When it comes to party planning, deciding what to feed everyone is half the battle. The following ideas will get you excited about your next event!

Self-Serve Stations

         Bar type buffets offer appetizing and filling suppers without much labor or maintenance. Set up a long table and then line up the food and toppings in sequential order. Put plates first and then the food. Placing utensils, napkins, and beverages last enables guests to keep their hands free to dish up their plates. Serve hot food and sauces out of crock-pots to keep them warm.


Potato Bar

wrap potatoes in foil, bake, and then place in a cooler. The cooler will keep the potatoes hot (and they continue to bake) for a few hours, so this step can be done in advance.

line table with your favorite potato toppings (cheese sauce, chili, steamed broccoli or cauliflower, chopped bacon, sour cream, butter pats, salsa, chopped onions, peppers shredded cheese, etc.)

start with tortilla chips, warmed taco shells, tortillas, or even potatoes or rice

line table with cheese sauce, refried beans, taco meat, salsa, sour cream, shredded lettuce and cheese, onions, peppers, tomatoes, etc.

top a bed of rice with chicken gravy, chow mien noodles, chopped tomatoes, celery, green peppers and green onions, diced pineapple, mandarin oranges, steamed or cold peas, shredded cheese, almonds, coconut, pimento, etc. -people choose what to put on their rice

for gravy, mix 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of chicken with 1 cup chicken broth. Add 2 cups shredded or cubed cooked chicken.

serve many different types of salad (gelatin, fruit, pasta, bean, potato, green, etc.)

OR, serve the greens and let everyone choose their toppings

serve one or many different types of soup (clam chowder, chili, potato, cheese, taco, vegetable beef, chicken noodle, etc.)

keep the soup warm in crock-pots set on low

don't forget chilled soups (chilled fruit or gazpacho) for summer meals

breadsticks, tossed salad, and cookies complete the meal

top bread slices with sandwich fillings (egg salad, ham salad, peanut butter, jam, chicken salad, etc.)

serve a variety of breads (tortillas, rolls, bagels, waffles), deli meats, condiments, and cheese and let everyone create their own masterpiece

add chips, fresh fruit or veggies with dip, and cookies for a complete meal

serve a variety of ice cream and toppings

enjoy different cakes and serve a few toppings (caramel sauce, ice cream, whipped cream, frosting, fresh berries, etc.)

dish out different pies and/or fruit desserts with ice cream or whipped topping

Chicken Salad Oriental with Breadsticks, Cake Mix Cookies

Summery Chicken Salad Croissants with Cantaloupe, Potato Chips, Sherbet or Cookies

Sloppy Joes, Potato Chips, Root Beer or Kool-Aid Floats

Tabbouleh in Pita Bread or other filling in Pita Bread

Big as Texas Chip Dip with tortilla chips (Pair a plate of dip and a bowl of tortilla chips on each table and let everyone dig in or scoop out the dip onto individual plates.)

Crab Salad on Onion Bagels, Chips or Veggie Platter

Pasta Salad with Rolls or Breadsticks

Fresh Fruit Kabobs (or Fruit Salad), Yogurt Dip, Fruit Bread, Muffins or Orange Rolls, Orange Juice