By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Jan 01, 2009 at 10:06 AM

This month has been a blur of holiday parties and gatherings, and during this festive timeframe, I make more appetizers in a few weeks than I usually do the rest of the year.

Because I’m in snack-making mode, I thought a lot about hors d'oeuvres lately, and for an unknown reason, challenged myself to find the top appetizer for each of the last four decades. How did I do?

1960s -- Cocktail franks floating in a sweet / spicy sauce and served in a chafing dish.
'70s -- Ham roll-ups made with ham, cream cheese and pickles.
'80s -- A bread bowl filled with spinach dip.
'90s -- Hummus with pita triangles or chips and salsa.
2000+ -- Sushi or in-season fruits /veggies.

Top timeless appetizer: Taco dip, sometimes referred to as "trailer trash taco dip," is loved by even the foodiest of foodies.

Other popular apps: Bacon-wrapped water chesnuts (aka rumaki), "pigs in a blanket" (mini hot dogs wrapped in a biscuit / crescent roll), fondue and  hot wings with blue cheese dressing.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.