Many of these ideas will also fit well for New Year's Day gatherings, giving you almost a week to lay in ingredients and get organized.
When planning your menu, consider your crowd. Are there many children, vegetarians, enthusiastic eaters, dieters?
Almost everyone enjoys fruit and nuts. Put a big bowl of clementines piled high where guests gather, and tempt everyone to indulge in a healthful snack. The fresh smell of clementine peel is a bonus.
And, my husband notes, since we've had a bowl of unshelled nuts and a nutcracker in the living room, it's harder to overindulge by the handful. For both nuts and clementines, be sure to leave a small bowl for peels and shells.
For casual company, oranges and sweet grapefruits are also lovely simply cut into wedges with their skin. Better yet, serve a variety of seasonal citrus fruits perfectly peeled and sectioned in a light syrup of their own juices.
The peeling and sectioning takes a bit of time, but is easy to do with a very sharp knife and can be done a day ahead. For a special holiday touch, add a sprinkle of jewellike fresh pomegranate seeds.
Also consider roasting apples or pears with a touch of sweetener to serve alongside baked goods or cheese plates, or as a side dish.
If you are welcoming visitors before noon, plan to serve at least some brunch-type fare. Some guests will arrive having had little more than a cup of coffee. A menu that spans sweet and savory helps to ensure that even those who have had breakfast will enjoy their next meal. These brunch suggestions all can be prepared mostly a day or so ahead; you can pop them into the oven to finish while you open gifts.
