What are some quick and easy things I can make for a big christmas party?

Question

My boyfriend and I are throwing a christmas party in a few weeks for over 20 people. We're asking everyone to bring a snack or dish. But I want to make some food also. I've already got recipes for cheese balls and cookies. But does anyone else have any other ideas for little party foods that dont take long to make?

Thanks!

Answer 1

At parties, I usually do a "bar" of some kind:

The obvious is a salad bar, which may not be appropriate for a "party" party! lol

Baked potato bars are good, but I only use those for longish parties where I know people will need something more substatinial.

For parties about the size that you are talking about, I usually do a taco bar (with flour tortillas available for people who want to do a burrito instead).

Taco bars are quick and easy to set up, and people only have to take what they really LIKE instead of being stuck with someone elses recipe. It's also really economical, and giving people something solid to eat means that people will have a good time for a LONGER time, when drinking is involved.

Also, if you have vegetarian friends (as we do) they can pick and choose amongst the offerings and build their own veggie taco.

For a taco bar I usually do something close to the following:

For every ten people (so, I guess, about double this?)...

20 taco shells (+1 package of flour tortillas for people who don't want taco shells)
2 diced tomatos.
1/2 diced onion
2 small cans sliced olives (or one large can)
1 lb. shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 head shredded lettuce
Seasoned ground beef
Vegetarian refried beans
1/2 pint sour cream
Guacamole
Salsa
Bag of Tortilla chips

The beauty of a taco bar is that you can prepare everything the day BEFORE the party - then heat the hot parts just before you serve. Totally low stress (my idea of a good party meal is always low stress - lol).

Keep in mind that the amounts I listed are for a *dinner* party with just a few other items. If you're just looking for snackability, you can probably cut them in half.

Anyway, I've done parties with cracker bars, baked potato bars, taco bars, pasta bars...and people always love 'em, because they get to make what THEY want to eat.

Answer 2

Try Kraft.com. I have never cooked anything from there recipes that wasnt good! Also the Foodnetwork.com. Heres a recipe that is soo good! I always take it to get togethers & everyone always LOVES them! Its a Paula Deen recipe.

Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
Show: Paula's Home Cooking
Episode: Sports Party


1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breasts (about 4 breasts)
1 (1-pound) package sliced bacon
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons chili powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Cut each bacon slice into thirds. Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and secure with a wooden pick. Stir together brown sugar and chili powder. Dredge wrapped chicken in mixture. Coat a rack and broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken wrap on rack in broiler pan. Bake 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is crisp.

Answer 3

I always make chicken wings for our Christmas Party.
I buy about 20 pounds of chicken wings, and any type marinade or "hot" wings. You can do this the night before, or two days before also. Two hours before you are to go, you then take them out and bake on cookie sheets. Near the end of the baking process, turn oven to 500 degrees. This will make a nice glaze over your wings! Let cool, serve on a nice platter, basket, or silver tray, with green leaf lettuce or kale. You can then garnish with chopped green onions, oranges, tomatoes, according to the marinade you used.

Answer 4

If you are having everyone bring something I would just do like chips and dips, Cheese and Meat tray with cracker, veggie tray, or shrimp, or fruit. Try to keep it finger food tho so your guests don't have to try to balance there plate and try to eat.(unless your having a sit down dinner). Or if you know what all of your guests are bringing then you could plan according to that.

Answer 5

puppy chow for sweet food.. 8 cups chex mix tossed with 2/3 cup melted pnut butter and 1 cup melted chocolate chips
coated in powdered sugar... really quick and easy and makes alot! yummy too!

also just make regular chex mix stuff.. all the cheezits and nuts and pretzels with is! so divine!

what about a veggie or fruit pizza.. those are usually pretty popular at my parties! veggie "sauce" is packet of ranch flavor mixed with tub of sour cream. it will say on the pack how much.... fruit spread is strawberry yogurt and whip cream or cream cheese and whip cream.. yummy!

Answer 6

I have a recipe for chex muddy buddies . they are fab and I serve it every christmas party and never any of it left . just email me and I will send you the recipe if you would like it . good luck and god bless.

Answer 7

how bout a really simple big salad that everyone can help themselves to and add their favorite dressing? just use a really big bowl add your favorite lettuce and veggieslike cherry tomatoes, black olives, carrots, ect. and leave out a few different varietys of dressing. it's always good to have something light and healthy avaliable to your guests. that way there's more room for cookies :P good luck!

Answer 8

Gingerbread cookies!

Answer 9

I have a Christmas party every year. I usually ry to make a lot of little finger foods that are easy and not real messy. Here are a few that I have had a lot of success with.

Bacon Pasteries:
8 strips of bacon, cooked 3/4 C grated cheese
1 sm onion, chopped 1/2 C mayo
1 med tomato, chopped 1T Fresh Basil Chopped
1 Large can refrigerated biscuits( Flaky Style)

In a mixing bowl combine bacon, onion, tomato, cheese, mayo and basil. Seperate each biscuit into 2 to 3 layers and flatten slightly in your hand. Press the flattened section of biscuit into mini muffin pans. Spoon filling mixture into each biscuit. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes


Mushroom Puffs:
4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 tablespoon chopped onion
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 tube (8 ounces) crescent roll dough

In a blender, combine the cream cheese, mushrooms, onion and hot pepper sauce; cover and process until blended. Unroll crescent dough; separate into four rectangles. Press perforations to seal. Spread mushroom mixture over dough.
Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Cut each roll into five slices; place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 8-10 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.

Truffle Brownie Cups:
1 2/3 c. chocolate chips
2 T. butter (not margarine)
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
2/3 c. flour
3/4 c. heavy whipping cream

garnishes: orange zest, maraschino cherries, toasted sliced almonds, whipped topping

Preheat oven to 325. Spray mini-muffin pan with Pam. Microwave 2/3c. Chocolate Chips with butter for 40-60 secs. stirring every 20 seconds - until melted and smooth. Add sugar and egg and stir until smooth. Add flour. Fill mini- muffin cups 2/3 full. Using mini-tart shaper, tap batter to create level tops. Bake 10-12 mins. or until edges are set. (Do not overbake.)

Meanwhile heat cream in microwave for 1-2 minutes until hot. Pour over remaining Chocolate chips, and whisk until smooth. Place in freezer 10-12 mins. stirring every 5 mins. until mixture is cooled and starting to thicken. Spoon ganache into resealable plastic bag.

After removing brownies from oven, let cool 2 mins. Press tops of brownies ith mini-tart shaper to make indentations. Coll 3 more mins. Carefully remove brownie shells from pan. Trim corner of ganache bag, and pipe into each shell. Garnish as desired.


French Onion Tartlets:
Olive oil cooking spray
12 very thin slices white bread, crusts trimmed (recommended: Pepperidge Farm)
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 large onions, very thinly sliced
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
2 teaspoons ground thyme or poultry seasoning
Salt and black pepper
1 pound Swiss cheese, shredded

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spray both sides of bread and press bread into small 12 cup muffin tin. If you do not own a muffin tin, disposable tins are available on the baking aisle of market. Place bread in oven and toast until golden, 7 or 8 minutes. Remove and reserve.

In a skillet, melt butter into oil. Add onions and bay leaf, season with thyme, salt and pepper. Cook onions until caramel colored, 15 to 18 minutes.

Turn broiler on.

Place spoonfuls of cooked onions in toasted bread cups. Discard bay leaf. Cover onions with cheese and set tarts under hot broiler to bubble and brown cheese. Serve hot.