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Christmas Eve for many folks is like the pre-game celebration before the big event. If you're hosting the dinner, don't stress about what to serve. Lighten your load and keep the menu simple so you can be part of the festivities. A buffet, featuring a budget-friendly menu of sandwiches, soups, pastries and fruits, can be festive, tasty and most of all, fun. It doesn't take a lot of time or money to create a buffet that zings with holiday spirit and satisfies the palate. With only a little effort, your simple dinner can look and taste like a grand buffet.

A Feast for the Eyes
All great chefs know that visual appeal is an important part of a great dish, so take a little time to beef up the presentation of your food. Stage your table with a holiday theme. Use colored fabric to drape the table and create a stunning backdrop for your delectable goodies. Elevate your serving plates on boxes wrapped like gifts, then weave lighted garland around your trays and light up the table. It's simple, quick and festive. Your guests will be raving about the dinner long after they've gobbled it all up.

Fancy Sandwiches
Sandwiches don't have to be boring. Make them in the shape of trees and ornaments by using Christmas cookie cutters to cut the bread. Pumpernickel and rye make great gingerbread men. Some bakeries even make colored bread during the holiday season. If you can't find a bakery that offers colored bread, make your own; add a few drops of food coloring to the dough. The result will be delicious, home-baked, holiday-colored sandwiches that will be a hit with young and old alike.

Mmm-Mmm Soup
Nothing says home and snuggle-up comfort like a bowl of steaming hot soup, especially if you're in a cold-weather climate. You can make it ahead, freeze it, then put it in a crockpot to thaw and simmer. Cover the outside of the pot with Christmas wrapping paper or tin foil to make it into a pretty serving pot.

Yummies
Desserts are always the hot-ticket item on any buffet table, but save the pies and cakes for Christmas day. Cookies and candies are a good choice on Christmas Eve. Put several different kinds of desserts on one tray to create visual interest. Sprinkle with granulated colored sugar and lightly dust the entire pastry collection with powdered sugar. This simple trick will make your pastry tray look like a professional chef's creation.

Holiday Fruit
A Christmas buffet table always needs a variety of fresh fruit. Wash and dry apples, oranges and bananas, and arrange them in a haphazard fashion on the table. This makes a colorful decoration, especially around the pastry tray, and best yet, it's an edible decoration. Freeze table grapes and put them out just before serving. The frosty coating on them will add a great winter's touch to the decor.

Whether hosting a big party or serving your own family in an intimate setting, a simple menu and a holiday-decorated buffet table will be a big hit. And you'll get to be a part of the celebration instead of being tied to the kitchen. Its easy preparation, easy cleanup, and on Christmas Eve that's important. You have to get the house cleaned up and everyone off to bed: Santa Claus will be coming later that night.

Don't forget to save him a cookie!

Learn more about this author, Meggie Hardy.
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