26 Easy Holiday Appetizers & Dips for Christmas and New Year’s Eve

Cheese balls, baked brie, shrimp cocktail, skewers and crowd-pleasing dips: 26 easy holiday appetizers for Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve.

ByEmma Brooks Hours Hours
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Easy holiday appetizers: Christmas ornament cheese balls, bacon wrapped shrimp and baked brie with cranberry sauce

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Holiday parties are all about the appetizers. People graze, chat and come back for seconds, and the host gets to actually enjoy the evening. These are my go-to holiday appetizers for Christmas gatherings and New Year’s Eve: festive cheese balls, warm baked brie, elegant seafood bites, easy skewers and dips that disappear by the end of the night. Many can be made ahead, which is the real secret to a relaxed party.

Festive Cheese Balls & Baked Brie

1
A platter of small cheese balls decorated like Christmas ornaments with parsley, pomegranate seeds, and pecans.
Christmas Ornament Cheese Balls
Christmas ornament cheese balls, almost too cute to eat.
Check out this recipe
2
Freshly made cheese balls snack with herbs and crackers
Cranberry Nut Cream Cheese Balls
Cranberry nut cream cheese balls, sweet, savory and ready in minutes.
Check out this recipe
3
A beautiful smoked salmon cheese ball coated in fresh green dill and chopped pecans on a serving platter with crackers.
Smoked Salmon Cheese Ball
A smoked salmon cheese ball for an elegant spread.
Check out this recipe
4
Golden baked brie with cranberry sauce on top, garnished with fresh rosemary and surrounded by crackers
Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce
Warm baked brie with cranberry sauce, ready in about 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
5
Golden brown crescent dough cups filled with cream cheese and red cranberry sauce topped with pecans
Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites
Cranberry cream cheese crescent bites, flaky and festive.
Check out this recipe

Crowd-Pleasing Bites

6
A bowl of glazed cranberry little smokies with toothpicks on a festive table
Cranberry Little Smokies with Hot Honey
Cranberry little smokies with hot honey, sweet and spicy.
Check out this recipe
7
A white bowl filled with glazed Christmas cranberry meatballs garnished with fresh parsley and toothpicks.
Christmas Cranberry Meatballs
Christmas cranberry meatballs that are perfect on toothpicks.
Check out this recipe
8
Roasted sweet potato wedges wrapped in crispy prosciutto and drizzled with a dark balsamic glaze on a white platter.
Prosciutto Wrapped Sweet Potatoes with Maple Balsamic Glaze
Prosciutto wrapped sweet potatoes with a maple balsamic glaze.
Check out this recipe
9
Golden stuffed mushrooms with cheese and herb filling on a white serving platter
Stuffed Mushrooms
Savory stuffed mushrooms, a classic party bite.
Check out this recipe
10
A platter of golden-brown baked Jalapeño Poppers, some wrapped in crispy bacon, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Irresistible Baked Jalapeño Poppers
Jalapeño poppers for guests who like a little heat.
Check out this recipe
11
Golden toasted baguette slices topped with a creamy, bubbling artichoke and Parmesan mixture on a wooden serving board.
Artichoke Bruschetta That Vanishes Faster Than You Can Make It
Artichoke bruschetta that vanishes fast.
Check out this recipe

Elegant Seafood Appetizers

12
A platter of golden brown honey garlic bacon wrapped shrimp garnished with fresh parsley on a wire rack.
Honey-garlic Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Honey garlic bacon wrapped shrimp.
Check out this recipe
13
A beautiful platter of Classic Shrimp Cocktail with plump, pink shrimp arranged around a bowl of vibrant red cocktail sauce.
Shrimp Cocktail
Classic shrimp cocktail, simple and always popular.
Check out this recipe
14
A plate of fresh shrimp cocktail lettuce wraps garnished with parsley and lemon wedges
Shrimp Cocktail Lettuce Wraps
Shrimp cocktail lettuce wraps, a light low-carb bite.
Check out this recipe
15
Golden baked crab stuffed mushrooms arranged on a white platter with fresh herbs garnish
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Crab stuffed mushrooms for a special occasion.
Check out this recipe

Deviled Eggs & Skewers

16
Classic Deviled Eggs arranged on a white platter garnished with paprika and fresh herbs
Classic Deviled Eggs
Classic deviled eggs you can make the day before.
Check out this recipe
17
A platter of elegant deviled eggs topped with smoked salmon and fresh dill sprigs.
Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs
Smoked salmon deviled eggs for a fancy twist.
Check out this recipe
18
Close-up of vibrant Caprese skewers with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves, drizzled with balsamic glaze.
Caprese Skewers
Caprese skewers in Christmas colors: red, white and green.
Check out this recipe
19
A platter of colorful Antipasto Skewers featuring cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, olives, salami, and basil.
Antipasto Skewers
Antipasto skewers with no cooking required.
Check out this recipe
20
A beautifully arranged classic charcuterie board with cured meats, cheeses, grapes, and crackers on a wooden platter.
Classic Charcuterie Board
How to build a beautiful charcuterie board.
Check out this recipe

Party Dips

21
Festive red cranberry salsa layered over white cream cheese on a platter with crackers
Christmas Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
Christmas cranberry jalapeño dip, bright and festive.
Check out this recipe
22
A white bowl filled with smooth whipped feta topped with blistered red cherry tomatoes and green basil leaves.
Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Tomatoes
Whipped feta dip with roasted tomatoes.
Check out this recipe
23
Healthy vegan spinach artichoke dip in a bowl surrounded by crackers and vegetables
Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip (vegan, dairy-free)
A healthy, dairy-free spinach artichoke dip.
Check out this recipe
24
A golden-brown, bubbly hot crab dip in a ceramic dish, garnished with fresh parsley, ready to be served with crackers.
Crab Dip
Creamy crab dip for seafood lovers.
Check out this recipe
25
Bowl of creamy homemade French Onion Dip garnished with fresh chives and surrounded by potato chips
Homemade French Onion Dip
Homemade French onion dip, so much better than store-bought.
Check out this recipe
26
A vibrant, colorful classic 7 Layer Dip in a clear glass dish, surrounded by tortilla chips, ready for serving.
Classic 7 Layer Dip
A layered 7 layer dip that feeds a crowd.
Check out this recipe

How to Plan Holiday Appetizers

  • How many to make: for a cocktail-style party, plan about 5 to 6 bites per person per hour; if appetizers come before dinner, 3 to 4 bites per person is enough.
  • Mix it up: serve one cheese, one seafood or meat, one vegetable and one dip so every guest finds something they like.
  • Make ahead: cheese balls, deviled eggs, dips and skewers can all be prepared the day before, leaving only the warm bites for the party.

Holiday Appetizers FAQ

Which holiday appetizers can I make ahead?

Cheese balls, cold dips, deviled eggs and skewers can be made a day ahead and chilled. Bake warm appetizers like brie, stuffed mushrooms and meatballs just before guests arrive.

Hosting Thanksgiving first? Try my complete healthy Thanksgiving menu, and for dessert, my easy Christmas cookies.

More Holiday Recipe Collections

Emma Brooks is the home cook behind The Gentle Bite. After years of juggling long workdays and family dinners, she started sharing the balanced, wholesome recipes she loves to make on busy weeknights, most ready in about 30 minutes with everyday ingredients. Her goal is simple: quick, nourishing meals that feel approachable, with easy swaps for gluten-free, dairy-free and high-protein diets.

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