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Friday my husband promotes to Lieutenant Commander. This is a big deal for us, because less than two years ago we didn’t know if he had a future in the military. We are celebrating by having a large party at our house the night of his promotion. We expect between 50 and 70 people for the gathering.
I decided to save money by fixing most of the food myself with the help of my mother. I also want to be able to enjoy the party and our family and friends so we are doing most of the meal prep this week. It is my hope that on Friday all that will be left is cutting the fruit! (We’ll see, I tend to be an optimist when it comes to these things).
I really have no idea how much this will cost, but I guess I will find out when I shop tomorrow night. 
I priced catering it a few months ago and the cost was outrageous so I have hired The Happy Housewife Catering Co. (that’s me) to save some money. Here is the planned menu.
Party Menu
- BBQ Chicken
- BBQ Pork
- BBQ Venison
- Baked Beans
- Veggie Tray
- Veggie Dip
- Chip Dip
- Fruit
- Chips
- Lemonade
- Soda
- Cake
Shopping List
- 5 Whole Chickens
- 3 Pork Roasts
- Rolls (150)
- Baked Beans (2 large cans)
- BBQ sauce
- 5 pounds carrots
- 2 packs celery
- mini tomatoes
- broccoli
- zucchini
- ranch
- cream cheese
- picante
- salsa
- fresh fruit
- chips
- cake
- soda
- ice
- foil pans
- aluminum foil
- plastic silverware
- napkins
- large plates
- dessert plates
I think there are things missing from my list. I already have some of the items, like the venison, some chicken, and cups, but I am basically starting from scratch. If you see something I missed please leave a note in the comments, I am open to suggestions.
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Is the zucchini for the veggie tray? I like raw zucchini but have found over the years that a lot of folks don’t. (Also it doesn’t keep well once cut, unlike the other veggies you’ve selected.)
If you are going with 2 liter bottles of soda (cheapest option), go heavier on non-diet if lots of work friends are coming solo, but lean toward at least 40 percent diet if there are lots of spouses/girlfriends coming.
Start making ice now unless you plan to buy it. You can keep it in big plastic bags in your freezer, in ice-bucket sized packages.
Let me know if you want to borrow a crockpot or anything else! I’m a veteran of cooking for the command…
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ziplocs to put away the leftovers!
Do you want me to bring anything?
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If you’ve got big jugs of water and/or iced tea, you might want to freeze big chunks of ice ahead of time. I freeze them in sour cream or yogurt-type containers. They keep everything cold easier and you don’t need extra ice at the party.
I have a KILLER GOOD baked beans recipe if you want it. Even thought about posting it tomorrow since Memorial Day cookouts are coming up.
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Cool. He must have started out as enlisted. My brother will be 0-3 rank after just 4 years of service. I agree on the drinks though here in the south sweet tea is most peoples choice of drink. Not mine though – I can’t stand the stuff. Lemonade would also be good for kids.
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i didn’t see cups on the list.
have a great party!
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Wow! That is quite the undertaking! I hope you get everything done so you can relax at the party!
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I don’t have any suggestions, just wanted to say that I am in awe of all that you are able to accomplish. Congrats to your husband and your whole family.
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I did this for a church Christmas party once–decided that we could feed the crowd without breaking the bank, just me and one other woman. My only advice is this: borrow as many crockpots (slow cookers) as you can, put the pork roasts in them, let cook all day and forget about it til you have time to pull it, or slice it, depending on how you want it done. Beans, too. Many were surprised we pulled it off, but I think that the use of many crockpots is what really helped–oh, and USE LINERS!
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Just one thought. I don’t know if this is what you’re planning, but I just got a WHOLE pork loin of very nice quality for $1.48/lb at Sam’s club. I would think one of those would do nicely, and only cost you about $12. Have a great party!
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Congratulations and good luck with the wetting down, the menu sounds delicious.
