Neighborhood Party?

Question

I am having a party in an attempt to meet our neighbors. It is for drinks and dessert; the menu I don't have a problem with but what should a group of us, none of whom know each other do? Yatzee? Quarters! :) Kidding I have never had a party with people I don't know (other than in college and I would like this party to not have a cover charge) so I need help!

Answer 1

I would order things at a wholesaler.  Go to Costco,  BJ's, or Sam's Club.

You can get easy to make to already prepared foods.

Answer 2

I know what you mean...you want it to be casual and non-akward since these peeps don't know each other.  How about something simple to be a little ice breaker...Have name tags, but under each perosn' name, have them write the city and state they were born.  It's a small world and you'd be surprise at who has an aunt Bessie who lived in your home town.  An organized game might be too formal. have some upbeat jazz music in the background so you don't have that strange silence going on. Have some "fun" drinks availabel and everybody should have a good time.

Answer 3

Maybe have more on a name tag they have to fill out - things to start conversation going.  Like:

HOBBIES:  (Golf, quilting, guitar)

PETS: (cat, dog, fish)

SPORTS TEAMS:  Houston Rockets, Atlanta Braves

CHILDREN:  (Suzy - 8, Billy - 15)

SCHOOL:  (Joe Schmoe High School or University of Podunk)

PREVIOUS ADDRESSES:  (England, Dallas, Mexico)

LAST VACATION:

LAST BOOK/MOVIE

They can fill it all out, or just what they consider the "interesting stuff".  Or, have different colored round stickers about 2" for each situation and everyone will have several different colors all over their shirt, so they don't have to leave blanks, just pick out the ones they want to wear.  Sounds like fun.

Answer 4

I really like the game Apples to Apples.  It's by the same people who made Cranium.  It's easy to play and a GREAT conversation starter.  It takes zero time to learn...and you can keep talking while you play and it doesn't mess up the game (or get you confused).  

Even people who don't usually like to play games seem to like it.  Even the shyest of my party guests have a blast playing.  It's the only game I bust out at a party where not everyone knows each other :)  

Here's my overview (it sounds strange, but I promise it's fun):  Everyone has a stack of cards with nouns on them (examples:  pickles, monkeys, John Lennon) .  Then, an adjective card is flipped over (example:  fuzzy).  Everyone puts in a noun card they think works with the adjective (you can be funny...pickle might be a good choice in this game).  Then...one person is the judge and picks the answer they like the best...the person who put that card in wins.  Next turn...switch judges.  You play until one person wins a set amount of rounds :)

Enjoy!  You can get this game at Walmart, Target, bookstores or online.  It's about 20 dollars if I remember correctly.