Keep your dips dainty and fingers clean with petite portions. Just remember to make your dunkers tiny so they still fit in the glass. Think long, narrow batons of cucumber, endive or asparagus, or pretzel sticks and cheese twists.

Get the recipes for Lentil Dip, Ginger Almond Eggplant Dip and White Bean Dip

Put a playful twist on condiments by giving each guest an individual dip station of barbecue sauce, ketchup and mayonnaise (or aioli, if you’re feeling fancy). For a unique twist, stir in herbs, curry or gochujaung for a flavour boost.

Get the recipes for Garlic Mayonnaise, Gochujaung Mayonnaise and Herbed Mayonnaise

Shake up your salt and pepper serving style with small servings. Add lemon, lime or orange zest or chili to your sea salt, or buy a high quality citrus pepper (or grains of paradise if you can find it) to add lemony notes to sweet potatoes or even watermelon.

Get the recipes for Sweet Potato Fries and Salt and Pepper Watermelon

Provide an icy glass of something like a palate-cleansing sorbet. Grapefruit will add a tangy taste, while boozy brunch favourites such as champagne or elderflower cordial will add a pop to the party. Try unusual flavours such as sorrel for a savoury note.

Get the recipes for Crushed Strawberry, Pomegranate and Elderflower Cordial Sorbet, Pink Grapefruit Sorbet

Refine the traditional oyster shooter by adding ingredients like saffron, yuzu or champagne for sophisticated shots. Don't have access to fresh oysters? Try substituting shrimp, scallops or other impeccably fresh fruits of the sea.

Get the recipes for Michael Smith’s Saffron Shrimp Shots, Giada De Laurentiis’ Oysters, Caviar and Bubbles and Canadian Oyster Shooter

Offer a mix and match dessert with a trio of tiny trifles and puddings. A perfect choice for guests who want to try as much as possible of everything. For a fun twist, incorporate traditional desserts such as apple crisp into your spread.

Get the recipes for Anna Olson’s Strawberry Shortcake Trifles, Apple Crisp and Bourbon Cream Trifles and Anna Olson’s Peach Blackberry Trifles

Let guests tailor their caffeine options by providing a shot of espresso with a glass or pitcher of warm milk, a bowl of whipped cream and raw sugar, honey or simple syrup. Offer a selection of after-dinner drinks such as cognac, or coffee-flavoured liqueurs for those who wish to imbibe.

For tea drinkers in the crowd, spiced tea in small portions can be a soothing end to the meal. Keep it summery with an iced tea version of your typical sipper, or serve a crowd with a tea punch.

Get the recipes for Roger Mooking’s Green Iced Tea, Michael Smith’s Spiced Maple Iced Tea and Chuck Hughes’ Homemade Peach Ice Tea

Take a tip from Indian restaurants and offer some breath-beautifying cardamom or crushed star anise in shot glasses so that your guests can feel secure doing their double kisses goodbye.