Recipe(tried): Some ideas for Sheryl - Finger foods and appetizers

Hi Sheryl - I have collected a few ideas for you. I direct you in many places to use the search feature on this site, because so many recipes and ideas have been posted here. If you can't locate them by using the search, please let us know and we can direct you!

Search for "make ahead appetizers" (don't use the " " marks, though) and you will find so many ideas for your party! Many can be pulled right from the freezer and baked, and others can be made a day or two in advance. Sift through the list and you'll be sure to find some that appeal to you.

I also can recommend searching for a nice punch for the punch bowl, to serve along with your coffee and tea.

When I have a party like this, I like to make a varied buffet that includes both hot and cold items. I always have some vegetables and dip, often as the "centerpiece." Last Christmas, I made a lovely one with only green and white veggies (cucumber, mushrooms, lightly cooked asparagus spears and snow pea pods, broccoli and cauliflower florettes, celery), and placed them each in "cups" made from individual leaves from a red cabbage (you have to go down a couple of layers of the cabbage before you get to the right size and sturdiness of the leaves - use the remainder for cole slaw). I placed the dip in a bowl placed inside another red cabbage leaf in the center of the basket. It was a very nice presentation. I have also seen some pretty presentations worthy of a centerpiece when stacked pedestal cake plates are used for the groups of veggies, as well as arrangements placed in a beautiful basket.

A cheesy spread is a good choice. Hot spinach and artichoke dip, or a cold spinach dip inside a bread bowl are popular. An "old fashioned" cheese ball of cream cheese, cheddar and blue cheeses is still one of my favorites and men especially enjoy it. Other good hot spreads include reuben dip, crab spread, and baked whole brie. Search for "curry olive dip" for another idea. A current favorite of my friends right now is one that I make either with goat cheese (which is a little expensive) or a replacement I've concocted that mixes feta and cream cheese that approaches the idea of goat cheese (and tastes great) - topped with a thin layer of tomato sauce and coarsely chopped black olives. It is baked or broiled until hot and bubbly and served with bread slices or toasts.

Meatballs (many posted recipes here on this site) or sausages (search for one I just posted the other day called "keilbasa bites") are also good choices, as long as you have a chafing dish or crock pot to serve them warm. A traditional Italian antipasto tray is another lovely choice to add meat to the buffet, and can make a beautiful "centerpiece"- a platter of assorted meats and cheeses (salami, ham, mortadella, fontina, provolone and fresh mozzarella), assorted olives, marinated artichokes, roasted red peppers, etc.) served alongside Italian bread.

I also like to buy the puff pastry sheets (in the freezer case) and make assorted "puffs" ahead of time, with very easy and inexpensive fillings. They can be frozen and pulled out and quickly baked. I have posted ideas previously - search for "Kate - cheese puffs" and you will find them. They seem elegant and special, but are very easy, and don't have to be served straight from the oven, just warm. Search for Kelly's "surprise cheese puffs," too.

Small sandwiches are great, too. Mini biscuits (I have a great sweet potato biscuit recipe that is perfect for this and can be made ahead and frozen) with ham and honey mustard; chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad and/or roast beef with horseradish sauce on little rolls, or other favorites in your area will usually be popular.

Sides of devilled eggs (which can be spiffed up according to taste), celery stuffed with cream cheese and olives, marinated mushrooms and pickled onions,

Also search for "spiced nuts" and "Porquerolles Island Toasted Almonds" for additional nibbles.

Hope this gives you a few ideas that you can use. I'm not a "sweets" person, but you can also find recipes posted here over the years if you search for "bar cookies" "christmas cookies" and other variations.

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!