Final Hours to the Next Year: Your Holiday Spread.

When it involves hosting parties, people usually split into a couple of rather separate camps: those who love it, and the ones that would rather to do practically something else. Staying organized ahead of time is key, and choosing a few delicious recipes to kick off the proceedings will amuse your attendees while you aim to hold everything together.

Fennel, Lemon and Smoked Paprika Almonds

Spicy almond snack

These citrusy, spiced nibbles make for a ideal match for the vibrant pink grapefruit mocktails detailed below.

Salmon & Ricotta on Buckwheat Blinis

Festive starter with blinis

A delicious festive first course that can readily be modified to present with a sweet spread for children.

Cardamom-Lime Grapefruit Mocktails

Colorful non-alcoholic drink

These drinks are a invigorating option to booze, but also serve as a delicious base for a tequila-based drink.

Festive Martinis with Juniper & Lemon

Homemade martini cocktail

Handcrafted spirit for a special festive drink, ideal for sharing or serving at events.

Slow-Cooked Shredded Lamb Shoulder with Red Onion Sumac Salad

Tender lamb dish

Revel in the admiration of this show-stopping feast – no one will for a moment guess how little preparation was involved.

Spiced Cranberry and Chocolate Tart

Rich chocolate cranberry tart

In this decadent finale, pockets of aromatic cranberry sauce are cooked into a chocolate frangipane for a duo that makes any abundance of holiday fruit to excellent effect.

Daniel Beltran
Daniel Beltran

Lena is a tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering consumer electronics and digital trends for various publications.