Need help with housewarming party

can I serve just appetizers?
Only invited about 18 people
saturday night

what I thought so far....
appetizers:
pigs in blanket
spinach dip (in bread bowl)
onion or ranch dip (cut veggies)
hot mexican dip
hot crab meat dip
chips
crackets and cheese

Do I need to make "Main dish"?
Something simple?
Like baked ziti
italian bread

What else? We don't have a huge kitchen or place. I was not going to do dinner to begin with. But figured something in case people were hungry.

thanks everyone!

Re: Need help with housewarming party

No - apps are fine. No one wants to eat a big main course. You could also do mini pizza's also.

Re: Need help with housewarming party

I would do another hot appetizer or two.

Sausage bread (sautee 1/2 diced onion and brown sausage out of casing in pan; buy pizza dough and spread it out. Wrap filling in dough along with grated mozzarella cheese and bake)

BBQ Mini Meatballs (make mini meatballs, then make a sauce of 1 bottle Chili Sauce and 1 container of Grape Jelly). Can be made ahead and be microwaved at the party.


ETA: only becuase you have a lot of dips and those aren't always filling, sometimes people need something to "chew" on, you know?

Message edited 12/14/2005 2:40:11 PM.

Re: Need help with housewarming party

I think you are totally fine just serving appetizers, especially if the party is not during a meal time. I also may add another hot appetizer, but I am crazy about serving food and ALWAYS end up making too much.

Re: Need help with housewarming party

oooh sausage bread is a good idea

Thanks so much everyone, this is my first real party I am hosting, so I am nervous.

Message edited 12/14/2005 3:01:53 PM.

Re: Need help with housewarming party

Re: Need help with housewarming party

i would make bruchetta and sweedish meatballs too.

Re: Need help with housewarming party

I would just do the apps. I have had many parties and people love these. Plus they always get full and don't have room for the main dish anyway.

Re: Need help with housewarming party

perfect you are all great!

My friend brought us the brucetta and crispy italian bread.

I was so worried that people except a main meal.....but everyone will probably be standing and mingling. I am so excited for this!!!

Re: Need help with housewarming party

I had a housewarming party back in Sept.
I had about 50 people here...*(Thank goodness the weather held up)**
Anyway, you will be fine with apps. Maybe throw in some desserts.
I did heros and salads...but remember, I had a lot of people! You definitley should be ok!

Re: Need help with housewarming party

disserts....that would be good too!

Yeah this is a smaller gathering. We only live in a cottage, but it's our first "home" together, so we wanted to invite our closets friends (no family) to a night and relaxe together in the new year!