Christmas Party Help Needed

[Amandine29]

Planning a small afternoon gathering for some older relatives, no children.

I need ideas for a buffet lunch - traditional but not boring.

And I would usually serve cocktails but with it being in the afternoon and involving some drivers what drinks would you suggest? Mulled wine ofc but what else?

Also, is it ok to have some Christmas food/Christmas music if it is being held between Christmas and new year? Or will everyone be sick of it by then? (Haven't yet decided the date, might be before Christmas)

Thanks

Smoked salmon and broccoli quiche, pigs in blankets (cocktail sausages wrapped in streaky bacon), jalapeno poppers (jalapenos - Waitrose always seem to have them - cut in half, de-seeded, stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in half a rasher of smoked streaky bacon and baked until the bacon goes crispy, about 40 mins at Gas Mk 5), melon balls wrapped in prosciutto and served on cocktail sticks, poached salmon and mayo sandwiches, chicken tikka bites with a yoghurt, mint and cucumber dip, mini mice pies, Christmas cake pops, the ever-popular half a hot-dog roll smothered in egg mayonnaise with a sprinkling of cress, ditto with tuna mayo, selection of cheeses (Stilton, Brie, Cheddar, Emmenthal and something else interesting) with crackers, silverskin onions and cranberry sauce + pickled walnuts. Maybe a coffin type pie (by which I mean a tall, raised one made with hot water pastry) of turkey, game and stuffing?

A non alcoholic punch of cranberry juice boiled up with mulled wine spices, then cooled, and fresh orange juice added. Home made lemonade, and - for the drinkers, a dry (fino) sherry mixed with tomato juice and Worcester sauce (really, it's nice!). Also (again for the drinkers) Smirnoff Espresso and (Diet) coke - a simple drink that tastes like Black Russian.

Just a few thoughts there - have made myself hungry now!

Wow thanks that's a lot to think about!

Brill Furry, I've got my Christmas organiser out and I'm making copious notes your post is benefiting more than just the OP already!