6 Easy Appetizers for the Holiday Season + Hostess Gift Ideas

I am hosting my second annual girl's Christmas party on Thursday night.  I always serve wine and heavy apps.  it got me thinking about my favorite appetizers.  Since there are lots of parties this time of the year I thought I would share a few of my all time favorite appetizers.

|| P E A R S + B L U E  C H E E S E & P R O S C I U T TO ||

This is a new appetizer that I tried out this week for my annual girl's Christmas party I am hosting tomorrow night.  It could not be easier and so delicious.

You will need:

2 pears sliced thinly

arugula

blue cheese (buy the Danish block kind)

Prosciutto slices

Balsamic vinegar

Drizzle pears with lemon juice to prevent browning.  Lay on side and place a few pieces of arugula and a chunk of blue cheese on pear.  Wrap with a thin piece of prosciutto.  Drizzle all with balsamic vinegar.

|| L O A D E D  P O T A T O  D I P ||

This could not be easier to whip together and it is always a hit whenever I bring it.

|| E N D I V E  B O A T S ||

There are so many options for stuffing endive but it doesn't get much easier than Boursin and Pimento   Cheese.

|| S U P R E M E  P I Z Z A  D I P ||

This dip tastes just like pizza.  Be sure to use pretzels, baguette chips or some sort of sturdy chip to dip with because the cheese can make thin chips break.

|| W H I T E  C  H E D D A R  +  S A G E  &  P O M E G R A N I T E  C H E E S E B A L L ||

I love how festive this cheese ball is for a holiday party.  you can easily make the ball ahead of time just wait til right before your party to roll it in the pomegranate seeds.

and this is a new dip I just tried out for my party Thursday.  I went ahead and prepared it ahead of time.  It still needs to bake in the oven but even unbaked it is damn tasty.

|| C A U L I F L O W E R  A N D  W H I T E  C H E D D A R  D I P ||

Since it is the season for entertaining I thought I would share a few Hostess gift ideas.

Cheese Board- This is a beautiful serving board and only $28.  If you wanted to add something extra I would throw in some speciality cheese for a beautiful gift.
Nest Beach Diffuser- Everyone loves these diffusers.  The Beach scent is so fresh.
Decanter Tags- I have a set of decanter tags and I always get asked where they are from.  I love these.   You could also add a bottle of their favorite liquor with this gift.
Nest Lotion and Nest Hand Soap- The Bamboo scent is my favorite scent in the Nest hand soap and lotion.  You could gift these together or separate.  If you gift them separate I like the idea of a hand towel with each one. Trust me these are the best smelling soaps and lotions.
Hand Towel- Would pair perfect with the soap or lotion.
Pineapple Martini Shaker- I really want this beauty for me.  It is adorable.
Hexagon bottle Opener- I love the idea of a cute bottle opener paired with a 6 pack of speciality beers.
In Good Taste- I always love to gift books.  This Kate Spade book is just as cute inside.
Nambre Ornament- I love to tie an ornament around a bottle of wine for a cute gift. I love anything and everything Nambre.  Their items are so beautiful.
Jonathan Adler Ornament- JA ornaments are my favorite and they come in the cutest boxes.
Cheese Knives- I love that this comes packaged in a nice wooden box.
Christmas Plates-  I adore these gold Christmas Plates, such a great gift over the holidays.