Finger Food Appetizers Lay out a variety of cold appetizers like spinach and artichoke dip, fresh vegetables, and hummus before guests arrive. These foods do not need to be heated and will not spoil easily while waiting. Once guests start coming, pass around hot appetizers like bacon wrapped scallops, chicken bites, and gourmet franks to keep the crowd satisfied. Options like filet mignon spring rolls or mini bagels with lox add a fancier touch.

1. Finger Food Appetizers
The best way to feed a large crowd is to have a lot of little
bites that everyone can pick and choose their favorites from.
Appetizersare an inexpensive way to cater a party, and will
guarantee that you have at least something that everyone will
eat. Lay out a few trays of cold appetizers before guests
arrive. These should be foods that do not have to be heated
up or eaten warm, and they need to be stable enough not to
spoil while waiting. Spinach and artichoke dip with plenty of
tortilla chips is favorite, and so are fresh cut vegetables with
hummus or ranch dressing. Once guests start arriving, you can
pass a few of the finger food appetizers, and set some out.
Bacon wrapped scallops, chicken cordon blue bites, and
gourmet franks in a blanket are always a hit with large crowds.
If you want something a little fancier, you can set out filet
mignon spring rolls or even mini bagels and Norwegian lox.
Desserts
A graduation party would not be complete without a
cake. You can either order a sheet cake, or they are easy
enough to make ahead of time. A festive idea for a
graduation party cake is icing it in the school's colors, with
a mortarboard and your grad's name on it. Along with the
cake, a variety of cookies, brownies and cupcakes are
always appreciated. A fruit salad is a nice way to round
out the desserts, and if you are feeling particularly
ambitious you can serve the fruit in a hollowed out
watermelon
Drinks
Lots of water is necessary at any big party or
gathering. You can keep a big cooler or a metal
barrel filled with ice near the food table and stick
bottles of water and cans of soda in the ice to keep
the drinks cool. If you want to tighten the budget on
the drinks, then set out large bottles of soda and
cups. Pour water and ice into large pitchers
garnished with citrus and put them all around the
party location making it easy for guests to help
themselves.