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Post by smalltowngirlie on May 28, 2015 23:02:27 GMT
If you have or had a graduation party for your Senior, what was on your menu? DS just finished his Junior year so next year I will be planning his party. We will be doing the food ourselves, that is typically what is done around here. Also, my older sister loves to cook, especially big meals, and owes me.  Typically people do simple sandwiches and some side salads or tacos. I would like to have something a little different. I will discuss with DS what he wants, but he is pretty laid back so I am thinking I could lead him in a certain direction if I really wanted to. ETA - Thanks for all the great menus. I am asking now because it is graduation season, and I am a planner. I like to have some ideas floating around for a bit before I decide. It will also give me time to try a few recipes if any look really good. DS is an only child, so I only get one shot at this. |
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scrapaddie
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Post by scrapaddie on May 28, 2015 23:17:34 GMT
Grilling hot dogs and burgers... Pulled meat. Lots of sides and a cake
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Post by knit.pea on May 28, 2015 23:23:41 GMT
I, too, am paying close attention this year for next year.
Bought a few things in school colors.
DS has moved from having Moe's (cater) to now thinking
BBQ (mostly catered, some sides we prefer our homemade).
But it will be small; 50-60 people tops throughout the day.
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Post by Basket1lady on May 28, 2015 23:25:13 GMT
We are doing ribs from Famous Dave, along with their coleslaw, beans, and muffins. I've made 10 lbs of pulled pork and have 10 lbs of chicken in the crock pots right now to pull. I'll serve those on Hawaiian buns with an assortment of barbeque sauces. I plan to make caprese appetizers with mozzarella pearls, a cherry tomato, and a basil leaf. I'll probably do another appetizer and a pasta salad--maybe Ina Garten's Lemon Bow Tie pasta, or just a simple pasta salad with italian seasoning. For dessert, I'll do a cake, brownies, Smarties, Nerds and Dum Dum lollipops. And maybe lemon bars. I'm in a lemony mood lately!
We are having the party the same day as graduation, so I need easy stuff that I can prep ahead of time. I still have almost 3 weeks, but I'm still working on the slide show and decorations. I know the time will go by quickly! I deliberately emptied out our freezer so that I could stock it with grad stuff. It's slowly filling up...
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akathy
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Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on May 28, 2015 23:43:09 GMT
Way back when my DDs graduated my mom made homemade buns, I roasted a big turkey and a ham and sliced them for make yourself sandwiches with lots of condiments, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, etc. I also made a pasta shrimp salad, potato salad, fresh fruit salad, a bean salad and had a big cake for dessert. We made punch, had bottled water, soft drinks etc.
Around here they do open houses and there are many to go to the weekend of graduation so people don't typically stay longer than an hour or so. Because of that you end up with lots of leftovers because people eat something at all of them. A few years ago I had to go to 8 open houses in one day!
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ellen
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Post by ellen on May 29, 2015 1:51:48 GMT
People who get to our party early will get fried fish caught in our lake. That will be popular. We will have pulled pork sandwiches and a meat & cheese tray. We're thinking about making barbecued meatballs. I'll have a couple salads - one fruit, one pasta. I'm thinking about cutting up a watermelon or two. We'll have a veggie tray. There will be chips & dip. I'll make a couple different bars. We'll have a cake. There will be bags of cotton candy (I have a friend with a vendor size machine).
We are in the process of assembling personalized water bottles. I have matted photos to make up a couple poster boards. I have a teenage musician lined up for the event - he sings and plays the accordion and ukulele.. Mainly, I need a nice day. If we have nice weather we'll have a great party. If it rains we'll have an ok party. We do have a tent lined up.
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Post by 950nancy on May 29, 2015 2:49:58 GMT
We just finished a graduation season this year. Most of the food was pretty casual. We purchased brisket, pork, and chicken (put in crock pots) and four BBQ sauces. I made calico beans, cole slaw, buns, tons of fruit with two different dips, lots of chips and a cake. I think most people from the school go from party to party and graze. It was great and I had enough left overs so I didn't have to cook the next week.
