Top on the menu of course, is a bottle of Sparkling Wine- some are made with just as much care as Champagne, and full-size bottles of sparkling wine made in the methode- champenoise method can be had at BJ's for under $30.00

Put that baby on ice and make sure those wine flutes are on the tray with the bubbly or nearby .....

Get out one of your prettiest , round serving platters- or a big, pretty plate!- and arrange gourmet chewy cookies and decadent brownies in a circular fashion winding all the way into the middle, where one fabulous brownie will hold down the center of the fort

Next, set out fabulously warm and yummy appetizers, like those from BJ's and Tastefully Simple, and time them to be ready to pop out of the oven 10 minutes before guests are expected to begin arriving. I always include a big, festive bowl full of warm, spiced nuts -----(a whole tin of mixed nuts, tossed with 1 tbsp. melted butter(salted if salted nuts, unsalted if not ) and: 1/4 tsp. each Cumin, Ground Allspice and Chili Powder, 1/2 tsp. each Pumpkin Pie Spice and Cinnamon, and 1 tsp. brown sugar, toss gently and spread out on baking sheet, bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.) --- and mini chicken eggrolls(from BJ's) with the Apricot Dipping Sauce from tastefully Simple, which I make a very tasty variation of myself- it's one whole 5 oz. jar Apricot Jam(not jelly), 1/2 tsp. brown mustard, 1/2 tsp. worcestersire sauce and 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes, mixed well, and do not chill. Serve room temp. Everyone always loves these app's......