I would have the speeches/gift giving before you serve the food- some people may leave as soon as they have eaten and once the speeches are over everyone can relax and enjoy the dinner. Plus it would be embarrassing if the speakers/retiree had accidentally spilled food on themselves while eating (presumably you're taking photos :-) ). I would put something like "to assist with catering, please let us know if you are/are not coming" on the invitation- do you have some kind of work email people can respond to easily? And follow up those who haven't responded in plenty of time to get the catering numbers right. (Throw into the office gossip pool the info that those who don't respond may find there isn't any food for them ;-) .) Does your Christmas party include dinner? You may find more people turn up due to the free meal, and the fact that there won't be heaps of other retirement parties/other social engagements filling up the calendar as there are at Christmas.

Retirement parties usually involve the participation of the co-workers. In advance you'll want to contact co-workers, maybe have a "key" person helping you, to have them come up with funny or memorable stories involving your mom, and how having your mom as a coworker helped them. Little anecdotes. The party should be like a cocktail reception with appetizers, and set aside a time for the coworkers to tell their stories, mom's manager to speak, maybe the owner of the company to speak, and to toast the retiree. Also put together a scrapbook with work memorabilia, pictures of coworkers, pictures from previous company parties, etc, as a keepsake.

Well, first of all let me congratulate you on your retirement! 36 years of teaching is quite an accomplishment! I like all your menu items, but I agree with Linda C. To me there are too many, and that's an awful lot of food for a luncheon-type party. I'd be ready for a long nap after that much food! LOL I categorized them below, as I see it. APPETIZERS Chex Party Mix Pretzels Chunky salsa and chips Spinach artichoke Parmesan spread w/assorted crackers Italian salami and crackers Chicken & apple sausage bites Meatballs (crockpot) SALADS Fruit salad Tossed green salad Vegetable "primavera" salad Mozzarella, basil, and Roma tomato "stacks" ENTREES Meat Lasagne Vegetarian Lasagne DESSERTS Peanut butter rice krispie treats Cherry cheesecake Chocolate mousse cake Key Lime pie I think I'd narrow it down to: *4-5 appetizers (Somehow the salsa and chips don't fit with the rest of menu) *one veggie salad and a fruit salad *two lasagnes as main dishes *two desserts I would also add some type of rolls and butter. Just my 2 cents because you asked. I am sure whatever you decide, it will be a wonderful party! Linda

Here are a couple of recipes I collected from earlier postings (with the original comments) **************** Buffalo Chicken Posted by debbie814 Side note: This is a recipe that my hubbie makes that he learned from his college roommate from Buffalo, NY. It's very yummy!! 8 boneless chicken breasts Mix together: 1 small bottle of Frank's hot sauce (6 oz.) ½ stick of melted margarine 3 cloves garlic (minced) Dip chicken in bread crumbs, and fry in vegetable oil until golden brown. Place in baking dish, and pour the mixture over the breasts. Bake or 25 minutes @ 350. If you want it spicier, use less margarine. If you want it milder, use more margarine. Serve celery sticks with bleu cheese dressing as a side dish. ************** Buffalo Chicken Dip posted by Glenda_al 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs) 1 12oz. bottle Frank's Hot Sauce 2 8oz pkgs. cream cheese 1 16oz. bottle blue cheese salad dressing(or Ranch if you prefer) 8 oz shredded sharp cheddar, Mont. Jack or a combo Boil chicken until cooked through, shred with 2 forks. Preheat oven to 350. In a 13x9, combine chicken with hot sauce and spread evenly. In a large saucepan over med. heat, combine the cream cheese and dressing, stirring until smooth and hot. Pour evenly over chicken. Bake uncovered for 20 min., then sprinkly with shredded cheese and bake uncovered for another 10 min. Let stand 10 min. before serving. Note: Serve with Frito scoops, your favorite crackers, etc. Just be sure to have a spoon or fork to put on chips, crackers! Have made this many times, and found it works better, for me, by mixing everything together, including the cheese, then bake for 20-30 minutes until good and hot. Then let it stand for 10 minutes or EVEN LONGER to serve. ******************** I haven't made either yet, but they sound yummy... and manly! Also, what about pizza? make the crust ahead (or I can also buy it from my local pizzaria) and put his favorite toppings on it. Cut it in squares for bite-size pieces.