Ideas for small Christmas party buffet (12 people)?

[SamJohnsMum]

We are having a small party/gathering/games evening type of thing for 12 people and I don't really want to do sausage rolls and pork pies.

I suppose I'd like to do a hot buffet of three or four dishes - any ideas? I'm not a brilliant cook, but I'm not useless either. I'd like to do something I can mostly prepare during the day.

Iceland!

You mean thinks like curry/hotpot/chilli type thing?
Perhaps a big churn of chunk soup with warm bread rolls. You can always warm up some quiche too & bung some flavoured chicken legs in the oven?

I think a curry/chilli kind of thing would be good - I like the chicken legs, too.

I'd like to do something a bit special though - how do I make it more special?

Chicken tikka: do largish chunks and thread onto metal skewers to grill, remove from skewers to serve in a dish for people to help themselves.

Warm mini naan breads.

Sweet potato wedges with spicy coating

Onion bhajis or spicy vegetable fritters

Chutneys and dips, poppadums

Do a hot glazed ham with roast veg?
You can boil the ham the day before then roast and glaze it on the day with roast veggies and redcurrant sauce on the side.

It doesn't have to be hot, it'll be warm in the house. My cold buffet staples are coronation chicken (or turkey); marinated beef salad; prawn and melon cocktail; roast ham; various salads; new potatoes.

If warm, how about doing a theme - Mexican or Indian or Italian. They all allow you a bit of mix and match - a combination of make ahead home made and shop bought.

cheese board

I've got a similar thing to do. I'm thinking mexican, which will be good for carnivores and vegetarians - chilli, fajitas, refried beany-type thing, nachos with melted cheese and jalepeno peppers - that kind of thing. But mostly so I can drink margeuritas [sp] and mojitos

Italiany/Mediterranean type antipasto: lovely cold meats and sausages - salami, chorizo etc. Olives, roasted red peppers that kinda thing. Loadsa lovely cheeses and breads - some posh pizza and past if you want hot things or Greek style chicken or pork kebbay type things ...and...some breadsticks (Tesco ordinary ones or the DCs would say it wasn't a Christmas party!!)