New Years Eve

judi24

I know we haven't got Christmas out of the way yet but I usually have a NewYears Eve Party - it has become a family tradition. This year I am trying to get debt free so want to keep the cost down.
I'm looking for any ideas for food that I can prepare in advance.
Any suggestions to make this a great but cheap party would be appreciated.

flowerofthewest

Being from a Scottish family New Year was always a biggie for us, with lots of friends round. Mum used to make sandwiches and shortbread, with a clootie dumpling for "afters". Everyone brought a bottle and some would bring their own contributions to the food.

I've always found this the best and cheapest way to have a party at any time. I prove basic snacks and a dessert, and everyone who comes brings "a bottle and a dish"

For example, in the past people have brought - homemade chilli, leftover chicken/turkey/beef, homemade soup, shortbread, biscuits etc. As long as you're prepared to get "pot luck" it's great

Fi

lil_me

It's my partners busiest night of the year (taxis) so it'll be a night in for me and the boys, just wanted to say good luck with the party and try the OS board for recipes.

RoCas

You could always have a virtual party here ... we'd all come and it wouldn't cost a bean

Sallys_Savings

Last year just after christmas I found lots of party food gone down half price in Iceland..perhaps other shops do the same near you?

abbecer

It's my 1st wedding anniversary on NY eve and looks like hubby will be working nights!!!

Rebecca xxxxx

Snaggles

abbecer wrote:

It's my 1st wedding anniversary on NY eve and looks like hubby will be working nights!!!

Rebecca xxxxx

Awww, poor you.....maybe you could have a special 'celebration' when he gets back home! How romantic, getting married on New Year's Eve though.

abbecer

Thanks Snaggles, It was an amazing wedding. We got married at 5.30pm in a candlelight ceremony. As we were in Scotland it was followed by a traditional Hogmany party. All you Scots i salute you, you sure know how to throw a party.

Rebecca

judi24

Thanks for all your suggestions.
I am Scotish but living in England so I like to keep new tear and it has become a bit of a 'thing' with my friends. I have 4 kids so going out is a bit of a no-no hence the party. Everyone brings the kids and its all a bit of a riot. (usually my kids cause the most trouble!!) I have often thought of asking people to bring a plate but never do. I usually just end up doing all the food myself.

I may ask people to bring a plate this year and just do the basics. I am really trying hard to get debt free and this would be a good start to my money saving 2007. Although I would feel like a bit of a skinflint.

computerwoman

:xmassmileHi I live in the north, and almost everyone does it up here, in fact if you turn up empty handed your reguarded as a skinflint, you could try,
cold potatoe and carrot salad.
this serves 8 so you'll probably be able to work out the maths for a larger party.
3 large potatoes
6 carrots
mayonnaise
parsley to garnish
scrub potatoes well and boil in jackets until just soft.
leave to cool slightly then peel cut into small cubes
peel and dice carrots and blanch in salted water
bring to the boil, then leave to cool
mix potatoes and carrots together with enough mayonnaise to coat evenly
serve garnished with chopped parsley.
or theys
liver pate serves 8-10 generous portions
450g(1lb) streaky bacon chopped
450g(1lb) liver
450g(1lb) onions sliced
450g(1lb) butter
mixed herbs
salt and pepper
chop the bacon, slice the onions, and put all the ingredients well mixed, into a casserole.
cover and cook slowly in the oven for 2 hours at 150c 300f gas mark 2
blend in a liquidizer until smooth, then pour into a pate dish
leave until set
the butter will rise to the top to form a layer
serve with slices of toast or crackers.
you could also try stuffed tomatoes
stuffed eggs
all these I find are really cheap to make and go down well
and salads
a favourite of mine is
beanshoot salad
1 large lettuce
1 bag of beansprouts tesco's about 38p
1 large can butter beans
2 eating apples chopped
100g(4oz) walnuts/peanuts
vinaigrette dressing
wash lettuce and arrange round a wooden/glass bowl mix all the other ingredients together with the dressing and pile into the bowl garnish with chopped parsley optional

vinaigrette dressing
mix olive oil and wine vinegar in proportions of 2-1 with salt, freshly-ground black pepper, a pinch of mustard powder and a very little sugar, place in a screw-top container/old jar and shake vigorously before pouring,
hope these help there very cheap to make if you buy all at tesco value and remember have a happy new year

computerwoman

:xmassmilealso found a nice recipe from days gone by when my son was small,
coconut ice bars
450g(1lb) suger
150ml(1/4pint) milk
150g(5oz) desiccated coconut
food colouring you can use which ever colour you like
dissolve the sugar in the milk in a heavy saucepan over a low heat
bring to the boil and boil gently for about 10 minutes
until a little of the mixture dropped into a cup of cold water forms a soft ball when rolled between finger and thumb
remove from the heat and stir in the coconut,
pour half the mixture quickly into a buttered 20.5 x15cm(8 x 6inch) tin
add a few drops of food colouring to the second half, stir and pour quickly over the first half
leave until set
mark into bars and cut or break when cold
store in an airtight container
makes about 550g(11/4lb)
the kids used to go nuts over these.
happy partying