How about making some homemade cookies (if you're short on time, just turn your favorite recipe into a bar cookie and cut into squares, rectangles or diamonds).

Mini Muffins.

You could get hoagies and cut into 1" wide slices so they're appetizer sized.

Pizza is inexpensive to make, and again, cut into small pieces since everyone usually wants to try many different things.

Pepperoni bread is easy and inexpensive. Just roll out purchased frozen bread to a thin rectangle, cover with pepperoni, grated mozzarella and add a sprinkling of Italian seasoning or oregano, roll up, let rise and bake. Serve warm, sliced about 1" thick. Everyone loves it. You can put out a bowl of warm marinara sauce for dipping, if you like.

Different crackers for the above from Aldis or DG (Dollar General.

A home made cheese ball and crackers...many simple recipes for these.

The local Butternut (day old)bread store had Hostess cookies in a box. There were several different varieties in the box, and ohhhh soooo good. The best I think I've ever had! $2 per box. Very pretty and festive too.

Maybe a pot of chili, or not appropriate?

Sue...who is getting hungry at the thought of all this good stuff

Small pieces of cauliflower, broccoli, small carrots, celery sticks, with a dipping sauce, or two.

I love blue cheese or roquefort dressing, but one can seldom find it.

ole joyful

I made potato soup and homemade bread one Christmas and it was a big hit.