How about an apperizer menu for the holidays? We love them!!!....

Thinking about good ideas for holiday entertaining and along with that I always think of tasty little tidbits that offer variety (so everyone will find something they like) plus having the benefit of self-service and no formal dining room table set-up..... people can mingle or simply sit in front of the TV and just relax and enjoy. This arrangement leaves the host without the fuss of serving and as long as there's food on the table, you're free to enjoy your own get together which is always a good thing.

If you have the space and are expecting more than just a few people, separate set-ups can be arranged for drinks, food and sweets. Depending on the items you've chosen to serve, you could also setup chaffing dishes for the hot food (or you can use those practical electric fry pans most people have laying around and set them on low) or keep filling up the serving dishes as you run out. How about a decorate your own cupcake station (just bake them in paper cups and that's it! put frosting in small piping bags and set out sprinkles.... quick and the kids will love it!)

Attractive displays can be done with flowers (dried or fresh) or Xmas decorations (they look fabulous on a plate or hanging from thin wire or string), strings of lights can also be used lending a lovely glow to everything too! Then the plates and flatware and you've created a special setting for your holiday get-together.....

I've included some easy appetizer ideas to consider which work well for these types of parties; I've even done these for just us over the holidays and have a relaxing evening joining in other activities without having to worry about more formal dining options. I've also noted that my bunch seems to enjoy this more than the regular stuff..... yours might too! Plus consider that everything is done in advance so you're not rushing around at the last minute to get things done either and that's always a plus.....

So let me tell you what's worked for me......

1- Chicken Wings.- These can be make Teriyaki, Buffalo, BBQ, Mole, Chipotle, Thai or you name it. Easy to do, fast to cook and self-serving! Just make the sauce, dip them in and bake.....

2- Meatballs.- You could even buy the frozen ready-made ones and skip a step. Again, any flavor your like: Chipotle, BBQ, Sweet n' Sour, Marinara, etc. done in a flash too!

3- Pizza.- You can make your own crusts (very easy and in different flavors too) or buy them ready made and make several kinds, set them out and you're done! Or you can do individual, small pizza's using flat breads or English muffins....

4- Stuffed Mushrooms.- Make them by the sheet, easy to do and cook up quick! These cocktail party classics are always welcome!

5- Kabobs.- Can be beef, chicken, veggie, seafood, fruit..... have a dipping sauce and you're done! These can be made on the grill or stove top all at once so you're done quickly.....

6- Corn or crab cakes.- You can switch this around to be Chicken, Pulled Pork, Fish, Veggie..... once they're done so are you....

7- Sandwiches.- Set out different shredded fillings like: BBQ or Jerk Chicken, Pulled Pork, Sloppy Joe's or even Tuna Salad; then have different breads, rolls or wraps and let them build their own.

8- Dips.- Put out different dips like Spinach-Artichoke, Curried Shrimp, Spicy Bean, Chicken or Tuna Salad and offer toasted bread, veggies, crackers or chips to go along as fillings.

9- Remember "Pigs in a Blanket" and "Rumaki"?.- These are classic party foods and still well loved, so don't forget them. Use frozen pastry dough for the first to make it easy and Rumaki is sophisticated and cooks all at once so they are very practical too.

10- Cold Potato, Sour Cream and Caviar.- Sounds expensive yet it's not and it's fabulous!

11- Cream Cheese Balls.- Anything with cream cheese is great. Add ham or chicken & spices and roll on nuts and you've got a winner!

12- Phyllo Greek Cheese Triangles.- Make long sheets of Phyllo, add some Feta (and Spinach if you like) and roll into small triangles. Bake and you've created a great appetizer.

13- Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes.- From Tuna Salad to cream cheese, anything will do and give a fresh taste everyone will love. Small potatoes can also be stuffed.

14- Nachos.- Set up a "Nacho Station" and let them build their own from the available options you put out. Anything can be added to these and kids love them!

15- Cold Cuts.- From large baked hams, turkey, roast beef, chicken, smoked fish, etc. You can either carve before or make it into a carving station. Add dijonaise, horseradish, creamed dill sauces or even BBQ, some breads and you're good to go.

16- Cakes, Cookies, Cupcakes, Turnovers, Cheesecakes, etc.: Your dessert station can have as little or as much as you dare! Who doesn't like a little something sweet over the holidays?

17- Slow Cooker? Have one or two of these? You could borrow a couple and set them out with Chili, Sloppy Joe, Creamed Veggies, Spicy Meatballs, Jerk Shredded Chicken or Mole too. Will keep everything hot and let everyone serve themselves.....

18- Your drink station can have a regular "bar" or a couple of punch bowls with holiday libations.
Wassal, Dried Fruit Punch, Mimosas, Long Island Tea maybe? Just make sure you keep it full and the party will be in full swing.....

Don't limit yourself to just dinner or the cocktail hour either, Breakfast Buffets are among the nicest I've seen, so go ahead and plan one for any time of the day that's convenient. Any holiday and whatever you like is always adaptable to a buffet..... get creative!

I've always loved buffets and have used them often during the holidays..... I like the practical aspects of them too since once you've finished with the prep work, you're done and as long as you don't get too complicated, it will be a breeze. So next time you want to give a party, consider making it a buffet style, keep it simple and watch the fun! Make it easy on yourself. Also, if you're having a BIG party, delegate and have everyone bring something for each buffet station and it will be easier still.... next time a holiday rolls around, you won't freak out thinking of all the work because you know it will be a breeze!.....

Want recipes for any of the items I mentioned or any other party food? Send me an email or see the "comment" space at the bottom of this post? Click on it and it will let you send me a message. I'll be glad to send you recipes or ideas .....

Happy Holidays to All..... Let the parties begin!........