Let’s start with the things that would work from my old menu, for a winter get-together:
- Antipasto platter
- Bacon-wrapped stuffed dates FOR SURE!
- Mini-tarts (though I’d fill them with pumpkin pie filling or pecan pie filling — perhaps some of each? — instead of apple)

Then I’d add:
- Cheese straws, or maybe even some savory palmiers like these
- Bowls of spiced nuts (my favorite recipe is from Cook’s Illustrated… if you have a membership to their site, it’s easy to find)
- Open-faced mini-sandwiches on baguette slices (something wintery like roast pork and onion relish)
- “breakfast” radishes (or other pretty varieties) served on a platter with a dish of salt and a crock of softened butter
- baby-back ribs with an asian or sweet-spicy glaze
- soup shooters in shot glasses or demi-tasse (if warm). I’d pick something that tastes good even if it’s not piping hot, like roasted red pepper or an Indian-spiced lentil puree drizzled with creme fraiche
Keep in mind you don’t want a lot of things that need to be refrigerated, or too much that needs to be baked (unless the caterer is taking care of that). Even if you decide to ditch the caterer, I’d hire some help to finish the food during the party, and pass platters