Having small baptism party - what to serve?

[Faithr]

The baptism is scheduled for 1:30.  I think we'll get back to my house between 2:30 and 3:00.  I wanted to some tealike dishes or maybe hors doeuvres to serve, but I am feeling very uncreative.  I need it to not be too complicated.  Any suggestions?

 

Thanks. 

[QueenCat]

How long do you expect people to stay? If just for an hour or two, I'd do a few simple desserts and a couple of simple savory things. If they are from out of town, are you feeding them dinner later or going out?

[Faithr]

Alright, I put on my thinking cap.  And did some googling.  We don't have anyone coming from too far away so they'll probably just stay a couple of hours.  The really simple part:

 

Buy a big party size container of Pepperidge Farm cookies!

Buy a couple of nice quiches from local grocery store.  These are quite good and we can cut them into small servings.

Buy some nice cheeses, grapes, strawberries, maybe cut up melon and assemble simple fruit and cheese platter with some fancy crackers

 

To make before we go to church (I think my teens will be into making these):

Carrot, raisin and hummus tea sandwiches 

Cucumber sandwiches

 

To make day before:

Nice sheet cake but we will decorate it in the a.m.

 

I'll have coffee, hot tea, iced tea (I'll buy already made), maybe something fancy like Orangina and also have a pitcher of ice water.

 

Voila!

 

I won't have enough fancy tea cups, so I think coffee drinkers will just have to drink from disposable hot cups.  Ditto for fancy plates, so we'll just have to go with chinet.

 

See, I just needed somebody to bounce things off of to get my brain going!

 

[catz]

For that kind of set up, I'd do some sweets like cookies (or a cake or cupcakes), a fruit tray, a cheese tray.  Possibly hummus with veggies/pita.  And then beverages you think your crowd would like.  I probably wouldn't bother trying to do anything hot if you'll be gone for a couple hours and returning.  I'd just have it all set up to lay out when you return.

[Carol in Cal.]

Costco has little individual appetizer sized quiches at very reasonable prices to just heat and serve.  They are very good.

 

I like to serve a couple of dips and an assortment of crackers, because homemade dips are so good, and can be made in advance. I usually have clam dip, yogurt dip, and sometimes a store bought guac or hummus.  

 

Costco sheet cakes are pretty good and very reasonably priced.

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

Your plan sounds lovely!

[Bluegoat]

Costco has little individual appetizer sized quiches at very reasonable prices to just heat and serve.  They are very good.

 

I like to serve a couple of dips and an assortment of crackers, because homemade dips are so good, and can be made in advance. I usually have clam dip, yogurt dip, and sometimes a store bought guac or hummus.  

 

Costco sheet cakes are pretty good and very reasonably priced.

 

Costco cakes really gross me out, though I know some people like them.  I find they are mushy and taste like non-food chemicals.

[ktgrok]

I don't even think you need the sandwhiches. I think quiche, cookies, fruit, maybe a cheese and cracker thing, and you are good. That time frame isn't a meal time, so you don't need a lot. Oh, plus cake. Honestly, cake and coffee is plenty at that time of day. 

[Faithr]

Unfortunately, there is no Costco close to me so I 've never gotten into the habit of shopping there.

 

Ktgrok, I was thinking that maybe i was overdoing things.  I think it comes from my wedding reception.  We didn't have much money so we decided to just have a 'tea' (it was nice catered food) but then I found out later that everybody went out to eat later and complained they were hungry!  So now I get nervous about afternoon parties!  Better to overfeed than underfeed.  LOL.  

[ktgrok]

Unfortunately, there is no Costco close to me so I 've never gotten into the habit of shopping there.

 

Ktgrok, I was thinking that maybe i was overdoing things.  I think it comes from my wedding reception.  We didn't have much money so we decided to just have a 'tea' (it was nice catered food) but then I found out later that everybody went out to eat later and complained they were hungry!  So now I get nervous about afternoon parties!  Better to overfeed than underfeed.  LOL.  

 

I think you have as much food as a meal, for sure. No one can complain!

 

We do ours usually around 11:30 and do a brunch. Muffins, tea and juice, fruit salad, chicken salad and croissants. Plus cake. 

 

Another time I just ordered food from Sweet Tomatoes (soup plantation) which was surprisingly affordable and I just arranged to have delivery right about when we got back.