How to: Easy, fun and glamourous snacks

Unless you plan on serving a full-blown feast, your party should start long before dinner or well after. Even then, it's important to offer an array of snacks. Everyone loves delicious food at a party, plus it'll help soak up all that boozy holiday cheer. But there's no need to slave all day or stock up on plates and forks. Design a self-serve buffet full of finger foods. Then use vibrant, shiny, thick wrapping paper to line each serving tray or plate. Suddenly, all your platters and plates will match the mood. Try these menu ideas for starters and let your guests munch and mingle:

➺ Brie, mango and roasted poblano pepper quesadillas prepped in advance, cut into quarters and kept warm in the oven until you're ready to serve them.

➺ Make-your-own grilled cheese sandwiches: Set out your George Foreman-like indoor grill, a spray can of olive oil, sliced breads, slices of fontina cheese, slices of prosciutto or good-quality ham or turkey, and arugula. Let the guests do all the custom cooking.

➺ Caesar salad crudites: In a low, wide bowl, arrange overlapping rings of baby romaine lettuce spears. Place a ramekin of creamy Caesar salad dressing right in the center. Breadsticks go on the side, displayed in a tall glass or vase.

➺ Olives mixed with toasted almonds, olive oil, thyme and a few sprinkles of salt. This mixture is also great when scattered in serving bowls throughout the room. Just don't forget small bowls for the olive pits.

➺ Endive leaves filled with a mixture of blue cheese crumbles, chopped spiced nuts and a drop of honey.

➺ A killer cheese plate served on a platter or cutting board complete with fruit, crackers and baguette slices.

➺ Mini pancakes (homemade or bought at a gourmet grocer) topped with sour cream or creme fraiche, a layer of smoked salmon and minced chives.