil) put chicken parts in the pan, skin facing up, spray chicken with Pam and then season with Seasoned salt, garlic powder and onion powder. Bake at 375 for 40 to 45 minutes. Don't over cook.

Rice can be your side dish with either a salad or a vegetable dish.

Serve as a Buffet.

When your guests ask what they can bring, tell some of them Wine and Some of them Dessert.

$65 should cover for 8 Adults. Enjoy

 

[HeatherC]

How about a Thanksgiving dinner? You could cook a turkey or turkey breast, or even a roast chicken, mashed potatoes, rolls, stuffing and some veggie and cranberry sauce. Serve some Apple Pie for dessert and stay well under $65 for 7 people.

I just bought a 15 lb. turkey today for under $20. For 7 people you wouldn't need one that large. A bag of potatoes is like $3 and stuffing is cheap and easy to make.
You can time it to finish cooking right before they arrive. Make the potatoes and stuffing the day before and warm in a crockpot.

Is actually an easy meal that can allow time for you to enjoy your guests and is something busy moms would probably really enjoy since they didn't have to cook it.

 

[dizluvah]

How about a Thanksgiving dinner? You could cook a turkey or turkey breast, or even a roast chicken, mashed potatoes, rolls, stuffing and some veggie and cranberry sauce. Serve some Apple Pie for dessert and stay well under $65 for 7 people.

I just bought a 15 lb. turkey today for under $20. For 7 people you wouldn't need one that large. A bag of potatoes is like $3 and stuffing is cheap and easy to make.
You can time it to finish cooking right before they arrive. Make the potatoes and stuffing the day before and warm in a crockpot.

Is actually an easy meal that can allow time for you to enjoy your guests and is something busy moms would probably really enjoy since they didn't have to cook it.

Oh I actually have a turkey in the freezer....hmmm good idea

 

[Mouseless2Long]

My favorite is Ina Garten's Beef Bourguignon (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/beef-bourguignon-recipe/index.html). Not terribly expensive, but classy. Best of all, it's one of those dishes you want to make the day before, because it tastes better if you give the flavors time to meld together. I make it in a dutch oven, and then pour it into a slow cooker to reheat and serve. If you want a classier serving dish, you can just leave it in the dutch oven, and once heated ladle it into a nice serving bowl. I serve mine either with mashed potatoes (the frozen steam and mash potatoes are easy and good) or buttered noodles, crusty bread/rolls and a salad. Simple and absolutely delicious.

 

[bankgirl05]

how about a pizza, salad and LOTS of wine???

Now, there's a dinner party I'd like to attend...

 

[scrapquitler]

how about a pizza, salad and LOTS of wine???

Now, there's a dinner party I'd like to attend...

For a group of playgroup Moms, I think any time away and a bit of wine, and everyone will be thinking this:

The food will be secondary to the break away from the kids and the chance to talk to other adults. The only suggestion I have is make it adult type food, not what we Moms tend to eat while we are cooking for the kids!

 

[jameswilson799]

How about keeping Italian theme? Potato Gnocchi with Mushroom and Shallot Sauce, Italian pasta and Red Wine??

 

[irishsharon]

When we have company my go to meal is roast beef,baked potatoes and fresh veggie.It allows me time with my guests instead of being in the kitchen and missing the fun!No matter what you do it will be a great time I almost forgot chocolate fondue with strawberries,pound cake and rice crispy treats.To make it a grown-up party think about flowers and candles also your best plates and cloth napkins and beautiful wine glasses.

 

[disneymomjcs]

How about a breakfast foods? Kinda like a brunch but at dinner time?
Quiche, muffins, fruit, waffles with chocolate chips and whipped cream, bacon or sausage, did this a few weeks ago for 3 adults and 7 kids and it was a HUGE hit!!!! and some cheap champagne and orange juice for mimosas

Love breakfast for lunch! Also good for groups Home made chicken salad, broccoli cranberry salad and a tossed Salad. Easy you can boil the chicken the day before and shred, salt, pepper mayo and celerty yummy! You can put lettuce around a platter with Chicken Salad in the middle then put hardboiled eggs cut in half and cut grapes to make it look nice. You can also do punch in a bowl it will look fancy!

 

[mjkacmom]

How about keeping Italian theme? Potato Gnocchi with Mushroom and Shallot Sauce, Italian pasta and Red Wine??

Gnocchi is considered a pasta course, so adding pasta to it would be overkill.

 

[scbelleatheart]

Our Mother's Club group likes to graze. . We do a lot of appetizers/dips/fondues (the one's you'd love to try at family get togethers or other parties). Get an honest opinion from your freinds if they are good or not. Same with desserts.
I would make small amounts, 2-3 per person since your group is so small.
basically finger foods, hot and cold. Everyone congregates to the area the food is and of course, special drinks/wine! No real need for formal seating.
One freind specialized in home made wines made by her dad and we had a great time trying them all out along with the appetizers and desserts. She did winter. Fireplace, music.
Mine are always outside with good background music then on to the pool and hot tub.
It was a night with out kids and very little prep time and cheap.
Never a full heavy meal or something we would make to serve the ball team.