Send your invitations by email or telephone; tell everyone that the hours for the open house will be from noon to four or five o'clock in the afternoon. People come and go to this party, and the ebb and flow of guests make it interesting and lively.

Did you know that there are certain foods that many cultures consider good luck charms if eaten on New Year's Day? Southerners eat black eyed peas and cornbread for luck and wealth. The ancient Romans served dates, nuts, and raisins. Dutch people consider food shaped in a ring to be good luck; the shape is symbolic of a completed year. Dark greens like kale and spinach mean wealth will come to you; these foods can be folded like money. Fish is a good luck charm. And the Italians eat sweets at this holiday for good fortune throughout the new year. I've included recipes for your buffet that use these foods in delicious and easy ways.

Remember, for safety's sake, to completely remove and replace perishable foods (meat and dairy, mostly) after they have been at room temperature for two hours. That means that you'll need to replace the food once during your party. Have extra trays of food prepared and stored in the fridge or freezer so you can make sure everyone stays safe. Enjoy your party!

And Happy New Year!

New Year's Open House Menu

• Banana Slush Punch
  This delicious punch is made ahead of time and stored in your freezer. Divide it into two batches so you can easily replenish the punch halfway through your party.
• Texas Caviar
  Black eyed peas make their appearance in this easy and delicious dip that you serve with tortilla chips or toasted slices of crunchy baguettes.
• Artichoke Spinach Dip
  Spinach for good luck also adds color and great taste to this easy crockpot recipe.
• Smoked Salmon Pizza
  This pizza is a great way to eat fish for a good luck charm. The creamy melted cheeses are a perfect complement to the smooth, delicate fish.
• Turkey and Cranberry Corn Muffins
  You can make these little sandwiches yourself, or just set out the muffins, the sliced turkey, and the cranberry sauce and let your guests make their own.
• Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
  Use a second crockpot to keep these delicious little meatballs warm in their mouth-watering sauce. Your guests will love this recipe!
• Rosemary Toasted Mixed Nuts
  Every good appetizer party needs bowls of easy finger food, and these savory nuts with a bit of heat are perfect.
• Layered Taco Dip
  A flashback to the 1980s! I love this beautiful and colorful dip with its perfect combination of textures and flavors.
• Mini Quiches
  Make several different types of these fabulous little quiches and store them in your freezer, then reheat in batches during the party.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Bon Bons
  This old family recipe is a must for the holidays. Dates and nuts are mixed with peanut butter and sugar, then encased in smooth chocolate for a great homemade candy.
• Florentines
  Candied fruit fills this delicate thin cookie; it tastes almost like candy.
• Chocolate Raspberry Linzer Cookies
  These cookies are delicate and a bit fussy to make, but so delicious. Plus, they are the ring shapes considered good luck, so you have to make them!
• Cookie Brittle
  Tender, melting shortbread is stuffed full of chocolate and nuts in this super-easy bar cookie that must be made ahead of time.
• California Gold Bars
  For the assurance of wealth in the new year, eat these delicious bars that are rich but not too sweet, full of apricots and walnuts.
• Updated Chocolate Nut Toffee
  This is one of those magic recipes that tastes like so much more than the sum of its ingredients. It's crispy, sweet, chocolatey, and just plain wonderful.
• Treasure Chest Bars
  Well, what could be more indicative of wealth in the new year than these delicious bar cookies? They're chock full of fruit and nuts and so delicious.