Nee suggestions for a small inaugural party at my home to celebrate our new President.

[Raschel]

I would like to have a small inaugural party at my home to celebrate our new President.
I would appreciate any easy ideas on food or drinks. It won't be a formal dinner, and will be just a small gathering, maybe 12 people, so I'd like to keep it simple while still having some kind of flair. (can't help it, I'm a designer)

I'm going thru chemo right now so my energy level is low, but this is something I had planned to do since the election. Can't miss this moment!

So if you have any tried and true appetizers, drinks, fun centerpieces or decorations etc, please let me know. Thanks in advance for any suggestions and I hope I didn't post this in the wrong forum!

Raschel~

[Raschel]

1. Okay, and that wasn't "knee" suggestions, but "need" suggestions.....rolling eyes.....

[flor-de-jasmim]

2. I'm also throwing a small party...

I'm thinking of Chicago deep-dish pizza and cheesecake with a "Hawaiian" topping (pineapple?), but I'd like to have some healthier options in between!

Do people drink tropical drinks in the winter?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. "Do people drink tropical drinks in the winter?"

No festive occasion is an inappropriate occasion to break out the canned coconut milk, the rum(151? You betcha!) and the pink paper umbrellas. Especially when one is divesting oneself of the 170 lb Texas Tumor.

-Tandelayo Landers

[Raschel]

5. I drink tropical drinks in the winter. Makes you feel like it's summer again,

especially after you've had a few!

An Hawaiian theme would be great. Plus it would be a nice pick-me-up for people in colder climates.
I like the cheesecake idea, maybe cut into small sqaures and placed on a nice platter. Great idea for me, since I can buy frozen ones that taste great and then just add the pinneapple!

[cali]

4. You need all your energy to enjoy the night!

So don't sweat the food. Ask people to make/bring their favorite appetizer. You could do something like buy a couple of pounds of cooked shrimp and some smoked salmon and make a nice cocktail sauce for the shrimp. I make an herby one with light mayo and light sour cream. I add a bit of horseradish and dried dill and tarragon. Serve the salmon on cocktail pumpernickel with a bit of chopped red onion, capers, black pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Champagne type bubbly is an inexpensive and wonderful way to celebrate. Try the Barefoot bubbly Pinot Grigiot or go with Korbel.

[Raschel]

6. Your cocktail sauce sounds great.

And I like the bubbly idea (Don Ho/Hawaii) I can throw some leis over the bottles.

This is shaping up to be a Hawaiian them, I'm loving it. Easy and fun.

I plan to ask some girls from school who are not Obama voters to attend. Then we also have a couple of really cool international students who are pro-Obama all the way. We have an Ethiopian friend who voted for Obama, so along with that interesting mix and some family and a couple more friends it should be a great moment when Obama's sworn in.

[globalvillage]

9. I just bought the Barefoot Chardonnay bubbly

and wondered if it was any good. I enjoy their wines (and the price), so I'm glad to see your recommendation for the Pinot.

Guess I have my beverage ready for the big celebration!

[cali]

11. All three are remarkably good for the price

They've become my regular drink. enjoy it!

[Bluenorthwest]

7. I bake for stress

ON election day, I made a very specially devised loaf of Barack Obama Bread, and shared it with other Democrats. It rose slowly all day long. It was made of whole wheat and white flour, with molassas and also granulated sugar. It was baked with intention.
I'll be too stressed by the suporting cast to enjoy the inaugural much. No party, that is for sure. Night before, a lovely 'so long Bush' party, but not an incomnig party. If Warren goes off, I'll blow my cool. That is not party material. Not something to share with weaker Democrats who need the rush of celebration. I do not begrudge the joy to those that feel it. But in case I wind up being bashed, I'll be doing it out of the public eye. Being bashed is a real mood killer.
But the election bread was excellent. I may bake it again that day, for luck.

[SheilaT]

8. Can you post the exact

recipe please?

[madmom]

10. Don't know where you live so don't know if this will be possible, but

my SO makes a mean grilled pineapple. Peel, core and slice about 1" thick grill on med hot grill just till you get the grill marks on both sides, put a scoop of french vanilla ice cream on top and drizzle with raspberry syrup.It's the yum! Man I wish summer would hurry and get here!

[Raschel]

14. That sounds scrumptious. It would probably work on an indoor grill as well. Thanks!

[ezgoingrl]

12. How about Inaugural Bingo

or an Inaugural Scavenger Hunt? Make a list of inaugural trivia and have guests ask one another questions, first one to check all questions off of their list wins a prize!

Same for the Bingo.

[Raschel]

16. I like the trivia idea. It would be interesting to see if I could find out any little known facts.

Or I could ask a naughty question like, "freepers think that the fist bump that Barack and Michelle give each other is a gang sign. True or false? "

That should get some laughter going...snicker....

[LaydeeBug]

13. To celebrate, I'd say a chicken in every pot...possible now that we have a POTUS that can

speak in complete sentences! It's also super simple to make, and easy to divvy up. I'd say a few pasta dishes (they're quick, easy and mostly inexpensive) but I've no idea how many people you're having, or if it's just noshing, or grubbing.

You can't go wrong with crab dip, or maybe a spinach and artichoke dip. I'd be happy to give you recipes. :hi:

And I hope your chemo is successful, and over soon. :hug:

[Contrary1]

15. Play pin the tail on the out-going ass. n/t

[Raschel]

17. Maybe some kind of shoe game! ;)