If the family gathering is not for a major holiday, consider some casual appetizers like super-easy Layered Taco Dip, tasty little Baked Mac & Cheese Bites, or Tiny Lasagna Bites.

If it’s holiday time, and you want to make appetizers that are a little more “fancy”, try making these Spinach & Ham Puff Pastry Bites or delectable Alfredo Stuffed Mushrooms.

My family always looks forward to my relish trays, which I have a good variety of green and black olives, pickled artichokes, hot & sour yellow pepper rings, jalapeno pepper rings, and sweet baby gherkin pickles. I have a vintage glass toothpick holder I put out, and place fancy toothpicks in it.

I always put out a tray of various crackers, too, like cracked pepper water crackers, saltines, and Ritz crackers. My family loves the buttery flavor of Ritz crackers, and now they have flavors like bacon!