Planning Open House / "Recovery Party" New Year's Day - help please!

[RobynScott]

We're doing a "Recovery Party" / Open House on New Year's Day. In part, it was a way for me to set a deadline for myself to get stuff done on the house and in part, just a day to invite our friends to come over and hang out - and "recover" from their New Year's festivities. This will be the first big thing we do at the house (even though there is still a lot to be done to the house).

I'm envisioning it as a farily casual thing, but seeing as it is a week away - if anyone has any ideas of what would be good to do / serve / have at an Open House, I would really appreciate it!

I was thinking of getting subs - but I have a lot of "maybes" so I don't even know how much food to get.

If any 'experienced' entertainers have any advice for me, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

[fuzzy]

That's a really cute idea. :)

For my hangoves, I usually like two types of things: something greasy and something bread-y. The subs would probably be great. I know a lot of my friends always crave grease after a long night. What if you got a sheet pizza too?

I'd offer soda, water, and maybe bloody marys? Along with some advil, of course! ;)

[RobynScott]

Hehe, I'll definitely have to have the Advil handy. we are not planning on having alcohol - but told friends that they are free (but not obligated) to bring it and continue their hangover :)

I was thinking maybe bagels and juice for the morning - it's just tough ordering food when you don't know how many people you will have. If we're hanging out later into the evening, I will probably just order a pizza. I think I'd better decide the food thing soon though!

I didn't know b/c of so many maybes if I should just go heavy on the snacks or what. I really, really need to start figuring this out - and soon!

[Ohana]

ITA with fuzz on the bready stuff.

Maybe you can do mini bagels with cream cheese in the morning, along with lots of hot coffee?

For the rest of the day, I think snacky foods would be best. I never really feel like eating a "meal" when hungover, but like to snack.

You can make things like pigs in a blanket, potstickers (Costco and Trader Joe's have yummy frozen ones, so you only cook as many as you need), and of course chips and dip. The subs would go great with snack-y stuff, too.

[bethnjim]

If you have people coming in and out of the house all day, I would do things that would keep warm and still be yummy:

meatballs with sauce in crockpot
roast beef sliced down in au jus in crockpot
turkey sliced in turkey gravy in crockpot
in between two crockpots, I would have a big basket of fresh rolls with condiments like ketchup, mustard, horseradish, mayo, salt, pepper, etc

I would also do some dips like a cold spinach dip that could be transferred in and out of the fridge in a bread bowl
OR
Hot spinach and artichoke dip with bread for dipping (once again, I would bake it and crockpot it for your crowd)

I would also have a variety of appetizers, but if people are showing up at all different times, that is going to be hard for you to "cook" during that time.

I would also do an assortment of sweets, like brownies cut into small squares, cheesecake bites, small cookies, etc.

Good luck!

[RobynScott]

Good luck!

Thanks - I think we'll need it :) We don't even own a crockpot - I really better start getting this thing thought out - and fast! :)

Keep the ideas coming - much appreciated!

[lil_geek]

We had that issue with our buck and doe. What we did was a roast/Turkey/ham sliced and served with buns in a 'make your own sandwich' bar. It worked out well, and the leftovers will freeze/keep better then lunch meats bought at the store, or sandwiches that are already assembled.

I like the idea of frozen appatizers, they only take 10 minutes, so when you get a crowd you can throw some in and shouldn't have a lot leftover if you bake in smaller batches.

ETA: Something like Chili may work... you can make it in the am and let it simmer on low all day.

I think they key is things that last hours without spoiling... and that can be frozen if you end up with leftovers.

[maybebaby]

You can buy those pizza bagels in the frozen food section (mini-ones) and heat them up. Also Trader Joe's if you have one nearby has great appetizers. Spanakopita, mini egg rolls, etc. I always think cheese, crackers and olives are fun too.

[WestieMomma]

Some of my parent's good friends have the "Chili Bowl" very year on New Year's Day. They serve a few different types of chili, black eyed peas, veggie and cheese platters and soft drinks and beer. Very casual and fun and of course some of the bowl games are on the TV. They have had it for like 20 something years..I think it's a cute idea and a neat tradition.