Usually I do Christmas Eve and my SIL does Thanksgiving, but she just moved and is in a mess so I’m doing both this year…Traditionally we have a fancy meal at the table and last year the kiddos were so good…
I did put an Elf on the Shelf on their table to remind them Santa was watching
3 new babies last spring means that between our family and hers we have 10 grandchildren 6 and under, and all are walking or crawling… CC is the youngest and she is about to master the crawling thing, she is ready to go!
We had a wild and crazy Thanksgiving and only 5 of the children were here, so we’ve axed the sit down dinner for a while because after all, who would be sitting down?
I am keeping everything simple~no new or complicated recipes, just easy peasy finger food, vintage recipes, blasts from the past…things that can be made ahead and frozen or put together in minutes…everything bite sized and nothing too messy!
Asparagus Party Sandwiches make these ahead and freeze~ I am doing this today.
Apricot Pineapple Gorgonzola Cheese Spread , goes together in minutes
Christmas Chex Mix [see recipe below] made yesterday and put away in a tightly sealed tupperware container
Grinch Poppers from Stockpiling Moms easy to assemble morning of, kids could even help~
Teriyaki Tenderloin Skewers~ marinate beef or pork tenderloin for 2-3 days ahead of time and then grill the day of…this gives the men something to do! Cut the meat into bite sized pieces and serve on a cocktail pick or a mini bun
Puff Pastry Bites this can be made day of in a few minutes or made ahead, baked and reheated before serving
Peppermint Snowballs make up to one week ahead and refrigerate in sealed container
Raspberry White Chocolate Angel Wings make 1-2 days ahead and store in sealed container or ziplocks
Mini Pecan Pies make ahead and freeze
CHRISTMAS CHEX MIX
Ingredients
- 4 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 4 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 1 cup honey roasted Planters peanuts
- 1 cup cashews
- 2 cups bag Bugles regular flavor
- red and green peanut M&Ms
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- seasoned salt
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire
Instructions
- Spread rimmed cookie sheet or broiler pan with cereals.
- Top with peanuts, cashews and bugles and sprinkle seasoned salt lightly overall.
- Mix Worcestershire sauce and olive oil briskly to combine
- Pour over cereal and nuts. Stir gently until mix is coated. If it seems too dry mix a little more oil and Worcestershire together and add until mixture seems well coated but not too wet.
- Bake at 275 for 15 minutes, stir well and return to oven for 15 more minutes. If you are making a really big batch in a deeper pan, increase times to 18-20 min.
- After baking immediately spread mix on paper towel lined counter until cool. Toss in M&Ms. I used about 1/2 a large bag. Store in a large tupperware container or ziplock bag.
Thanks so much for visiting! Remember to try and keep it simple this year!
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