Every great party starts with great appetizers and munchies. Most of those tiny delicacies that you find prepackaged in the freezer section are quite pricey, and they are not nearly as good as fresh food you make yourself. You’ll save a lot of money preparing snacks and appetizers yourself, especially when it gives you the opportunity to use generically packaged items. No one will be the wiser, when they sample the delicious treats you’ve made from high quality, yet low cost goods.
Tips for Making Party Trays:
Cheese
Ready to serve party trays tend to be lean on good things to eat while at the same time being high in price. Cut up veggies yourself for a veggie tray. A one-pound bag of whole, large carrots generally costs about half as much -or less- than a bag of pre-peeled baby carrots. You will need to wash, peel, and cut the carrots into sticks or slices, but you will save money. The same is true of other pre-washed, pre-cut vegetables.
Veggies
It’s also much cheaper to cut cubes of cheese from a large block instead of purchasing a cheese tray or packages of cheese cubes. On the other hand, if you don’t feel like cutting it into cubes, you can simply place a block of cheese on top of a doily or garnish it with parsley, add a knife, and let people help themselves. Another attractive idea is to cut a rectangular block of cheddar and a block of mozzarella length wise into thick strips. Place one cheddar, one mozzarella, one cheddar, and so on, side by side with the strips close enough together that they look like a single block of cheese. Place on top of some leaf lettuce and supply a knife.
Dips
Homemade dips are more refreshing and flavorful than pre-packaged, and they cost less. Add soup mix to sour cream, or whip up your own Ranch style veggie dip by combining two parts sour cream and one part mayonnaise. Stir in garlic, seasoned salt, pepper, celery salt, and dill to taste.
Crackers
Buy store brand party crackers and place them on trays in advance. Throw away the box if you don’t want people to see it. Simply have another tray of crackers ready to go in case you need more. Buy only one package of fancy biscuits or crackers and arrange them between layers or rows of other types of snack crackers.
*Check back for more money saving appetizer ideas.