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frugal snack ideas.....

19 years ago

I am going to have a family get together on Christmas eve.

I want to provide the snacks but I don't want it to kill the budget. Please give me some tips. Also, keep in mind that I am not a person to fix something to fancy or complicated..... :) Jackie who is married to Wesley and mom to 3.

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Comments (6)

azzalea
19 years ago
Cereal mix, Rice Krispie treats, popcorn.

How about making some homemade cookies (if you're short on time, just turn your favorite recipe into a bar cookie and cut into squares, rectangles or diamonds).

Mini Muffins.

You could get hoagies and cut into 1" wide slices so they're appetizer sized.

Pizza is inexpensive to make, and again, cut into small pieces since everyone usually wants to try many different things.

Pepperoni bread is easy and inexpensive. Just roll out purchased frozen bread to a thin rectangle, cover with pepperoni, grated mozzarella and add a sprinkling of Italian seasoning or oregano, roll up, let rise and bake. Serve warm, sliced about 1" thick. Everyone loves it. You can put out a bowl of warm marinara sauce for dipping, if you like.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
19 years ago
I like sliced summer sausage and a variety of sliced cheeses. You could buy and slice yourself.

Different crackers for the above from Aldis or DG (Dollar General.

A home made cheese ball and crackers...many simple recipes for these.

The local Butternut (day old)bread store had Hostess cookies in a box. There were several different varieties in the box, and ohhhh soooo good. The best I think I've ever had! $2 per box. Very pretty and festive too.

Maybe a pot of chili, or not appropriate?

Sue...who is getting hungry at the thought of all this good stuff
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Thanks, everyone! These are great ideas. I think the fossil cookies would be fairly easy for the kitchen staff to make and look pretty cool, too. Then some sort of rocky mix with healthier components like raisins and cereal - maybe doing stratigraphy in a clear container (altho, I'm also always trying to get the kitchen to do less plastic - I think we can make this work) . I also like the idea of creating a rocky landscape on the serving area with utensils, etc. You guys rock! (sorry, that's a groaner).
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joyfulguy
19 years ago
Celery sticks, with cheese in the channel.

Small pieces of cauliflower, broccoli, small carrots, celery sticks, with a dipping sauce, or two.

I love blue cheese or roquefort dressing, but one can seldom find it.

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budster
19 years ago
Quiche - you can make a little go a long way. Make mini quiche if you have the time. A pan of lasagna ..... some french bread warmed and sliced. A pot of soup warming on the stove with a ladle waiting....beef and barley...would keep the growlies away. I think anything goes Christmas eve...make it a pot luck if you are running outta time..most people would bring a bit of something.
lexie
19 years ago
Easy cheap delicious candy. Beat three egg whites (room temp) and a few grains of salt to hard peak. Add one cup brown sugar and beat again to hard peak. Drop by teaspoon (not too big) onto an un-greased cookie sheet. Top with a pecan half or chopped pecans. The candy should only be large enough to hold the pecan on top. Press the pecans in just lightly. Bake at 200 for 45 min. The candy will be light brown and very pretty on a Christmas dish.

I made potato soup and homemade bread one Christmas and it was a big hit.
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
19 years ago
Nacho dip in a crock pot with chips, popcorn balls, chili, ...do you want appetizer ideas or whole meal ideas?

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