What are some affordable and easy recipe ideas for an open house?

[chefbritt]

I'm having an open house in a few weeks and I'm trying to come up with ideas for recipes and products to give away. I just moved, and so I've invited both friends and family who haven't been to visit yet, as well as my PC past hosts and guests. It's over a four hour time span, and people can just drop in at any time, so I need ideas for recipes that don't necessarily need to be served hot. Also, I put on the invites that there would be a drawing for free products, but I'm trying to decide how to do it. I don't want to spend more than $50, but would it be better to raffle off one big item, or several smaller ones so that more people receive gifts? TIA for the ideas!

 

[Cookingfool]

I already mentioned this in another thread, but I recently made the pepperoni pizza twist. If you cut it up into pieces (appropriate size for toothpicks), have pizza sauce to dip it in, and make the cheezy fondue. My boyfriend couldnt get enough of it. I would also suggest the phyllo wrapped asparagus with red pepper aioli.

As for free stuff... I picked up a great tip, I cant remember what thread it was, but making spice samples... I thought it was great! I went to Michaels (craft store) and bought small re-sealable bags (the size bag that say a spair button from a piece of clothing would come in).

 

[speedychef]

Don't make too much food! I overprepare and I've heard from friends who have done the same-had too much food and wasted a bunch of money. Keep it SUPER SIMPLE (I know we say it all the time and it's easier said than done, but it's so true)!

I suggest anything bite size. You can make the profiteroles ahead and just put out a few at a time. If you have leftovers you can freeze them.

The baked potstickers you can also make ahead and freeze and throw a half dozen on the small bar pan and in the toaster oven at a time.

Serve everything on Simple Additions, and have them everywhere. Put flowers in the small bowl caddy, put the rectangle on the back of the toilet with some potpourri or candles. Can you tell that Simple Additions are my favorite?!

Anything cheap and easy. You want your hosts to think it's easy, so make it easy!

 

[speedychef]

Oh and PS, for the prizes, I'd just raffle off the host benefits and make it a mystery host kind of thing, then you're not out anything, maybe give away a few Season's Bests or something ilke that.

 

[Cookingfool]

Another thing for free stuff... I havent revealed this or tried it yet, but... Im pretty young and crafty. When I was in college I started making magnets for my dorm room (all the furniture was metal). I have been suffering from insomnia lately and stayed up making magnets all night!!! I got the idea to make a bunch when im bored and put them in my "free stuff".

Materials:
a quarter (coin)
scissors
elmers glue
magnets (round, approx size of a dime)
clear goblets (can be found in craft section at Walmart near fake plants)

Go through old magazines if you find an interesting design put a glass goblet over it, see if it looks good through the glass. If you find one that looks good, trace a circle over it with a quarter. cut the circle out, lightly trace the edges of the picture with elmers glue (safe because usually doesnt cause the colors in the image run), stick to the flat side of the goblet and flatten. apply a small amount of glue to the back of a magnet press firmly against the back of the picture & goblet and let sit to dry, glass side up.

 

[chefbritt]

Thanks for the ideas! Kim, I love Simple Additions too, their my favorite product collection! As for giving away the host benefits, I actually would like to keep them for myself and my sister (I live with her) because like I said, we just moved, and I haven't been with PC that long, so there really is a lot I need and would love to get with the free and 1/2 price value.

 

[DebbieJ]

Make the new Taste of the Tropics recipes!

 

[pamperedharriet]

Make a trifle!!!!!!!!

 

[chefbritt]

I'd love to but I don't have the trifle bowl. It's on my list though, hopefully I can use the FPV from this show to buy it!