'Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry. Unless you end up spending hours making all the eats, in which case, you're left with little time for the whole drink and be merry part. And, let's be real, who wants to give up that? I know I am not alone when I say "Not me!'.

Thankfully there's a little something called make ahead appetizers. I'm sure your familiar. If not, get familiar! They come in many forms, shapes, sizes and flavors. Cheese and crackers, dips and chips, crockpot favorites...so many apps that can be easily prepped ahead of time. I've rounded up a few of my favorites here today. With plenty of holiday gatherings and festivities still on the calendar, it's safe to say that having a few of these recipes in your back pocket will definitely come in handy.