<p>rosered55… totally understand the midwest temp change! </p>
<p>Thank you so much for all the fantastic ideas. I still have not decided, but I love the baked potato bar idea as well as the Middle Eastern idea. I’ll run all the ideas by parents and we’ll do some price comparisons! Thanks again.</p>
<p>We did Maggiano pasta takeout for 70 people. It is not as expensive as you may think. They supplied all the plates, plastic silverware, bread, cheese etc. We made a Caesar salad to go along with it. Everyone loved it, especially the grads who had attended many parties with typical party food. Had a chocolate fountain ( we borrowed from a friend) for dessert. Again a huge hit, and a little chocolate goes along way. Dipped pound cake, strawberries, pretzels etc.</p>
<p>We always pre-ordered the delli trays from chain supermarket and picked them up Saturday AM at 7:00, before the graduation ceremony at 10:00 AM. </p>
<p>A couple of trays were “vegi wraps”, we ordered the fruit with dip, the vegis with dip, at least two trays were deli meats, cheeses, potato salad etc. Family members who did not attend the ceremony stayed at house and cut rolls, prepared condiments etc. The supermarket also did the cake. (put old photo on of grad’s choice). We had beer, wine, soda, coffee etc. Did it for the four kids.</p>
<p>If you decide to do Middle Eastern make sure to try and find a Middle Eastern grocery store. Often these stores carry things in bulk and/or large cans etc. In my town, some of these store are much cheaper on produce.</p>
<p>Costco was carrying frozen mini-Spanikopita (spinach cheese pie in filo dough). We had a sushi bar at our kids’ grad party–a guy came & set everything up & made sushi to order. You could do it yourself but have to be sure to keep any raw fish cold (if fish are OK–some vegetarians eat seafood). If they’re not OK, you can have veggie sushi.</p>
<p>Veggie many bean chili is also good, as is a great salad bar (whole foods has nice ones you can gaze at). So many options, depending on what theme is desired. Fresh cold tomato or pea soup is wonderful for hot summers & would be great for a party.</p>