When December hits, nobody wants fussy, sit-down dinners. You want party food that people can grab with one hand while they chat, open gifts, or stand around the kitchen island. This post is all about simple, festive Christmas finger foods and easy Christmas appetizers you can put out for any holiday gathering.
Whether you’re hosting a cozy family movie night or a big open-house with a full Christmas party food ideas spread, these recipes are designed to be low-stress and high-reward. Most bake on sheet pans or in muffin tins, and many can be prepped ahead, which makes them perfect when you’re feeding a crowd.
Start with a few warm snacks, add a tray or two of make-ahead bites, and finish with some fun dessert nibbles. By the bottom of this guide, you’ll have plenty of ideas for easy Christmas finger foods that feel special without keeping you stuck in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
Easy Christmas Appetizers for a Crowd
These savory bites are the workhorses of your holiday menu—warm, cheesy, and easy to pass around. Mix and match a couple of these for simple Christmas finger foods for a crowd.
Spinach Artichoke Wonton Cups
Spinach Artichoke Wonton Cups turn classic spinach artichoke dip into crisp, two-bite snacks. Wonton wrappers bake up golden in a muffin tin, holding a creamy, cheesy filling that disappears fast on party trays.
You can press the wrappers and mix the filling earlier in the day, then bake just before guests arrive. That make-ahead option is a lifesaver when you’re juggling several easy Christmas appetizers at once.
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread is part centerpiece, part snack. Soft dough balls stuffed with cheese are shaped into a tree, brushed with garlic butter, and baked until bubbly and golden.
Set the pan in the center of your table and let guests pull off pieces as they walk by. It’s a fun option for a buffet and pairs well with dips, meats, and other easy Christmas finger foods.
Christmas Tree Pinwheel Appetizer
The Christmas Tree Pinwheel Appetizer takes simple tortilla pinwheels and turns them into a festive tree-shaped platter. A creamy, savory filling is rolled up inside tortillas, chilled, then sliced into spirals and arranged on a board.
Because you can roll the tortillas ahead of time, this one is ideal when you need crowd-friendly snacks that don’t require last-minute cooking.
Cranberry and Brie Puff Pastry Wreath
For something a little more polished, the Cranberry and Brie Puff Pastry Wreath is a beautiful option. Flaky pastry, gooey brie, and sweet-tart cranberry sauce are baked into a pull-apart wreath that feels special enough for Christmas Eve or a holiday dinner party.
Guests can tear off pieces with their hands, so even though it looks fancy, it still fits right in with the rest of your Christmas finger foods.
Christmas Deviled Eggs
Christmas Deviled Eggs are a festive take on the classic deviled egg tray. Garnish them with paprika, chopped chives, or tiny pomegranate arils to bring in red and green colors.
The filling can be mixed ahead and piped or spooned into the eggs closer to serving time, which makes them a smart choice when you’re planning several appetizers for one night.
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Ham and cheese sliders are one of those guaranteed party hits. Layer sliced ham and melty cheese inside soft rolls or Hawaiian buns, brush with a buttery topping, and bake until the tops are golden and the cheese is gooey. They’re easy to pick up, simple to scale for a large group, and fit perfectly into any menu of Christmas finger foods for a crowd.
Make-Ahead & Cold Christmas Finger Foods
When oven space is tight, cold platters and make-ahead trays become your best friends. These ideas are perfect for prepping earlier in the day so you can focus on hosting instead of cooking. They fit right in with the rest of your Christmas finger foods but don’t demand any last-minute stress.
Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry
Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry are tiny, two-bite pastry cups filled with creamy brie and cranberry sauce. They’re simple enough for casual gatherings but pretty enough to serve as more elegant Christmas appetizers too.
You can cut and press the pastry into mini muffin cups ahead of time and cube the cheese in advance. When you’re ready, just add cranberry, bake, and bring them straight to the table. It’s a great option when you want easy Christmas appetizers that look fancier than they really are.
Cranberry Brie Crostini
Cranberry Brie Crostini layer toasted baguette slices with melty brie and a spoonful of bright cranberry topping. The combination of crisp bread, creamy cheese, and sweet-tart fruit is classic holiday flavor in one small bite.
