Updated:2024-12-11 02:15    Views:99

Expectations for holiday entertaining run high. Whether it’s a giddily glittery cocktail bash or a more serenely elegant sit-down dinner, hosting any kind of gathering this time of the year can be extremely stressful.

But there’s one festive loophole that I plan to exploit all December long: inviting people over for drinks.

A “come by for drinks” invitation has no inherent expectations attached, which means hosts can plan it to be whatever they have the desire, funds and bandwidth to pull off. As long as there are beverages on offer (the one nonnegotiable part of a drinks gathering), the party can be as straightforward as sipping wine or mulled cider in sweatpants and slippers, or as chic as clinking cocktails in sequins and heels.

As for the food, keeping it simple yet sustaining enough to absorb any booze is the best way forward. And I’ve created three easy, colorful and cheery dishes to help you accomplish this goal — through the holiday season and beyond.

These recipes all walk the line between filling snacks and appetizers. You can make one or two for people to nibble before dinner, or serve all three, maybe rounded out with chips, olives and nuts, for a light meal that can be respite from the onslaught of holiday heaviness. And perhaps most important, all three can be made at least somewhat in advance, which is essential during this hectic time of the year.

Recipe: White Bean DipWith Cumin-Chile OilImageThis dip comes together in about 15 minutes, but for even easier entertaining, you can make it up to five days ahead.Credit...Kelly Marshall for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne.

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