37 Holiday Appetizers Perfect For Parties or Entertaining

As much as I love to cook a big holiday meal, there’s a lot to be said for a meal that consists entirely of hors d’oeuvres. Growing up, my family always had appetizers on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas Day we’d have a big breakfast and head to family friends’ for Christmas dinner.

I thought our holiday appetizers tradition was unique until about five years ago.  Since moving to Chicago, I started spending the holiday with local friends and families, and as it turns out, a lot of families share in the Christmas Eve appetizer tradition in lieu of making two big dinners on Christmas, and again on Christmas Eve. 

If you don’t have holiday hors d’oeuvres on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve is right around the corner and happens to be a perfect opportunity for easy yet elegant holiday appetizers. Here are a few must-try holiday appetizers that have one thing in common: they all pair perfectly with champagne.

Cheese Balls

Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball from Creme de la Crumb

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball from Chef in Training

Roasted Garlic Asiago Cheese Ball from Lemons for Lulu

White Cheddar, Roasted Almond and Crispy Sage Cheese Ball from How Sweet Eats

Bruschetta Cheese Ball from Carlsbad Cravings

Bacon Wrapped…

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese by Pinch of Yum

Marinated Bacon Wrapped Scallops from Dishes Delish

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers from Add a Pinch

Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites from She Wears Many Hats

Bacon Wrapped Tenderloin Bites with Creamy Horseradish Sauce from Joyfully Healthy Eats

Crostini

Cranberry Crostini from Cookie + Kate

Prosciutto Goat Cheese Crostini from Reluctant Entertainer

Honey, Walnut and Goat Cheese Crostini from The Wanderlust Kitchen

Onion & Fig Jam Crostini with Roasted Garlic, Brie and Prosciutto from Cooks with Cocktails

Roasted Red Pepper and Ricotta Crostini from Wry Toast

Dips and Spreads

French Quarter Cheese Spread from Creative Culinary

Garlic Herb Tomato Goat Cheese Dip from The Cookie Rookie

Classic Artichoke Dip from The Kittchen

Hot Crab Dip from Spicy Southern Kitchen

Brie Spinach Dip from Carlsbad Cravings

On a Stick

Lamb Lollipops with Garlic and Rosemary from Kitchen Swagger

Chicken Lollipops with Sweet & Spicy Sauce from Center Cut Cook

Antipasto Skewers from The Sweetest Occasion

Deep Fried Ravioli on a Stick from Just a Taste

Pizza on a Stick from Artisan Bread in Five

Meatballs

Crispy Caprese Meatballs Stuffed with Mozzarella from The Cozy Apron

Bourbon Apple Cider Glazed Turkey Meatballs from Recipe Runner

Raspberry Balsamic Meatballs from the Food Charlatan

Cranberry Orange Meatballs from Meatloaf and Melodrama

Firecracker Chicken Meatballs from Little Spice Jar

Just Plain Awesome

Spinach and Artichoke Dip Stuffed Garlic Bread from Host the Toast

Cranberry and Brie Mini Tarts from Fox and Briar

Ranch Slow Cooker Chex Mix from Oh Sweet Basil

Christmas Tree Pull Apart from Eclectic Everyday

Roasted Cranberry and Goat Cheese Flatbreads from Healthy Seasonal Eats

Puff Pastry Shells with Chorizo, Dates and Pine Nuts from Always Order Dessert

Chili Lime Baked Shrimp Cups from Inspired Taste