Party Appetizer Ideas

Why these items are on the list

1. Cheese board. Aim for one creamy, one sharp, one mild and one flavored cheese, says South Your Mouth.
2. Honey, olives, salami, grapes, nuts. These go with the cheese board and fill it out.
3. Veggie tray with a few surprises. Try beet slices, snow peas, quartered radishes or asparagus in 2-inch pieces next to the usual.
4. Hummus with small bowl of sea salt. It goes next to the usual dip. One forum poster likes a veg platter because it's cheap and no-fuss.
5. Deviled eggs. A forum favorite, and buying them cooked and shelled saves you the peeling.
6. Deviled egg topping bar. Truffle salt, chopped olives, pesto or preserved lemon. Keep the eggs cool outdoors.
7. Hot dip in a chafing dish. Hot dips can go out warm or at room temperature and still taste good.
8. Warm Asiago and artichoke dip. It bakes 12 to 15 minutes. Serve it with breadsticks, pita, tortilla chips or raw veggies.
9. Whipped ricotta with roasted tomatoes. Spoon onto toasted baguette, or set out with pita chips and crackers.
10. Spinach balls. Roll them walnut-sized, freeze for several hours, then bake about 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
11. Classic party cheese ball. South Your Mouth says every Christmas party has to have a cheese ball, period.
12. Slow cooker meatballs. Keep them warm in the crockpot with toothpicks nearby so guests help themselves.
13. Pulled pork sliders. Keep them in a crockpot so guests serve themselves, with blue cheese coleslaw on the side.
14. Kielbasa with grainy mustard. Cut it in bite-size pieces. It can be made ahead and kept warm in a tray in the oven.
15. Frittata squares. Make them ahead and serve at room temperature in bite-size portions, using whatever you have.
16. Tortellini skewers. They're served at room temperature, so you can prep the day before with no last-minute skewering.
17. Prosciutto, goat cheese and fig jam crostini. Shortcut: buy ready-made mini toasts rather than grilling your own bread.
18. Guacamole with chips. A basic batch takes under five minutes. Cool Mom Picks says skip the sour cream dips.
19. Stuffed mushrooms. They're a classic, and one source finishes them with a light crust of Parmesan.
20. Shrimp cocktail, nuts, cheese straws. No cooking at all, and they're fine on their own beside a spread.

Tick off what you're making and what you're just buying while you're standing in the grocery aisle. On your phone you can see at a glance whether you've got a few hot dishes, a few cold ones and a no-cook one.