Christmas Appetizers You Can Prepare in Advance

Christmas Appetizers to Keep Guests Busy While You Put the Finishing Touches on Christmas Dinner

You are in charge of organizing the family's Christmas yearly dinner this year, and you would like some Christmas appetizers to serve before dinner. There are several things you can prepare in advance, allowing you to cook those last minute items that cannot be cooked ahead of time. Christmas appetizers will also keep your guests busy and out of your hair while you put the finishing touches on Christmas dinner. It will also help keep the children out of the busy kitchen while you are preparing dinner.

Cheese Ring

2 pounds cheddar cheese, shredded

1 ½ cups mayonnaise

10 medium green onions, finely chopped (use the white part only)

¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

¼ tsp. garlic salt

2 10-ounce jars raspberry preserves

Mix the cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, green onion, cayenne pepper and garlic salt until well blended. Using cooking spray, coat two ringed gelatin molds. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until set (at least two to three hours).

Remove the mold and put the ring on a Christmas serving plate. Pour the raspberry preserves in the middle of the ring. Arrange your favorite dipping crackers around the outside of the cheese ring.

Mini Crescent Dogs

2 8-ounce can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

48 cocktail-size link sausages or cocktail-size hot dogs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Unroll the dough and separate into triangles (there will be 16 all together). Cut the triangles lengthwise into three narrow triangles.

Starting on the short side of each triangle, roll a sausage link in the dough. Put each rolled sausage point side down on a cookie sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

These can be made the day before - on the day of the dinner, layer them on a microwave safe serving plate, microwave them for 30 seconds and serve.

Tree Shaped Crescent Appetizers with Vegetables

2 8-ounce cans refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

½ cup sour cream

1 tsp. dried dill

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

3 cups assorted vegetables, finely chopped (bell pepper, broccoli, cucumber, carrot, green onions)