How to Host a Finger Food / Appetizer Party

Finger food/ appetizer parties are the perfect way to bring friends and snacks together in one place. Unlike a traditional dinner party, guests are informally served finger foods or noshes that go great with conversation and light beverages. Does this Spark an idea?

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Open mind
Creativity
Friends
Place to host the party
Plates and utensils
Selection of finger food recipes
A trip to the grocery store
Music
Beverages

Instructions

- 1
  
  Pick a date for your party and make a guest list of people who you would like to invite. If you invite too many people, you risk running out of food, but if you don't invite enough people, you risk your party being a dud. Invite friends a week or so in advance.
- 2
  
  Gather recipes of finger foods that you would like to serve at your party. Some recipe ideas are: cocktail meatballs, spinach and artichoke dip, chicken fingers... be creative!
- 3
  
  When at the grocery store, look for foods in the frozen department that are party friendly and are heat-and-serve. Some examples include mini quiches and jalepeno poppers. Also, TGI Friday's has a lot of frozen appetizers out in many grocery stores that will surely be a hit at your party.
- 4
  
  Pick the music. Make a couple of playlists for the party with different genres of music.
- 5
  
  Clean your house! Make sure your bathroom is clean and there is extra TP. Prepare for your guests to arrive by going ahead and setting out plates, icing beverages, and spraying air freshener. A nice touch is to have bowls of chips and dips or vegetable / fruit trays in different parts of the party area.
- 6
  
  Prepare as much food as you can in advance, but do not heat it up until 10 minutes before guests are supposed to be arriving. You don't want to serve your guests cold food.
- 7
  
  Have fun!

Tips & Warnings

Do as much preparation beforehand so that you won't be stressed out when it is party time.
Remember to stock up on ice and napkins, and leave a couple of trashcans in plain view so that your guests will (hopefully!) pick up afterthemselves.
Don't let your guests drink and drive.

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