During the busy holiday season, the overwhelming to-do list, including gift shopping, wrapping, decorating, and social events, can be daunting. If you’re also hosting, a pro suggests some assistance. Charity Morgan, author of Unbelievably Vegan, recommends holiday favorites like plant-based Creole cornbread stuffing, slow-cooked smokey collards, sweet potato casserole, truffled cream corn, and a holiday roast.
Dessert can be a nostalgic family recipe like a three-tier carrot cake. To simplify your search, a list of the best Christmas party food ideas is provided, covering snacks, appetizers, main courses, sides, desserts, and cocktails for various occasions.
Glazed
Ham
Of course, spiraled ham is another suitable option for your Christmas dinner party, since it easily feeds a large group.
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Red Wine Bucatini With Pancetta and Parmesan
Make pasta worthy of a spot on your Christmas party buffet by cooking it in red wine. It gives the dish a brilliant burgundy shade, plus a bunch of unexpected flavors.
Antipasto Skewers
During cocktail hour, ensure guests have a delicious grab-and-go option that they can easily eat while socializing. These antipasto skewers perfectly fit the bill, plus can be assembled ahead of time—a host’s dream come true.
Get the recipe at Ahead of Thyme.
Bagel and Lox Board
Dress up your standard bagel breakfast for Christmas morning by following this tutorial. It’ll teach you how to arrange all the goods—bagels, smoked salmon, onions, cucumbers... the works!—into a gorgeous spread.
Get the recipe at Off the Eaten Path.
Christmas
Pizza
Pesto, cleverly-shaped dough, and artfully arranged toppings turn your average pizza into a dish worthy of your Christmas party.
Get the recipe at A Couple Cooks.
Overnight Eggnog
Cinnamon Rolls
The only thing that can possibly make the traditional brunch food even better? An infusion of eggnog and a smattering of festive sprinkles.
Get the recipe at Averie Cooks.
Stuffed Leg
of Lamb
Butterflied leg of lamb stuffed with fresh spinach, feta, and walnut makes for a show-stopping special dinner fit for a special occasion and works well on a buffet.
Get the recipe at Garlic and Zest.
Savory S’mores
Careful: With these prosciutto, brie, and honey “s’mores” in the appetizer rotation, your guests might not have much room left for dinner.
Get the recipe at Spoon Fork Bacon.
Chocolate Chestnut
Christmas Roll Cake
Consider this the Christmas version of the beloved pumpkin roll. If you have the time to spare, you can even decorate it like the traditional yule log.
Get the recipe at Love and Olive Oil.
Hummus and Caramelized
Onion Crostini
This simple finger food is vegan, so all of your guests can enjoy. Plus, it’s easy to give it festive treatment—just top each one with a rosemary sprig.
Get the recipe at Wallflower Kitchen.
Cranberry Brie
Tartlets
Is there anything more festive than cranberry? And who doesn’t love melted Brie cheese? These crowd-friendly appetizers come together easily.
Get the recipe at The Merry Thought.
Pomegranate Jeweled White Cheddar Cheese Ball
We never thought we’d say this, but, thanks to pomegranate arils, this cheese ball looks almost like a Christmas-themed work of art.
Get the recipe at How Sweet Eats.
Christmas Cheese
Tree
This herb-coated Christmas cheese ball tree is arguably too pretty to eat.
Get the recipe at The Girl Who Ate Everything.
Cranberry and Feta
Pinwheels
Cranberries and feta wrapped in spinach tortillas make for easy finger food reminiscent of Christmas wreaths.
Get the recipe at The Girl Who Ate Everything.
Beet Cashew
Hummus
Why make regular hummus when you can make a vibrant red version that’s perfectly suited for the holiday?
Get the recipe at Snixy Kitchen.
Parmesan
Puffs
Need something to keep snackers satisfied before the main meal? Try these make-ahead parmesan puffs—and be sure to make extra, they’ll be gone in a flash.
Get the recipe at Love & Olive Oil.
Christmas
Brie
Don’t just plop the round of Brie on a plate and call it a day. A simple sprinkling or pomegranate arils, pistachios, and a cleverly placed rosemary sprig do wonders for aesthetics.
Get the recipe at Five Heart Home.
Cranberry Cream
Cheese Dip
This crowd-pleasing holiday appetizer requires just five main ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes—max!—to put together easily.
Get the recipe at Gimme Some Oven.
Pear Pomegranate
Salad
Whip up this simple salad for a side dish that has plenty of seasonal accouterments.
Get the recipe at Two Peas & Their Pod.
Holiday Cheese
Board
Crafting a gorgeous cheese board doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow this tutorial, and you’ll be a pro in no time.
Get the recipe at The Beach House Kitchen.
Christmas Market-Style
Mulled Wine
Warm your guests from the inside out with this traditional spiced wine. You’ll love how easy it is to make a big batch for a crowd.
Get the recipe at Lauren Caris Cooks.
Chocolate-Covered
Marshmallow Reindeer
Kids will love helping to craft these adorable Rudolph-themed treats. Bonus: They can also be packaged in cellophane for grab-and-go options.
Get the recipe at Suburban Simplicity.
Crispy Rice Cone
Christmas Trees
These adorable crispy rice treats double as decor for the dessert table, but don’t be surprised how fast they disappear once it’s time to dig in.
Get the tutorial at Lauren Caris Cooks.
Christmas Kiss
Cookies
Give kiss cookies the Christmas treatment with peppermint chocolate and red, white, and green sprinkles.
Get the recipe at Sprinkle Bakes.
Christmas Tree Spinach
Breadsticks
One thing is for sure: Once you put this Christmas version of gooey spinach and cheese pull-apart bread on the buffet, it’ll be gone in a flash.
Hummus
Wreath
Another themed appetizer that couldn’t be easier to assemble. Just spread hummus into a crudite dish, then top it with a smattering of herbs, feta, and tomatoes.
Santa
Board
If you’re hosting a large group, put this cute Christmas appetizer board in the center of the coffee table, so everyone can admire your handiwork.
Baked Brie Puffs
Frozen phyllo dough makes quick work of these easy, cheesy little bites topped with sweet jam and crunchy pistachios.
Caprese Candy
Cane Board
For a holiday spin on the traditional tomato and mozzarella appetizer, arrange slices into the shape of a candy cane.
Mushroom Fontina Flatbread
With Crispy Sage
Flatbread is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that works well on a buffet since it’s the perfect finger food.
Herb and Butter Roasted
Beef Tenderloin
When your mission is to impress, beef tenderloin is the way to go. This cut of meat cooks up perfectly with brush of brown butter and herbs.
Deep-Fried
Turkey
Thinking about serving turkey, but want a way to differentiate it from your Thanksgiving meal? Try your hand at deep frying the bird.
Christmas Punch
For a lighter non-alcoholic beverage, whip up this festive punch. It gets its ruby red hue from pomegranate and cranberry juices.
Pear
Manhattan
Think your guests might prefer something a little, well, boozier? Try this Manhattan. Thanks to the addition of fresh pear, it has a seasonal spin that makes it worthy of the occasion.
Dark Chocolate Honey Fig
Walnut Truffles
When everyone’s so full from the main course that they can barely move, these poppable snacks provide just the right finishing touch.
No-Bake Double Chocolate Cheesecake Pie
Can’t bear the thought of turning on the oven one more time? Opt for this no-bake dessert. It pairs a quintessential combo—chocolate and peppermint—for a tasty and show-stopping dessert.