A simple Christmas Eve appetizer menu with small plates, snacks, bites – and a cocktail! – that is also perfect for any holiday party.
Growing up, my family celebrated Christmas and Hanukkah. My mom is Jewish and my dad lapsed Catholic, but my parents wanted my brother and I to experience the best of both winter holidays.
I remember picking Hanukkah presents out from under the Christmas tree and, on the rare occasions that Hanukkah and Christmas intersected, feeling doubly lucky that Santa had visited our house.
Our holidays were also pretty non-denominational. We didn’t go to church or synagogue and celebrations generally meant an abundance of good food. On Christmas Eve, we would always have appetizers instead of a more traditional holiday meal.
For the past two years, this is a tradition that Brad and I have picked up with his family. If you’re celebrating Christmas Eve with small plates, bites or snacks, here are some of my favorite recipes to add to a Christmas Eve appetizer menu.
Christmas Eve Appetizer Menu
Ina Garten’s Roasted Shrimp Cocktail from Barefoot Contessa
Goat Cheese Pistachio Stuffed Dates
French Quarter Cheese Spread from Creative Culinary
Miniature Crab Cakes from Epicurious
Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry Sauce from Epicurious
Blood Orange Champagne Cocktail
1 Comment
Barb | Creative Culinary
December 9, 2018 at 2:18 pmThanks Maris for including my French Quarter appetizer along with such stellar luminaries! I have to tell you; I had the recipe for awhile, someone I met on Twitter had given it to me, and I sort of made it as a courtesy to her. I was not prepared for how that mixture of ingredients came together and was absolutely devoured by my guests. It’s now a have to have every holiday season for a party I throw at my home. I think it’s why everyone comes. 🙂
Wishing you and yours the merriest of holidays…cheers!