Article: food&drink: It's open house; SARA SMITH SAYS YOU CAN STAR IN THE NEW YEAR TASTE PARADE GOAT'S CHEESE AND SHALLOT TOASTS and BOURBON GLAZED HAM (serves 12-14).(Features)

Byline: SARA SMITH

THE menu for a New Year's Day get-together can be ultra tricky. You don't want to be boring, but neither do you want to upset stomachs engorged by Christmas treats, and palates battered by too much festive booze.

Luckily, Georgeanne Brennan, author of Christmas Entertaining, has the answer. Avoid catering for another labour-intensive sit-down meal with her easy buffet and its lighter, refreshing dishes.

"After the hustle and bustle of Christmas, an easy-going buffet is a relaxed way to welcome the New Year," she says. "Set the table and arrange the coffee service area early in the day or even the night before to keep everything running smoothly ...

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