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Crab Crescents
This recipe is so good, no one will guess how quickly you put it together. These little bites are delicious and decadent! —Stephanie Howard, Oakland, California
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Honey Champagne Fondue
This special champagne fondue has wonderful flavor from Swiss cheese and a hint of sweetness from honey. It clings well to any kind of dipper. —Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio
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Lobster Tartlets
I love lobster, so I created this lobster tart recipe. They are the perfect appetizer for a New Year’s Eve party or family dinner. Top with chives or green onions for color. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
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Pineapple Cheese Ball
Pineapple lends a fruity tang to this fun and tasty appetizer. Instead of one large cheese ball, you could make two smaller versions: One to serve before a meal and one to take to a New Year’s Eve party. —Anne Halfhill, Sunbury, Ohio
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Marinated Olive & Cheese Ring
We love to make meals into celebrations, and antipasto always kicks off the party. This one is almost too pretty to eat, especially when sprinkled with pimientos, fresh basil and parsley. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania
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Smoked-Almond Cheese Toasts
I created my recipe for appetizer toasts while planning the menu for a friend’s bridal luncheon, but it’s just as good for a New Year’s Eve party. Smoked almonds add a special touch to the chunky cheese spread.—Laura Murphy, Columbus, Mississippi
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Chicken Scampi
This chicken scampi recipe is so delectable that I’m often asked to double it when family members visit over the holidays. I also suggest preparing it with shrimp for a quick, convenient alternative that’s also delicious. —Janet Lebar, Centennial, Colorado
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Cranberry Ambrosia Salad
My paternal grandmother used to make this for Christmas dinner. I’m not sure how many batches she made, as there were nearly 50 aunts, uncles and cousins in our family. I still make the recipe in memory of her, and it’s still as good as I remember.—Janet Hurley, Shell Rock, Iowa
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Gruyere and Crab Palmiers
For an elegant New Year’s Eve food idea, I keep these little bursts of flavor in my freezer so they can be pulled out and popped into the oven whenever needed. Crab, pancetta and Gruyere make a sophisticated appetizer, and you can make your own variations on the filling. Try chicken and pesto, or a Mediterranean version with spinach and feta. —Grace Voltolina, Westport, Connecticut
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Butterscotch Martinis
The rich flavors of butterscotch and chocolate pair up for a nightcap that will satisfy any sweet tooth. —Clara M. Coulson Minney, Washington Court House, Ohio
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Party Pizzas
A batch of these snacks gets cleared away fast with the irresistible combination of creamy cheese and lightly seasoned meat on crispy toast. —Carolyn Snow, Sedalia, Missouri
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Pots de Creme
Looking for an easy New Year’s Eve food idea for your sweetheart? Served in pretty, stemmed glasses, this chocolaty custard is sure to set the mood for a special evening.—Connie Dreyfoos, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
Using packaged meatballs helps save time in the kitchen and they are just as tasty as the ones made at home. My friends look forward to enjoying these meatballs at our gatherings and there are never any leftovers! The sauce is tangy yet sweet, and the festive color is great for any holiday party. —Amy Scamerhorn, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Garlic Butter Shrimp
Garlic and lemon lend a pleasant flavor to these speedy sauteed shrimp. I like to serve them over wild rice mix from a box. —Sheryll Hughes-Smith, Brandon, Mississippi
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Bacon-Wrapped Filets with Scotched Mushrooms
I got the idea for bacon-wrapped filet mignon when I saw some on sale in the grocery store. The rest was inspired by my husband, because he once made a Scotch and ginger ale sauce. This elegant New Year’s Eve idea is for two, but it can easily be doubled. —Mary Kay LaBrie, Clermont, Florida
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Butternut Thyme Tartlets
A great teaser for what’s to come, this light and crunchy appetizer is filled with my favorite flavors. Make the creamy filling a few days before New Year’s Eve, then fill the phyllo cups right before guests arrive. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
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Brie with Almonds
This nut-topped cheese is elegant and impressive for holiday occasions. No one will guess that the recipe is actually a snap to prepare. —Mildred Aydt, Chanhassen, Minnesota
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Bubbly Champagne Punch
This champagne punch, served at my wedding, continues to this day to be the elegant drink we serve at special events. —Anita Geoghagan, Woodstock, Georgia
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Grandma’s English Trifle
This scrumptious trifle recipe is a family heirloom. My grandmother would make an enormous dish of it for Saturday night dinners when they often had guests. If there were leftovers, they’d eat that English trifle dessert every night that week until it was gone. For more inspiration, take a look at some of our other New Year’s dinner ideas. —Ruth Verratti, Gasport, New York
