~ These Cute Christmas Appetizers make any gathering feel more festive! Loaded with personality and far more pizazz than typical appetizers, these recipes have real WOW factor! Great ideas for everything from appetizer buffets to holiday potluck get-togethers, or as starters for a special Christmas dinner. ~
Everything should feel more festive at Christmastime – and food is no exception. (I mean … why stop with only decking your halls, when you can deck out your tables, too!?!)
At this time of year, you want your recipes to be extra-special. To be true attention-grabbers that everybody comments on … and eagerly requests year after year.
These cute Christmas appetizers are perfect examples!
They go beyond typical party snacks to really shout “Merry Christmas”!
They’re the kind of nibbles everyone at the party will gravitate to. Practically worthy to be centerpieces!
You’ll notice that some of these Christmas-themed appetizers rely on clever shapes. Like turning “regular” recipes into cute things like ornaments, Santa, or Christmas trees.
And, some of them are just so darn Christmas-y because of their colors and holiday flavors.
Some of ’em have it all – fun shapes, Christmas colors, cute presentation … the works!
True showstoppers.
Choose one … or several. Tuck the ideas away for last-minute gatherings that pop up, and for the moments you really, really want to impress.
Enjoy … and Merry, Merry Christmas!
Cute Christmas Appetizers
Easy Christmas Appetizer "Hummus Wreath"
So quick to make, but guaranteed to impress! Even better? It can be made completely ahead – total bonus during the busy holiday season!
String Cheese Snowman Caprese Salad Appetizer
I mean ... how unbelievably cute are these little guys?!? Adults and kids alike will be absolutely charmed, and you can never go wrong with caprese flavors!
Olive Christmas Tree Appetizer
Simple to make, but an impressive showpiece that's sure to win raves! Make it a day ahead if needed, to keep entertaining stress-free!
Pretzel Reindeer Bites
These super-cute reindeer are a terrific sweet treat on your appetizer buffet. Bonus: you can prep them ahead and store 'em in the fridge for a week, or in your freezer for up to 3 months!
Christmas Tree Cheese Board
Follow this template to turn your cheese board into a darling Christmas tree. Really versatile, with great suggestions to help you switch up the ingredients any way you'd like!
Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls
These look just like little ornaments! Green chives and crimson cranberries lend lots of festive color, and pecans add irresistible crunch – both inside, and out. They can be made ahead, too (but be sure to note the suggestion to add the pretzels just before serving).
Christmas Tree Dip
An absolute party headliner! Layers of scrumptious, bold Mediterranean flavors make it addictive … and its cute holiday “tree” shape makes it the centerpiece of any buffet. But, luckily, it’s quick and easy to whip up. (We’re talking 10 minutes here – seriously!) So, you definitely won’t mind when everyone requests that you make it year after year!
Antipasto Wreath
To make this showstopper, simply arrange antipasto skewers into a cheer-filled wreath shape and decorate with aromatic rosemary. Includes a long list of possible ingredient options, plus suggestions for keeping the color scheme Christmas-y.
Snowman Cheeseball
So darling! Offer up this jolly fella with plenty of whole grain crackers and crunchy veggies to keep him on the healthier side. He's sure to be the hit of the Christmas party!
Fruit Christmas Tree
Way more WOW factor than a standard fruit tray! Use the clever edible fruit base to build your own masterpiece. A fun "art project" kiddos will enjoy helping you out with, too!
Hummus and Sausage-Stuffed Tomatoes
These minis are adorably petite – an ideal size for guests to pop in their mouthes as they breeze by the food table. These would be great practically any time of year, but the red and green colors make them holiday-perfect!
Cute Christmas Appetizer – Christmas Tree Veggie Tray
Veggie trays are a staple on appetizer buffet tables. But that doesn't mean they can't be extra fun, extra cute for Christmas! And just look how easy this idea is!
Christmas Wreath Guacamole Appetizer
What's always green ... and always a party favorite? Yup ... delicious homemade guac! What a brilliant idea to serve it as a merry Christmas wreath!