Toast the baguette and slice the brie earlier in the day, then assemble and warm just before serving. Because everything is already portioned, these little toasts are perfect as Christmas finger foods for a crowd—no cutting or slicing needed once the party starts.
Cucumber and Herbed Cream Cheese Bites
Cucumber and herbed cream cheese bites are light, fresh, and a nice contrast to all the rich holiday food. Thick cucumber rounds are topped with a swirl of seasoned cream cheese and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, making them easy to pick up and eat in one or two bites.
They’re simple to assemble ahead of time and chill in the fridge until guests arrive, which is handy when you’re juggling several easy Christmas appetizers. Add them to a platter with deviled eggs, crostini, and other Christmas finger foods for a crowd to give everyone a crisp, refreshing option.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus Bites
Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus is a classic starter that happens to work really well on an appetizer board. Roast or grill the asparagus, wrap each spear with a thin strip of prosciutto, and slice into shorter pieces if you want smaller bites.
Serve them at room temperature on a platter with other easy Christmas finger foods like deviled eggs, crostini, and pinwheels.
Cute & Kid-Friendly Christmas Finger Foods
Every holiday spread needs at least a few kid friendly Christmas appetizers—snacks that feel playful, a little silly, and easy to eat between games and presents. These ideas are fun for children but adults usually end up sneaking them too.
Reindeer Pretzel Treats
Reindeer Pretzel Treats are the definition of cute Christmas party food. Crunchy pretzels become little reindeer faces with chocolate, candy eyes, and a bright red nose. They’re simple to decorate and a great project if you want kids to help in the kitchen.
Pile them into a bowl or arrange them on a tray with hot chocolate and other snacks. They fit perfectly on classroom party tables, family movie nights, or any casual get-together where you want fun Christmas finger foods instead of fussy desserts.
Peppermint Puppy Chow
Peppermint Puppy Chow is a sweet snack mix made with cereal, white chocolate, crushed candy canes, and powdered sugar. It’s crunchy, minty, and very easy to nibble by the handful.
Serve it in small cups or bowls so kids (and adults) can grab their own portion. It’s one of those easy Christmas party food ideas that works for almost any setting—school parties, church events, game nights, or just snacking while you decorate the tree.
Snowman Cheese Bites
To balance all the sweets, add something lighter that’s still playful and kid-friendly. These Snowman Cheese Bites are made with simple ingredients and come together in just a few minutes.
You’ll need:
- Mini mozzarella balls (or small pieces of string cheese)
- Round crackers or cucumber slices
- Black sesame seeds or finely chopped olives (for eyes and buttons)
- Small pieces of carrot (for noses)
- Fresh chives or pretzel sticks (for “scarves” or arms, optional)
How to make them:
- Lay your crackers or cucumber slices on a tray.
- Place a mozzarella ball on each base to create the snowman “head.”
- Use a toothpick to gently poke in black sesame seeds or tiny olive pieces for eyes and buttons.
- Add a tiny triangle of carrot for the nose.
- If you like, tuck a small piece of chive around the base as a scarf, or use short pretzel pieces as little arms.
Arrange the Snowman Cheese Bites on a platter with fruit and veggies. They’re a cute way to sneak something fresh into your spread of Christmas finger foods while still keeping the holiday fun.
Mini Pigs in a Blanket with Everything Seasoning
Mini pigs in a blanket are a classic party snack, and they work just as well at Christmas as they do on game day. Wrap small sausages in crescent dough, sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, and bake until golden.
These little bites are easy to hold, especially for tiny hands, and they vanish quickly on a buffet. Pair them with ketchup, mustard, or a simple cheese dip and you’ve got one more kid-approved option in your lineup of easy Christmas finger foods.
Sweet Snack Mixes & No-Bake Party Treats
Once you’ve covered the savory snack table, it’s time to add a few sweet options. These bowls of crunchy mix and bite-sized treats are easy to set out on a Christmas party food ideas buffet and let people help themselves.
Caramel Apple Snack Mix
Caramel Apple Snack Mix is a fun twist for fall and winter parties. Cereal, pretzels, dried apples, and candy get tossed in a caramel coating for a crunchy, sweet-and-salty mix.