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i have 1 suggestion for a fab dip for strawberries & its easy. 1 pkg cream cheese (cheap brand fine) 1 jar marshmwllow creme (again cheap brand) let cream cheese soften add creme then mix with mixer. Will last 2 days in fridge just restir before serving. SOOOO gooood. I promise my sis in law made it & we all but licked the bowel & that may have happened after we left. Congrats to your husband. Go Navy! (I will deny saying that should my husband (Army) ask..lol)
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Oh I love parties and BBQ! I usually make pulled pork for the kids’ birthdays and it is a big hit….crockpot all the way! It’s what we had for dinner tonight. Hope you have a great time and congrats to hubby! The menu and list look great!
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I am the granddaughter of a professional chef/catering whiz and prep is no small task! It looks like you’ve chosen foods that will work in mass quantities, and the only thing I could even think of changing is your baked bean method. You can make a huge amount of baked beans from scratch for almost nothing. If you decide to go the canned route, a little bacon and brown sugar can really jazz them up.
The person who mentioned freezing blocks of ice for punch and other drinks is right on, but you should pre-mix some punch or juice and freeze that so your drinks won’t be watered down when the ice melts. Freezing citrus fruits in to the ice rings (bundt pans work well) is fun.
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Congratulations. I know this must be as much an accomplishment for you as it is for your sweet husband!
Love the Happy Housewife Catering Company! I seem to be running a similar service at our house : )
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Congrats, Remember, behind every good man is a great woman!!That you and your husband for what you do for all of us.
In the south, we use both red and white sauce(see http://www.southernplate.com) on pork and chickens. This way everyone is happy. When we make sandwiches, we also make vinegar slaw.
Do you need tables and tableclothes?
Also on sodas, make some caffine-free. Can’t wait to here how it goes!!
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Sorry “That” should be “Thanks”
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What about some more trash cans, or even those big rubbermaid containers (they are always on sale at target and you can wash them with a hose and reuse them once your done using them for trash) with trash bag liner in them. Same goes for keeping drinks or ice, line the rubbermaid container with the garbage bag and pour in ice and cans of pop or the liter bottles of pop to keep it cool.
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Oh how fun!!! I love cooking for big parties. Good luck!
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Put your ice in zip locks then drop that in your drink pitchers… keeps them cold and NOT watered down. Your the best when pulling a big event together, after all you do it every day!
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I meant “YOU ARE the best!”
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How exciting! Congrats!
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When you say big cans of baked beans – how big? In my mind this is not enough. Beans are such a yummy, filling and inexpensive foods adored by almost all (including picky kids). I am picturing the 2 big cans I feed my family of 10, but maybe you mean food service size?
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I have been to many many military celebrations and I must say you are one brave woman to host at your house! I think your menu is great with the variety of meats. One thing that might help if you have not thought of it already is to use the (what we call on Army posts) “The Lending Closet” You can borrow pots, pans, ladles, serving trays beds, vacuums, chairs. It is for anyone to use not just people who just moved and have not received their household goods. When I ran the family readiness group they would always encourage us to use it for parties, or even if you had family in town and needed a few dishes etc. CONGRATS on the promotion!
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Congratulations to your husband!
Can’t wait to see all the food pics! 
You will do great! 
If you need some info on how much meat and stuff to buy, let me know. I have a great catering handbook for things like that.
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First of all congrats to your husband!!! That is great. Second the thing that stands out to me is the thing I always forget – coffee. I don’t drink it so I never remember it but people always ask. Have a nice party!!
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If the party is going to be outside don’t forget the bug spray and tiki torches or candles. They now have some stands for the tiki torches that are made me feel better about safety for kids so this is the first year we purchased any.
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Suggestions? None, you have it worked out faily well.
Promotion? That is lovely. In Italy they say that “God sees and foresees”…you lot deserve this.
Anxiety? of course, this is a huge deal. Cora, the birth issues, getting back to normal, and now the promotion…but as you said, you are positive.
Just enjoy your day. Somethings will be perfect, some will be a little less perfect but just enjoy every moment.
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I know it’s past the party date – but a friend years ago taught me that if you put ice in brown paper bags and put it back in the freezer (so you can slowly build a supply without buying tons of it)… it won’t stick to itself and is easy to use.
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