17 Appetizers That Work for Any Christmas Party

Holiday gatherings call for easy bites that bring festive color and bold flavor to the table. From playful themed cheese balls to elegant crostini, this list highlights small dishes that bring charm and variety. Whether you’re putting together a themed board or looking for one standout appetizer, these ideas offer fun and flair for any holiday spread. Here’s a list of appetizers that range from quick air fryer favorites to beautifully designed snacks made to impress.

Christmas Charcuterie Board

A festive charcuterie board with assorted meats, cheeses, fruits, crackers, and a cheese dip topped with pomegranate seeds shaped like a Christmas tree, on a red snowflake napkin.
Christmas Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

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This themed board layers meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts in holiday shapes for a fun centerpiece. Arrange items in the shape of a tree, star, or wreath to bring out the seasonal theme. Add pops of red and green using grapes, berries, and olives. It’s a great option for grazing while guests mingle.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Charcuterie Board

Christmas Deviled Eggs – Holiday Appetizer

A wooden serving board with deviled eggs topped with diced red and yellow peppers and rosemary sprigs, surrounded by more rosemary, with green linens and garlic in the background.
Christmas Deviled Eggs – Holiday Appetizer. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella .

These deviled eggs get a festive twist with tinted fillings or decorative toppings. You can pipe the yolk mixture in tree or wreath shapes with herbs for a bright touch. They’re bite-sized and easy to make ahead. A classic appetizer with a seasonal upgrade.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Deviled Eggs – Holiday Appetizer

Christmas Poinsettia Focaccia Bread

Rectangular focaccia bread topped with red bell pepper slices, cherry tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, and arugula arranged in floral patterns, in a white baking dish on a white surface.
Christmas Poinsettia Focaccia Bread. Photo credit: xoxo Bella .

This focaccia is topped with thin vegetables arranged like poinsettia petals. Bell peppers and red onions give the bread a bold holiday look. The soft texture and golden crust make it a standout addition to the table. Serve warm or at room temperature with dips.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Poinsettia Focaccia Bread

Christmas Reindeer Cheese Ball

A holiday cheese ball decorated as a reindeer with pretzel antlers, olives and tomato face, surrounded by crackers, cheese cubes, nuts, grapes, pickles, and other snacks.
Christmas Reindeer Cheese Ball. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella .

Shaped like a reindeer head, this cheese ball adds fun to any platter. Pretzels serve as antlers while olives and peppers create the face. It’s made with cream cheese and cheddar for a rich, spreadable dip. Surround with crackers, veggies, or pita chips.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Reindeer Cheese Ball

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board with assorted cheeses, meats, crackers, pretzels, olives, fruits, jam, dried apricots, and a glass of red wine on a white surface.
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella .

Layered in a tree shape with rows of meats, cheeses, fruits, and herbs, this board adds visual appeal. Use rosemary as the “branches” for a fragrant detail. Vary textures and colors for contrast from top to bottom. It’s a festive take on a classic snack board.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

Christmas Tree Cheese Platter

Cubes of cheddar and marbled cheese with grape tomatoes arranged on a wooden board in a triangular shape, garnished with rosemary sprigs.
Christmas Tree Cheese Platter. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

This platter stacks cubes of cheese in a triangular tree layout. Alternate cheese types with grapes, olives, or cherry tomatoes for color. Top with a star-shaped slice of yellow cheese. It’s simple to build and easy to serve.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Cheese Platter

Cranberry and Cream Cheese Dip

Baked brie topped with cranberries, rosemary, and melted cheese in a skillet, served with sliced baguette on a wooden board.
Cranberry and Cream Cheese Dip. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

This dip layers tart cranberry sauce over a block of cream cheese for a colorful combo. Add chopped green onions or jalapeños for a sweet and spicy bite. Serve with crackers or toasted baguette slices. It takes just minutes to assemble.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry and Cream Cheese Dip

Sausage Roll Wreath

A festive pastry shaped like a sunflower with a bowl of cranberry sauce in the center, surrounded by evergreen branches and Christmas ornaments.
Sausage Roll Wreath. Photo credit: Tessie’s Table.

