If you’re dieting for the holidays this year, you’ve come to the wrong place – the My Big Day team has rounded up ten of our favorite guilty pleasure party appetizers. No counting calories allowed! Whip up any of these recipes (double or triple them to feed a crowd), and you’ll be getting all the compliments. To promote safe partying during the pandemic, we’ve chosen bite-sized apps for your guests. Bonus: Dishes are optional and clean-up is easy. Whether you need a little help planning your next event, or want to show up the day-of with everything done, our team with over 15 years of experience in the event industry is here to help. Book now. Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers A little spicy? Yep. Super indulgent? Yes. Totally addictive? You bet. Yield: 12 poppers Ingredients
Directions
Cream Cheese Tortilla Bites Quick and easy (only 4 ingredients!) and vegetarian. Yield: 36 bites Ingredients
Directions
Feta and Spinach Puff Pastry Appetizers These fancy pastries look as good as they taste and are sure to impress. Vegetarian. Yield: 27 pastries Ingredients
Directions
Ritz Crackers Party Sandwiches Yes, the nostalgic snack is still a party favorite. Customize with your own favorite cheese and meat, or cheese and roasted veggies. Yield: 48 sandwiches Ingredients
Directions
Crockpot Apple Butter and Bourbon Meatballs Sweet and tangy. Add hot sauce for an extra kick. Yield: 32 meatballs Ingredients
Directions
Cranberry Havarti Bites Decadent, creamy, and tangy. Yield: 16 bites Ingredients
Directions
Cranberry Brie Crostini Bites Cranberry + brie is a sophisticated holiday combo, and this recipe can be made in advance and then assembled in just minutes on party day. Yield: 24 toasts Ingredients
Directions
Twice Baked Potato Bites Like a mini baked potato with all the toppings, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Yield: 12 Ingredients
Directions
Antipasto Skewers
These snacking skewers are like a portable charcuterie board, without the touching-something-someone-else-has-touched. Yield: 18 skewers Ingredients
Directions
Mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls on a Pretzel Stick These salty, satisfying game-day snacks make a popular party app. Yield: 30 Ingredients
Directions
Visit our Party Appetizers Pinterest board for many more party-worthy recipes. For more party planning tips and ideas, follow My Big Day on Facebook and Instagram. Entertaining for the holidays can have you juggling many roles: chef, bartender, performer – even family mediator. Setting up a self-serve bar for your holiday party gives you more time to enjoy your guests, but it may not be as simple as you think. Here are some tips to DIY a successful self-serve bar for the holidays. Keep the drink selection simple As the party host, it’s up to you how many drink options you’d like to supply for your guests. You can stick to just beer and wine, add in a themed cocktail, or stock all the basics of a full bar and allow guests to create their own drinks. Here are some staples to consider:
Pre-mix drinks If you’d like to serve a signature cocktail hassle-free, you can pre-mix ingredients and serve them in a large beverage dispenser. To keep drinks cold without diluting them, chill ingredients thoroughly before mixing, then: add ice cubes made out of your non-alcoholic ingredients, add frozen fruit, or choose a beverage dispenser designed to keep liquids cold. Write cocktail recipes for guests If your guests like to be a bit more hands-on, you can provide the cocktail recipe and let guests mix their own drinks. Choose a signature cocktail or two and print the recipes on paper or cardstock, write them on a chalkboard, or even on a mirror. If a drink requires an exact measurement, be sure to have that measuring utensil available. Don’t forget to provide any garnishes. Choose drinks that complement your theme or occasion This is the fun part: brainstorming signature drinks to suit your party theme or occasion. Warm, rich drinks are welcome at a cozy fall or winter party. Traditional drinks like mulled wine are a festive addition to holiday parties. And fresh, fruity drinks are ideal for summer get-togethers. For ideas and inspiration, check out our list of eight signature cocktails for your next event or five fall-inspired cocktail recipes. Purchase the right amount of alcohol for your party Party duration, number of guests, type of alcohol, and type of party all affect how much alcohol you’ll need to purchase. This drink calculator from Evite is a great place to start. Have supplies readily available The supplies you’ll need depend on the complexity of your drink offerings. Even the most basic self-serve bar will need:
Other supplies to consider include:
eep your guests (and yourself) safe
With a self-serve bar, you won’t be able to keep track of how much alcohol each guest consumes. Look for signs of intoxication (loud speech, slurred speech, stumbling, rude behavior, etc.) and discourage any guests you suspect to be impaired from driving. Be ready to call ride services, offer a room for the night, or even to call police if things escalate. Check your local and state laws: As party host, you may be held responsible for the actions of impaired guests, even after they’ve left your property. Sound like a lot? With some planning and drink prep, anyone can provide their own self-serve bar this holiday season. But if you’re short on time or just don’t feel ready, you can book all of these services with On the Rocks. You’ll get a consultation with us to discuss drink ideas, how much alcohol you’ll need to purchase, and delivery coordination. On the day of your event, our TIPS-certified bartenders – trained in safe service and preventing drunk driving and underage intoxication – will serve your guests, so you can be worry free. It’s been over a year now…… It’s been well over a year of pivoting schedules, canceling plans, and re-imagining how we work and play in this new world of Covid-19. Last year, at this time, the decision of whether or not to hold a holiday party was simple -- no one did. In fact - in many parts of the country, we were under strict lockdown orders, and couldn’t have gathered together if we wanted to. The landscape might look a bit different this year, but overall, the looming question remains the same. Is it safe to host a holiday party this winter, 2021? We might be more open, but with covid variants top of mind for many business owners and corporations, many are asking the question - should we hold a holiday party for our employees and teams?