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bandjmom
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Jun 25, 2014 23:28:19 GMT
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Post by bandjmom on May 29, 2015 3:12:19 GMT
Italian beef sandwiches -- we wanted an alternative to pulled pork. I needed something made ahead and easy to serve. I roasted it ahead and warmed it in crock pots, served with French-style rolls, provolone slices and pepperocini. They were very popular.
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Post by bc2ca on May 29, 2015 3:29:17 GMT
We are doing an open house with Greek food, so souvlaki, pita bread (flat, not pockets), tzatziki, Greek salad, olives, feta cheese, humus & vegetables. I might make spanakopita (spinach pies) depending on what else ends up on the schedule that weekend. I haven't decided on desserts yet, but think we will have lots of fresh fruit (watermelon, grapes, pineapple), brownies and cupcakes.
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Post by mom on May 29, 2015 3:50:51 GMT
Lots of people around here serve fajitas.
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Post by monicad on May 29, 2015 4:31:40 GMT
My son is a steak and potatoes kind of kid, so no cool taco trucks or anything like that. We're having: Tri-tip Sausages Hot dogs Caesar salad Macaroni salad Pasta salad (for those of us that don't like mayo) Garlic bread Fruit or fruit salad Dh will do the grilling (tri-tip) the day before and we'll put it in the oven on low the day of to reheat. MIL and I are making all the salads. We'll be having about five or six desserts, too.  |
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Post by imkat on May 29, 2015 5:54:34 GMT
Son:
Luther Burgers
Hot Dogs
Pasta Salad
Watermelon
Watermelon Mojitos for adults
Various Appetizers
Cake
Daughter:
Pulled BBQ Chicken
Pulled Buffalo Chicken w/Blue Cheese Crumbles/Ranch sides
BLT Pasta Salad
Strawberries/Blueberries
Various Appetizers
Cake
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Deleted
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Jun 17, 2024 13:03:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 6:16:49 GMT
I am doing a huge fruit, veggie and cheese table with tea sandwiches and various cold sides
And a cupcake/ tea cake dessert table.
I will have a table of cold mochas and iced tea. And a raspberry lemonade punch.
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Post by tuva42 on May 29, 2015 12:48:49 GMT
What? I'm supposed to be thinking of this now? DD doesn't graduate for a year. I haven't even planned the menu for the 4th of July party we are hosting for family.
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teddyw
Drama Llama
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Post by teddyw on May 29, 2015 13:21:18 GMT
I'm watching too for next year.
This year I'll keep notes from the parties we attend. Dd went to one that served breakfast food & Graeter's ice cream.
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Deleted
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Jun 17, 2024 13:03:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 15:47:18 GMT
Our party is in a couple weeks and I don't know what I'm doing! Panic is setting in. Love all the ideas.
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Post by knit.pea on May 29, 2015 15:50:06 GMT
What? I'm supposed to be thinking of this now? DD doesn't graduate for a year. I haven't even planned the menu for the 4th of July party we are hosting for family. Not really  It's just that season now, so it was on my mind And the grad parties we have been to have been larger-scale, so new ideas might help me. Forgot to add the foods. BBQ pulled pork, bbq chicken or maybe homemade Chicken Riggies, cornbread, homemade baked beans, potato salad, fruit salad. Cheese and crackers, cut up veggies, buffalo chicken dip. DS prefers ice cream cake, so probably that and some cupcakes. Question: I am also thinking of no alcohol, just so no one is tasked with monitoring it at all. I definitely could go without it, and it's not a big deal within our family or friends either way. Anyone care to weigh in on that? |
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peaname
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Post by peaname on May 29, 2015 18:13:57 GMT
Way back when my DDs graduated my mom made homemade buns, I roasted a big turkey and a ham and sliced them for make yourself sandwiches with lots of condiments, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, etc. I also made a pasta shrimp salad, potato salad, fresh fruit salad, a bean salad and had a big cake for dessert. We made punch, had bottled water, soft drinks etc. I don't think bottled water existed back then. |
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iowgirl
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Post by iowgirl on May 29, 2015 18:30:03 GMT
Just finished - whew! I made smoked brisket and had sandwich buns. I also made a creamy pasta salad, baked beans, cheese potatoes, and mac & cheese. I baked chocolate and red velvet cakes. Had some snacks for the tables (pretzels and goldfish crackers). Bought some canned pop and beer and bottled water. We had around 200 attend. It was loads of fun - but I was tired. I had most of it made ahead and had a couple great helpers help be get it ready that afternoon. We had it in our machine shed (the farm equivalent to a garage - gasp...  ) |
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Post by janniepea on May 29, 2015 19:13:50 GMT
Knit.pea - no alcohol sounds like a great plan! One less thing to think about. Your menu sounds great! I can't believe he's graduating next year!
