I agree with susan_in_nc that offering a non-alcoholic option should be done. But I wanted to share a recipe for a sparkling punch that is light and crisp, and very pretty looking since it is completely clear in color. 1 Vodka 1 Gin 1 Rum 1 Triple Sec 1 Rose's Lime Juice (Only use Rose's! There is a huge difference in taste between brands.) 1 Champagne 3 Sprite or 7-UP Chill your punch bowl in the freezer overnight and also chill the boooze and Rose's. The high alcohol content and high sugar content of the Roses's will keep them from freezing and exploding. Loosen caps before setting in freezer. Keep Champagne and soda in refigerater until ready to serve. Also make up a ring ice mold to float in the punch when it is out to help maintain temp. Floating a few lemon/orange/lime slices makes for a pretty garnish. Or you could use edible flowers to float in the punch in the center of the ice ring mold. A variation is to use club soda or seltzer instead of sweetened soda.

You said "punch" not "cocktail"? Right? LOL! My favorite "fruit-ey" drink if Southern comfort and cranberry juice with lime. You can make it more like a cocktail or more like a punch by varying the ration of Southern Comfort to juice....If I am making a punch bowl of thes tuff for a woman's group I use 5 to one ratio...5 oz cranberry juice to 1 oz Southern comfort....and I add the juice of a lime to every Qt or so of cranberry juice and float some lime slices in the bowl....If I remember fountains, there is a pool that would look pretty with lime slices floating....and because they are floating they don't go into the pump. You can make up a punch with things like bottled Kiwi juice and frozen lemonade ( put through a strainer to remove any pulp and the booze of your choice...vodka or rum. Or a wine punch....I bottle of Reisling to 2 qts of strawberry Kiwi juice....or white grape if you really want it sweet....and float sliced strawberries in it. Linda C

Ginger Pineapple Punch 2 c orange juice 2 c unsweetened pineapple juice 2 T fresh grated ginger 1 liter ginger ale, chilled Ice cubes 1 orange, thinly sliced, optional In large pitcher stir together the orange juice, pineapple juice and ginger, cover and chill for 2-24 hours. Strain the juice mixture, discard the grated ginger. Slowly pour the cilled ginger ale into the pitche with the juice mixture. Serve punch over ice in chilled glasses, garnish with orange slices, if desired. Makes 12 6oz. servings I love this one because it is clear and sparkling. Very pretty with the ice brittle, too! Glacier Punch Source BH&G Holiday Appetizers 1999 2 c citrus vodka (may sub raspberry or cherry flavored) 2/3 c orange liqueur 2 T kirsch 1/2 c peach schnapps\-(my addition) 4 c ice cubes 1 750\-ml bottle champagne, chilled 2 c carbonated water, chilled Sugar (optional) Ice Brittle Combine vodka, orange liqueur, kirsch, schnapps and ice cubes in punch bowl. Carefully add champagne and carbonated water. If desired, sweeten with a little sugar. Top with chunks of Ice Brittle. Ice Brittle: Pour 1 c water into a 15 x 10 x 1 inch pan. Sprinkle surface evenly with edible flowers such as marigold, calendula, viola, pansy or dianthus. Sprinkle surface evenly with 1 c fresh raspberries or other fresh fruit. Freeze 3 hours or overnight. Unmold and break into chunks. ~~I used fresh rapsberries and mint leaves in place of flowers~~ Linda

Ham seems like a good choice. I don't know about the weather in Michigan, but here in Minnesota September 11 could turn out to be really cold. We had a day in early August 1994 where the high was 48. With a pre-sliced ham you could serve it hot or cold depending on the weather. Lot's of good suggestions for side dishes, but if she has asked for mac n cheese I think you should have that. But again for me personally, I would wait to decide on what side dishes because the weather can be so wacky here. That Paula Deen mac n cheese sounds awful! Is she trying to kill someone? Teresa