Feeling festive? In the mood for a fun (and uncomplicated) holiday party? You’re in luck. I’ve got it all planned for you! Follow these easy-peasy steps for a fun, festive gathering with your neighbors because who doesn’t like a dash of EASY when it comes to the holidays?
My friend and next-door neighbor Brenda (read more about her here) and I wanted to keep things low-key and casual and we wanted the whole family to feel welcome. Here’s a quick run-down of how we did it.
How-to in Three Easy Steps
So, how do you get to know your neighbors? Have them in your home! Here’s exactly how we did it:
- We walked around the neighborhood to hand deliver the invitations. Here’s a cute holiday invitation. Here’s another.
- We divided the preparations–she did the appetizers and I did the desserts.
- We opened our doors and said, “Welcome!”
Can any party be easier? No!
Here’s our menu:
Appetizers
- Holiday Punch. This recipe is so easy with just four ingredients!
- Pigs in a Blanket (see the recipe below)
- Baked Ravioli & Marinara Dip (the link takes you to Trader Joe’s. Brenda popped them into her air fryer and they were so yummy!)
- Fruit & Dip
- Spanakopita. Spinach and feta cheese in phyllo pastry dough.
- Charcuterie Board. Did you know you can order charcuterie boards that already have the food arranged on them?! Talk about easy! Here’s a link to a beautiful, pre-assembled, guaranteed fresh Charcuterie Board.
- Dill Cucumber Bites. It’s always a good idea to include some healthy fare for those who are trying to keep the holiday pounds in check!
Desserts
• Grand Champion Date Nut Bars (see the recipe below)
• Glazed Peanut Butter Bars
• Almond Toffee. I like to make a recipe that Brenda gave me, but you can also order it here. (BONUS: Here’s a link to Brenda’s Thanksgiving feast.)
• Sugar Cookies. I ordered GORGEOUS and DELICIOUS cookies from a local woman, Shiloh Lovejoy. You can connect with her on her Instagram or Facebook
accounts.
• Cinnamon Muffins. I love this Krusteaz mix and they make it in gluten-free if that’s an issue for anyone you might be serving.
• Peanut Butter Blossoms (I buy the mix they carry at Sam’s because it’s just as good as homemade and a lot easier!)
Hot Apple Cider (I made apple cider from scratch last year and it was fabulous. But here’s a recipe for Red Hot Apple Cider that is less time-consuming!)
• Wedding Cookies. Here’s a recipe link. And here’s a place to order them already baked!)
Hot Diggity Dog!
Brenda (learn more about this fabulous woman here) found this recipe for an oldie but goodie classic appetizer. I’ve included a link to how to make your own seasoning below. But if you want to buy it already made, here’s a link for that. And I found some dipping sauce recipes that sound easy from the Pioneer Woman.
Best Pigs in a Blanket
1 8-oz can refrigerated crescent roll dough*
1 14-oz package cocktail-sized smoked sausages, patted dry
1 large egg
everything bagel seasoning (optional)
Spicy Mayo Dipping Sauce
3/4 C mayonnaise
1/4 C chile-garlic sauce or Sriracha
Maple-Dijon Dipping Sauce
3/4 C Dijon mustard
1/4 C genuine maple syrup
Quick Ranch Dip
3/4 C sour cream
1/4 C pickle juice (from jar)
1 Tbsp. fresh chives, chopped
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Working quickly while cold, unroll the crescent dough sheet on a lightly floured surface and separate the perforated dough into 8 triangles. Cut each dough triangle into three equal skinny triangles.
2. Place one cocktail sausage on the wide base of one skinny triangle. Roll the sausage toward the pointed end of the triangle, allowing the dough to overlap and wrap around the sausage. Place the rolled sausage on a parchment-lined baking sheet, point-side down. Repeat with the remaining dough triangles and sausages.
3. Whisk together the egg with 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl until smooth. Brush the egg wash over the dough and sprinkle with the everything bagel seasoning, if desired. Bake at 375° until the dough is puffed and golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
4. Make the dipping sauces (optional): For the Spicy Mayo Dipping Sauce, stir together the mayo and chili-garlic sauce in a small bowl until smooth. For the Maple-Dijon Dijon Dipping Sauce, stir together the mustard and syrup in a small bowl until smooth. For the Quick Ranch, stir together the sour cream, pickle juice, and chives in a small bowl until smooth.
5. Serve the pigs in a blanket warm with Spicy Mayo, Maple Dijon, or Quick Ranch Dipping Sauces.
*Brenda used puff pastry sheets and the finger food couldn’t have been finer! You can also roll biscuit dough into thin sheets.
Delectable Date Nut Bars
When I worked at the newspaper (eons ago!) we had a cooking contest every year, and fabulous entry after fabulous entry rolled in. After several years of sponsoring the event, we decided to make a cookbook comprised of all the finalists’ recipes, with winners identified. This Date Nut Bar recipe was the winner in 1984 (told you it was a while back!) and I can vouch for it…YUM!
Date Nut Bars
(Recipe submitted by Mrs. B. Ogden of Kevil, Ky.)
Filling
1 small box (8 oz) chopped dates
1 C hot water
1 C sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
Mix filling (except for vanilla). Cook until thickened, about five minutes. Add vanilla. Cool.
Dough
1 1/2 C oatmeal
1 1/2 C flour
1 C brown sugar
1 C butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp chopped nuts
Add 1 cup melted butter to the next 6 ingredients. Blend well by hand. Place half of dough in the bottom of a 8×8″ or 9×9″ pan. Pour in cooled filling. Sprinkle the rest of the dough over the filling. Bake at 375 degrees until brown (25-30 minutes). Cut and remove while still warm.
By the way, if you know Mrs. B. Ogden, let me know. I want to thank her for years of enjoying her delightful date bars!
So, there you go–
The planning’s done, the recipes chosen, the neighbors invited. All that’s left to do? ENJOY!
What are some of your favorite recipes for a crowd? Let me know in the comments. I’m always on the lookout for a tried-and-true recipe!
Leslie Watkins
Can I be your neighbor for this event? Mr. Rogers would approve! Won’t you be my neighbor?!! Love it all! So many great recipes and much inspiration! I’ll be waiting for my invitation…