Top left Christmas charcuterie board, top right Christmas tree cheese ball, bottom left Christmas tree ornament, bottom right snowman cheeseball.

40 Christmas Appetizers That’ll Make Your Holiday Party Festive

What better way to kick off your holiday party than with some festive Christmas appetizers?

We’ve rounded up the best holiday starters, from Christmas-themed charcuterie boards to cranberry brie bites and pomegranate salsa.

These Christmas appetizers are so good that they’ll outshine the main course.

Christmas Deviled Eggs

Christmas deviled eggs on a wood cutting board.
Photo Credit: xoxoBella

Serving deviled eggs is always a crowd-pleaser, and these get a holiday makeover with red bell peppers and fresh rosemary sprigs. The garnishes give the eggs a pop of Christmas colors.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Deviled Eggs

Christmas Charcuterie Board

Christmas charcuterie board with star cutout brie in middle.
Photo Credit: Wholefully

This festive charcuterie board is filled with sweet and savory snacks that guests can enjoy before the main course. Using a cookie cutter to make the star shape in the brie is such a fun idea.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Charcuterie Board

Ranch Snowman Cheeseball

Snow man cheese ball with crackers on the side.
Photo Credit: Baking Beauty

Who can resist a tasty ranch cheeseball shaped like an adorable snowman? Adding shredded mozzarella cheese to the cheeseball gives it a snow texture; what a clever idea!

Get the Recipe: Ranch Snowman Cheeseball

Cranberry Meatballs

Cranberry meatballs on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living

Chicken meatballs are covered in a cranberry sauce infused with orange, cinnamon, and honey flavor. This appetizer isn’t heavy and is perfect for saving room for the main course.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Meatballs

Christmas Wreath Guacamole

Guacamole wreath in a white plate on a white background.
Photo Credit: Lesswithlaur

Shaping guacamole into a wreath will be a hit at any Christmas potluck or party. Garnishing the wreath with pomegranate seeds and cherry tomatoes adds even more holiday cheer to this appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Wreath Guacamole

Charcuterie Tree

Charcuterie tree on a white tile background.
Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester

While this charcuterie tree might take a little more time to make than some of the other appetizers on this list, the extra effort will impress everyone.

Included are easy step-by-step instructions so you can easily make this showstopping charcuterie Christmas tree.

Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Tree

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

Pigs in a blanket wreath on a cutting board.
Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

An appetizer both kids and adults will enjoy, this pigs in a blanket wreath only takes 10 minutes to prep. Adding tomatoes and rosemary sprigs is a beautiful touch.

Get the Recipe: Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

Christmas Queso

Christmas queso in a white bowl on a wood table.
Photo Credit: Two Pink Peonies

This queso recipe is ready in just 25 minutes, and the chopped tomatoes and cilantro on top give it a pop of festive color. There are directions for making it on the stove or in a slow cooker.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Queso

Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

Cheese puff pastry chrismtas tree on brown paper.
Photo Credit: Sims Home Kitchen

This cheesy garlic puff pastry tree will win over everyone at your Christmas party. It’s loaded with fresh garlic and is such a cute appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

Christmas tree cheese ball on a white tray.
Photo Credit: Zen and Honey

One look at this impressive Christmas tree cheese ball will have everyone saying, “Wow!” This cheeseball is packed with sundried tomatoes, cheddar cheese, green onions, and other yummy flavors.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

Santa Brie Charcuterie Board

Santa charcuterie board on a wood background.
Photo Credit: Brooklyn Active Mama

Using pepperoni to make Santa’s hat is so clever! We love this easy holiday charcuterie board because it’s made with just four ingredients, and you can easily make it ahead of time.

Get the Recipe: Santa Brie Charcuterie Board

Pomegranate Salsa

Pomegranate salsa in a white bowl.
Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens

Using pomegranates in salsa is such a unique idea that guests will go crazy for. The spice level is customizable depending on how much chopped jalapenos are added to the salsa.

Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Salsa

Festive Goat Cheese Balls

Goat cheese balls next to crackers on a white background.
Photo Credit: Blend with Spices

These goat cheese balls are packed with dried cranberries, cream cheese, and pistachios. It’s one of those appetizers that is fancy enough to impress everyone but is super easy to make.

