The holidays are filled with parties, they are fun to go to and even more exciting to host! It is always so much fun decorating the room for the festive season and setting up the appetizer bar is always one of the best ways to create a joyful mood that gets your guests mingling and having a delightful time.

You can guarantee a great party by creating a menu that includes a broad assortment of appetizers. Before the party starts ask your guests if they have any special dietary needs. Be sure to have something on the menu for everyone.

Here are some tips to help you plan a successful gathering.

Include all the Food Groups!

Cheese, Dips,

Think Visual Appeal and Temperature

Combine different colours and textures
Hot and cold temperatures
Include foods that do not become brown, soggy or wilted in brief time

Meat, Poultry, Seafood, Bread, Crackers, Biscuits, Potatoes & Rice

Think Ease of Serving

You don’t have to do this all by yourself. Ask friends to bring their favourite appetizer.

Set up a beverage bar too! Provide a variety of beverages including non-alcoholic drinks such as juice and sparkling water.

The amount you’ll need will depend upon the number of guests, the types of appetizers and the time of day. For cocktail parties and evening get-togethers that do not include dinner plan on about 12 bite-size servings per person.