Santa's Hideout

On New Years you want your menu to be especially festive and there’s no reason to sacrifice your palate to the Chicken Nugget Gods even if your guest list includes those under 8. Here are some suggestions to help you ring in 2012 without having to break out the tater tots…unless YOU love them.

1. Appetizers: Disney’s FamilyFun has 30 Easy Dips and Appetizers that all look delicious — we’re looking to try the Mini Pumpkin Tarts and Warm Crab Dip — and offer a great variety so there’s certain to be a few that match your theme. Looking for Libation ideas? Check out our Cocktail Cheat Sheet.

2. Sides: SavortheThyme’s Baby Arugula Salad with Roasted Squash, Beans, Pumpkin Seeds and Cranberries plus Baked Sweet Potato Fries sounded to us like the perfect blend of good-for-you but still-left-room-for-dessert.

3. Mains: Epicurious has a great idea with beef skewers, chicken kebabs and Meatballs in Tomato Garlic. Feeling ambitious? Gourmet Live has Two Approaches to Beef Tenderloin that are equally indulgent: Porcini Crusted with Truffle Butter or Rosemary-Crumb with Pancetta – Roasted Tomatoes. Check out our Holiday Food Survival Guide for more advice.

4. Desserts: We liked the ease of these Mint Ice Cream Bon Bons and Chocolate Whipped Cream Stuffed Strawberries from Celebrations.com. Epicurious has an Easy Chocolate Moose, Three Ways and red velvet cupcakes are always a lovely treat. These strawberry flavored ones from Casaveneracion sound yummy.

5. Decor: Leave it to the Queen of Crafty, Martha Stewart, to have inventive ideas–we particularly liked the Tinsel New Years Banner and Sparkling Setting–that put your Christmas decorations to good use. And according to Delish, pick a color palate and you’re halfway there…don’t even worry if everything doesn’t match (who likes matchy-matchy anyway?). Find more of their ideas on making common items you probably already have laying around party-perfect here.

5 New Years Ideas: A Delicious Spread Everyone Can Enjoy

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