Christmas Party Food Ideas Please!

[MaryBerrysBum]

Every year we 'do' Xmas eve at our house and have the family round for food and a few drinks. We usually get a load of M&S canapé selections and end up spending a frigging fortune on miniature burgers and the like. Really need to cut the cost this year so am looking for less pricey alternatives.

Can everyone share their ideas for buffett/canapé style food that is (very) easy to make and doesn't cost a fortune please?

Doesn't have to be anything fancy, nobody in our family is fussy .

Cola ham , not expensive but tastes great. Jacket potatoes add various salad, coleslaw and cheeses to go with it

Do you fancy making and freezing in advance? The food Network has a Christmas food weekend on at the moment, you will get lots of inspiration there

Love Heels idea.

For my family I'd add a big pork pie (midlanders!) and a cheese platter with chutney, French bread, grapes etc

I'm feeling hungry after those suggestions Heels and Holly! That would all go down a treat.

Knackered - definitely up for making in advance, normally having a mad panic last minute clean before everyone arrives so minimal prep on the day is good! Will check out the food network.

Similar to Heels, a glazed ham, roast a chicken maybe also roast some beef. The meats can all be served cold with salady bits and pieces.

Naice cruncy bed, posh crisps and maybe a warm potatoe dauphinoise to go with.....delish!

Serve on platters and in bowls and people can help themselves.

For DH'S birthday a few weeks ago I bought a sack of potatoes from a local farm for £5 and did a massive pan of chilli and cheese and beans for the kids. I put out bowls of crisps and dip and cucumber, peppers and carrot sticks to nibble at. Everyone commented on how nice it was and I spent about £20 feeding 14 adults and 2 kids. Easiest and most enjoyable mass cook I've ever done.

I always make mini pizza type things by thinly slicing a thin ciabatta, toasting all the slices under the grill with a bit of olive oil on them, then spreading with sun dried tomato paste, and topping with a bit of mozzarella and dried oregano (melted under the grill).
Chestnut mushrooms with the stalk removed and replaced by a cube of Brie, melted under the grill, are also nice.
Mini sausages, little sausage rolls (I don't think the Iceland, 90000 for a pound ones are too bad, brushed with an egg wash). Cheese and pineapple on a cocktail stick, my favourite! Hummus and crudités, and a nice cheese board? God I love buffet food!
Smoked salmon tends to be on offer around Christmas most places, too.

I shouldn't have started this thread while I'm trying to diet, all these suggestions sound delicious

We have everyone round to us for Bonfire night and I've found pork rolls and home made stuffing is cheap and fills everyone up. A few bowls of crisps, doritos and dips and a decent dessert is enough for a none fussy bunch like mine! Also the baked potatoes and different fillings is a great idea - may do this next time!

Meringues freeze well. Little dollops of meringues with whipped cream always go down well. Thank god it's Christmas when eating only sugar and cream is acceptable!!