Get the Recipe: Festive Goat Cheese Balls

Christmas Tree Veggie Pizza

Christmas tree veggie pizza on a cookie sheet.
Photo Credit: On My Kid’s Plate

Made with Crescent dough sheets, this cold veggie pizza is loaded with whipped chive cream cheese and an assortment of veggies.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Veggie Pizza

Basil Pesto Star Bread

Star bread on a white background.
Photo Credit: Bakers Stable

Impress your friends and family with this gorgeous basil pesto star bread. This pull-apart bread recipe is perfect for someone who wants a fun holiday baking project.

Get the Recipe: Basil Pesto Star Bread

Pineapple Cranberry Brie Crescent Ring

Crescent roll appetizer ring with herb garnish and red dipping sauce in the middle on a cutting board.
Photo Credit: xoxoBella

A must-make holiday appetizer, this beautiful brie crescent ring features pineapple, cranberry, and pecans.

Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cranberry Brie Crescent Ring

Pesto Ornament Cheese Balls

Cheeseball ornaments on a white tray with crackers.
Photo Credit: Make With Mara

Hands down, this is one of the cutest cheese balls and looks just like a Christmas ornament. It’s filled with sun-dried tomatoes and pesto in every bite.

Since these are smaller, you’ll want to make more than one cheese ball to feed a crowd.

Get the Recipe: Pesto Ornament Cheese Balls

Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread

Pizza roll tree on a white background.
Photo Credit: Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen

This recipe calls for frozen rolls, which will save you so much time than making everything from scratch. It’s decorated beautifully with rosemary sprigs and cherry tomatoes.

Get the Recipe: Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread

Cranberry Compote with Brie

Cranberry bruchetta on a tray.
Photo Credit: Thrifty Jinxy

The fresh cranberry compote and brie are a lip-smacking combo and taste amazing on toasted bread.

This is our top pick if you need an impressive starter for your holiday dinner. No one will guess how simple this dish is to make.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Compote with Brie

Charcuterie Chalet

Charcuterie house with green herbs in front.
Photo Credit: Dash of Jazz

If you want something different from your basic charcuterie board, why not make a whimsical charcuterie chalet? It’s similar to a gingerbread house but made with savory charcuterie board fixings.

Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Chalet

Tortellini Caprese Skewers

Tortellini Caprese Skewers on a white background.
Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester

Made with fresh cherry tomatoes, basil, and balsamic, these tortellini Caprese skewers couldn’t be easier to assemble.

Get the Recipe: Tortellini Caprese Skewers

Festive Christmas Focaccia

Bread with a Christmas tree made out of herbs and tomatoes on top.
Photo Credit: Lynn’s Way of Life

This homemade focaccia bread recipe is just about the best thing ever. We’re loving the Christmas tree garnishes on top, so creative!

Get the Recipe: Festive Christmas Focaccia

Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry brie pites on a dark background.
Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud

Using canned crescent roll dough cuts down on the amount of ingredients you need to buy and is practically foolproof. The pistachios give these cranberry brie bites the perfect amount of saltiness.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

Fruit Christmas Tree

Christmas tree made out of fruit on a light background.
Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living

Take your holiday table to showstopping status by showcasing this edible Christmas tree made of colorful fruit.

Guests will appreciate that you’ve also included a healthy option for them to snack on before filling up on Christmas goodies.

Get the Recipe: Fruit Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree Pizza Bites

Christmas tree pizza bites on a dark background.
Photo Credit: Cooking My Dreams

Grab some store-bought puff pastry sheets and make the easiest Christmas tree shaped pizza bites. Pile on your favorite pizza toppings and watch them disappear right off the plate.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Pizza Bites

Charcuterie Wreath

Charcuterie wreath on a plate on a wood background.
Photo Credit: I Heart Eating

Need a no-bake Christmas appetizer that’s easy to make? This charcuterie wreath features an assortment of salami, prosciutto, pepperoncini peppers, mozzarella bars, and more. 

Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Wreath

Spicy Cranberry Shrimp

Cranberry shrimp on a white plate.
Photo Credit: A Grateful Meal

This shrimp recipe is filled with cranberry flavor, and the jalapeno gives it the perfect kick. You can use jellied or whole-berry canned cranberry sauce to make this yummy appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Cranberry Shrimp

Puff Pastry Pesto Trees

Pesto puff pastry trees on a stick on a dark background.
Photo Credit: Cooking My Dreams

You only need three ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time to make these puff pastry pesto trees. They come out perfectly golden and are the perfect portable appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Pesto Trees

Christmas Tree Cheese Appetizer

Christmas tree pretzel  and cheese appetizer on a wood background.
Photo Credit: Two Kids and a Coupon

These adorable cheese wedge Christmas trees are made with just four ingredients. Using a pretzel rod for the Christmas tree trunk is a great idea.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Cheese Appetizer

Festive Brie Bruschetta

Brie bruschetta on a wood background.
Photo Credit: Muy Bueno

This brie bruschetta crostini appetizer has the perfect balance of sweetness from the pomegranate seeds and apricot preserves.

Get the Recipe: Festive Brie Bruschetta

Pull Apart Sausage Roll Wreath

Cranberry sausage ring on a wood background.
Photo Credit: Culinary Ginger

This pull-apart wreath consists of pieces of sausage wrapped in puff pastry. Also included is a recipe for apple cranberry sauce for dipping.

Get the Recipe: Pull Apart Sausage Roll Wreath

Italian Burrata Stuffed Tomatoes

Italian burrata stufed tomatoes on a wooden cutting board.
Photo Credit: xoxoBella

Made with only four ingredients, these stuffed burrata cheese tomatoes only take 10 minutes to make.

Get the Recipe: Italian Burrata Stuffed Tomatoes

Christmas Tree Appetizers

Christmas tree sandwiches on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Love from the Oven

Both kids and adults will gobble up these tasty Christmas trees made with sausage, cheese, and bread. Make sure to remove the toothpick before serving to younger children.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Appetizers

Charcuterie Cones

Charcuterie cones filled with meat and fruit on a wire rack.
Photo Credit: A Grateful Meal

These cones are a great alternative to a charcuterie board, and since they’re a handheld appetizer, your guests can walk around and socialize.

To make this appetizer even more festive, tie a holiday-colored ribbon around the cones.

Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Cones

Hummus Wreath

Hummus wreath on a glass plate.
Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens

This make-ahead hummus wreath is a lighter option that won’t make you too full for the main course. This recipe uses store-bought hummus and jazzes it up with feta, green onions, and other ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Hummus Wreath

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach dip in a white bowl with bread.
Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

You can’t go wrong with spinach artichoke dip, and this recipe only takes five minutes to prep. Some tasty flavor variations are included, such as adding hot sauce for a little heat.

Get the Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Dip

Italian Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Italian pinwheels shaped like Christmas trees.
Photo Credit: The Delicious Spoon

These Italian pinwheels are made with cream cheese, roasted red peppers, olives, and other ingredients. Either stacking the pinwheels to make a big Christmas tree or shaping them into smaller trees is such an adorable idea.

Get the Recipe: Italian Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Fresh Feta Dip

Fresh feta dip in a wood bowl.
Photo Credit: Noshing with the Nolands

Anyone who enjoys feta will love this cold Greek yogurt-based dip. It’s made with wholesome ingredients and will have everyone begging for the recipe.

Get the Recipe: Fresh Feta Dip

Mediterranean Crescent Ring

Mediterranean Crescent Ring made of golden dough on a grey baking sheet.
Photo Credit: Erica’s Recipes

With almost 80,000 shares on social media and excellent reviews, this recipe is guaranteed to be good.

It’s made with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients and is a fabulous vegetarian appetizer option.

Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Crescent Ring

Christmas Butter Board

Christmas tree butter board on a wood tray.
Photo Credit: Homemade Heather

This viral Tik-Tok inspired butter board is a unique appetizer your friends and family will love. They’ll love loading up bread with butter, smoked salmon, herbs, caviar, and other tasty goodies.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Butter Board

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