If it were me I would wear the apron proudly! You are doing the cooking and it is a badge of honor in my estimation!
Joann

If wearing an apron bothers you, get a pretty one :-)

Here, vintage style aprons are the thing to wear! There are some lovely ones out there.

Definitely wear the apron!

The menu is great! but I'd offer the beer, wine, and soda with the appetizers, too!

Thanks folks. Yes, I would offer all the beverages at the beginning, I just thought people might say the spiced cider doesn't go with lasagna, so I was trying to specify that I would offer it earlier. Thanks for the apron vote - I think I will get a new one then (the one I usually wear is dark navy with little red flowers & polka dots & a ruffly edge - a gift from my mother-in-law over 20 yrs ago - it is still in great shape and the dark color hides everything, but rather dated :))

I would want plain and flavored seltzer for beverages which can be used as mixers or plain.

We usually have birthday cake for birthday parties, but a friend just had a milestone bday and his wife made cupcakes instead so they were very easy to serve.

wearing an apron is fine, but if you don't want to, wear a top the color of tomato sauce.
:)

Thanks. I'll add flavored seltzers to the list of beverages. I wasn't going to do mixed drinks, just beer & wine, and the cider can be spiked with rum.
If there are no mixed drinks, do some people drink plain seltzer, or should I just have flavored seltzer?
I went shopping for a new apron today - the first store only had cream colored ones with cupcakes & puppies on them, not the look I was going for :). The second store actually had a vintage pattern red one, which should hide the sauce just fine, so I bought it!

I agree with wearing the apron, I'm glad you could find one that you liked and is appropriately colored and patterned, LOL.

If the only liquor you will serve is rum, I'm not sure seltzer is necessary. Do people even mix rum with seltzer?

The menu sounds good to me, it's got enough choices that I think nearly anyone could find something good to eat!

Annie

I agree with wearing the apron, I'm glad you could find one that you liked and is appropriately colored and patterned, LOL.

If the only liquor you will serve is rum, I'm not sure seltzer is necessary. Do people even mix rum with seltzer?

The menu sounds good to me, it's got enough choices that I think nearly anyone could find something good to eat!

Annie

In my family, people do drink plain seltzer as an alternative to flat water, but just flavored is fine...or get plain and a lemon and a lime and they can squeeze in a wedge of either if they want to make their own flavored...the lime works well with rum too. I also would use the seltzer mixed with cider to cut the sweetness....yep, I'm of that age where straight juice is too sweet for me!

Your apron isn't dated, its vintage! But I'm glad you found one you like for the occasion.

The only thing I would add to the menu is something for vegetarians in addition to salad and veggies, and bread. Oh, I just re-read and saw you have artichoke pizza. If you have any vegetarian guests coming, you might consider some kind of main course dish for them, such as a veggie lasagna of some kind. I know it would be extra work, but they'd appreciate it. If no one that's coming is vegetarian, disregard what I just suggested.

Sally

The rum is for the cider, I don't think anyone would be mixing it with seltzer. Think I'll just go with some flavored seltzers along with the other planned beverages, thanks. (We mostly just drink water when we don't have company since I know soda isn't good for you, and my mom heard drinking seltzer can draw the calcium from your bones, but I do want to offer what folks would want to drink.) There won't be any vegetarians this time, but thanks.

Never heard of rum and cider....DH used to drink whiskey in cider though....

We have it on Christmas. It is good.
Unfortunately, I spoke with my mom yesterday & my dad's health is not good. He has some chronic health issues, and she & my brother who see him on a daily basis think it's too chancy to plan a big party like this, as how he feels changes day to day & if he isn't having a good day he wouldn't be up to it. They think it best if we go to them for a simpler gathering of just immediate family. We will still have others send us some memories/good wishes/pictures & put an album together for him.
I will still use all these ideas to plan a couple smaller dinner parties at my house over the next month or so, (and will still get to use my new apron:)!) thanks everyone.

Awww, I hope he gets to feeling better.

Sally

Thank you :)

You know my folks are getting up in years too and I have found that a lot of fuss for gatherings isn't necessary anymore, they just don't have the energy for it. For example at Christmas we just did ham and baked sweet potatoes and salad and canned cranberry sauce. That was fine enough. Mom got all upset after the meal because she forgot to put the pies in the oven and dad and I just said, "Hey, we're full enough and a Christmas cookie or small dish of ice cream is plenty for dessert." They will appreciate the time spent with you though.

The menu sounded fantastic BTW. My friends have a big New Year's open house every year with a similar menu. Cider is good, but you can also mix it with cranberry juice, which makes it have a little kick to it. That's what I do. That also mixes cold with ginger ale for a punch too! I use apple brandy for a mixer with hot cider. That's yum. Cinnamon schnaps is good too. I have some rum issues, lol! Got really sick on it once.

Maybe make some cute cupcakes for your dad. You can always freeze any extras.

Yes, I actually do mix the apple cider with some cranberry juice, and also a little orange juice. I add cinnamon sticks & cloves poked into an orange.
The apple brandy, cinnamon schnapps, & cold punch ideas all sound good too, thanks!