Appetizers always seem to steal the show during holiday gatherings, especially when they come out looking extra cute or colorful.
And there’s something about festive Christmas appetizers that gets everyone circling the table before dinner even starts.
They’re easy to share, fun to make, and honestly half the time people fill up on them before the main meal even hits the oven.
With a mix of warm bites, fresh snacks, and a few playful holiday shapes, you can set out a spread that keeps everyone happy while you relax a little.
So here are plenty of ideas to help you load up your Christmas Eve table without overthinking a thing.
1. Cranberry Brie Stars
You can make these cute little stars with a sheet of puff pastry, a small cookie cutter, and some brie tucked inside.
Add a spoon of cranberry sauce on top before baking so it melts right into the cheese while the pastry puffs up.
I like brushing the tops with a little egg wash because it gives them that shiny bakery look.
Bake until the edges turn golden and set them on a platter for everyone to grab.
2. Caprese Wreath
This one basically dresses up a classic caprese salad for the holiday table!
Arrange cherry tomatoes, small mozzarella balls, and fresh basil in a ring on a large plate.
Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze so everything tastes bright and festive.
Tuck in a few rosemary sprigs for that holiday touch.
Serve with small skewers so guests can build their own bites.
3. Pull-Apart Garlic Bread Tree
Roll pizza dough or biscuit dough into small balls and shape them into a tree on a baking sheet.
Brush the tops with garlic butter and sprinkle with parmesan and herbs.
Bake until the edges turn golden and everything smells warm and savory.
Set a bowl of marinara in the center for dipping.
Let guests pull pieces straight from the tree!
4. Roasted Grape and Whipped Goat Cheese Crostini
Roast grapes with a little oil and salt until they soften and burst.
Spread whipped goat cheese over toasted baguette slices.
Spoon the warm grapes on top so they sink into the cheese.
Add cracked pepper or a drizzle of honey for an extra layer of flavor.
Set them out while the grapes are still warm.
5. Candy Cane Pizza
Shape pizza dough into a long rectangle, then cut in about a third of the way in on both sides.
Spread on pizza sauce, add some toppings and sprinkle with mozzarella.
Fold the cut pieces over then shape the whole thing into a candy cane
Bake until the cheese melts and the edges brown.
6. Christmas Tree Mini Pizzas
Use a tree-shaped cookie cutter to press shapes out of pizza dough.
Place the cutouts on a sheet pan and top with sauce and cheese.
Add mini pepperoni or chopped veggies as ornaments.
Bake until the cheese bubbles and the edges crisp slightly.
Serve warm right from the pan.
7. Cranberry Meatballs
Simmer frozen or homemade meatballs in a sauce made from cranberry sauce and barbecue sauce.
Let everything bubble until the meatballs soak up the glaze.
Add a pinch of chili flakes or garlic powder to adjust the flavor.
Keep them warm in a slow cooker for serving.
Place toothpicks beside the pot so guests can grab a few.
8. Hummus Wreath
A hummus wreath is great when you want something lighter on the table.
Spread hummus in a ring on a wide plate and smooth the top.
Add chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and parsley around the circle.
Drizzle a little olive oil over everything.
Place pita triangles or crackers around the edge.
9. Candy Cane Salmon and Cucumber
Thin slices of salmon and cucumber make a simple holiday pattern.
Arrange alternating stripes on a long platter in a candy cane curve.
Add a little lemon juice and cracked pepper on top.
Set a small bowl of dill dip beside it.
Chill until serving so the cucumbers stay crisp.
10. Pinwheel Christmas Tree
I’ve made these for quick potlucks because they’re so easy to slice and arrange.
Spread spinach tortillas with cream cheese and your fillings of choice, then roll them tight.
Slice into pinwheels and stack them in a tree shape on a platter.
Add a small bowl of ranch or salsa at the base as the “tree stand.”
Top with a tiny star made from a piece of cheese.
11. Bourbon Bacon Jam Crostinis
These crostinis are rich and savory, perfect for a cozy spread.
Toast baguette slices until lightly crisp.
Spoon warm bacon jam over the top and finish with a crumble of goat cheese.
Add chopped herbs if you want a little brightness.
Serve while the jam is still warm for the best flavor.
12. Ornament Cheese Ball
Shape the cheese mixture into a smooth round ball and chill it so it firms up.
Press pomegranate seeds all over the outside to give it a bright, glossy look.
Add a pretzel stick or a small piece of pepper at the top to mimic the ornament hook.
Serve with crackers arranged around the plate.
13. Snowman Cheese Ball
How cute is this?
Shape two cheese balls covered in shredded mozza, one slightly smaller, and stack them to form the body.
Use peppercorns or small veggie pieces to build the face and buttons.
You can also add a thin slice of bell pepper for a scarf.
Surround the tray with crackers or sliced vegetables.
14. Rudolph Cheese Ball
I think this one is even cuter!
Form a cheese ball and coat it with crushed nuts for texture.
Press pretzels in for antlers, add olives for eyes, and use a cherry tomato for the nose.
Place crackers and veggies around it so people can dig in.
