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Baked Crab Rangoon makes a great appetizer.

I love hosting large-ish meals at my home, especially holiday meals. I love the challenge, from searching for the right recipes to crunch-time just before everyone shows up. I know, every day at our house is a large-ish meal, but it's really not the same as doing it for friends and family you don't see each day.

This year we are headed to my mother-in-law's home for our Thanksgiving meal and although I lament not cooking up a huge meal for us all, I won't miss out altogether since I plan on taking an appetizer to share and cookies as an addition to mom's dessert.

I made Baked Crab Rangoon for Thanksgiving last year from a recipe I found at Kraft and they were so good that I also made them for Christmas and will be taking them this year to share with the rest of the family at mom-in-law's. I recently whipped up a batch and was told by my brother-in-law, who works at a local restaurant, that, "These are better than the crab wontons we have at work!" Good deal. Give them a try yourself, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

What else is there in the appetizer arena that is totally totable? I like these links and the following recipe for great appetizer ideas.

Reader's Digest Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes

Cooks.com Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes

Easy Appetizer Recipes

Make Ahead Appetizers at About.com

I first had this at work a long time ago. The newspaper office I was in was filled to the brim with women who loved to cook. One of them brought in this delicious spread and I took home her recipe, changed it a little, and this spread was born. My kids would eat this stuff until they popped, if I let them. This is perfect for taking along to a party since it needs a little time to sit at room temperature so it will spread well. By the time you get to where you're going, it will be just right.

Chicken Cheese Spread

2-8oz. pkgs. cream cheese (softened)
2 cans of Underwood Chicken Spread (4.25 oz each)
1/4 c. green pepper-diced small
1/4c. peanuts-chopped fine

Mix all and chill-allow to soften slightly before
serving with crackers.

*These variations on the green pepper and peanuts are just as yummy:

red pepper and walnuts
grated carrot and raisins
dried apricot and pecans

Find more stories and tips for the holidays at Family.com's Yule Blog