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Imagine this: it’s a cool, crisp night, there’s a pot of bacon cheddar potato soup on the stove, you hear the doorbell ring, and a bunch of your friends are waiting at the door with soup pots to share for your dinner soiree. Life couldn’t be better.
One thing about me is that I’m going to make the most of a season. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to be more intentional with finding new ways to spend time with friends. Whether that’s through hosting craft night, planning a cookbook club or asking scheduling a mahjong meeting. That’s why I’ve decided to host a soup swap. Not only is it a super chill and cozy way to hang out with friends, but it’s such a fun way to try new recipes too.
If you’re interested in hosting a soup swap of your own, you’re in luck. Today, I’m breaking down everything you need. From the perfect invitation to some of my favorite soup recipes and leftover containers to take home to enjoy later.
Keep reading — it’s time to start planning your soup swap!
1. Send out invitations for your soup swap.
First things first, you’ll want to send out invitations to your friends. Whether it’s a digital card you text to your contacts or one you print and mail, you can choose the best way to invite your friends to the dinner party. Below are a couple of invitation designs that are perfect for the occasion.
Stir Things Up Invitation
Soup Night Dinner Party
2. Have everyone bring their favorite soup.
The purpose of a soup swap is for everyone to bring their own soup to the party for all the guests to try. You can use a sign-up list or communicate with your friends about what soup recipes they want to contribute to the soiree.
Here are some of our favorite soup recipes to make every year:
Smokey Sausage & Tortellini Soup
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Smoked Cheddar Potato Bacon Soup
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Creamy Vegetable Gnocchi Soup
Homemade Spaghetti O’s
3. Decorate with cozy lighting and fall decor.
A soup potluck night is nothing fancy, but it certainly should be a cozy occasion for you and your friends to enjoy. To set the mood, make sure you have cozy lighting in your kitchen — hang some fall-themed string lights and add some candles around your home. It’s amazing what a few autumnal decorations and warm lights can do to a space.
Gold Glass Flameless Candles
Fall Leaf String Lights
4. Make a toppings bar.
To be honest, the toppings on soup truly make the meal feel complete. Set up a toppings bar with an assortment of yummy ingredients to add on top —everything from grated cheddar cheese, Colby Jack cheese, chives, bacon bits, crackers, chips, and bread slices. This gives your friends the opportunity to prepare their soup flight exactly how they like it.
5. Serve and enjoy all the soup recipes.
When everyone has arrived with their soup entrees, it’s time to dig in and enjoy. Use disposable muffin tins for everyone to fill up with their assortments of soup. The tin keeps the soup warm and gives you enough space to add multiple types of soups to the container.
Disposable Muffin Tin Containers
6. Send friends home with leftovers.
At the end of the night, there will more than likely be soup left over. Send your friends home with to-go containers of soup. It’s the best parting gift for friends to take with them after a cozy night with each other’s company.
