Because it’s not Christmas Eve without the nibbly bits.
Everybody has their list of things they like to do on Christmas Eve.
Get their presents wrapped, have a glass of wine or seven, leave out some carrots for Rudolph… the list goes on.
There’s another thing though that you should absolutely be doing on Christmas Eve – and that’s cooking up a load of lovely festive nibbly bits.
Or, as other (boring) people like to call them: party food.
Think delicious food but smaller, bite-sized, tiny enough that you can hold about five of them in one hand and cram another eight directly into your mouth.
Absolutely ideal.
If you haven’t yet got your nibbly bits sorted for tonight, never fear because we’ve only gone and put together a comprehensive list (seven items) of what you could, and should, be eating this evening.
1. Cocktail sausages
A Christmas classic if we ever saw one.
It’s almost impossible to have party nibbly bits without the iconic cocktail sausage – they’re small, they require no cutlery whatsoever, and you can eat about 80 without even feeling slightly unwell.
The perfect Christmas Eve treat.
2. Onion bhajis
A tad more luxurious than the cocktail sausage, the onion bhaji has been making appearances in my house at Christmas Eve for many years now.
And I have to say, it’s a welcome addition to the mix.
Throw some chutney over that bhaji and you’ve got yourself a delectable little ball-shaped treat that will complement even the cheapest of Proseccos.
3. Mozzarella sticks
A nibbly bits must.
Don’t even bother having nibbly bits unless you’re going to include mozzarella sticks.
They’re warm, they’re stringy, they’re crunchy, they’re cheesy, and they’re probably the most delicious thing you’re going to put in your mouth ever in your life, maybe.
Word on the street is that you can buy a 24 pack in Tesco too which should be enough for about one person.
4. Spring rolls
Ah, the spring roll – so trustworthy, so familiar, so necessary to complete any festive nibbly bits table.
Whether they’re filled with veg or duck or chicken, the spring roll has become a bit of a Christmas staple.
So grab yourself a bucket of sweet chilli sauce, set your oven to 200/gas mark 6, and wait until those babies are crispy af.
5. A vol-au-vent of some sort
You might as well, like.
6. Crisps with festive guac
The only difference between regular guac and festive guac is that festive guac comes served in a Christmas tree bauble.
Think gin baubles but with guacamole inside instead and a pack of chilli heatwave Doritos to dunk into it.
Delicious.
7. Sausage rolls
We started with sausage and, like any good comprehensive nibbly bits list, we’re going to end with sausage.
The importance of the sausage roll does not need to be explained, and nor will it be.
Flakey, soft, spicy goodness all contained in a bite-sized, easy to consume piece of festive food.
Absolutely perfect.
Please enjoy.
