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It’s no secret that I love to cook and bake. However, sometimes it’s nice to pop something quick in the oven or microwave and spend more time with friends and less time in the kitchen. New Year’s Eve is one of those times, and while I love serving homemade appetizers to my friends, it’s also great to have something easy at hand.
NOTE: If you like the glasses I’ll show you how to paint some yourself! Check out my tutorial for these champagne glasses over at All Free Holiday Crafts.
I was browsing around Sam’s Club and checking out all the possibilities for the upcoming holiday. They have quite an array of choices, and for prices that I couldn’t match had I made them myself. One such example were these delicious bacon wrapped filets from Daily Chef.
Pop them in the oven for 7 minutes, turn then cook another 5 minutes and they are done! Making these by hand would have taken much longer, not to mention cost me a lot more. A box of 20 appetizers was $12.98. We all know bacon costs around $5.00-6.00, and in some areas more, and where would I get filet for $6.98??
Sweets are certainly needed for a good party too. Making little mini brownie bites is fun, but when you are rushing around trying to get everything together for the holiday, having someone make them for you is great!
I found this container of 32 brownie bites for $6.62. They are plain, so no worrying about nut allergies. You can decorate them yourself with some chocolate drizzles, nuts and even sprinkles.
Of course we can’t forget the bubbly! I don’t know about you, but I live in the real world and have a modest budget. Entertaining can be very expensive and buying several bottles of expensive champagne is just not in the cards for me. I found this delicious bottle of Beviamo Sparkling Moscato for less than $10.00!
They even have handy appliances and serving trays perfect for parties. If you’re making warm appetizers this triple slow cooker buffet and server would be perfect. Fresh vegetables and dip would look fabulous in this 8-piece Lazy Susan party server.
Here are some other fantastic ideas I found while browsing around!
The bakery department has plenty of prepackaged baked goods like these brownie trios and cookie trays.
The cheese varieties that are available are astonishing. From cubed packaged cheese that are just waiting for a fancy toothpick, to all sorts of cheese balls, spreadable cheese and block cheese.
Oh and the sausage! Perfect for slicing and browning, there are several different flavor varieties that I’ve tried, and all have been delicious. My personal favorite is the mozzarella & roasted garlic chicken sausage!
I spotted this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad, oh my, and I’m dying to try this spinach artichoke dip!
Maybe you’re attending a party and want to bring something? Sam’s has platters all ready for you, like these sliced cheese/meat trays and these fresh vegetable trays.
Plenty of warm appetizer ideas too like these heat and serve meatballs, fabulous bruschetta and bacon wrapped shrimp, among many others.
Bite sized quiche, deli spirals, potato skins, egg rolls, the list goes on!
If you’re party is a bit more intimate and you have less guests, grabbing a cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory is also an option!
There are plenty of drink options as well.
So whatever you serve, remember to take it easy, enjoy the evening and spend time with those you care about. Remember, celebrate responsibly, don’t drink and drive! Happy New Year!
The Giveaway
It’s simple. USE the form below to enter and THEN leave me a comment telling me your ideas for a “Luxe for Less” New Year’s Eve (how do you celebrate luxuriously yet on a budget) and you’ll be entered to win a Modern Cocktail Holiday Mixer Variety Pack (With 3 ‘salts’ for rims and 15 flavors, make your favorite cocktails simply by adding liquor. An instant hit for New Year’s parties!)
The Rules
You must be 21 or older, have a valid U.S. shipping address and enter no later than December 31, 2012 at midnight. Good luck!
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We celebrate with our neighbors — no driving and we potluck it so it is not difficult. Happy new year!
We are having a New Year’s Eve Party this year on a very tight budget! I’ve made some substitutions to our usual party treats. No Hot Crab dip this year…Buffalo Chicken Dip instead. My daughter gave me a great recipe for toffee bark made with saltines…much cheaper than the pecan brittle I usually make. and instead of buying humus and other pre-made dips we are making our own. I make a delicious white bean dip that just costs pennies. Instead of a full bar we are serving one cocktail and cold beer. I’m not buying any paper goods, plates, cups etc…I’ve gathered all my glasses dishes and dessert sets and it’s going to look beautiful! A little more work after but no waste, money or trees!! I’m sure no one will notice the changes, or will care. But our wallets will be much happier!
I buy in bulk when I can, and look for deals in the stores with coupons!
