• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Blogging Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Appetizers

    25 Festive Appetizers That Will Start Your Christmas Party Right

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 23, 2025 · Published December 23, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    These 25 festive appetizers are perfect for kicking off your Christmas party. From savory bites to cheesy treats, they will impress your guests and set a cheerful mood. Easy to prepare and full of holiday flavors, these appetizers will make your gathering memorable.

    Chili Lime Party Meatballs

    Chili Lime Party Meatball Appetizer
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Chili Lime Meatballs are a great choice for holiday gatherings. They're quick to make and can be prepped in advance, so you can enjoy the party without spending too much time in the kitchen. With their sweet and tangy flavor, these meatballs are sure to please your guests and kick off the festivities.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Baked Brie

    A baked brie with bread.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baking brie is quick and easy, taking just 25 minutes from start to finish. You can use simple ingredients and customize them to your taste. This warm, cheesy appetizer is great to enjoy with bread or crackers, making it a perfect choice for family dinners or holiday gatherings.

    Get the recipe

    Easy French Onion Soup

    Easy French Onion Soup.
    Photo Credit: Salted Mint.

    French Onion Soup is all about the sweet, caramelized onions mixed with a rich beef broth and topped with melted Gruyere cheese. This dish brings warmth and comfort, making it perfect for any gathering. With its deep flavors and satisfying texture, it's sure to be a hit at your Christmas party.

    Get the Recipe

    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Scampi is a simple and delicious appetizer that comes together in just 10 minutes. The mix of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley creates a lovely smell that will fill your kitchen. This dish is perfect for adding a festive touch to your Christmas party.

    Get the recipe

    Mashed Potato Snowmen

    Mashed Potato Snowman.
    Photo Credit: Vegan Dollhouse.

    Mashed potato snowmen bring a playful twist to your holiday appetizers. They're not only delicious but also a great way to add some festive cheer to your spread. Perfect for gatherings, these little snowmen are sure to be a hit with everyone.

    Get the Recipe

    Bacon Walnut Cheese Ball

    CHEESE BALL RECIPE WITH BACON & WALNUTS.
    Photo credit: Savory With Soul.

    This cheese ball with bacon and walnuts is easy to whip up and full of great flavor. It's a fantastic addition to Christmas parties or any festive get-together, and it's sure to be a hit with everyone. Whether you're hosting or just bringing a dish to share, this appetizer is a crowd-pleaser.

    Get the recipe

    Caprese Garlic Bread

    Caprese Garlic Bread
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Caprese Garlic Bread is a fantastic choice for Christmas parties. It comes together quickly with just a handful of ingredients, making it easy to prepare in about 10 minutes. This appetizer combines the classic flavors of garlic, fresh tomatoes, and mozzarella, perfect for sharing with friends and family during the festive season.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Baked Brie

    Baked brie.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This cheesy appetizer is perfect for Christmas parties or a cozy evening at home. It combines sweet, salty, crunchy, and cheesy flavors, making it a delightful treat. You can easily personalize it by adding your favorite nuts and berries.

    Get the recipe

    Feta Stuffed Dates

    Feta stuffed dates.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These appetizers are perfect for your Christmas party and will be a favorite among your guests. They tend to go fast, so making extra is a smart move.

    Get the recipe

    Christmas Tree Appetizers

    Christmas Tree Appetizers.
    Photo Credit: Little Nomads Recipes.

    Christmas Tree Appetizers bring a cheerful touch to your holiday gathering. With layers of star-shaped puff pastry, egg, ham, and cheese, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone. It's a simple yet festive addition that will brighten up your table and get everyone in the holiday spirit.

    Get the Recipe

    Smoked Salmon Pâté

    Smoked salmon pâté.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Smoked salmon is a great option for a simple appetizer. This spread can be prepared in just a few minutes, making it ideal for holiday get-togethers. It's a tasty way to kick off your Christmas party and impress your guests without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Baked Olive Dip

    Cheesy Baked Olive Dip.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This creamy olive dip is easy to whip up and full of great olive flavor that everyone will love. It can be prepared in advance, making it a perfect option for holiday parties.

    Get the recipe

    Puff Pastry Tomato Tart

    Square slices of puff pastry tomato tart.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This puff pastry tomato tart is super easy to whip up in just 10 minutes using only 6 ingredients. It's perfect as an appetizer or a light meal, especially when you want to showcase those fresh, juicy tomatoes from your garden. This dish brings a touch of brightness to any gathering, making it a great choice for festive occasions.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Tartare

    A salmon tartare on green arugula.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Smoked Salmon Tartare is a classy appetizer that's easy to make ahead of time. It features a nice kick from French Dijon mustard and a hint of rum, topped with crunchy fried capers for extra texture. This dish is perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to your holiday gatherings.

