Parties are a time of fun, excitement and entertainment. Sharing and enjoying delicious food is also an important part of many celebrations.
Many of our traditional holiday events such as Christmas are centred around the dining table. While the "Birthday Tea" and blowing out the candles on a party cake are an important part of every birthday party.
Equally important is sharing food at those important life moments - the meal at a wedding reception, baby-naming or the wake at a funeral.
Your own favourite party food ideas might be a big sit down family meal or an informal buffet or barbecues for friends.
But it seems that an important part of celebrating anything worthwhile will always involve food. And quite right too!
Don't forget parents also that getting kids to help join in with the 'making and baking" is all part of the fun.
Its also a great way to spend a bit of quality time with your kids and squeeze the maximum juice out of your celebration.
The party food ideas on these pages are easy and popular - particularly with younger party people.
To make life easier many of them can be prepared in advance.
And please remember - Party food should never cause you headaches. It is important, but it is never the be-all and end-all at a party.
What is more important is sharing and enjoying the company of those you are closest to. Its actually often a time when friends and family will make a real point of helping out -
Its all about Mucking In and then Tucking In
Below are lots of party food ideas for different occasions. Perfect for all your celebrations:
We would love to add your own party food recipes to these pages.
If you have a party favourite, if you produced a triumph of a birthday cake, if you have discovered a "Kid Krazy Taste Sensation" we would really love to hear about it.
Send details in to us and we will include your ideas (and photos if you send them) on these pages.