How to Plan a Menu for a Housewarming Party

By eHow Parties & Entertaining Editor

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Food is a focal point of any party, but a housewarming party especially begs for satisfying comfort food. Your menu can be casual or elegant and still give your guests that warm, yummy feeling in their tummies--the one that makes them feel at home. A buffet can be tailored to suit any new-home celebration. Plan an easy menu for your housewarming party to keep you near your guests.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Budget guidelines
Caterer or in-house chef/cook
Someone to serve or set up the buffet

Plan the Menu

Step1

Plan your housewarming party menu based on how much energy and help you have. If there's little time for prep, buy pre-made salads and cold cuts from the grocery store deli. If you can't make enough appetizers due to the size of your guest list, go with frozen gourmet options or a variety of veggies and dips.

Step2

Balance your menu like this: nibbles like nuts and cheese for arriving guests; hot appetizers or main dishes, such as stuffed mushrooms or quiche; cold salads; and an assortment of spectacular desserts.

Step3

Give yourself some free time. It's your housewarming! Plan to serve hot foods over a brief period.

Serve It Up

Step1

Let your theme and resources guide your presentation. Picnic ware is fine for a casual menu. Appropriate glasses and stemware complement an elegant buffet but require more caution and cleanup.

Step2

Use food service as an ice breaker. Take your trays of hot food over to guests who are alone, or introduce strangers over some "You've got to try these" appetizers.

Tips & Warnings

Include something meat and dairy free. Fruit is an easy choice, unadorned or as a salad.
Try to make everything ahead of time, if possible, so you just have to pop things in the oven or out of the fridge.
Don't expect guests to wait till you've assembled your dishes to attack the buffet. They will fill up on whatever you set out first, so if you want to make it to the ham, hide the deviled eggs.