Party Ideas?

**Kaos Kitty** · 01-09-2009, 01:13 AM

There's a group of work friends that I promised to get together with over the holidays. At first we were all going to go out for dinner. Then I thought - that's not very frugal of me! In the "olden days" people went to each others homes to visit. So I am having everyone over for a "bring your own booze and an appetizer" party this Saturday. Although they've never been to my house before.

Eating out would have been $30-$50. I not only want to have my party cost less than eating out, but to fit into this weeks grocery budget of $100.

So...

I'm serving meatballs in the slow cooker, but I need a sauce to put on them (I read BQ sauce and plum sauce together was good - but to buy both is still $3-4 each). I was going to buy an $8.00 bag of frozen meatballs but it's probably cheaper to make my own.

I'm also having California Bread (2 loaves french bread layered with homemade garlic butter, homemade pizza sauce, grated cheese and parsley from my plant). Chocolate Fondue is for dessert (melted Toblerone (free) from Christmas and 1/2 cup whipping cream - vanilla wafers, bananas and canned pineapple chunks to dip). Strawberries are too expensive right now.

I'm still wondering if I should get a small bottle of Irish Cream to serve "Irish coffee" with dessert. Or is that too much? I would have left over whipping cream from the fondue. For entertainment I have the Wii Guitar Hero World Tour and Mario cart and a Karaoke machine. Should I plan for any games like spoons? I hear it's pretty violent

I did buy paper plates and napkins on clearance from Christmas for $2.50. (We only own 4 dinner plates) But I returned a unopened gift of cat toys to pay for it ($7.35 credit) and also bought my vanilla wafer cookies for the fondue with the credit.

There will be about 8 people, I want to keep it frugal, but still have a good time. Any other ideas or tips?

**redeme** · 01-09-2009, 02:06 AM

Wow, what fun!

For the meatballs, my sister uses grape jelly and chili sauce, they always come out great, but I haven't made them myself (she always does) it would be less expensive:

Sweet and Sour Meatballs
2 pounds ground beef
1 egg
1 onion, chopped
1 pinch salt
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle chili sauce
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 cup grape jelly

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine beef, egg, onion and salt. Mix together, then shape into little balls.
2. In a slow cooker combine chili sauce, lemon juice and grape jelly. Stir in meatballs and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours.

We also tend to put out some small pretzels with chocolate fondue, they are inexpensive and give the sweet/salt tastes.

I'd skip the Irish Cream and just have coffee, if someone asks if there's anything specific they can bring let them know Irish Cream.

Sounds like a good time!

**mamamia** · 01-09-2009, 03:51 AM

These are as cheap as they come, and everyone loves them! Make them the night before for good flavor blending.

Scallion Dip

2- 8oz pkges cream cheese
2- bunches of scallions
Cracked black pepper (optional)

Bring cream cheese to room temp, or microwave for about 45 seconds. Next trim and slice the scallions about 2-3 in. past the white part. Put together the scallions and cream cheese, pressing a little on the scallions with the back of a fork to release more flavor. Stir in pepper if desired. I serve this in a pretty dip bowl, and make a deign like this *, by cutting 5 thin srtips of the green tops. Serve w/crackers. Everyone dives right in

Jalapeno/Pineapple Dip

2- 8oz. pkges cream cheese (room temp)
1- large can crushed pineapple, drained
1-jar of sliced jalapenos (see below for amt)

Just this mix all this together and let sit overnight. Serve with crackers. It makes for an excellent sweet/hot taste.

The amt. of jalapenos you add depends on your taste. I also add a few tbsps. of the liquid, but we like things pretty hot around here.

Hope this helps. It really is good, and best part is it's easy on you AND your wallet.

Have fun!!
Theresa

**Momto2Boyz** · 01-09-2009, 07:13 AM

I was going to suggest what redeme said. If anyone asks what to bring, let them know that Irish creme for coffee would be good!

As far as party games go, cards is always fun. I played an ice breaker game at one party, that was really funny. Everyone was posed the questions "If you were a piece of furniture, what would be you be and why?" Depending on the people, you can get some really creative and fun answers, and you really get to know people!

I've found with adult party games, simple is best. Things like pictionary, charades and things like that are the best, especially if you have a really fun, loud crowd! And with these games, the less organized you are the better! If you sit everyone down and say, let's play a game, all you hear are groans. But if you just up and say, is anyone up for a game of charades? And make it seem like it is a bit impromtu, you get a better response!

**Ceashels** · 01-09-2009, 02:14 PM

You can also hand out a character or historic person to each person (they have to keep it a secret) and other guests have to figure out who they are by asking questions. That's a way to get everybody talking to everyone.