Question about making sandwiches the night before

This may sound funny, but we're having another bridal shower at work, and I've never made sandwiches to keep overnight.  I was asked to help, and bring 18 small sandwiches. I would have to make them the night before, as there would be no time to do them in the morning or before the noon shower. I would like to make chicken salad, which would have a lot of mayonnaise in the mix. Would they hold up overnight, or would they get very nasty and soggy? Could I cover them in a damp paper towel, or would that only help with keeping the buns fresh (I plan to use slider rolls, which are soft). I could just set the buns out, with a bowl of the filing, but I think they want pre-made sandwiches.

If this wouldn't work, could you suggest a recipe for a filling that can be done in advance and is very inexpensive and easy? Thanks!

@Winchester is the one for this! 

I guess you can't just put them together at the last minute?  Everyone else is going to be in the same boat, otherwise.

If I have to make sandwiches to keep I always wrap them in alfoil. They seem to keep a lot better.

OK, I Googled this and looked in some of my cookbooks because I don't make sandwiches like that, where I have to make them the night before. I'd just get up early and put the sandwiches together, then put them all on a tray, layer with damp (not wet) paper towels, and then cover with plastic wrap. Not sure how you're cutting them, but I'd wait til right before lunch to cut them. I think you need to butter the slices of bread first.....butter (or cream cheese) will help to create a moisture barrier between the chicken salad and the bread. Don't put lettuce on the sandwiches because it may wilt and it could add extra moisture. And go easy on the mayo.

We've been doing a lot of wraps at work lately instead of sandwiches; that seems to be the big thing around here. We have a lot of groups that meet in our building and tend to have lunches as part of their meetings. Wraps have gotten very popular as have variations on pinwheels....where you make the filling, wrap a tortilla or similar around the filling and cut it into slices.

I just looked in one of Ina Garten's books.....I swear by her when I'm hesitant to do something. She says that you can make sandwiches ahead of time (the night before), but you must place them on a tray, then cover them with damp paper towels, then wrap the tray with plastic wrap. I do think you need to butter your bread from edge to edge and don't use lettuce. I read, too, that you should not put too many sandwiches on top of one another because they'll get squashed.  

I hope somebody else can provide some hints and tricks for you.

Winchester said:

 
 you need to butter the slices of bread first.....butter (or cream cheese) will help to create a moisture barrier between the chicken salad and the bread. Don't put lettuce on the sandwiches because it may wilt and it could add extra moisture. And go easy on the mayo.

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Yep, my advice too.