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Marinated Cheese
This special appetizer always makes it to our neighborhood parties and is the first to disappear at the buffet table. It’s an attractive, delicious New Year’s Eve food idea—and easy! —Laurie Casper, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
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Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket
For New Year’s, I used to make pigs in a blanket with beef and cheddar. But now I like apple and Gouda for an even better flavor celebration. —Megan Weiss, Menomonie, Wisconsin
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Apple ‘n’ Prosciutto Sandwiches
Prepared on an indoor grill, this apple prosciutto sandwich are spread with homemade rosemary pesto. They’re wonderful on a cool day with a bowl of butternut squash soup. —Elizabeth Bennett, Mill Creek, Washington
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Caramel Chex Mix
This wonderfully crunchy snack is loaded with cereal, pretzels and nuts—and coated with a not-too-sweet brown sugar mixture. Package this up as gifts, or set out a bowl at your New Year’s Eve party and watch it disappear by the handful. —Samantha Moyer, Oskaloosa, Iowa
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Cream Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms
You’ll love the freshness from the parsley and thyme in these little cream cheese-stuffed mushrooms. Our family loves them! —Rachel Reed, Gainesville, Georgia
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Spicy Pickled Grapes
I love sweet and spicy flavors, so I created these pickled grapes. They are excellent as an appetizer, a sneaky addition to salads or a topper in your favorite Bloody Mary. —Carla Hinkle, Memphis, Tennessee
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Black Forest Ham Pinwheels
Dried cherries are the sweet surprise alongside the savory ingredients in these delightfully different spirals. I roll up the tortillas and pop them in the fridge well before party time, and then I just slice and serve. —Kate Dampier, Quail Valley, California
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Pomegranate Ginger Spritzer
Conveniently, a pitcher of this non-alcoholic beverage can be made hours before holiday guests arrive. Add the club soda just before serving. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Crudite Dip
One easy New Year’s Eve food idea is to have plenty of dips around the party. To bring out the crudite dip’s tangy flavor, chill it before serving. This will allow the flavors time to blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Lavender Honey Cheesecake
I love the scent of lavender, and the edible flowers make this cheesecake one of the most spectacular I’ve tasted. You can use lavender honey in this recipe for extra flavor, but even without it, the lavender is very distinct. —Julie Palmer, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
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Slaw-Topped Beef Sliders
When I was working full time, I relied on these delicious, fast-to-fix beef sliders for simple meals. To speed prep time and avoid extra cleanup, I used bagged coleslaw mix and bottled slaw dressing. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
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Mushroom Puff Pastry Bites
These mushroom puff pastry bites make the perfect finger food at your New Year’s Eve part. I even freeze them for a quick appetizer for unexpected guests. — Marion Ruzek, Jeffersonville, Indiana
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Spicy Mixed Nuts
Cumin and chili powder give extra oomph to the classic homemade nut mix. It’s a smart solution for holiday snacking and gift giving. —Delores Hill, Helena, Montana
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Elegant White Chocolate Mousse
Simply elegant is a fitting description for this smooth treat. Whipped cream teams up with white chocolate to make this easy recipe extra special for a New Year’s Eve dessert. —Laurinda Johnston, Belchertown, Massachusetts
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Mini Muffuletta
People love these hearty little sandwich wedges. The recipe is great for a party and can be made the day before.—Gareth Craner, Minden, Nevada
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Smoked Salmon Bites with Shallot Sauce
Tangy mayonnaise-Dijon sauce adds zip to flaky pastry and layers of crisp arugula, thinly sliced smoked salmon and nutty-flavored Asiago cheese. It’s a super easy New Year’s Eve food idea for a big (or little) bash. —Jamie Brown-Miller, Napa, California
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Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread
This festive dip is a snap to make, taking only 10 minutes from start to finish. Thanks to its hint of sweetness, both kids and adults will gobble it up. —Frankie Robinson, Lockhart, Texas
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Whiskey-Brandy Slush
It may be cold outside, but we like to serve this icy citrus drink for Christmas gatherings at our house. It is fantastic for parties and large gatherings, and it keeps well in the freezer. —Joan Shoebottom, Lexington, Michigan
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Hearty Rye Melts
When we moved from the Midwest to Kentucky, we were invited to a neighborhood gathering, where this appetizer was served. Hanky panky—as it’s often called around here—is traditionally served at Derby Day parties, but at our home it’s become a year-round favorite.