Cute Christmas Appetizers
I love her "Lighten Up" tip to swap in nutritious ingredients like cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, and maybe even make the top star out of a bell pepper. So many options ... and super cute no matter what you choose!
Mini Christmas Party Ornaments and Trees
A whole bunch of uniquely creative ideas here! Make the cute little trees, or try one of the ornament ideas ... or go full-on-holiday by making them all!
5-Minute Avocado Ranch Dip with Greek Yogurt
This pretty ranch dip gets its natural green color from creamy avocado. Perfect for a Christmas party, especially surrounded by red and green veggies to complete the color theme!
Simple Savory Christmas Trees
Just 5 ingredients + fun assembly makes these tree-shaped appetizers a joy to make (and definitely joyous to serve)!
Festive Christmas Charcuterie Wreath
This idea is so easy to assemble, and it gives everyone plenty of options to pick and choose just the snackies they like best. My favorite part of all might be her suggestions on how to make those cute rosettes out of the deli meats!
Christmas Tree Sandwiches
For a heartier Christmas appetizer, cut mini sandwiches into iconic winter shapes, like these little Christmas trees. (With suggestions for the best cutter shapes to use and different fillings to try.)
Appetizer Caprese Christmas Wreath
When you're talkin' easy Christmas appetizers, this is seriously about as easy as it gets ... but still so darn cute! Notice the extra-special touch of cutting the accompanying toasts into ornament shapes – ingenious!
Bruschetta Christmas Tree Appetizer
Tasty bruschetta toasts are arranged like a Christmas tree, then made even more jolly with the addition of mozzarella balls and rolled prosciutto "decorations." You can offer extra toasted baguette slices and a bowl of additional topping, so people can make their own bruschetta appetizers as they choose.
Pistachio Nut Cheese with Cranberry Jelly
Need a 100% vegan appetizer that's pretty as a picture? A wreath-shaped mini silicone bundt cake mold is the ideal way to make Christmas-themed appetizers like this one!
Easy Christmas Fruit Kabobs
Does your party's guest list include young kids? They'll adore these charming Grinch hats and Banana Santas!
Cute Christmas First Course Ideas
If you're looking for more of an appetizer course – an impressive starter to kick off a plated, sit-down meal – then what you might need is actually a fun, Christmas themed salad. Any of these next ideas would be a terrific choice!
Christmas Salad with Citrus-Champagne Vinaigrette
A blockbuster-popular holiday recipe, year after year! The winter-y flavors and Champagne Vinaigrette make it absolutely celebratory, especially when you shape this salad as a gorgeous wreath!
Chicken Cobb "Christmas Tree" Holiday Salad
The beloved, classic chicken Cobb salad gets a holiday twist! Hearts of romaine lettuce are perfectly suited to become a “Christmas tree,” complete with tomato-ornaments, a golden pepper-star … even packages under the tree! Surprisingly simple to make, and can even be made ahead!
Christmas Fruit Salad
A refreshing option for holiday brunches, or to break up a heavy, savory Christmas dinner menu. And don't worry if you can't find star fruit for the adorable toppers – we've got tips for using pineapple instead!
Festive Christmas Caprese Salad
The Christmas-y colors of caprese salads make for a darling candy cane. Serve your favorite vinaigrette on the side, or drizzle some oil and vinegar on top just before serving.
How can I get all of these recipes? Is there a nook I can buy?
Hi there, Peg! This is a compilation post of hand-picked recipes from different sites across the Internet. It’s designed as a showcase of ideas to help you easily find fun, cute Christmas recipes that you might like. To get to each appetizer recipe you’re interested in, just click on it and you’ll go straight to the original site that created the appetizer – for the recipe card, more recipe photos, extra tips, substitutions, etc etc. I hope you’ll find lots of ideas you’ll want to try! Happy holidays! 😀 ~Shelley
What a wonderful collection of fun and festive recipes! I want to make everything right now!!
I knooooow! I had so much fun choosing the recipes for this list – so many cute Christmas ideas. I was feeling totally festive and inspired, just looking at all the possibilities! Thank you so much – and merry Christmas!! 😀 ~Shelley