Food Ideas for Parties

Finger Foods

Some parties call for the simplest of foods, those that don't require utensils. A midday bridal shower, party for children under age 10 or a sleepover are all perfect parties for finger foods. Choose the foods to match the guests. 10-year-olds will most likely love chicken nuggets and bite-size soft pretzels while guests at a bridal shower may prefer bruschetta or crudités. If you're hosting a sit-down dinner party, you may want to have a buffet set up with finger foods for guests to nibble on while they wait for dinnertime.

Sometimes it's OK to skip dinner and go right to dessert, especially if the party is held between lunch and dinner or later in the evening. You could also plan an entire party around sweet treats or throw an ice cream social. Serve desserts guests can easily eat with their fingers, such as cupcakes and cookies unless you want a more formal party, in which case you should serve desserts that require utensils. Cheesecake or molten lava cakes will work well at a formal dessert party.

In some cases, the food should match the theme of the party. A St. Patrick's day party demands Irish foods, such as colcannon or shepherd's pie while a Super Bowl party isn't a Super Bowl party without some food shaped like a football. You can't host a picnic or barbecue without breaking out the grill. You can also plan the food at the party around a theme that has nothing to do with a holiday. If you love red velvet cake, you can make that the theme of the party and serve all red foods.

If you're hosting a dinner party, plan on serving a few courses from appetizers to dessert. For the main course, serve a dish that is easy to prepare in advance, such as a classy casserole or a dish that practically makes itself, such as a roast. Prepare a salad in a large bowl instead of in individual dishes and pass the dressing at the table. Choose a show-stopper of a dessert such as a dramatic layer cake or fancy fruit tart.