Party Planning Food

Parties always have food, sometimes full meals, and sometimes just snacks. The best party planning food ideas for your party depends entirely on what kind of party you are throwing.

If you are having a theme party, check out the theme party pages for party planning food ideas that are specific to your theme.

Also, here are some tried and true party food staples:

• Chips and Dip: Any kind of chips and any kind of dips. When I'm the one bringing the chips and dip, I try to bring different flavors of chips (plain, barbeque, sour cream and onion, Doritos, tortilla chips, pretzels) as well as different dips (ranch, salsa, cheese...)
  
• Nachos or Mexican Layer Dip w/Tortilla Chips
  
• Veggies and Dip: Ranch, blue cheese, or any other creamy salad dressing makes a great dip for veggie plates and is a healthy food idea for party
  
• Finger Sandwiches: egg, chicken, and tuna salad work well a finger sandwiches
  
• Deviled eggs
  
• Wraps: flour tortillas can be wrapped with anything. I like ham and cheese (keeping it simple!), but you can literally put anything you want in these and roll 'em up. This food idea for party, depending on your fillings, might need to toothpicks to hold them rolled. You can slice them into bite-sized pieces.
  
• Layered salad. This one is great to make the day before. In a large bowl, just layer these items: 1 head lettuce, torn in pieces, 1/2 cup diced celery, 2 sliced, hard boiled eggs, 6 oz. frozen peas, onions to taste, sliced into rings. Then mix 1 cup salad dressing, 1 tbsp. sugar and a little vinegar together and spoon some on top. Layer again and spoon a little more dressing on top. Do this until all ingredients are gone and then put the rest of the dressing on top. Top with 4 slices crumbled bacon and 4 oz. shredded cheese. Refrigerate overnight so the dressing can blend in.
  
• Pastry Pies. So simple it's scary - buy pre-made mini pasta shells and bake them empty as directed. Get or make chicken, tuna, egg, ham, or whatever kind of deli salad and fill the pastries with it. You can also fill the pastries with pudding or any other mix to create either an hors d'oeuvre or a dessert.
  
• Fruit salad or fruit plate: For this food idea for party, here are some ideas: apples with caramel dip, strawberries and bananas with chocolate fondue, a basic fruit plate with strawberry cream dip, tropical fruits (pineapple, mango, banana) or a combination of fruits/colors that fits the party's theme.
  
• Meatballs: If you can hook up a crock pot at the party, meatballs are always a huge food idea for party hit. Get them at CostCo or a grocery store, and all you have to do it heat them up!
  
• Hors d'oeuvres: Mini quiches, pigs in a blanket, stuffed mushrooms, egg rolls, cheese sticks, chicken fingers, etc. This party planning food idea can be bought pre-made in the frozen foods section of the grocery store, or you can make them yourself.
  
• Desserts: cookies, brownies, desserts that fit the party's theme.
  
• Cake: If you are having a birthday party, a cake is mandatory! You can make your own (check out the the Cake and Cupcake Decorating page on the The PartyWorks site) or have one made by your local bakery or supermarket.
  
• And don't forget drinks! Be sure to have iced/hot tea, sodas, coffee, beer, and wine on hand. Also, you can choose to offer mixed drinks. You can have theme-related drinks available or a general open bar.

The above listing is for a "snacking" party. Sometimes party planning food will be breakfast, lunch, or dinner, where you will want to develop a menu plan for an actual meal or choose items to create a buffet-style meal. These menus, obviously, will require a more substantial party food ideas than the typical party snack foods.

Also, each of my Theme Party articles includes lots of specific party planning food ideas for each specific theme.

You can get platters at many local supermarkets. Some typical platter offerings are: cold cuts, veggies, fruits, crackers and cheese, shrimp (and seafood), pastries, and desserts. At your local supermarket, ask for a brochure at either the deli or bakery.

Party Planning Food Resources for Drinks

DrinkNation - I don't know about you, but I'm not a bartender. For theme parties, I look here for theme-related recipes and supplies. For example, for tropical (Caribbean, luau, Hawaiian) parties, I'd look here for recipes for rum punch, pina coladas, Blue Hawaiian, A Day At The Beach, etc. For a casino party, recipes for classics are perfect, like Martinis, Bloody Marys, Gin & Tonic, etc.

Many people prefer wine over mixed drinks, so you will want to have a few bottles available to go with your party planning food. You can also get a great discount party decoration gift for the party planner or guest of honor.

A great wine source is MyWinesDirect. I love this site as I like to try new and different wines, so their 6-bottle sets are perfect to try for parties.

Don't forget to have coffee and tea as well. Here are some great sources for gourmet and interesting flavors - pick one to fit your theme!

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