15. Guacamole Grinch
Who wouldn’t love to serve a up a Grinch guacamole?
Spoon guacamole into a shallow bowl and smooth the top so you have a good base to work with.
If you’re really creative, you can turn into a Grinch head shape!
Add green olive slices for the eyes and place black olive pieces for the mouth and eyebrows.
Use small round tortillas and chopped tomato to make the hat.
Surround his face with things to dip and you’re all set.
16. Cranberry Chicken Wings
Coat wings in a mixture of cranberry sauce, garlic, soy sauce, and a little brown sugar so they pick up a sweet and tangy glaze.
Bake them until they develop some color, then brush on more sauce halfway through.
Add chopped green onions or sesame seeds before serving for a little contrast.
Keep a stack of napkins nearby since these tend to get sticky fast!
17. Bruschetta Wreath
Arrange toasted baguette slices in a wide ring on a large platter.
Spoon a classic bruschetta mix over the pieces, letting some of the tomato spill slightly over the edges for color.
Tuck fresh basil leaves between a few slices to add a little greenery.
Place a small bowl of balsamic glaze in the center so people can drizzle their own.
18. Garlic Star Bread
A star shape always gets some attention on the table.
Layer strips of dough with garlic butter and cheese, twist each section gently, and form the points of the star.
Brush the top with more garlic butter before baking so it develops a soft shine.
Place a bowl of marinara nearby so guests can pull pieces apart and dip them.
19. Goat Cheese with Fig Jam and Pecans
I reach for this one when I want something fast but still rich.
Spread goat cheese in a small bowl and spoon fig jam over the top.
Scatter chopped pecans so each bite has sweetness and crunch.
Hand out small crackers so people can build their own little stack.
20. Cranberry Pecan Christmas Trees
These are so easy to make!
Mix cream cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheddar until smooth, then chill it so it sets firmly.
Shape the mixture into small trees and press crushed Ritz crumbs on the outside to create a buttery crust.
Scatter chopped cranberries and pecans over the surface for color and texture.
Add a pretzel stick at the bottom for the trunk.
21. Santa Charcuterie
This one looks like so much fun to put together!
Strawberries work well for the hat, so place them along the top edge of the board and build downward.
Add sliced cheese in the center to create the face area.
Arrange garlic knots or mozzarella balls below that section to form the beard.
Use a cherry tomato for the nose and add olives or small veggie pieces for the eyes.
22. Maple Cranberry Baked Brie
Warm brie pairs really well with sweet toppings, so this one fits right in on a Christmas Eve table.
Set a wheel of brie in a small baking dish and spoon maple syrup and cranberry sauce over the top.
Bake until the cheese softens and the topping starts to run slightly.
Add chopped pecans for crunch and place crackers around the dish for dipping.
23. Caprese Candy Cane
Arrange slices of tomato and mozzarella in a long curve on a platter.
You can fill in the spaces with some fresh basil.
Add a little oil and balsamic vinegar over the top to bring the flavors together.
Keep small skewers nearby so guests can pick up pieces easily.
24. Deviled Egg Christmas Trees
To make these cute little deviled eggs, add a little green food coloring or finely chopped herbs to tint the filling.
Pipe the mixture with a star tip if you want more definition in the tree lines.
Top with little star crackers and use pomegranates for ornaments.
25. Sausage Roll Wreath
Roll puff pastry around a sausage mixture and slice it into thick rounds.
Arrange the pieces in a wreath shape on a baking sheet, leaving a little space between them so they puff evenly.
Brush the tops with egg wash for color and sprinkle sesame seeds or herbs.
Set a bowl of mustard or cranberry sauce in the center so people can dip each piece.
26. Mini Beef Brisket Pies
Fill small pastry rounds with shredded brisket that’s been warmed in its sauce.
Fold and crimp the edges so the filling stays contained while baking.
Add a small slit on top so steam can escape and the pastry cooks evenly.
Serve with a little extra sauce on the side for anyone who wants more.
27. Christmas Tree Veggie Platter
I love this one because it’s so easy to put together!
Arrange your favorite fresh veggies a wide triangle to mimic a tree.
You can add cherry tomatoes as ornaments and use star-shaped piece of cheese on the top.
Place a small bowl of ranch or hummus at the bottom as the base.
28. Pomegranate Goat Cheese Bites
Spoon whipped goat cheese into mini phyllo shells so they have a creamy base.
Add a few pomegranate seeds on top for color and a little crunch.
Drizzle a tiny bit of honey over each cup to balance the tanginess.
Sprinkle chopped pistachios or pecans for texture and set them on a platter for easy grabbing.
Holiday Nibbles to Keep Everyone Happy!
Christmas Eve usually brings a mix of hungry kids, chatty adults, and that moment where everyone ends up gathered around the food table anyway, so having a bunch of easy appetizers ready to go makes the whole night smoother.
Pick a few that feel doable, prep what you can ahead of time, and let everyone grab what they like without fuss.
You don’t need anything complicated here, just simple bites that keep people snacking while you enjoy the evening with them.
