38 Christmas Party Food Ideas for the Festive Season

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. You get to get together with family and friends have a celebration. Try some of these fantastic Christmas party food ideas to have a wonderful holiday party.

How to decide what to serve at a Christmas party

When planning your Christmas party you need to have options for appetizers, the main course, side dishes, and desserts. Try to have a couple of Christmas party food ideas for adults in mind to keep the fun going all night long, like alcohol-infused snacks or energy-boosting appetizers. Or, if you’re having kids at the party, make sure to have a bunch of familiar favorites, like mac and cheese bites or chicken tenders.

Christmas party appetizers 

Your guests will want some snacks to munch on while they are waiting on dinner to be served. Try any of these suggestions and your guests will be delighted.

1. Snow pea wreath

Take a serving platter and place a bowl of a dip you like for vegetables in the center. Arrange the pea pods in a circle so one end is touching the dip bowl, forming a wreath. Garnish with some cherry tomatoes to add a finishing touch.

2. Mini meatballs

These mini meatballs are easy for guests to munch on. The delicious cranberry and brown sugar glaze will make these moist balls irresistible

3. Santa deviled eggs

Start out as your would with normal deviled eggs but dip the top third of each egg in red food coloring. The yellow yolk is Santa’s skin, and piped cream cheese is his beard. Use capers for his eyes and a piece of ham for his nose.

4. Cranberry salsa

Put a Christmas spin on salsa by using cranberries instead of tomatoes along with cilantro and jalapenos. Serve this sweet and tart salsa with chips or crackers.

5. Stuffed mushrooms

Remove the stem from button mushrooms and fill them with a mixture of sausage, breadcrumbs, and spices. Bake until the filling is golden brown.

6. Devils on horseback

These delicate bites are dates stuffed with either bleu or another savory cheese and then wrapped in a piece of bacon. Bake until the bacon is crispy.

7. Brie and cranberry bites

Put a thin piece of crescent roll wrapper in a mini cupcake baking pan to form a cup. Fill with a piece of brie and bake until gooey. Top with homemade cranberry sauce to make the perfect bite.

Christmas party food main courses

The main course is the star of the Christmas party. Most of these ideas are very traditional or put a new spin on a classic.

8. Mincemeat pie

This savory pie has a flakey crust that is filled with minced meat, fruits, and spices. It is traditional in Britain and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The 3 fillings represent the gifts from the three Magi. 

9. Christmas ham

A ham is a classic main course at Christmastime. Put a new twist on it by making a unique glaze of bourbon and brown sugar.

10. Beef wellington

While it may take a little extra effort to prepare, this showstopper is made by taking a beef tenderloin, wrapping it in puff pastry with a layer of mushroom duxelles, and baking it to perfection. You can make it fancy by cutting designs into the pastry before baking.

11. Roasted turkey

Dry brine a turkey a few days before the party with salt and herbs. Spatchcock it before baking so it roasts faster and more evenly than the traditional method. Roast overtop of a roasting pan of stuffing so you don’t waste any of the delicious drippings.

12. Prime rib

Prime rib is easy to make for a large crowd. Plan on close to 1lb per person uncooked. Rub the meat with herbs and salt and roast under high heat until it reaches a perfect 135°F.

13. Christmas goose

Many have never had goose, but it is still a traditional meal for some. This bird is all dark meat, giving it extra flavor and makes it easier to not overcook.

Christmas party desserts

Make sure your guests have something to snack on after dinner. It can be as simple as having cookies out or making something fancy like a buche de noel or croquembouche. 

14. Cookies

There are an endless amount of types of cookies you can make for a Christmas party. Have a cookie plate loaded with sugar cookies, shortbread, chocolate chips, peanut butter cup cookies, and anything else you can think of.

15. Buche de noel

The traditional yule log is a must at any holiday party. It is a thin layer of cake filled with whipped cream and then rolled up and decorated with icing.

16. Croquembouche

Your guests will think you are extra fancy if they see this dessert. First, you must get a large number of creme puffs that you have coated in caramel. You then stack them upwards in smaller layers until you have a tree shape. 

17. Santa hats

Start with a Reese’s Cup and place a small cheesecake round on top. Place an upside-down strawberry on top of the cake and then cap the hat with a drop of whipped cream.

18. Christmas tree brownie

Bake a sheet pan of brownies and instead of cutting them into squares, cut them into 1 giant tree. Frost the brownie with green icing and then decorate with pieces of candy to mimic ornaments.

19. Peppermint bark cannolis

Either buy or make your own cannoli shells and fill them with whipped cream and chocolate. Roll each exposed end in crushed-up candy canes to give it some holiday flavor.

