plan my girly dinner party for me

[thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat]

11 girls who get together once or at most twice a year. It will be LOUD and chaotic. I'd like to do a casserole of some sort so that it can be completely done in advance. I was thinking of doing nibbles rather than a sit-down starter. I have a couple of ideas for pud but would welcome more. Also interested in a few extra touches - cocktails or nice drinks - probably need something nice and non-alcohlic as there's at least one pg (and quite probably more). Am quite tempted by the idea of some drunken games - what does anyone think of the idea of devising a quiz about ourselves (we have known each other since at least 11, some of us since we were 6). Any other ideas?

[thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat]

we are aslo hoping to have a star appearance from one of the group who is recovering from v serious (ie life-threatening) condition and operation - don't want to overwhelm her but it might be nice to do something special for her - any ideas?

[moondog]

Champers for starters with smoked salmon blinis
Otherwise,olives,good ham,manchego cheese and membrillo and so on
Mineral water with good fruit juices
Mineral water with Angostura Bitters
Tonic water and/or bitter lemon
Above three for non drinkers

Pudding......

home made cheesecake
home made pecan pie with whipped cream
nice choccies and fruit to go with the coffee

Went through a mad phase a few years ago of playing the following.....

Everyone writes the mane of someone notorious/famous on a piece of paper.Actually,several contributions are better.

Everyone takes one in turn,and sticks it to their forehead without looking at it.
Aim is to ask questions of everyone else(who obviously know who it is!) to work out who you 'are'
Set max of 20 questions