Merry Christmas — the season of joy, giving and sharing is here.

The holidays are a time to create memories with family and friends at gatherings. And where do most people end up when at a celebration? It’s no coincidence that it is in the kitchen.

For many, food is deeply intertwined in our gatherings and celebrations with family, friends and neighbors.

To help you savor the season, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

•Keep portions small. Anything can be enjoyed “guilt-free” in moderation.

•Slow down and savor your food. It takes at least 20 minutes for the body to know when you are full.

•Survey the table before making your selections — what have you been waiting to taste? And sometimes a taste is enough.

•Try not to skip meals to save up on calories; you are more likely to overeat later.

As with many celebrations, appetizers are the main feature. However, a table full of appetizers can be daunting, especially if you have one of each. Survey first, then decide and use a small plate.

Whether you are hosting or going, get happy with these appie ideas.

•Use low-fat cheeses and meats on your party trays. Serve with whole wheat buns, crackers or Rye Krisps to increase your fiber intake.

•Fruit and vegetable trays are a must for an antioxidant boost. They are naturally low in fat and calories, high in fiber, provide numerous vitamins and minerals and can serve as a color enhancer on the table. Serve with a low-fat dip by mixing a flavored Greek yogurt with non-fat whipped topping.

•Nuts are a necessity. Pecans, almonds and walnuts are some of the best choices due to their fiber and Omega-3 content. But any nut is otherwise a good choice.

•Fill snack dishes with a munchies mix that isn’t calorie-dense but has whole grains. Try popcorn, pretzels, soy nuts, mini-M & Ms and dried fruit.

•Boiled shrimp served with a tomato-based salsa is excellent for a dose of lycopene.

•Use wonton wrappers. They make the perfect basket for many types of filling. Just press into a muffin tin to get the basket look. There are so many options for filling; feel free to get creative. Many main dish recipes can be pared down to fit into a wonton wrapper which naturally minimizes the portion sizes. And desserts are an option as well. Try this delicious recipe at your next party.

Wonton Baskets with Fruited Chicken Salad

Serves 12 (2 baskets per serving)

All you need

•24 wonton wrappers

•Cooking spray

•1 1/2 cups chopped cooked skinless chicken breasts, cooked without salt

•1/4 cup finely chopped celery

•4 tablespoons sweetened dried cranberries, divided

•2 tablespoons light mayonnaise

•1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

•1/8 teaspoon pepper

•24 whole mandarin orange segments, canned in water or juice, drained well and patted dry with paper towel

All you do

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray two 12-cup mini muffin pans with cooking spray.

2. Place the wonton wrappers in a single layer on a flat surface, such as a cutting board or piece of aluminum foil. Lightly spray both sides of the wrappers with cooking spray. Place a wonton wrapper in each muffin cup. Press down gently on the bottom of each so the wrappers mold to the shape of the cups and the tips point out in a decorative fashion.

3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer the pans to cooling racks. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before removing the baskets from the pans.

4. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the chicken, celery, 2 tablespoons cranberries, mayonnaise, mustard and pepper.

5. To assemble, fill the baskets with the chicken salad. (Don’t do this more than 15 minutes in advance, or the baskets will become soggy.) Transfer to a platter. Sprinkle the chicken salad with the remaining 2 tablespoons cranberries. Top each basket with a mandarin orange segment.

Nutrients per Serving: Calories 99, Total Fat 2 g, Saturated Fat 0.5 g, Monounsaturated 0.5 g, Polyunsaturated 0.5 g, Cholesterol 17 mg, Sodium 71 mg, Carbohydrates 13 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugars 3 g, Protein 7 g.