Safety tips for Celebrating If you do choose to host a holiday celebration with your work crew, we suggest the following Covid Safe planning tips: 1. Remember that Sanitation is TOP priority. Many venues are required to follow strict safety guidelines. Make sure you are communicating these guidelines and rules to your guests. Plan on providing extra masks, extra sanitizer, and extra space for your guests as well. 2. Skip the buffet and other congestive serving mechanisms. People don’t really want to grab an appetizer off of a tray in a room of thousands of people - nor should they! Stay away from champagne towers, punch bowls, and buffet lines. Replace these with chef serving stations, hip vending machines, and pre-packaged or individually-boxed food experiences. Food trucks are very popular -- why not hire a few of these to cater your team’s holiday celebration? 3. Think outside the box -- THINK OUTSIDE Don’t plan your typical office holiday party. How about a Scavenger Hunt that takes your staff on a trip around town? Plan a round of “golf” at one of the Top Golf locations in Northern Colorado. Feeling altruistic? Set up a day of volunteering and give back to the community with your crew. Perhaps even give your entire staff an extra day off to spend any way they please. When it comes to celebrating the holidays - there are no said rules -- you can make it up as you go, and thanks to Covid, you have an excuse to “shake things up” a bit! Whatever you do - RESEARCH & COMMUNICATE Whatever route you decide to do, it is important that you do two things -- Research and Communicate It will be up to you to know and follow all of the local, state, and federal rules and precautions. Some of these may impact events. Make sure you are following best practices. It would be bad form to host a party that turns out to be a super spreader - that would not be something to celebrate. Communicating your company’s Covid-19’s response and preparedness is vital, too. Not only with the vendors and venue you choose to use for your celebration, but with your employees, too. Let them know what your expectations are for the event, and the steps your organization will be taking to keep them safe. For more information on Larimer County Covid-19 Health protocols and guidance: https://www.larimer.org/health/communicable-disease/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-community-updates-public-health-orders Contact MBD Marketing & Events Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken There might be a global pandemic wreaking havoc on economies world wide, but that isn’t stopping the growth and progress in Old Town Fort Collins. As restaurants and bars start the reopening process, there are four new establishments ready to jump into the mix. We’ve pooled together a list of the new Old Town bars and restaurants that you are going to want to make plans to check out once the pandemic is a thing of the past! The Bar District Located in what was once local favorite, The Drunken Monkey, The Bar District is a new entertainment concept that brings together four bars under one roof. Three of the bars are open concept - one a sports bar, another for cocktails and frozen drinks, and the third specializes in liquor infusions. A fourth bar is available to be rented out for private parties. The newly renovated facility boasts of a stage, a dance floor, and an extensive patio - great for smaller covid-capacity numbers! Brothers Bar & Grill A Midwest chain that has taken over the former Old Chicago’s building, Brothers Bar & Grill serves tasty casual American cuisine in a party atmosphere! After acquiring the building, chain owners got to work completely gutting and remodeling it into a space of their own. They added handmade woodworking elements to give the facility a new bar and English pub feel. This neighborhood bar concept hosts daily drink specials, complete with personal pitchers of alcoholic concoctions.They also serve their famous $2 cheeseburger special on Tuesdays. Brothers Bar & Grill offers Covid-Safe dining options with two patios - front and back of the house. Make plans to join your bros for drinks and eats here soon! Rove & Element This dual concept entertainment venue consists of an “elevated lunch and dinner restaurant” and an upscale nightclub and dance floor. Located in what was formerly The Mainline, Rove & Element offer entertaining options for multiple fancies. The lower floor hosts Rove - a restaurant offering American style cuisine and drinks. Element is located upstairs. Element seeks to attract a more mature and