It's been so long since I have had any kind of dinner, let alone an open house. I know that open house means come when you can and also means more snack type foods. Anyone have some ideas? I don't have a lot of money to spend for this and wanted to keep the foods simple, but delicious. TIA

Kabin, are you going to cook a turkey?  If they're cheap enough, you can cook one ahead and have sandwich makings with it.  I found a recipe a few years back on the side of a Miracle Whip jar that's wonderful - mix some oregano and garlic powder into Miracle Whip (or mayo if you like) and spread on flour tortillas, add turkey, cucumbers that have been peeled and cut into thin strips and also some red pepper that's also in strips.  If the red pepper's too expensive, use a green one or leave it out completely.  Roll them up and cut in half on the diagonal.  A simple but delicious wrap sandwich.

I have a recipe for crock-pot pumpkin pie if you'd like it.  Takes about 4 hours and can be eaten hot, cold or anywhere in between; it could be left out all afternoon.  Don't forget the Cool-Whip.

Canned cranberry sauce is cheap enough, or a fresh cranberry salad can be made ahead and put into a pretty dish to serve.  I have one that uses a cut-up green apple in it, very good, and stays fresh and crunchy for days.  Let me know if you need a recipe. I noticed fresh cranberries were .99 cents at Aldi's last week.

There's always a veggie tray with carrots, cukes, any pickles or peppers you have in your fridge; olives are good but a little pricey.  Celery's cheap and can be stuffed with p.b., cream cheese or squirt cheese in a can.  Tomatoes are a nice addition, depending on price.  Use homemade or cheap, bottled salad dressing for dipping. 

I'm sure others will throw you some ideas - I love Thanksgiving!  I know you will be a great hostess .  Liz

 Deviled eggs are a good one, salsa and corn chips....fills people up when they stand around and talk. Babs

Kabin -

Not knowing your tastes and budget, it's hard to say. Can you give any more details?

 If you're inclined to serve anything alcoholic to drink, think about warm mulled wine (start with cheap boxed wine, by all means ~ $2/liter).  It smells really terrrifc too. I'll post the recipe if you're interested.

If you're inclined to serve anything more adventuresome/upscale, I have a really simple recipe for "gravalox" (like smoked salmon, only brined) that's prepared ahead of time using salmon filets from the grocery (about $4.99 lb. here).  The thing is, you slice it super think so a pound or two goes a long way, and it looks really impressive.  With smoked salmon costing $10-$20 a pound (or more!), people think you've really rolled out the red carpet, if they care for salmon, that is.

TizzyLizzy:

Kabin, are you going to cook a turkey?

No, I think my mom is. She will make pies too. Man, can she make a good pie! I told her about the sandwich wraps idea and I am not sure if she liked it or not, she is more on the traditional side, but I want simple and cheap. I am also thinking ham wraps or something like that.

Ultimate Cheapskate:

Not knowing your tastes and budget, it's hard to say. Can you give any more details?

I am hoping to accomplish a lot with about $50. Money is so very tight around here right now.

We don't really drink much around here. Neither my Dh or myself ever drink more than a wine cooler or glass of wine once or twice a year. LOL We are so square.

We also aren't very sophisticated about food. Living in farm country the dishes tend to be simple. Since I first wrote this I was thinking about sandwich wraps, a veggie tray, some kind of dip, some homemade relishes,  possible fruit salad, maybe a cheese ball? Or would that be more for christmas? I will have an open house for christmas too. LOL My mom will bake pies, I was also thinking some quick breads or something like that. I like simple, tasty and cheap. I also like the idea of making most things so that they can sit out without worry of spoilage right away. I know the sandwiches would have to go into the refrigerator, but most things wouldn't. As far as drinks go, we usually make a punch, but I might provide some soda pop and coffee or tea as well. Dh and I aren't coffee drinkers, lol, but our DD is. She must get it from her grandparents. I can still use ideas as my menu is not yet set in stone and as I said, my budget is about $50.

Kabin -

What about mini-meatballs in the crockpot (hamburger and/or sausage, heavy on the bread crumbs)?  Can be in bbq sauce or a sour cream sauce.  Also, if you do a veggie tray (esp. broccoli, carrots and celery), try a dip of 1 pkg. frozen spinach, 8 oz mayo, 8 oz sour cream, and 1 pkg. dry veg. soup mix.  Also potato skins with a little cheese, sour cream and maybe some bacon bits on top go a long, long way for few $.

veggie plates, relish plates, chips and dip are all popular.  my mil makes a thai salad that is cheap and good, fancy enough for parties...chow mein noodles (fresh) with the dressings, peanuts, chopped green/red pepper.  Cookies/quick bread are popular. mini quiches are easy and cheap enough to make. Spinach dip in a bread bowl is easy too. Most people like basic food with a little dressing up. Cookies on a fancy plate always are nice.  Make fancier cookies then normal or dress up reg ones...like shortbread dipped in chocolate.

Ultimate Cheapskate:

Also, if you do a veggie tray (esp. broccoli, carrots and celery), try a dip of 1 pkg. frozen spinach, 8 oz mayo, 8 oz sour cream, and 1 pkg. dry veg. soup mix.  Also potato skins with a little cheese, sour cream and maybe some bacon bits on top go a long, long way for few $.

Jeff you are definitely tempting my taste buds here. LOL Sounds good. Nice thing is that I just bought a 10 lb. bad of potaotes for 99 cents on sale last week. Oh, that was nice!

Yep, my mom and I were just talking again today about this open house. She and I have agreed to do our own lunch meat trays. That way everyone can make the sandwich they prefer. Also, cheese cubes and veggie tray with dip. I like the idea of more dips and maybe a cheese ball. Gotta find a good recipe. She said to not buy any pop. We will make punch and coffee. Sounds good to me. I like the idea of cookies dipped in chocolate. I always forget that kind of stuff when thinking about something like this.

All of these food ideas are making me hungry.