I have been charged with bringing an appetizer to friendsgiving Tuesday that's not cheese and crackers. I need something that's easy to make ahead, I would need to make it Monday night. I will literally be running in to grab it after I pick up DS from daycare and headed over to my friend's house. Something that doesn't have to be heated would be lovely too.
Do you have a fancy grocery store with an olive bar? You could put together a Mediterranean olive/dip/veggie tray. Ours has the divided party trays at the bar and you can mix and match a variety of hummus, dips, olives, roasted veggies, etc. Grab some mini pitas and you're good to go. Our local stores also have fancy cheese or antipasto platters to grab and go this time of year.
If you wanted to make something - mini spanakopita, shrimp cocktail - I like Ina's roasted one, stuffed mushrooms
My go to apps are: hummus with veggies and Stacy's pita chips or pretzel sticks guac and tortilla chips (make the night before and leave an extra layer of lime juice on top; mix it up right before you go) goat cheese with cranberry chutney topping and crackers
@bonsoirlune had good ideas - Mediterranean assortment is easy and a crowd-pleaser, and shrimp cocktail could not be easier - place bowl of cocktail sauce in center of tray, arrange shrimp around it. Both are easy and generally popular. Or there's always the classic spinach dip and pumpernickel bread.
If you can bake it there, bring Brie topped with preserves or mustard and wrapped in puff pastry, or topped with cranberries and nuts. Also bring crackers, grapes, sliced apples and pears.
@bonsoirlune had good ideas - Mediterranean assortment is easy and a crowd-pleaser, and shrimp cocktail could not be easier - place bowl of cocktail sauce in center of tray, arrange shrimp around it. Both are easy and generally popular.
I would do one of these. Easy and not heavy before a big meal.