I’ve never done a party tray before. I’ll be having about 20-25 people for an Xmas gathering. Everyone will bring a side dish and dessert.
I’m thinking about doing premade small sandwiches, not sure if people really eat those or not. I’ll be making hot side dishes, but would like to have a few premade appetizers such as shrimp cocktail and maybe those sandwiches.
I belong to Sam’s, but I get the feeling Costco is much more popular.
Can you all suggest other things you’ve purchased at either for parties? Thanks!
I shop at both Sam’s & Costco - lucky enough to have both as Sam’s membership is covered by work and we pay for Costco.
I know Costco has tons of appetizer things right now, and I think Sam’s stocks up extra appetizer things at this time, too.
Some things we love:
Spanakopita (seen at both)
Spinach artichoke dip (Costco)
Smoked gouda pimento cheese (Sam’s) I’m not a big fan of pimento cheese, but I find this yummy - luckily it was one of the samples one day. I have spread it on French bread & toasted it. Also makes a great grilled cheese sandwich!
Both stores have dips - wasn’t fond of the Artichoke / Jalapeno dip, but hubby likes it. And as I mentioned, there are a ton of appetizer things out - I purchased the mini crab cakes (I think it was Costco), but we haven’t tried them. Some are just more expensive than I want to do right now. But after the holidays, unsold appetizers sometimes go on great sales - looking forward to trying some of them then.
I’m not a sandwich person - big or small. If you are having mainly hot side dishes a sandwich doesn’t seem like the best “fit”. Maybe a hot sandwich - like a pulled chicken or french dip? I do like the cocktail shrimp idea. Especially if the sides are likely to be heavier and then the desserts. You will want a couple of choices that are lighter - like the shrimp.
It sounds you need appetizers. Cocktail shrimp is fine, but instead of mini sandwiches, I would get some sliced salami and cubed cheese, some good crackers. and veggie trays.
Along with the cocktail shimp (see, I’m REALLY on board with that…!) you might consider a charcuterie board. I think this is going to be one of my contributions to our family party. You can add in more fruit, pickled vegetables, etc. to lighten it up - but the meats, cheeses, olives, nuts, baguette - even savory jams are WONDERFUL!
I’d put out a nice board of cheeses and meats - cheese board/charcuterie style. (sorry, no cubed cheese, @bunsenburner ). You could put out some crackers and flatbread crisps, etc, olives,nuts. That way, those watching their carbs can nibble on the non-bread things if they choose. Some fruit - both dried and fresh would round things out. It’s easy to do, you can find artful ways to display on pinterest, on trend, people can pick what they like.
Why no cubed cheese? In my house, “cubed cheese” means cubes I made from chunks of fancy cheeses like Beecher’s. I think cubes are easier to eat cocktail-style than slices, but cheese can always be sliced, too.
Costco has some nice wraps that are nice for larger groups, as well as several larger salads. The mini quiches are nice. The Teri meatballs are nice with lettuce as an apoetizer.
Stuffed mushrooms. Bruschetta. Teriyaki wings (Marinate wings in equal parts brown sugar, honey, and tamari/soy sauce then bake in oven). Deviled eggs.
Thanks…I’ll scrap the sandwich idea. We will have as many, if not more, college and young adults. I want to have plenty of food. I’ll do the shrimp tray, and the cheese and crackers. I think those are staples. But would like to have heavier things, too.
The little spiral type sandwiches are good. Decent variety and easy.
Meatballs are easy with BBQ or sweet-sour sauce.
I find a lot of younger adults like spicier foods–pepper jack cheese, hotter shrimp sauce etc. Leave out a bottle of hot sauce to spice up food.
Pizza is always a big hit with young folks. Chicken wings reheated us easy. We’ve bought roasts and then cut them into steaks and fried them and then cut them into small, bite-sized slices. Smoked salmon and crackers are always a hit too.
We’ve done both and the cost is about the same, food quality seems about the same. In the last year we’ve had two similar-sized parties with lots of young people and they will eat anything off a meat and cheese tray that doesn’t move. Beecher’s is available at less than half price at Costco (8.99 a pound) and I agree with the others that you could serve it in a shoe and it would be good.
My H loves to smoke meats and made a huge tray of pulled pork (but you could do chicken) and put out slider buns (also at Costco). Everything but traces of sauce was devoured, while other “better” food was left. Also, anything with a dip will disappear. Veggies, chips, cheese dip, sour cream dip, whatever, they’ll eat it.
You don’t have to get these things at Costco because it is more popular. I have had very good luck with appetizer trays from our local grocery store. It’s easy as pie to buy shrimp and so that yourself. I’ve gotten trays with different appetizer meats and cheese, wings, mini smdwiches, wraps…you name it, they can make it.
). You could put out some crackers and flatbread crisps, etc, olives,nuts. That way, those watching their carbs can nibble on the non-bread things if they choose. Some fruit - both dried and fresh would round things out. It’s easy to do, you can find artful ways to display on pinterest, on trend, people can pick what they like.