1. Spiced nuts: Nuts are a great snack that are also filling. They contain protein and healthy fats and are also heart-healthy. For a party, we like to mix up the traditional salted nuts by adding flavors like cinnamon, cloves, paprika, and more. We discovered a few on EatingWell that sound delicious or you can opt to buy your own like these spiced pecans from The Loveless Cafe.
2. Dips: Veggie dips are also a fun addition to any party. We love hummus, bean dips, and olive dips. You can serve them with cut-up veggies, crackers, and pita bread.
3. Signature cocktail: Let's face it, most of your guests will be at the party, to well, party. Make sure you make this special by offering a variety of drinks like wine, champagne, and beer. Another option is to have a signature cocktail that can make this experience even more memorable. For inspiration, be sure to check out the 10 Tasty Holiday Cocktails over on Real Simple.
4. Light Bites: After the drinking and mixing and mingling, we are sure that your guests are going to start to get hungry. One thing to serve is a heartier appetizer like light bites of spinach and cheese, cheese platters, mini burgers, and more that are sure to put a smile on your guests faces.
5. Dessert: Don't forget the sweets for your party! This is generally what many guests bring but it is always a good idea to have some sweet treats ready. We love platters of festive holiday cookies, a pie and or a cake. Having some coffee, tea, and after-dinner drinks are also a great idea.