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Post by genny on May 29, 2015 19:58:42 GMT
DS's graduation party was 2 weeks ago. Our was pretty much a buffet. We had:
sub tray from publix (about 25 sandwiches, condiments and fixings on the side)
a tray of pulled pork with rolls and various bbq sauces (also enough to feed 25)
meatballs in the crockpot
Queso dip in the other crockpot
Buffalo chicken dip
salsa/chips - ranch dip/chips
cupcakes
funeral sandwiches (i only made 2 packages of these and they were gone in about 10 minutes)
fruit tray
boiled peanuts
apple cake
brownies
various bowls filled with nuts/chex mix/gold fish
pasta salad
---I think I'm missing something but I just can't recall what it is---
Anyway, I think we had around 50-60 people come through, but not necessarily there at the same time. A few boys spent the night so I didn't pack up any leftovers at all. When we finally wound down around 2 am they were all still in there snacking and finished off pretty much anything that was left.
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Post by bc2ca on May 29, 2015 20:17:53 GMT
Question: I am also thinking of no alcohol, just so no one is tasked with monitoring it at all. I definitely could go without it, and it's not a big deal within our family or friends either way. Anyone care to weigh in on that? We will have a cooler with beer, one with water and one with Izze and Switches (DD's choices). Wine will be in the fridge. Hard liquor is available on request (most of our guests are interested in beer and/or wine, but we have a complete bar). We've never had a problem with monitoring alcohol at a party and I don't anticipate this one being any different. |
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on May 29, 2015 21:33:02 GMT
Way back when my DDs graduated my mom made homemade buns, I roasted a big turkey and a ham and sliced them for make yourself sandwiches with lots of condiments, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, etc. I also made a pasta shrimp salad, potato salad, fresh fruit salad, a bean salad and had a big cake for dessert. We made punch, had bottled water, soft drinks etc. I don't think bottled water existed back then. Hmmm, maybe not but I know we had water  |
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Post by Basket1lady on May 29, 2015 21:40:35 GMT
What? I'm supposed to be thinking of this now? DD doesn't graduate for a year. I haven't even planned the menu for the 4th of July party we are hosting for family. Not really It's just that season now, so it was on my mind And the grad parties we have been to have been larger-scale, so new ideas might help me. Forgot to add the foods. BBQ pulled pork, bbq chicken or maybe homemade Chicken Riggies, cornbread, homemade baked beans, potato salad, fruit salad. Cheese and crackers, cut up veggies, buffalo chicken dip. DS prefers ice cream cake, so probably that and some cupcakes. Question: I am also thinking of no alcohol, just so no one is tasked with monitoring it at all. I definitely could go without it, and it's not a big deal within our family or friends either way. Anyone care to weigh in on that? I debated about it, but decided to serve beer and wine. DS is a complete nerd and so are his friends. I anticipate very few minors at the party and I'm putting the beer and wine on the deck where I know my parents will be sitting. Getting by Grandpa should be enough of a deterrent. DS only has one friend with a license and his party is at the same time. So I know kids will be there with their parents, most of whom are scouts and a bit younger than seniors. |
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Post by peasful1 on May 31, 2015 5:41:57 GMT
I can't believe you're already planning this. My senior graduated Thursday, is having a party on Friday and I haven't even thought of the menu, yet. |
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