These lovely little bites of heaven are perfect for any holiday gathering.

The crunchy toasts along with their savory or sweet toppings are a favorite just about any time of the year!

The featured combinations I am sharing with you here are ones I have made for years, and a few I remember from childhood. I am sure my grandmother and aunts made hundreds of these each year for every special occasion — and the occasional “ladies only” tea party they loved to prepare.

Beginning with a narrow loaf of French bread — you want the long thin one, not the large one used for sandwiches — cut into even slices about 1/4 inch thick.

Most of the time I end up with 12-14 pieces from a long loaf.

Decide on how many you are making based on how many slices you get — easy!

Spread a thin layer of salted butter on both sides of each slice.

Bake at 400 degrees for about five minutes on each side — this will allow the bread to become VERY CRISPY. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Savory Toasts

Spread with a layer of cream cheese, add a sliver of smoked salmon, a squeeze of fresh lemon, salt and pepper with a garnish of finely chopped fresh dill and tiny bits of red onion.

Spread with a layer or cream cheese, add a thin slice of red pear, cover with a thin bit of Gouda cheese. Return to the oven to melt the cheese. Garnish with a bit of chopped red onion.

Spread with Duke’s Mayo, add one prepared and deveined shrimp, add a bit of cocktail sauce, garnish with finely chopped celery and red onion.

Sweet Toasts

Spread with a layer of cream cheese. Add red or green jelly. These are simple and perfect for a Christmas/holiday platter

Spread with a layer of cream cheese, add a sliced and shingled strawberry, cover with a dollop of whipped cream

Spread with a layer of cream cheese, two mandarin slices (from a can), add a bit of crushed pineapple.

The Ultimate Toasts (our family favorite)

Spread with a layer of cream cheese, a few chopped water chestnuts, a few small capers, a few small chopped olives and a sprinkle of finely chopped red onion or scallion. This is SO GOOD and SO SIMPLE!

I hope you enjoy adding these to your holiday table. As you can imagine, there are limitless variations.

This is a great time to get out any inherited tableware that you may have. Repurposing pieces from the past are a great way to craft a table of distinction and one filled with holiday memories past and present.

Silver pieces look beautiful whether they are polished or not — their subtle, silvery hue is perfect for the modern interiors of today. Take a look around. I am sure you have something you can repurpose.

If not, this is a great time to visit the antique malls all over South Carolina. It could be that a “family treasure” is just waiting to be found!