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Shrimp and Cucumber Canapes
These cute stacks really stand out in a holiday appetizer buffet. Tasty, cool and crunchy, they come together in a snap. —Ashley Nochlin, Port St. Lucie, Florida
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Triple Nut Snowballs
This super-crunchy, not-too-sweet cookie is a fun update on the classic snowball. I used cashews, macadamia nuts and pecans, but you can mix and match other nuts to your liking. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
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Marinated Olives
Our son often made these olives for holiday get-togethers. They are simple to make and add a little zest to the other offerings on the New Year’s Eve food table. —Marguerite Shaeffer, Sewell, New Jersey
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Creole Scallop Cakes
One day I had some scallops and decided to concoct a scallop cake instead of a crab cake. This scrumptious appetizer can be prepared ahead of time. The cakes and aioli sauce can both be made the day before, and you can cook the cakes just before serving. Not only does this simplify last-minute prep, it allows the flavors to blend, making the dish even more yummy. —Iisha Leftrdige-Brooks, Sacramento, California
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Best Ever Lamb Chops
My mom just loved a good lamb chop, and this easy recipe was her favorite way to prepare them. You can even grill these chops with amazing results for New Year’s Eve. —Kim Mundy, Visalia, California
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Jellied Champagne Dessert
For a fun New Year’s Eve food idea, this refreshing dessert looks just like a glass of bubbling champagne.—Vickie McLaughlin, Kingsport, Tennessee
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Brie-Leek Tartlets
My family is picky, but everyone loves these little bites. I make dozens of them at a time because they’re gone the second I turn my back. —Colleen MacDonald, Port Moody, British Columbia
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Mini Cheese Balls
These mini cheese balls are the perfect quick appetizer for any party. Roll them in toasted sesame seeds, fresh rosemary and/or paprika to add even more flavor. —J. Spivey, Ennice, North Carolina
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Elegant Cranberry Pear Salad
This salad recipe, with its combination of fresh ingredients and crunchy walnuts, is quick to make and yet looks very elegant. —Irene Fenlason, East Helena, Montana
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Brie Cherry Pastry Cups
Golden brown and flaky, these bite-sized puff pastries with creamy Brie and sweet cherry preserves could easily double as a scrumptious dessert. —Marilyn McSween, Mentor, Ohio
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Chocolate Pomegranate Candies
This recipe pairs white and dark chocolate with whole, natural ingredients for an unbelievably delicious treat! These candies are perfect to give as a gift for Christmas. —Kelly Zdrowak, Orchard Park, New York
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Cranberry-Orange Vodka Slush
Years ago, my mother made a rosy and refreshing party drink I’ve never forgotten. The sparkle comes from fruit juices, vodka and lemon lime soda. —Melinda Strable, Ankeny, Iowa
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Spinach Deviled Eggs
Spinach adds unexpected color and flavor to this tasty variation on deviled eggs. They’re easy to make and are an attractive addition to a party spread. —Dorothy Sander of Evansville, Indiana
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Air-Fryer Mushroom Roll-Ups
This New Year’s Eve party idea was inspired by a dish I saw on an episode of Top Chef. I simplified the snacks a little and tweaked the flavors a bit. These mushroom roll-ups can be made ahead and reheated before your guests arrive. —Lillian Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
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Mango Bellini
Simple yet delicious, this mango Bellini is made with fresh mango puree and your favorite sparkling wine—I usually choose Prosecco for mine. You can easily turn it into a mocktail by using sparkling water in place of the champagne or Prosecco. —Ellen Folkman, Crystal Beach, Florida
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Spiced Eggnog Rum Cookies
One year, when I had a lot of eggnog on hand, I created a new holiday cookie recipe. The flavor is subtle, but somehow the eggnog transforms regular sugar cookies into something exceptional for the holidays. —Mark Banick, Turner, Oregon
Originally Published: November 08, 2021