• Think small and easy.  Start with your basics – fruit and dip, veggies and dip, cheese and crackers.  There is not much prep work and usually you can find produce precut and ready to buy or the pre-made trays if in a real pinch.

• Shape your pizza dough in the numbers 2012, it may take some time, but it’s worth the effort and looks cool.  Get family & friends to help and add your favorite toppings.
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  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/fondant_dot_com/4235084452/in/photostream

• Add some quick baking items, like the Mini-Dog Christmas Wreath, except form your mini dogs into another shape, or spell out 2012 like the pizza above.  Probably a lot faster and easier than making the pizza above.
  • Check out the previous post – Mini-Dog Christmas Wreath

• Hollow out a baguette and stuff it with your favorite bread dips – try spinach dip or any others you prefer
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  • Baking Obsession – http://www.bakingobsession.com/2009/10/04/stuffed-baguette/

• Also check out my Food & Fun pinboard on Pinterest for other great food ideas for appetizers.  Just remember, choose things that are quick and easy!  http://pinterest.com/jujudivine/food-fun/

• Jello Shots are quick and easy to make.  The staple recipe I usually use is 1 box of jello, 1 cup of hot water, 1 cup of liquor.  One of my favorite Jello Shot recipes is Black Cherry jello shots using DeKuyper’s Washington Apple Burst liquor.  Refrigerate for at least 3 hours to set.
  • You can also get the Jello Shot holders from GFS (Gordon Food Service), Walmart, Meijer, or other grocery stores.  If you are in a quick pinch, add a little more water and a little less liquor and make the Jello Shots in ice cube trays or mini-muffin baking tins.
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  • My Science Project – http://www.myscienceproject.org/j-shot-3.html

• Sangria with fruit is always a crowd pleaser.  Just get some strawberries, raspberries, oranges, or whatever other fruit you enjoy and add it to red wine.  There are also many brands of wine that carry a Sangria flavor, such as Oliver Winery Sangria wine (usually found in the US Midwest).
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  • From Mobile Cuisine - http://mobile-cuisine.com/did-you-know/dyk-sangria/

• Get creative and decorate quick.  Dress up your wine & champagne glasses.  Make some fun party favors.  Use ribbon, leftover wrapping paper, and tissue paper.  Ask for help or get your kids involved to get crafty.  Or, ask everyone who comes to decorate their own glasses.  It keeps the dishes low and everyone will know which glass is theirs, just provide the crafty supplies.
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  • Mother Nature Network – http://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/photos/diy-3-new-years-eve-party-favors/fun-and-festive

• Create a time capsule for next year.  Get a mason jar, cookie tin, box, or other container and have everyone write down what they think they will do next year.  How about New Years’ Resolutions.  Or have prewritten papers with questions and have everyone fill them out.  Here is an example of one for you to print (PDF) or you can create your own:
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  • NYE 2011 Checklist

• Open a bag every hour with fun questions or tasks for everyone to complete.  Start at 8:00pm and work your way up to Midnight doing one per hour.  Or make a game out of it and do one every 10-15 minutes for an hour.  You can use paper bags to hold the questions or challenges.
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  • The Dating Divas - http://www.thedatingdivas.com/family-fun/family-new-years/

Here’s to everyone having a safe and fun New Year’s Eve!  Enjoy the holiday and I will see you all in 2012 with more ways to bring Pins to Life!!

Julie