We (there are 3 of us) go to Sam’s Club and buy a Standing Rib Roast, 3 lbs of crab legs, 2- 8 oz lobster tails, asparagus, and I’ll also make twice baked potatoes. Our meal usually runs under $120.00 for all 3 of us. There is NO WAY you can have that kind of meal at any restaurant for that price, so I am with ya on the Sam’s Club for holiday shopping !
We usually celebrate quietly at home. We are retired and sometimes we keep our grandgirls while their parents go out, but they have been staying close to home lately too. We sometimes go to our favorite local Chinese restaurant and get one of their special New Year’s platters, nothing fancy, but lots of fun. Happy New Year!
We just do a lowkey NYE celebration. I’ll be making a few appetizers – BBQ lil smokies, cheese and crackers..nothing too crazy. I doubt we’ll actually make it to be awake at midnight.
Budget?
10#’s of King Crab legs and 12#’s of Shrimp w/ Cocktail Sauce, keep it simple!
Our neighborhood does a traveling potluck. Each house is a different course, so we get a 6 course meal at the cost of one meal.
My ideas for a “Luxe for Less” party would be porluck style. Everyone will enjoy and have fun when we all contribute. :)
Staying home with friends- we skip the “dinner” and just do snacks, apps, board games and cocktails- dress up clothes optional- pjs work great too (especially if daycare falls through and kids are present)!
We have a get together at home. Everyone stays for the nite. I plan my finger food menu and breakfast menu ahead of time (quiches are always a good and inexpensive breakfast). I shop around for the best deals on my grocer items.
Walk next door for snacks and fun at midnight
We stay in and make it all homemade.
We will stay home to celebrate. I usually make a shrimp scampi, caesar salad and we always have bubbly to celebrate. No idea on what the dessert will be. Maybe crudites for an appetizer
enjoy your website—the other day i viewed a show on tv—featured a chef who now owns and operates his father’s restaurant in new york; name is PATSY’s—the particular preparation being featured was “meatball lasagna”—the interviewer and his associate were “ecstatic” in their enthusiasm for the dish- with that said, in our area is a business called ROSEBUD BEEF–(much better than SAM’s stuff as well and more nutritious and healthy for ya as well)–i have enjoyed it for years—less cholesterol and fat and still “scrumpscious” as well–
for the NEW YEAR’s bash will be enjoying some oyster stew – upside down muffins, and some heart healthy rosebud beef… happy holidays from the PRAIRIE… & your recipes are “outstanding”—greg p.
Going out this year at a small little Italian restaurant no big
hoola. Small, simple and inexpensive. C
Love your walk through Sam’s and will be checking out the glass tutorial. I had a huge surprise 50th birthday party for my dh (dob 12/24) so will be reinventing all the leftover party food for game night with friends. We want all the “bad” stuff out of the house when we wake up on the 1st so will be sending leftovers out the door with the friends or in the trash.
stuffed mushrooms, very inexpensive!
You can really dress up simple storebought goods…just put a few finishing touches on them and they’ll never know it came from a box or can!
We have a bring a dish party. There is plenty of food and I don’t have to cook it all.
I love her ideas for New Years. I would love to win some of that Moscato Cocktail. I looks just wonderful. Love the recipes also. They are great. Thanks.
I would love to win some of the Moscato Cocktail. It looks like it tastes wonderful. I truly love all the great recipes also. Your New Years Ideas are just great. Hope you also have a wonderful and Happy New Year. God bless.
Stay at home for us, (besides we are snowed in right now), will fix a simple steak meal for the two of us and actually we’ll probably already be in bed by the stroke of midnight!
Make a few fun appetizers at home and have a game night!
NO PARTY THIS YEAR. 5 YR OLD GRANDBABY IS IN THE HOSPITAL.
With the weather threatening, we are just staying in, so I have some appetizer ideas, and some moscato d’asti for some sparkle!
Everyone who’s attending will bring something to share. Potluck style or could buy something and bring.
Appetizers and a fancy drink — or another special food — is a way to feel luxe but for less.
Grill our own steak and then eat by candlelight
We are going to grill, and relax and ring in the New Year!!!
Happy New Year Everyone!!!! :-)
We stay at home and have a party with our dogs! We make doggie treats and treats for us too!
making deviled eggs
Stay home and party with the dogs. Or maybe a few friends that live close by. Make it a potluck, play some cards, listen to some music, laugh.