Your guests will love these party snack ideas from Country Living's top entertaining experts. Simply unwrap these perfectly paired picks and-voilà!-instant crowd-pleaser.
Plus: 35+ holiday appetizer recipes »
1. Picholine Olives
First, set out a bowl of these green olives for guests to snack on. (Don't forget a plate for the pits!) "Mild in strength, this variety improves martinis, too." - Rosanna Bowles, tableware designer
2. Marcona Almonds
Along with olives, fill another bowl with sweet and salty Marcona almonds. "They're wonderfully salty and rich." - Nick Olsen, interior designer
3. Plum Chutney
A sweet spread complements salty almonds and olives. "Homemade condiments, like a quick chutney or jam, make all the difference." - Ken Oringer, chef at Clio in Boston
Get the recipe for Ken Oringer's Plum Chutney »
4. Cheese Straws
Don't forget a crunchy snack. "Mississippi Cheese Straws taste as if they came straight from my mother's Virginia kitchen." - Bunny Williams, interior designer
5. Sopressata
One meat will suffice on your appetizer plate. "This Italian meat goes well with so many cheeses and lasts a long time in the fridge." - Eddie Ross, style blogger
6. Carr's Table Water Crackers
Keep your cracker selection unfussy. "This simple choice never competes with other flavors." - Serena Thompson, CL contributing editor and author of The Farm Chicks Christmas
7. Fromager d'Affinois
Include a variety of cheese textures: a soft, a hard, and a stinky. For your soft choice, try Fromager d'Affinois. "Almost everyone adores this soft, Brie-like selection." - Rebekah Zaveloff, kitchen designer
8. Podda Classico
For your hard cheese, you can't go wrong with this crumbly Italian variety. "One of my all-time favorites! This nutty cheese also tastes great served alongside salty potato chips and champagne." - Lulu Powers, event planner
9. Roquefort
"Put out at least one cheese with a pungent flavor, such as this funky blue." - David Guas, chef at Bayou Baker in Arlington, VA
10. Roll With the Punches
For drinks, keep it simple. "I skip the fuss of preparing individual drinks and instead concoct two punches-one that's served hot, the other cold." - Gina Chersevani, beverage director at PS 7 in Washington, D.C.
Get the recipes for "Ale"ment Punch and Old Faithful Punch
Get more holiday recipes + party ideas from CountryLiving.com:
- 13 holiday party decorating ideas »
- How to become a better bartender »
- Serve mini pies at your next party! »
- Host a flawless dinner party »
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
