<p>You could make the Chinese chicken salad early and make into sandwiches or lettuce wraps for the reception then put in cooler until serving. .</p>
<p>Thank you all for the suggestions.</p>
<p>Note to self - avoid the dinner hour in any future recital and reception!</p>
<p>S and I stopped by the local Chinese restaurant to check out their egg rolls. We scratched the egg rolls off our list (but we did have a nice lunch together).</p>
<p>I realize I am stressing over the reception because I am worried about what some relatives would think (what, I come across town for this and there is no dinner?) Actually, it is not what they would think, it is what Im afraid they may think :). So, once I convince myself that I am doing the best I can and I dont care what others think, Ill relax and be able to enjoy the moment. I am getting there.</p>
<p>YES…the most important thing is that you relax and have a good time. DS’s first grad recital was at 6:30…yep…dinner time. We had a nice reception of cookies and pastries and such…and THEN the family all had dinner reservations for an 8:45 dinner (it was a Sat. night).</p>
<p>You could do the same…have your reception be an “appetizer” type of reception…cheese, crackers, pepperoni, veggies/dip, and then some cookies/pastries too… And then invite the family back to your house for either a nice pizza dinner with salads or carry out chinese! </p>
<p>That way…you have a nice reception for the students and guests…but you also have a nice enough dinner and time to chat with the relatives.</p>
<p>My S’s recital is at 6:30 too. When he is done at 7:30, we’ll have a two-hour reception. By the time we clean up, it will be 10 pm and too late for anything else.</p>
<p>Actually, the reception is S’s idea of a grad party. Most kids do not come for the music. They come to hang out with each other at the old HS one more time. That’s fine with me - I want to give them as much time as possible to do that.</p>
<p>DreamMom- will there be tables for people to sit? If not I would definitely think about how someone will hold a drink plus a small plate.</p>
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<p>I think the idea of having a recital and then a party is a really good one. BUT I’d like to add that a recital “reception” and a full blown “party” are two very different things. A reception is a time for folks to mingle and discuss the program and the recital and chat with the family and friends. A party is a party…and it sounds like a PARTY is what the son really wants. That being the case, I would suggest a very small appetizer type reception at the place where the recital is being held…then go to the home of the student (or to a hall someplace…a community center, church, whatever) and have the party there. Our high school is ill suited to having parties that last for two hours with a full range of food. Plus, if folks really want to linger, it would be so much easier someplace where they could do so. AND the food prep and storage if you have the “real food” at your home would be so much easier…and a lot less to schlep around too.</p>
<p>Hope it’s a wonderful event.</p>
<p>I’m thinking DreamMom might have a different sort of high school? Our HS would never open up for a private party or recital. And since she invited the whole class, it is probably smaller? (My kid’s graduating class was over 800 - no way we could invite the whole class, let alone the whole school.)</p>
<p>Her home might not be big enough to hold a crowd, too.</p>
<p>We had S’s reception in the basement of the church where he held the recital (not our own church) following his recital. The advantage of it is that, on top of everything else, you don’t have to be cleaning your house ahead of time. (Maybe that’s not as big an issue for some as it is for me.) </p>
<p>We set up tables, and put out a lot of folding chairs. Mostly people stood, but used the tables to hold things (like their cups). And younger children sat at the tables. Our reception lasted probably longer than many, because we were home from Germany for just a couple weeks, and had many people we wanted to catch up with, and that was an easy time to do it.</p>
<p>DreamMom, consider having a couple extras at the reception - maybe some sort of poster or photograph for people to sign as a memento for your son, and maybe set up a display table with some photographs, etc. Something for people to do as they mill about.</p>
<p>fruit made to look like flowers - many sizes available - very goodlooking - saves on centerpiece - then serves as food. I’ve done this for Superbowl to Garden Club to Book club - each time was very popular!</p>
<p>Thumper, thanks for the PM explaining that a recital reception means something specific in the music world. Now I get it, a reception is not the same as a party? :o</p>
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<p>Nope, not happening at this reception/party! </p>
<p>S is a first-gen music student on both sides of the families. Most relatives have not expressed much interest in Ss music education except one sibling who questioned the wisdom of spending scarce resources on expensive instruments and private lessons (he actually meant well). </p>
<p>This recital will be the first in the family, I am trying to play up the party angle (oh, it is just a grad party, except S will play some music at the beginning ) :)</p>
<p>S is having the recital at the HS auditorium and the reception at the school cafeteria. The cafeteria is a very nice space with real tables and chairs (the school is small, graduating class around 120). I am so thankful that the school is willing to let us use its facilities. The staff knew my S pretty well and trusted that he and his friends will not trash the place. We are going to invite some teachers too. I believe they still regard him as a student of the school and not an outside party renting the space. After the reception, I hope to leave the room cleaner than I find it.</p>
<p>Good idea about setting up something for guests to leave comments. I would like to do that. </p>
<p>Memphismom how do you make edible arrangements? It seems so hard!</p>
<p>Dream mom…I think having a party after your son’s recital is great. If it encourages folks to hear his music (which is important to him) even better!! Your high school is far more lenient than ours. Individual students are not allowed to use the facilities without paying a hefty fee. </p>
<p>Anyway…sounds very nice. Re: those edible arrangements…they are not impossible to make, but they are time consuming. You can purchase them, but they are a bit costly. If you have the time and want to have some fun…make them. If not…do fruit cabobs…much easier and will be pretty on the “buffet” table.</p>
<p>I still say…keep it simple. You’ll enjoy the event too!!</p>
<p>Have a wonderful party/recital…and DO let us know how it goes!!</p>
<p>not a DIY project!! lol - I was trying to be helpful - really - they are a company - costs about the price of a floral arrangement but it is fruit. check to see if one has opened near you.</p>
<p>Just a side track on the edible arrangements: my father is a PITA to buy a gift for any occasion, as if he needs it, he’ll buy it; if he does need it, he doesn’t want it. Wife suggested an edible for either a birthday or father’s day token, and I thought it unique enough that it would satisfy his nature. </p>
<p>He and his companion got it, then proceeded to disassemble, putting the specific fruits into separate containers.</p>
<p>He’s back to getting gifts on a specific request basis only. </p>
<p>I wonder what his reaction what would have been to edible underwear…</p>
<p>LOL at the edible underwear.</p>
<p>An off topic question. A teacher has agreed to use the schools equipment to record my Ss recital (the teachers involvement probably helps to persuade the HS to let us use the building). I want to make sure I compensate the teacher appropriately. What is the market rate for audio recording a recital for an hour?</p>
<p>My S paid $100 for Juilliard to provide a videorecording.</p>
<p>How come no one has suggested plates of cooked shrimp – expensive, yes, but the ultimate finger food. They could stay unrefrigerated for an hour and a half. </p>
<p>And, in addition, or instead, plates of cold cuts like roast beef, ham, turkey, cheese, all rolled up. Add a basket or two of bread and rolls and some condiments, and you’re done with the “real” food. Then, do fruit salad, or green salad, and desserts.</p>
<p>I am serving a cake in the shape of a violin, drinks, fruit and cookies.</p>
<p>This thread is three years old!</p>
<p>Yeah, I saw my screen name and had no recollection of having posted.</p>
<p>Ahhhhh – the most recent poster has no other posts. I get it.</p>
<p>cajumas, you might want to serve one thing that is not sugary/carby. Cheese. Veggie platter and dip. Both are easy and tasty.</p>