Starter ideas for picky eaters

[mariposa23]

Hi everyone , we have a friend of my OH coming for Christmas Day, he would otherwise be alone & doesn't usually celebrate Christmas so I want to make it nice for him.
We will be 3 adults & 2 kids , we're having turkey & all the trimming but I have no idea what to do for a starter, he's Spanish & I don't think prawn cocktail is going to be his sort of thing plus OH doesn't like salad or sauces ! Help! Thanks

Melon, with raspberry coulis
Pate on toast

I was going to suggest melon too! Maybe with parma ham.

Soup.

Breaded mushrooms
Parma ham, mozzarella and tomatoes
Selection of breads, tapenades, olives, butter, oils
Soup?

I do prawns stir fried with garlic and a slit green chilli, takes only a few minutes to make and we serve it with salad (for those that eat it) and bread sticks

Individual tarts, something like leek and Emmenthal or smoked salmon and creme fraiche

We never have a starter with Christmas lunch - we never manage to finish even without starters so having starters would be overkill.

Usually have some nice crisps and nuts, maybe olives or similar nibbles around if people want to have something to nibble on while waiting for the food - kids get to be polite and mingle and hand stuff around initially, then can play or do another circuit while I finish up in the kitchen. It’s one less thing to stress over on the day!

Homemade soup

Sometimes I just get a few tins of tomato soup and make it Christmassy by adding some star shaped pasta www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/sainsburys-stars-500g or homemade star-shaped croutons.

Otherwise, cheese and tomato puff tarts www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/cherry-tomato-and-herb-puff-tarts/
Asparagus gnocchi www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/quick-and-easy/asparagus-gnocchi-with-prosciutto-crumbs/
Salmon and lemon mini fishcakes www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/salmon-lemon-mini-fish-cakes

Why have a starter? Christmas lunch is substantial enough surely?

Some great starter ideas thanks everyone!

Melon or nothing.