Christmas eve dinner/appy ideas?

[peach]

We have a crazy Christmas day packed with family.

So we always do a quiet family Christmas Eve. We are giving DD a new movie to open and we will watch it together. And then after she's in bed, DH and I will exchange gifts.

Any suggestions on what to make for the two of us to eat after she's in bed? Dh is lactose intolerant, and I hate seafood.

[mrsemilys]

We are doing apps for dinner on Christmas Eve. We are doing stuffed mushrooms, shrimp cocktail, bourbon meatballs, pickle wheels, and cheese and crackers followed up w cookies and s'mores over the fire.

[peach]

I have done appies in the past but it's so much work to make enough variety for just two people. And buying pre-made ones is so expensive and I don't want to spend $50 just for some snacks.

I want something special, but I don't want to spend 5 hours making it or spend tons of money.

[sierramist03]

We love mini ham puffs in our house its a pampered chef recipe.

[Deleted]

H adores chips with the salsa/cheez whiz dip. I usually do that with BBQ chicken wings and shrimp cocktail.
Although I'm zero for two on that list..lol.
Other things we like:
Spinach dip and veggies
fruit tray
breadsticks and sauce
spinach stuffed mushrooms.

We're doing prime rib and stuffed potatoes this Christmas Eve. I love the appy stuff but like you said it's spendy and so much work. If I'm going through all of that, I might as well go all out.

[Deleted]

DIY mini pizzas and fondue are also other easy cheaper things I've done.

[redheadk]

How about Mexican? Not really appetizers but it can easily be snacky.

Taco meat, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, guac, chips, tortillas, creamy green sauce, salsa, pico, cilantro, corn, etc. then just pig out. Make your own nachos or whatever.

Of course, I can't really think of any appetizers I make that don't involve cheese other than the old standby of bacon-wrapped dates. Mmmmm.

[wineenthusiast]

Pulled chicken in the crockpot with slider buns. Just put 1 pkg chicken breast, 1 c BBQ sauce, 1/2 can of Dr Pepper and sliced onions in the slow cooker and cook about 8 hrs. You could also do this with a pork roast if you prefer pork.

Taquitos (the frozen ones w/o cheese) and guac/salsa with a Southwest Salad (omit cheese) www.fortheloveofcooking.net/2009/04/southwestern-salad-with-cilantro-lime.html

[magdala9]

I would skip the appetizers and make yourselves something that you don't make often. For me, that would be marinated ribeyes with spinach salad.
www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Marinated-Ribeyes
thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/06/the-best-spinach-salad-ever/