There are lots of food charts for serving a crowd available on-line, and sometimes you can find this information in older cookbooks, especially those put together by a church group. Locate a few and use them as a guideline, plus your natural instinct. I'm surprised there isn't a chart or book as a guideline in your church kitchen for serving crowds. The link below is from a friend of mine.

1. I figure 2-3 (average-size, 2-inch) cookies per person, or approximately 3-4 dozen cookies for 25 people - but it depends on other things on the menu. I wouldn't make large cookies.

2. Five kinds of cookies is more than generous and your list sounds like it should appeal to everyone. It's not necessary, but I would suggest at least one gluten-free choice and one that would be appropriate for diabetics (which could easily be one and the same recipe). These additions seem to be well-received, and much appreciated these days, where food allergies and diabetes are rampant.

I often make place cards with the name and an ingredient list, especially if it contains nuts, coconut, etc. - common ingredients people may dislike or have an allergy to, as a courtesy to guests.

If making gluten-free items, be careful not to cross-contaminate it with gluten-containing foods (don't bake gluten-free cookies on cookie sheets after you baked gluten-containing cookies without thoroughly cleaning them first). You could also buy sugar-free or gluten-free cookies instead of making them, or find a friend who makes them on a regular basis to help you out. I regularly make these for church-related and family-related functions, since both have a number of people who need gluten-free and diabetic friendly dessert options.

3. A way to judge the amount of drinks is to figure 1-2 beverages per person per hour.

-Don't serve large portions of liquid, even iced tea (unless it's going to be summertime hot).

-Most (glass) punch cups hold 1/2-cup (4-oz.), but if you use plastic 6- or 8-oz. cups, do the math per gallon of punch to get how many servings to expect to get.

-Use cups/glasses children (especially small children) can easily hold, if appropriate. Make sure your servers know which glasses/cups to use.

-Iced tea (especially in the winter) - 8-oz. plus ice is a good size.

-Coffee - figure 3/4-cup (6-oz. - or the size of the cup you are using).

4. I would serve the cider spiced and hot at the home reception, and the cranberry/cherry + fizzy something-er-other as the punch at the church reception (make a couple ice rings from the cranberry/cherry juice so when it melts, all you need is to add another ice ring and a little more fizzy).

I would also make a test batch (using smaller amounts, but the same ratio of ingredients) if you aren't going to use a recipe.

If the weather is going to be extremely cold, hot cider and coffee would probably be more popular than iced punch and iced tea - depending on the ratio of adults and children attending.

If you need a "back-up" punch that can be made as needed is one frozen container (12-fl. oz.) of orange juice and one frozen container of lemonade. Make according to package directions and mix the two together. No fizzy anything necessary. It's almost too simple ;-).

-Grainlady

Here is a link that might be useful: Shaboom's Kitchen

Thanks a lot Grainlady. I will keep that link handy. I did make the cookies on the smaller side. I thought about a gluten free option - was thinking I should probably buy it, as I know some won't eat anything made on the same equipment, even after washing. I also thought about labels, so I will probably do that since you suggested it as well, which would mean each type on a separate platter, not a problem. The coffee & tea will be hot, the punch will be cold (I'll only do punch at church, not for the family at home).

Here's an old post I saved. I made it a couple of years ago and it is very good cold (but it is scrumptious hot :-) Might give you an idea of proportions, servings, etc. since you already have some apple cider and cranberry juice.

* Posted by donna_loomis (My Page) on
Wed, Dec 1, 10 at 2:54

I have made this spiced cider every Christmas for the last 29 years. My son insists on it. It is delicious hot or cold. Just the right combination of sweet and tangy. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

HOT SPICED CIDER

2 quarts apple cider (not juice)
1 and 1/2 quarts cranberry juice
3 cinnamon sticks
1 and 1/2 tsp. whole cloves
1/4 cup brown sugar

Bring all ingredients to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove cloves and cinnamon sticks. Serve hot or cold. Makes approximately 12 servings.

I'd add some frozen lemonade to the juices you already have and ginger ale for the punch...here's a similar recipe.

1 can (6 ounces) frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 bottle (32 ounces) cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
2 cans (12 ounces each) ginger ale, chilled

Make lemonade as directed on can in large pitcher. Stir in cranberry juice cocktail and enough ice to chill. Just before serving, stir in ginger ale.

Makes 12 servings (3/4 cup each)

I think your cookie selection is wonderful and your thoughts about not serving too many choices is spot on. I wouldn't want to take responsibility for providing food for special diets and I imagine people who require them are very cautious about indulging at an event like this. I think I'd provide a bowl of fruit for those who may have other dietary needs or who don't want their kids to have a bunch of sugar (gluten free or not). Maybe even include a bowl of individually wrapped string cheese - much easier and kid friendly than a cheese plate.

I also think the cookies sound delicious, I'd figure no moe than three per person.

I also think the cran/cherry would mix well with the apple cider and something fizzy, but I wouldn't add another juice, I think pineapple would be too much. Serving hot apple cider at your home first is a good idea too, and I often make punch with cran/raspberry juice and 7-up, so I think you could do that with your juice, I use about 2/3 juice and 1/3 soda. It works well with gingerale too.

At 3 pm I'd expect adults to be drinking coffee instead of punch, but I do know that some coffee drinkers switch to decaf by that time in the afternoon. I've always figured 4 oz of punch per person but if you have teenaged boys, they are going to drink more.

If you do want a diabetic/gluten free option, this is an easy peanut butter cookie:

1 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 cup brown sugar splenda
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda

Roll into quarter sized balls and flatten slightly. Bake at 350F 10-12 minutes.

Makes 48

Most of all, have fun!

Annie

Mix all ingredients

Thanks a lot for the additional input. In the morning I am sending out 64 invitations, which doesn't include the congregation at large; many that come won't be alone. I could be really underestimating the number, but I also thought I heard once that about 1/3 of folks invited to an event can't make it. If it is around 75 people, I actually already have enough cookies (forgot about the 28 cranberry shortbread I also made :)). I'll probably make extra, as they certainly won't go to waste and if I'm off on the numbers I won't be too stressed out a couple days before.
All juices already have so much sugar, does anyone just use seltzer as the bubbly or does it just not taste as good as 7up/sprite/gingerale?

I haven't used just seltzer because it tastes salty and throws off the flavor of juice to me. However, just a plain sparkling water would also be fine, and not add all that sugar. The kids might not like it as well but the adults would probably like it better.

Annie

Thanks, that's a good point. The punch is mostly for the kids, so what's more sugar if they're already having cake, cookies & juice lol.