My trick for a great beginning to parties is to use a variety of easy things around a few things, the "stars" that require more effort. 

Olives, get a variety such as black for those who like things plain, and then go nuts with green prepared in a variety of ways, French Pichilines, Albaquinos & check the olive bar at Safeway, Whole Foods or your local gourmet market, the people there know what they are selling and might let you taste before you buy!  Use a divided dish to put each variety in and provide picks or little forks. 

Cornichons (tiny gherkin pickles prepared like dills)

 Cheeses - Everybody likes cheese, Trader Joes has great ones usually for good prices.  Brie en Croute is delicious and not at all difficult to prepare:

Recipe at www.beyondwonderful.com/.../brie_croute.html

It is not bad form to simply set out a cheese plate:

Doesn't this  cheese plate with lots of fruit (and gherkins!) look like fun?

Caprese Salad Bites, easy cocktail food, the messy part happens in the kitchen...

Recipe at:   www.gartenvariety.com/caprese.html  Absolutely do use both high quality Balsamic and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  If you can't find fresh basil, Trader Joes has tiny cubes of frozen chopped basil that you can thaw in the olive oil before you drizzle the dish.  The bright fresh taste of this dish is wonderful against the olives and cheeses. 

Breads:

Garlic Naan, who cares about their breath?  Foccacia makes lovely little sandwiches.

 Fruits for Christmas Buffets:

With fruits, organic matters.  Fruits are among the most susceptible to being a product of pesticide use and one doesn't want to poison ones guests unless the list includes Caesar, eh Brute?  My new favorite fruit this year are Holiday Grapes.  Big, delicious, juicy, sweet and seedless, perfect hostess fruit!

Crisp apples, pears and citrus are available and they taste so alive when paired with bread, cheese and wine!

Finally, nuts.  You know folks are nuts for nuts!  A giant jar of delicious mixed nuts without peanuts is $10 at Costco.  Good selections also exist at Trader Joes too.

Prosecco, I swear by it.  It's not expensive and it is delicious!

Mostly, it is important to make it easy so you will have time to make it shine.  If the hosts are sweaty, tired, and smelly from their efforts, what fun is it going to be for the guests? 

Let the good times roll...

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