help with christmas party, please

[Possumpoint]

Umm, I'm not to familiar with outdoor parties where there is the possibility of ice or snow involved. In the winter, we usually have oyster roasts and low country boils here, and we throw a whole hog on the smoker and boil some peanuts. We all sit around the fire and the kids play with the critters or their favorite thing is playing hide-n-seek out in the woods. They love doing that since there are no snakes to worry about during the winter here.

Your party sounds like alot of fun!

 

[MissPrissy]

For 50 people that's alot of eats.

When we do something with that many I do a crockpot version queso dip. You go some place like Sam's, Walmart or the store section that sells #10 cans of food. Usually they have some sort of cheese soup or some such varriety of cheese whiz type product.

I take a #10 can of cheese, 1 lbs of browned and drained hamburger crumbles, 1 lrg jar of Salsa, mix, bring it up to a bubbling boil in the crockpot then 2 hours before serving turn it down to low.

Kids will dip anything in it. Chips, tortillas, veggie sticks, crackers, etc.

One year at our Christmas party the dip went in an hour. The entire crockpot was empty and scraped out by the guests.

Also a big hit is meatballs. Don't work yourself to death over them. Go to Sam's and buy the giant bag. Fill a crockpot, cover with BBQ sauce - usually a sweet sauce is what I use, honey or sweet baby ray's. Turn the pot on and let the meatballs cook.

There is 2 big dishes for a lot of people and you don't have to work hard to acheive great results.

 

[Parson's Wife]

Sounds like dip is taken care of...here is a beverage we love around here

Spiced Cider
1 gal. apple cider (heat in a large saucepan)
1 pkg of red hots (place in saucepan and melt)
Place in a punch bowl...it's a lovely red color, as well as, being delicious.


I would purchase at least 3x's this amount for the party... prepare as needed.

One thing I do serve:
chicken bits mixed with black pepper and ranch dressing, placed on party crackers. ( I buy the large can from Sams for about $8)

Finger foods are great, big pot of chili, soup, stew, anything that you are comfortable fixing is best when serving for large groups.
* Not sure about size of house or location of party...but if tight for space, you might think about 2 parties.

Remember to enjoy!