It’s the best time of year for sure, but it’s also the busiest! Between Christmas shopping, decorating, wrapping gifts and still keeping up with your daily routine, you also have a million holiday festivities to attend – and bring a dish to! Of course, holiday parties are arguably the best part of the Christmas season, getting to spend time with friends and family over great food and drinks is really unbeatable. However, putting together a Christmas appetizer or finger food dish for a potluck can be stressful if you don’t have an idea in mind or you want to bring something original. You want to bring something that is cute, easy, and something a little more *festive* than pigs in a blanket (hey, nothing wrong with some piggies if I do say so myself.)
Here are some easy yet impressive Christmas-themed appetizer ideas to bring to your holiday parties, work gatherings, Friends-mas, and even Christmas dinner. These are sure to spread holiday cheer and impress all the guests.
Crostini Christmas Tree
What more could you want as an appetizer? Pesto, cheese, and tomatoes on bread! This is a great crowd pleaser, is easy and quick to throw together, and also super easy to just display as a Christmas tree! The only thing that really makes this “Christmas-y” is the way that the pieces are displayed on top of a bed of basil leaves, and topped with a mozzarella cut as a star. This is so simple yet so effective as a quick, Christmas themed app.
Get the recipe here
Credit to Giada De Laurentiis
Ornament Cheese Ball
This is a stunning way to present a cracker or chip dip! The beautiful color and glass-like appearance of the cranberries on the outside of the cheese is sure to impress anyone at your gathering. With only a few ingredients, you can create this Christmas themed cheese ball to go with any crackers or bread of your choice. This is a must try this season, especially for those parties that are a little more upscale.
Get the recipe here
Credit to Julie Blanner
Pine Cone Cheese Ball
Obsessed with cheese balls like I am? Why wouldn’t you be?? They are very easy and you can always make them ahead. This is such a cute take on a cheeseball. By adding almonds, you can create a realistic looking pine cone! I love this, I would even add some cranberries near the rosemary for additional garish and a pop of color. This is sure to be the talk of the party if you bring this as your appetizer.
Get the recipe here
Credit to Cozy Little House Blog
Snowman Christmas Cheese Ball
As you can see, it’s not Christmas without cheese! This is the cutest cheese ball idea I think I’ve ever seen. I think this would be a perfect idea for the kiddos that are picky about their cheese. Sometimes they only like “plain” cheese that doesn’t have visible spices, peppers, etc. Keep it plain and simple with just the easy cheeses for this one, and I’m sure the kids will go right after this guy!
Get the recipe here
Credit to Melissa Mondragon
Pull-apart Christmas Tree
If you are looking for something to replace traditional bread or rolls to go with Christmas dinner, look no further. This spinach and cheese pull-apart bread appetizer is a delicious start to any holiday meal, and only requires a few simple steps with simple ingredients. Also I can’t help but mention how elegant it looks! The perfect simple bread dish with a touch of Christmas flare.
Get the recipe here
Credit to Jan D’Atri
Charcuterie Wreath
Looking to take the charcuterie route? I’m sure you’ve seen the charcuter-trees, but what about a wreath? This is a great option if there aren’t as many people in attendance, as the charcuterie trees need a LOT of items to make the tree look full enough. This idea is one of my favorites because you can pre-skewer everything so that it’s easy for people to grab and go (and not touch a lot of ingredients!). With a traditional board, people are using their hands to pick what they want because everything is laid out separately. This is so much easier, people can just grab one and only eat what they prefer if they happen to get something they don’t love.
Get the directions here
Credit to Wonky Wonderful
Hummus Christmas Trees
These are so stinking cute and I just know they are so yummy. I am going to try out this recipe for our annual Christmas Eve party this year. We have almost 40 people in attendance, and having grab and go items like this instead of dips that need scooping is SO much quicker and easier. Again, only a few ingredients but they look absolutely divine. The only thing I would do a little differently is cut the bottoms so they are a straight edge instead of having the curve like a pizza! These literally only take 20 mins, so it is worth snagging the 5 ingredients and stashing them away in case you need a last minute dish to take over to the neighbor’s holiday party!
Get the recipe here
Credit to Savory
Fresh Christmas Salad
Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites
I honestly thought these were a dessert when I first found these. I don’t know about you, but anything that involves brown sugar is dessert to me! I absolutely love that stuff. I just know that the tanginess of the brie and the sugary sweetness of the brown sugar is a heavenly combination that people can’t resist. These are the perfect bite-size apps to prep your tummy for a larger dinner spread. Though these don’t really have a specific Christmas element to them, they incorporate pecan and bourbon, two great tastes of the holiday season. These are for sure on my “to try” list.
Get the recipe here
Credit to Grits and Pinecones
Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Balls
Keeping in theme with the cheese balls again, here is a great combination of ingredients to make single servings of cheese balls with. With cranberries, some chives, crushed pecans, and goat cheese, you can create a decadent serving of cheese to go with a wide variety of bread and crackers. I’m not the biggest fan of pecans alone, but mix them with cheese and I’m all in!
Get the recipe here
Credit to Mom on Timeout
Butter Board
Now of course you will need a loaf of bread to go with this, so you can either bought pre-made or made fresh at home. BUT, the butter is the main idea here. Not only is it visually appealing, but adding a mix of wintery ingredients like thyme and cranberry to a smooth butter is almost too good. Easy but elegant, the perfect way to offer up butter for your bread of choice as an appetizer.
Get the recipe here
Credit to COOKtheSTORY
Rudolph Cheese Ball
I never promised the most intricate or upscale appetizers, but I DID promise quick and easy. In this case, quick, easy, AND CUTE! I love this, this is such a great idea of the kiddos and will wow everyone at your event. Make this and the snowman for a cute duo at the kids table.
Get the recipe here
Credit to Melissa Mondragon
Cheese Christmas Trees
As the final appetizer on this list, I give you cheese wedge Christmas trees. I think these are so simple and cute for offering on a charcuterie board. Each person can grab their own tree-shaped cheese wedge and eat along side their favorite snack crackers, breads, fruits and meets. Take these to your next holiday party and people are sure to rave over the abundance of flavor and spice, while obsessing over how cute they are as mini Christmas trees! Keeping it easy but full of flavor.
Get the recipe here
Credit to Best Appetizers
Thanks for checking out my list! I hope you find the perfect recipe to use at your next holiday gathering this season. Happy Holidays!