sophisticated crowd, by offering VIP areas and bottle service. This new venue will allow guests to make an evening of it, with both dinner and dancing! Penrose Taphouse & Eatery The newest business to open at The Exchange in Old Town is Penrose Taphouse & Eatery. Owned by the same group as DC Oakes, a brewery in south Fort Collins, Penrose Taphouse & Eatery sits on the south side of The Exchange. They offer a Colorado-inspired menu, DC Oakes brews, and a rotation of other local breweries. Penrose Taphouse & Eatery is named after one of Colorado’s most well-known entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and historical figures - Spencer Penrose. The owners have tried to capture his spirit, work ethic, and sense of community in their facility. Their location at The Exchange is perfect for patio Covid-Safe dining. They offer two patio options, and many family-friendly dining options and specials. This makes Penrose the perfect spot for a date night dinner or fun family outing! Contact My Big Day Marketing & Events Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken Back by popular demand!
For more holiday ideas, visit My Big Day's Pinterest page CLICK HERE or Hire us to host your holiday party! Contact My Big Day Have Fun. Be Young. Let us know how we can help. Original Ideas, superior strategies, your own private party planner. ~Event Planning, Coordination & Management~ My Big Day llc Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us Located in Loveland, CO As event planners, we serve the entire Front Range; Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken We love hosting holiday parties for our corporate clients! This party was so much fun! We planned a murder mystery dinner at the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland, CO. With over 200 in attendance, the gift giving and prizes were so much fun to be a part of! The entertainment made it a fun experience for all. My BIG Day, LLC
"Dream Big, Live Big. For Life's Events" O) 970-613-1455 or C) 303-886-3068 Email: click here Website: MyBigDayCompany.com It seems all of Colorado is buzzing over the Bootlegger's Ball! We have guests coming from Denver, Longmont, Berthoud, Boulder, Loveland, Fort Collins, Timnath, Westminster, Greeley, Cheyenne, Thornton, Windsor - and the mountains! We promise not to disappoint! Here are some updates from your planning team:
Don't forget about the decadent dinner being offered at the Embassy Suites' Rocky River Bar & Grill! This special menu is available New Years Eve ONLY! Reservations can be made by calling the hotel at 970-593-6200 and asking for “RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS”. ![]() Thank you for celebrating with us! Let's put 2014 to rest and celebrate 2015 in style! My Big Day Events Christine Kovacs Forster, Owner/ Party Planner Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Located in Loveland, CO Website: MyBigDayCompany.com ![]() Embassy Suites and My Big Day present “An Evening at The Embassy; New Year’s Eve Bootlegger’s Ball” It’s the largest New Year’s Eve party between Denver and the Canadian border! And YOU are invited! On December 31st the Embassy Suites in Loveland will transform their ballroom into a 1920’s themed underground dance hall. Guests can expect an entertaining evening with, hors d oeuvres, DJ, dancing, special tasters of Midnight Moon moonshine, happy hour pricing all evening, signature cocktails, contests, champagne toast, discounts on hotel rooms, and optional childcare provided by Seeking Sitters (for an additional charge). Guests are encouraged to dress in 1920’s style clothing. A portion of all the event proceeds go to the Food Bank for Larimer County. Event Specifics Date: December 31st, 2014 Location: Embassy Suites Loveland 4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland, CO 80538 Time: 7:30pm - 12:30am Attire: Prohibition Era (1920's-1930's style) clothing is encouraged Accommodations: Bootlegger's Ball guests will receive an email after they purchase tickets with a discount code for hotel reservations Tickets: EARLY BIRD SALE ends December 1st! ONLY $55 Website: EveningAtTheEmbassy.com
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Small Business. Big Impact. Always Dreaming Bigger! We pride ourselves on giving you something to look forward to. We are a connected collective of creatives - owned an opperated by outstanding women. Want More?Never miss an event or opportunity. Sign up for our newsletter!
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May 2022
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