Happy Bites For The Happy Holidays And Beyond

Photo: Dolce K Olive and Fruit Mix (Made in Greece) – We picked up ripe olives marinated in sweet brine and currants at Whole Foods Market. Olives are also good for you – they are rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, plus they reduce inflammation and contain fiber.

There are small ways to gather with others even if hosting people makes you nervous. We put together ideas for a Happy Hour-inspired event that allows for a short, delicious visit that can reap big rewards.

**Photo: A hickory smoked salmon from Lori’s Fish Market is a delicious protein to add into any gathering.**

We have found that a small commitment to good food can bring people running to your house — and there is no better way to get to know people on a deeper level. What began as an experiment of a “happy hour” gathering has worked so well, we decided to keep it going. The limited timeframe also doesn’t interfere with other plans and is a good way to kick off a weekend.

How To Do It

Have fun finding interesting ways to display the food options.

**Photo: Guacamole with Plantain Chips was carryout from Guacamole Restaurant.**

Set a start and ending time for 1.5 hours and a repeating regular timeframe – such as every third Friday.

Make it casual – more like a drop-in situation than a formal start time.

Invite people – neighbors, family members, friends, people from your workout class. Start small with three to four people if you want, then add to it.

Be clear in your invite about ending time and what to expect.

Gather good food that is easy for people to serve themselves. You can make it or pick it up. We have given you a starting point on this page.

Photo: Red Peruvian Pearl Peppers (Made in Peru) Goat Cheese Log with Dried Cranberries both from Whole Foods Market. The Honeycomb is from Costco (not all Costco locations carry this item. Call your local store to see if they carry honeycomb.

Of course, everyone has excuses and reasons for not hosting a small event. Here are some common excuses and how to move forward and make your gathering a successful one:

Excuse #1: That time doesn’t work

If late afternoon is not the best time for you, consider something different but similar in terms of a short time commitment or an ending time. A brunch? A tea? A snack time?

Photo: (l-r) Mini Fresh Fruit Tart, Mini Raspberry Cheesecake, Mini Chocolate Mousse, Mini Key Lime Cheesecake all from Whole Foods Market, but so many local bakeries also make small tarts and pastries. **A great thing to serve for an afternoon tea or brunch.**

Excuse #2: We need a better theme

If you feel people won’t just come and hang out with you, perhaps you need to add something like discussion around a topic or playing a game.

Excuse #3: My house is not big or cute enough

One thing a time limit and a people limit does is allow you to adjust the situation.

Excuse #4: I would need to include children.

This type of party allows for kids to be exposed to multi-age gatherings, and you can decide to serve more kid-friendly foods (think cheese and crackers) or fruits or just allow them to try what you offer. You are not fixing a meal, but rather a snack.

Happy hosting!

By Anita Oldham | Photos by Melissa Donald

P.S. You may also be interested in putting together these simple and delicious dishes.

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