Desperate Non-Housewife

[cjsmith]

How did I get myself into this?

In two and a half weeks I'm hosting anywhere from thirty to sixty people (RSVP percentage is still low). There will be a lot of "walk around and talk to people" going on as I do not own anywhere near that many chairs. The start time is advertised as 7pm. I have NOT specified pot luck, and it's a bit late to change my tune. There will be wine. That much I know how to do.

WHAT DO I FEED THESE PEOPLE?

I do not "cook". I can make a basic meal, but it ain't party food, and in general it will impress no one. Plus I'd like to be able to enjoy myself; last time I "cooked" for guests I spent all day and evening in the kitchen and merely heard rumors later that others had had a good time. So I'm looking for something requiring no or little or simple preparation, and something that can be fully prepared well ahead of time.

- They'll be mingling and carrying both food and drink. Finger foods?
- Some may arrive as early as 7. Something substantial?
- It'll go on all evening. Foods not requiring heat or chilling?
- There are a LOT of people. Foods I can distribute over several tables throughout the place?

Any ideas meeting these basic criteria are very welcome. :)

edit: Likely closer to 30 people. If all our maybes and nonresponders show, we get 40; if our nonresponders all bring guests, 50 tops.
edit2: The party was billed as an "informal gathering", holiday, no gifts.

Comments

[dawnd.livejournal.com]

Cocktail sausages are little tiny sausages. You can find them in the fridge or freezer section. The ones Akien favors are called "Lil Smokies."

Knowing they are not work associates, but flying buddies--yeah, you can relax a little more. Not as crucial that the tables be clean all the time. :^)

Plastic tablecloths are your friend. :^) Also, one good trick we've used is to get extra table cloths, position the table against the wall, and hang one of the table cloths toward the front, so it hangs to the floor. Then cover with the one on the table top. It provides a quick and easy cover for storage of extra food and drink, boxes, ice chests, etc.

Don't forget plastic or paper cups if you're not doing canned sodas. ;^)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll look for those. (or else do that hot dog recipe. Cherry jam? Really??) I did buy the smallest crock pot I could get, though, so maybe that stuff will run out fast.

Flying buddies ARE work associates, of course.

Yes, I'd DEFINITELY been wanting to hide extra drinks and such under the tables!

[dawnd.livejournal.com]

Yes, cherry jam. Really. It makes a very tasty sorta sweet and sour sauce. I kid you not.

Flying buddies ARE work associates, of course.

Um, yeah. Of course. D'oh! Still, not quite the level I had been thinking of, since I still have a context of him with multimillion dollar deals.

Glad to read that it's closer to 30 than 60. That will make it much easier. And that it was already billed as "informal". That will help, too.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

All right, I'm trusting you on the cherry jam!

Oh, good point: these aren't venture capitalists or the like. Phew!