We are celebrating ds birthday on Sat. We usually order food out but I was thinking of going a little cheaper this year. What frugal meal can I make for 12 people that wouldn't look skimpy. I was thinking of making chili and cornbread but I thought it seemed skimpy. Any suggestions? TIA

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Mary

Spaghetti and meat sauce with Garlic bread

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~Jill~

Spaghetti's good, but so is Chili! We had Chili for Christmas at one house! Just make sure to have fritos, cheese, onions, maybe rice... I don't think it's bad at all!

If your son has a favorite you can serve it...

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Stay at home mom to my 3 boys... ages 5, 3 & 1!

I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

I always do a big family get together when it is the kids birthdays too. I usually have around 20 + people to feed. I have always gone overboard with spending food, last meal I did was fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, cp mac and cheese and a veggie. Plus all the munchie food; cheese and crackers, chips and dip, veggie tray, at least one hot appetizer and still have cake and ice cream. I would spend way too much money for this one meal. This year, I am obviously going to tone it down. I am thinking since I will do one party probably the first of Feb. (two sons have bdays in Jan, but because of mine & dh's work schedule, we may wait a few weeks to do the party) and it should be cold that I will do soups. I plan on making potato soup for sure (m2m's recipe) than I will also do homemade chicken noodle soup or chili. I have half a dozen coupons for Pilsbury biscuits, so I will do those as well. As for any munchies, depends on what is on sale that I can stock up on between now and than. Let us know what you came up with to serve.

Other ideas:
Pasta-very filling
taco or baked potato bar
Do a potluck meal
Do just munchie type food since you will most likely have cake and ice cream too.

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Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.
Jon Bon Jovi

For my daughter's family birthday party in Nov I had about 25 people. I put store-bought turkey meatballs in a crock pot with some spaghetti sauce. I had rolls and moz cheese for sandwiches, a greek pasta salad, a garden salad, chips & salsa, and cheese & crackers. Everything was easy and very good. I got the meatballs at BJ's (a warehouse club) and they were really good.

I have also made baked ziti for family parties. That is also pretty easy.

I have done:

Lasagna, salad, and garlic bread.

Chips and dip
Cheese and crackers

Cake and icecream

I have had
lasagna, salad, garlic bread
crockpots of soup and deli platter
hotdogs in hot water in crockpot w/ chili in crockpot, salad, cornbread
chicken & dumplings, salad

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

We are having dh's bowling team and spouses (12 people including us) over next week for dinner after bowling and I am doing a taco/burrito bar. I am making seasoned ground chicken and hamburger, then will have taco shells, flour tortillas, lettuce, salsa, cheese, olives, hot peppers, refried beans, sauces, sour cream, salad dressing, tortilla chips...I think that's it. It's actually pretty inexpensive, I'll get most of it at Aldi's, we already have the meat, and we have homemade canned salsa from this summer. I think I will bake some cookies the night before for a simple and cheap dessert, and we'll have pop & tea.

Dh doesn't like the idea of the chili so we are going with take-out chicken and a jewel made cake. I"ll have chips and make coleslaw and a salad. So I guess it won't cost as much as it usually does.

I think I will do the chili with the toppings some day though.

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Mary

Araefinn.... when's your next gathering.... cuz I WANNA GO!!! Your reunions sound yummy!!

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