15+ Festive Christmas Appetizers

ByJaclyn Shimmel On

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Entertaining a crowd during the festive season starts with the perfect holiday appetizers. Coming up with a list of what to serve is the first step, so I have compiled this list of 15+ easy, tasty, and festive appetizers to get you started!

Collage pin with images of Christmas appetizers including a charcuterie tree, meatballs, cheesy dip with chips, pigs in a blanket, festive snack cups, and a reindeer cheese ball. Text reads “15+ Crowd-Pleasing Christmas Appetizers”.

Here you’ll find a collection of the easiest Christmas appetizers, perfect for parties, family gatherings, and all your festive entertaining. Everything from fun and creative to nostalgic and cozy, we’ve got dips, charcuterie, finger foods, and more! All the crowd-pleasing nibbles you’ll need to make your holiday season a success!

Whether you need a full spread of Christmas party food or just a few Christmas appetizer recipes, there is something for everyone. Easy, impressive, and tons of flavor for everyone to enjoy!

Tips for Serving Holiday Appetizers

  • Bite-sized. Keep portions small enough so that guests can try a bit of everything.
  • Balance flavor and texture. Serve hot and cold dips, sweet and savory snacks, meat and cheese boards with a variety of dippers, etc.
  • Prep ahead. Go for make-ahead recipes wherever possible to save room in the kitchen and the oven the day of the party, but also for stress-free entertaining.
  • Bread and crackers. While not a part of any recipe per se, it’s always a good idea to have an assortment of sliced baguette, crostini, and other vessels to use as dippers. A raw veggie platter is also a good idea. Small dishes of butter, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt can be great additions to your appetizer table.
  • Fresh herbs for garnish. Add extra festive flair to your table with fresh herbs and foliage!
  • Storage. Anything that can be kept at room temperature or warm (like in a crockpot) can be brought out first. Whatever needs to be kept in the fridge, keep it there until you’re ready to serve.

15+ Festive Christmas Appetizer Recipes

Click on any photo or button to take you to the individual recipe instructions.

A reindeer cheese ball coated in chopped nuts, with black olives for eyes, a cherry tomato for a nose, and pretzel twists shaped into antlers. The cheese ball is on a plate surrounded by crackers, with holiday decorations in the background.
Reindeer Cheese Ball
Playful and festive, turn your cream cheese dip into a centerpiece complete with pretzel antlers and a tomato nose!
GET REINDEER CHEESEBALL RECIPE
Charcuterie board shaped like a Christmas tree with cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, grapes, salami, etc...
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Enjoy meats, cheeses, fruits, and veggies on a platter shaped like a Christmas tree for a fun and festive way to serve charcuterie!
GET CHRISTMAS TREE CHARCUTERIE BOARD RECIPE
Homemade French onion dip served with wavy potato chips. One chip is sticking out of the top of the dip bowl.
French Onion Dip
A creamy dip loaded with caramelized onions is the perfect party dip to serve a crowd.
GET FRENCH ONION DIP RECIPE
A close-up of a glazed meatball covered in thick barbecue and grape jelly sauce, held by a wooden toothpick. More crockpot meatballs are visible in the background, coated in the glossy sauce.
Crockpot Meatballs in Grape Jelly and BBQ Sauce
Frozen meatballs cooked low and slow in a sweet and savory sauce make the perfect toothpick appetizer. Plus, you will love how easy this classic recipe is with only 3 ingredients!
GET CROCKPOT BBQ GRAPE JELLY MEATBALLS RECIPE
A tree-shaped appetizer display made of skewers of cherry tomatoes, cubed cheese, rolled salami slices, grapes, and rosemary sprigs, all arranged symmetrically around the form.
Christmas Charcuterie Tree
This charcuterie tree stands tall for an extra special way to present an assortment of meats and cheeses this holiday season!
GET CHRISTMAS CHARCUTERIE TREE RECIPE
Cold and creamy Knorr spinach dip served with sliced bread pieces for dipping.
Knorr Spinach Dip
This cold, creamy spinach dip is made with just 5 ingredients and can be prepared ahead of time for easy entertaining.
GET KNORR SPINACH DIP RECIPE
A pigs in a blanket wreath christmas appetizer made of golden crescent-wrapped lil smokies with rosemary and grated cheese, circling a bowl of ketchup on a white plate.
Pigs In A Blanket Wreath
Made with crescent roll dough and little smokies, this festive Christmas appetizer is easy to assemble, festive to look at, and fun to eat. Serve it with your favorite dip in the center of the wreath!
GET PIGS IN A BLANKET WREATH RECIPE
A close-up top view of a Christmas tree-shaped dish filled with layered taco dip, including refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, olives, and green onions. A marbled cheese star tops the tree, and the dish is surrounded by round tortilla chips.
Christmas Taco Dip
A Christmas twist on a classic dip, this layered taco dip is served in a Christmas tree dish.
GET CHRISTMAS TACO DIP RECIPE
A close-up of a tortilla chip being dipped into the hot, melted chili cheese dip, showing the rich layers of melted cheddar and chili.
3-Ingredient Chili Cheese Dip
A simple, warm, and hearty dip made with cream cheese, canned chili, and melty cheddar makes the perfect party appetizer!
GET CHILI CHEESE DIP RECIPE
Charcuterie Cups
These charcuterie cups are the cutest thing on any holiday table. Just fill them with your favorite cheeses, meats, fruits, and a little rosemary for festive flair. A fun, grab-and-go appetizer everyone will love.
Get Charcuterie Cups Recipe
Ham and cheese puff pastry Christmas tree with crispy edges, layers of ham, melted cheese, and a parsley garnish, finished with a small cheddar star on top.
Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
Flaky puffed pastry baked into the shape of Christmas trees with layers of ham and pepper jack throughout. Topped with a cheese star and served on a stick, these are so much fun!
GET PUFF PASTRY CHRISTMAS TREES RECIPE
Crescent rolls baked in the shape of a Christmas tree.
Crescent Roll Christmas Tree
Savory, pull-apart cheese bread shaped like a Christmas tree is easy to make using Pillsbury crescent dough and garlic and herb Boursin!
GET CRESCENT ROLL CHRISTMAS TREE RECIPE
Little Smokies Cocktail Sausages in a slow cooker with a wooden spoon.
Crockpot Little Smokies
3 ingredients and a slow cooker are all you need to make this dump-and-set recipe that is ready to serve by the time your crowd arrives!
GET CROCKPOT LITTLE SMOKIES RECIPE
Triscuit crackers with cream cheese, bacon, and tomato on a platter
Easy Holiday Triscuit Appetizer
An easy, 10-minute appetizer that is simple and elegant and completely customizable!
GET TRISCUIT APPETIZER RECIPE
Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip served with sliced bread
Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Creamy, briny, and loaded with spinach, this classic dip is served warm and gooey with your favorite dippers!
GET SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP RECIPE
Buffalo chicken cheese balls with bacon on the outside and tooth picks sticking out on top.
Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls
These bite-sized toothpick appetizers are made with 2 kinds of cheese, chicken, Buffalo sauce, and ranch seasoning rolled in bacon bits for so much flavor in every bite.
GET BUFFALO CHICKEN CHEESE BALLS RECIPE

I hope you enjoy these Christmas party appetizer ideas and have a very Merry Christmas!

For Christmas Party recipes consider these No Bake Christmas Treats, Christmas Candy Recipes, or Christmas Treats for Kids.

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