1Tesco brie & cranberry parcels (€4 or two for €6) & Tesco free-from finest mushroom arancini bites (€6 or two for €9).

Two of our favourite picks from Tesco also happen to be suitable for vegetarians. The Tesco brie and cranberry parcels are crisp little parcels of filo pastry that surround creamy French brie. What tops it off though is the tangy onion and cranberry chutney, which really lifts it. The arancini bites are also suitable for coeliacs as gluten-free breadcrumbs wrap up the chestnut and porcini mushrooms in a rich white wine and three-cheese sauce.

2Dunnes Simply Better almond and pistachio nougat (€13.99) and Simply Better Belgian chocolate fruit and nut mendicants (€7.99).

For something really different, presenting slices of these almond and pistachio nougat will add a pop of colour to any table. The nougat is soft and chewy, with the nuts giving an added crunch. Best of all, it’s quite light, which is a welcome change from all the heavy food of the season. We are also big fans of these slivers of Belgian chocolate which come in white, milk and dark, again adding a bit of variety to the spread.

3Moser Roth chocolate cups, Aldi (€5.99).

These chocolate cups from Aldi taste as good as they look. Filled with luxurious milk and white chocolate ganache fillings, they are sure to get guests talking. Take some inspiration from the imagery and place on a black slate to really give that opulent effect.

4Steak & chips, Marks & Spencer (€10.50).

When it comes to party food, Marks & Spencer always take things to the next level. For example, imagine impressing your guests with a bit of steak and chips. Delicate shoe-string chips with lots of crunch are wrapped up in thinly cut slices of beef, which have a peppery edge. We were worried that the steak may be a bit leathery but, instead, it was juicy, with the meat drippings making the chips finger-licking good. The only downside is the steak isn’t Irish.

5SuperValu Prepared for You mini cheese cakes (€5).

These mini tartlets from SuperValu are so impressive you would expect them to be served up at a fancy afternoon tea. Well, you can take all the credit and all you have to do is pop them out of the box. These are part of SuperValu’s Prepared for You desert range, which also includes mini cheese cakes.

6 Baking camembert with a caramelised red onion relish, Lidl (€3.99).

There is nothing quite like cheese at Christmas and Lidl has an oozing camembert dish you won’t want to share. It comes in a Mediterranean-looking ceramic bowl, which you pop in the oven. Have some crusty bread at the ready so you can dunk it into the rich and creamy cheese. The caramelised red onion relish also adds a pop of sweetness.

7Mini lobster mac & cheese (€10.50) Marks & Spencer.

We’ve featured these mini lobster mac and cheese bites before and we will do it again because they are one of the best canápes to serve at a party. Presented in dainty foil cups, small pieces of lobster are spread throughout the creamy pasta bites. You even get a little spoon to scrape every last piece of sauce up. The Marks & Spencer canápes are on the more expensive side but these really impress.

8Chicken liver pâté, Avoca (€4.95).

Grab a few crackers, spread some luscious pâté on top and pass the plate around. One of the best-tasting pâtés we have come across is the chicken liver pâté from Avoca. Meaty and chunky with lots of oomph, this country-style pâté is flecked with red peppercorns, which add a little zing. This is also a very nice option as a starter for Christmas Day dinner.

9 Chicken & prosciutto bites, (€10.50), Marks & Spencer.

A glass of prosecco in one hand and a chicken and prosciutto bite in the other. How could the party not get off to a great start? On first look, the chicken isn’t very obvious as it is wrapped in the crunchy prosciutto, so for some guests the piece inside could be a welcome surprise. The combination of the two – the saltiness of the ham paired with the tender chicken – is a great match. Just be careful when cooking. You want the prosciutto to have a crispiness to the edges but don’t be tempted to overcook it in case you dry out the chicken. CL