The festive period is the perfect time for having friends over for drinks and a light bite to eat. A finger buffet or canape party is ideal - you want to invite more than 10 people and you don't really feel like cooking a three-course meal. But what if the idea of preparing a buffet or canapes sends you into panic mode? After all, you're much more comfortable with crisps, nuts and pineapple on sticks than sophisticated pates and blinis. Well, help is on hand with a few cooks' tips that take the worrying out hosting parties. Jane Noraika, author of New Vegetarian Entertaining, says there is nothing to fear as long as you plan in advance: "The main thing to do is to prepare as much of it beforehand as possible. "When your friends are there, the last thing you want is to feel stressed in the kitchen. Much as people enjoy cooking, there are other things to enjoy as well, particularly at this time of year. As long as people are greeted by the smell of cooking, that is fine." Choose about five different items for a tasty buffet, two of which should act as a focal point. And she advises: "It depends on the event but it's always nice to have a mixture of hot and cold. The focal point food needs to be something that draws your eyes to those dishes, for example stuffed bread, which is a little bit different. Individual tarts or slices of frittata can also create the main focus." There are a few staple items you should have on a buffet table, she says: "I think bread is always a good staple, especially in this country where we seem to consume so much of it. You should also have a hot vegetable, perhaps griddled aubergines with a balsamic, olive oil and fresh mint marinade. Add a light salad and you can't really go wrong. You're also ensuring that people do have enough to eat." If you're opting for canapes, Noraika suggests providing five or six choices with two or three of each dish per person. "I try to include something sweet with canapes," she continues. "These parties are normally for about an hour and a half and it's good to bring in something sweet because it signals that the end of the party is near. You could have fruit dipped in chocolate or little individual truffles. At this time of year, you can have tiny individual slices of Christmas cake or mini mince pies. Fresh dates are also a good option." When it comes to drinks, Noraika suggests kicking off a function with a cocktail or fizzy wine and fruit juice. "Follow this with a selection of wines and you will have everything you need." Thierry Roussillon, author of Tiny Tastes And Mini Bites With Friends, says it's worth making an effort because "nothing is more unwelcoming than drinks served with bowls of uninspiring peanuts, dull old crisps, or some other doubtful snack whose exact ingredients cannot be exactly identified." The tastiest canapes are often the most simple, Roussillon says, and rely on top-quality ingredients. She suggests hunting out different varieties of bread like walnut, olive, ciabatta, pittas, dried fruit breads, or seeded rolls. "If it's a family gathering, remember to include some simple snacks," she adds. "Perhaps made in amusing shape, to keep the youngest members happy." | 