20. Eggnog and rum bundt

This dessert is perfect for adults. Bake a bundt cake that is flavored with both rum and eggnog and then iced with a buttercream that has eggnog whipped into it. Grate nutmeg on top of the finished cake.

Christmas Party Food Ideas: Buffet Options

Holiday buffets often include finger foods to snack on, in addition to warm, decadent, and flavorful dishes. Of course, you can’t forget about pies and treats such as cake, crepes, and cupcakes. If you’re building out a Christmas party food buffet, you should include all of these and more in your feast. Here are the top things you should include in your next Christmas buffet.

21. Dips and spreads

One way to make buffets a social event where everyone can discuss their holiday activities amongst each other is by providing finger foods and easy-to-eat snacks like dips and spreads. 

22. Hummus, veggies, crackers, and dips

Often found in the deli section, guests can choose from red pepper hummus, buffalo chicken dip, or unique hits like bacon cheddar dip. Add a few ways to dip such as vegetable trays, crackers, specialty bread or croissants, and Hawaiian rolls.

23. Frozen pizza snacks

For those Christmas party food ideas buffet on a budget or time constraint, it is absolutely an option to provide some easy-to-cook and easy-to-serve dishes for guests. Everyone always loves pizza snacks, and they are a warm alternative to more time-consuming, costly, and labor-intensive pasta or sandwich choices.

24. Dumplings

Hearty, flavorful, and tasty, dumplings come in a number of unique flavors including pork, vegetable, and chicken. This is a great alternative to American-style appetizers and brings an easy way to add vegetables and conversation to the room.

25. Egg rolls

A delightful treat for the upcoming Chinese New Year, egg rolls are easy to dip and simple finger foods that show off an international flair to guests.

26. Egg salad

For homemade specialties, adding egg salad or another spreadable snack is a great way to create a new tradition.

27. Deli cold cuts

Some Christmas buffets can create a DIY atmosphere by providing sandwich bars as part of the menu. Cold cuts and cheeses alongside bread allow guests to make their own sandwiches, which they can eat as they mingle.

28. Nuts

Nutcrackers can be an instrumental part of your display at the Christmas buffet with an array of nuts such as walnuts, almonds, peanuts, cashews, pecans, and hazelnuts. Simply remember that nuts are an allergen and keep them in an area separate from the main buffet.

29. Candies, pretzels, and party mixes

Sometimes the easiest items make their way to the Christmas buffet party tables. Always go through the snack aisle to choose popular hits that every guest will enjoy.

31. Crackers

Not everyone wants saltines or cheese-flavored crackers, and in fact, a number of crackers come in packaging perfect for a holiday party. For example, look at choosing oyster crackers (ideal for soup), toast, or pretzel crisps and arrange accordingly near dips, soups, or spreads.

32. Flavored cupcakes

Another favorite for holiday gatherings that makes for easy finger food is flavored cupcakes. You might try chocolate cupcakes, strawberry cupcakes, or vanilla cupcakes.

33. Decorative cakes

Many other everyday cakes work for festive events and come in flavors such as caramel, Oreo, or confetti. 

34. Brookies

Consider adding brookies (that magic combination of brownies and cookies), and get 2 sweet tooth hits for the price of one. Brookies can be found with caramel, chocolate chip, or strawberry.

35. Pies

The final dessert option for a Christmas buffet must include a few pie flavors: apple pie (the American must-have), cherry pie, or peach pie. All will be welcomed by your guests with a bit of whipping cream, ice cream, and tea or coffee.

36. Muffins

Considering hosting a Christmas buffet party with food in the earlier part of the day? Add some baked goods for a brunch-style gathering with banana nut muffins as well as chocolate or blueberry alongside coffee and tea.

37. Scones

Homemade scones are delicious and can come in a number of delectable flavors, including cranberry orange or cinnamon. Serve them with hot coffee or tea.

38. Chocolate fountain

For a truly unique touch to your Christmas party buffet, consider a chocolate fountain. Include a number of things that guests can dip, including strawberries, marshmallows, or even Rice Krispies Treats. They’ll love putting their own touch on their favorite treats!

How to plan Christmas party foods for your crowd

As long as you plan things ahead of time and follow these tips, your party should go smoothly.

• Create a cooking schedule of when what needs to be in the oven or on the stove.
• Bake your cookies and other desserts ahead of time.
• Bake extra cookies, as they will last for weeks.
• Calculate portion sizes based on how many people will be attending so you have enough food.

Final thoughts on Christmas party food ideas

After you decide what you want to serve at your Christmas party, you can shop for everything you need on Instacart. Order all of your ingredients ahead of time so you can prepare everything. You can schedule this delivery, or if you need a last-minute item, choose either same-day pickup or delivery.