    Get the recipe

    Bacon Wrapped Dates

    Bacon wrapped dates.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These appetizers are easy to make and great for Christmas get-togethers. They bring a festive vibe to your holiday celebrations and don't take much time to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Stuffed Mushrooms with Ricotta and Spinach

    Stuffed Mushrooms with Ricotta and Spinach.
    Photo Credit: Happy Kitchen.

    Vegan stuffed mushrooms are a fantastic appetizer for the holiday season. These mushrooms are packed with a delicious mix of vegan ricotta, spinach, and garlic, then sprinkled with vegan parmesan on top. They provide a tasty twist on the classic stuffed mushrooms and are perfect for anyone looking for gluten- and dairy-free options.

    Get the Recipe

    Meat and Cheese Christmas Trees

    Meat and Cheese Christmas Trees.
    Photo Credit: Conservamom.

    This holiday season brings a simple and enjoyable appetizer with Meat and Cheese Christmas Trees. Made with just three ingredients, this festive treat is perfect for everyone, whether you're hosting kids or adults. It's a fun way to kick off your Christmas party and add some cheer to your table.

    Get the Recipe

    Smoked Deviled Eggs

    Smoked deviled eggs.
    Photo credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Smoked deviled eggs put a fun spin on a classic favorite. They're packed with flavor and make a great appetizer for any gathering. These eggs are sure to impress your guests and add a festive touch to your holiday spread.

    Get the recipe

    Christmas Guacamole Wreath

    Christmas Guacamole Wreath Appetizer.
    Photo Credit: Veggie Saves the Day.

    A festive Christmas guacamole shaped like a wreath is sure to impress your guests this holiday season. This easy appetizer can be prepared in just 15 minutes and doesn't require any fancy equipment. It's a fun and colorful addition to your holiday spread that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Spicy Deviled Eggs with Bacon & Jalapeño

    Spicy Deviled Eggs with Bacon & Jalapeño.
    Photo credit: Chef Sous Chef.

    Deviled eggs are a flavorful addition to your holiday spread. They feature a creamy filling, crispy bacon, and a bit of heat from jalapeños, making them a great choice for Christmas parties. These tasty bites are sure to be a hit with your guests.

    Get the recipe

    Snowman Cheese Board

    Snowman Cheese Board.
    Photo Credit: Appetizer Addiction.

    A snowman cheese board is perfect for holiday gatherings. It's easy to put together and you can customize it however you like. This fun and festive appetizer will add a cheerful touch to your Christmas party.

    Get the Recipe

    Festive Goat Cheese Balls

    Festive Goat Cheese Balls.
    Photo Credit: Blend with Spices.

    This appetizer features a blend of creamy goat cheese and cream cheese, mixed with sweet cranberries and crunchy pistachios. It's a tasty option that adds a festive touch to any Christmas gathering. Perfect for sharing with friends and family, this dish is sure to be a hit at your holiday celebrations.

    Get the Recipe

    Blueberry Flatbread with Goat Cheese

    Blueberry Flatbread with Goat Cheese
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Blueberry flatbread features a delicious combination of apricot jam, creamy goat cheese, sweet honey, and fresh mint. It's perfect as a vegetarian appetizer or even a light dessert. This dish brings a festive touch to any gathering, making it a delightful addition to your holiday spread.

    Get the recipe

    Tex Mex Cheese Ball

    tex mex cheese ball.
    Photo credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This spicy cheese ball is a great addition to any holiday gathering or game day. It goes well with your favorite crackers, pretzels, or fresh veggies for dipping. It's an easy and fun appetizer that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic-Dill Cream Cheese Schmear

    Garlic-Dill Cream Cheese Schmear.
    Photo Credit: All That's Jas.

    This creamy garlic-dill spread is easy to make and is a fantastic appetizer for your Christmas brunch or dinner. It's also a favorite for any gathering you might host. With its rich flavor, it adds a nice touch to your festive table.

    Get the Recipe

    More Appetizer Recipes

    • Jalapeno popper wontons.
      19 Effortless Appetizers That Taste Gourmet
    • 21 Simple Starters That Prove Great Food Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated
    • Ground beef dip.
      32 Appetizers So Simple You’ll Actually Want to Make Them
    • Shrimp scampi in a pan.
      7 Appetizers I Always Have to Make a Double Batch Of

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

    More about me →

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • instant pot turkey soup in a bowl
      Instant Pot Turkey Soup
    • Salty & Spicy Candied Walnuts
    • cajun alfredo sauce with pasta in a bowl
      Cajun Alfredo Sauce with Pasta
    • Cranberry muffins.
      Cranberry Muffins

    Our Favorite Holiday Recipes

    • duck breasts topped orange sauce
      Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce (Best Sauce for Duck!)
    • Butterball cookies on a blue plate with hazelnuts.
      Butterball Cookies (Snowball Cookies / Russian Tea Cakes)
    • saffron buns with glögg
      Lussekatter - Traditional Swedish Saffron Buns [Authentic Recipe]
    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Herb Crusted Air Fryer Roast Beef

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB