make ahead Christmas party food

[Howstricks]

Big sparkly party at mine..40 people coming all ages, carnivores and veggies! I want to provide gorgeous food but preferably food that can be made in advance as i'd like a minute to myself to put on some lipstick! Some impressive ideas please..can be as simple or complicated as you like, i'm reasonably competent in the kitchen..though just as happy for ideas to glam up something easy.

I am a fan of gougeres - they freeze well
also do a mini salmon mousse roulade, which you can slice easily when only barely defrosted, and pop onto small crackers.

Sadly, for the most part, I am the person running for the make-up bag 10 minutes before kick-off, having been in the kitchen from 6am.
So I shall be watching this thread with interest!

Waves back at Reprint! (I like this ) . Thanks..yes the kitchen since 6 and make-up bag whilst the doorbell is ringing sounds familiar!

I make sausage rolls with cranberries and parsley in meat, these freeze well and there are never any left, sadly.