Puff pastry wrapped around sausage filling forms a pull-apart wreath. Brushed with egg wash and sprinkled with sesame seeds, it bakes to a golden finish. Serve with mustard or dipping sauces in the center. It’s both tasty and decorative.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Roll Wreath

Charcuterie Wreath

A white plate arranged with skewers holding mozzarella balls, tomatoes, olives, artichokes, salami, and fresh herbs, forming a wreath shape.
Charcuterie Wreath. Photo credit: I heart Eating.

This board arranges cured meats, cheeses, and extras in a circular wreath shape. Add rosemary sprigs for greenery and berries for pops of red. Use skewers or toothpicks for easy grabbing. It works as a centerpiece and a snack all in one.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Wreath

Cranberry jalapeño salsa

A white bowl filled with cranberry salsa, surrounded by whole jalapeños, crackers, cranberries, chopped herbs, and a slice of red onion.
Cranberry jalapeño salsa. Photo credit: Hungry Whisk.

This fresh salsa blends cranberries with jalapeños, cilantro, and lime. It’s a bright and spicy topping for cream cheese or a dip on its own. The mix of tart and heat works well with chips or crostini. It’s a colorful addition to any appetizer spread.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry jalapeño salsa

Christmas Pinwheels

A stack of spinach tortilla pinwheels filled with cream cheese and vegetables, garnished with whole cherry tomatoes on a white plate.
Christmas Pinwheels. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Tortilla pinwheels filled with cream cheese, spinach, and roasted red peppers are rolled up and sliced. Their red and green colors make them a seasonal snack. They’re quick to prep and hold up well on platters. Serve chilled or at room temp.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Pinwheels

Christmas Tree Board

A festive charcuterie board arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree, featuring meats, cheeses, crackers, vegetables, and herbs, with holiday decorations and ribbon.
Christmas Tree Board. Photo credit: Flavor Mosaic.

Similar to other tree boards but with more variety in layout and shape. You can include sweets, savory snacks, or a mix depending on your spread. The idea is to arrange everything in a tall tree-like format. It’s a creative base for finger foods.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Board

Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry

Mini puff pastry tarts filled with cranberry sauce and cheese, garnished with rosemary, on a wooden board with cranberries and herbs in the background.
Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry. Photo credit: An Edible Mosaic.

Puff pastry squares filled with brie and cranberry sauce bake into golden bites. The cheese melts into the flaky crust while the cranberries add tartness. Top with thyme or chopped pecans for extra texture. These disappear fast from appetizer trays.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry

Bourbon Bacon Jam Crostini

Toasted baguette slices topped with cheese, caramelized onions, and fresh herbs on parchment paper.
Bourbon Bacon Jam Crostini. Photo credit: The Savory Cipolla.

Toasted baguette slices are topped with rich bacon jam cooked down with bourbon and onions. The result is smoky, sweet, and slightly tangy. Garnish with fresh herbs or a slice of brie for more flavor. It’s an upscale snack with bold taste.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Bacon Jam Crostini

Apple Cranberry Chutney

A bowl filled with chunky cranberry relish containing pieces of fruit and onion, placed on a red and white striped cloth next to a spoon.
Apple Cranberry Chutney. Photo credit: Right at home.

This chutney blends apples, cranberries, vinegar, and spices into a chunky relish. Serve over cream cheese or as a spread for crackers and breads. The flavors are both sweet and tart. It works well with cheese boards or meat-based appetizers.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Chutney

Dill salmon mousse

A hand spreads caviar-topped mousse onto a cracker over a rectangular white dish, with a napkin featuring red and green embroidery in the foreground.
Dill salmon mousse. Photo credit: In the Kitch.

A creamy mousse made with smoked salmon, dill, and lemon is chilled and piped onto crackers or cucumbers. The texture is light and airy with a strong flavor. Garnish with extra dill or capers. It’s a refined choice for seafood lovers.
Get the Recipe: Dill salmon mousse

Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Plate of seasoned sweet potato fries garnished with parsley and salt, served with a creamy dipping sauce and a wedge of lime on the side.
Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Hungry Whisk.

These wedges cook up crisp outside and tender inside with minimal oil. Tossed with spices like paprika or garlic for added flavor. Serve with dipping sauces like aioli or sour cream. They’re a hearty, warm addition to your holiday snacks.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

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