At Lady M’s

White wine, cider and ripe pears with a cinnamon stick. A pitcher for the table, made the afternoon before mahjong night.

Puff pastry cut into tile-shaped rectangles, fanned with pears and brown sugar. About 25 minutes, start to finish.

Cream cheese, pumpkin and warm spice, whipped up in five minutes. Scoop it with gingersnaps and apple slices.

Cold cider, chilled bubbly and a cinnamon-sugar rim. The easiest fall drink for a mahjong afternoon.

Pear wedges wrapped in prosciutto with goat cheese, arugula and a drizzle of honey. No oven, ten minutes.

Orange, apple, cinnamon and cloves on the stove. Five minutes to set up, and the whole house smells like fall before the first guest rings the bell.

Plain jar candles dressed up with cinnamon sticks and twine. About 10 minutes each, for the host or for every girl at Friendsgiving.

A slow cooker of warm cider with caramel and cinnamon. Five minutes to start, and it keeps itself hot all night. The bourbon is optional.

All the pecan pie, one bite at a time. No plates, no forks, and they’re ready in about half an hour.

Stuffing baked into little cups and topped with turkey and cranberry. The whole Thanksgiving plate in one bite, in about 35 minutes.

Sweet, salty and gone before the first Charleston. About 10 minutes, plus 30 minutes to set.

Baked brie inside a little sugar pumpkin. Warm, melty and the showstopper of mahjong night, in about an hour.

A big pot of chili that cooks itself, with a row of toppings so everyone builds her own bowl. About 20 minutes, then 6 to 8 hours on low.

Put it together the night before and bake it in the morning. A warm, filling brunch for a mahjong morning.

Three plates and two candlesticks become a tiered stand, so the snacks stay off the mat. About 15 minutes, plus time for the glue to cure.

Set out the coffee and three fall whipped creams, and let everyone top her own cup. Dessert and coffee, all at once, in about 15 minutes.

Fig, brie and a little crunch. A warm fall snack for mahjong night, ready in about 20 minutes.

A Boursin pumpkin with pretzel ribs and a pepper stem. Ready in about 10 minutes.

Cheesy little Boursin pumpkins on crackers, served in threes. About 20 minutes.

A craft pumpkin, a box of wine and a cake stand. About 15 minutes to make.

Little pastry cups with melty brie, cranberry sauce, pecans and rosemary. The Christmas party appetizer everyone asks for.

Cranberry, orange liqueur and bubbly. As pink and pretty as the flower, and made right in the glass.

Dark and white chocolate with crushed candy canes, cut into tile-shaped pieces. Wrap them up as hostess gifts.

Whole pears simmered in red wine with cinnamon and star anise until they turn deep ruby. An elegant Christmas dessert that’s mostly hands-off.

Tequila, coconut milk and white cranberry with a sugared rim. A snowy, creamy margarita for holiday mahjong.