You can make a big batch days ahead and store it in an airtight container, which makes it perfect when you’re prepping several easy Christmas finger foods for one weekend.
White Chocolate Haystacks
White Chocolate Haystacks are little clusters of white chocolate and crunchy add-ins (like chow mein noodles or cereal) that set up in the fridge. They look cute on cookie trays and dessert boards and are easy to eat in one or two bites.
Because they’re no-bake, they’re a nice option when your oven is already full of other easy Christmas appetizers and baked desserts.
Christmas Chex Mix
If you want a classic snack bowl that screams Christmas, a simple Christmas Chex mix is always a hit.
Basic idea:
- Use a mix of Chex cereal, pretzels, peanuts (optional), and holiday M&Ms.
- Toss with melted butter, a little brown sugar, and seasonings if you like it sweet-salty.
- Bake briefly or keep it no-bake with a white chocolate drizzle instead.
Serve it in big bowls with scoops or in paper cups. It’s one of the easiest Christmas finger foods for a crowd, especially for casual get-togethers and movie nights.
Christmas Cookie Bars & Shortbread Bites
These dessert bars and cookies are perfect “grab and go” sweets. Cut them into small squares or fingers and pile them onto platters so they function just like Christmas finger foods for the dessert table.
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Bars
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Bars have a buttery base, bright cranberry layer, and a hint of citrus. The red and white layers look beautiful on holiday trays.
Bake them in one pan, chill, then slice into small squares. They’re sturdy enough to travel, which makes them great for cookie exchanges and potlucks.
Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies are basically Christmas in cookie form—red cranberries and green pistachios baked into tender slices of buttery shortbread.
Stack them in tins or set them out on dessert platters alongside your other Christmas finger foods for a pretty pop of color.
Maple Pecan Cookie Bars
Maple Pecan Cookie Bars bring cozy maple flavor and crunchy pecans to your dessert spread. They’re like a cross between a cookie and a blondie, baked in one pan and cut into squares.
Because they’re rich and sweet, you can slice them small and still have plenty for a crowd, which fits nicely with the idea of easy Christmas party food ideas you can serve on one big tray.
Pecan Pie Blondies
Pecan Pie Blondies deliver all the gooey, nutty flavor of pecan pie in handheld form. No pie plates, no slicing wedges—just little squares that guests can grab and enjoy.
Add them to your cookie bars tray or mix them onto a dessert board with fruit, chocolates, and candies.
Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars
Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars taste like a caramel apple crisp you can eat with your hands. A crumbly base and topping sandwich a layer of soft apples and caramel, finished with a pinch of flaky salt.
They’re a great crossover treat if your Christmas finger foods menu leans cozy and rustic rather than super fancy.
Pretzel & Chocolate Christmas Treats
Pretzel-based snacks are always among the most popular finger foods at parties. They’re salty, sweet, and easy to decorate with sprinkles or candy for the holidays.
White Chocolate Pretzel Rods
White Chocolate Pretzel Rods are long pretzels dipped in melted white chocolate and covered with sprinkles. They’re simple to make but look impressive standing in jars or lined up on a tray.
You can color the chocolate or just switch up the sprinkle colors to match any holiday theme. They’re perfect for kids’ parties, office snack tables, and gift bags.
Christmas Chocolate-Dipped Oreos
Chocolate-dipped sandwich cookies are an easy extra treat to add to your dessert table. Just dip store-bought cookies in melted chocolate, decorate with crushed candy canes or festive sprinkles, and let them set before serving. They’re sturdy, simple to make, and stack beautifully alongside bars, haystacks, and pretzel rods on your Christmas dessert platter.
How to Build an Easy Christmas Finger Food Buffet
Once you have a few recipes picked out, it helps to think about the whole table. A good mix of Christmas finger foods usually includes:
- Something warm and cheesy
- For example, Spinach Artichoke Wonton Cups, Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread, or the Puff Pastry Wreath.
- One cold or make-ahead platter
- Think deviled eggs, crostini, cucumber bites, or Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry.
- At least one kid-friendly option
- Reindeer Pretzel Treats, Peppermint Puppy Chow, Snowman Cheese Bites, or mini pigs in a blanket.
- A couple of sweet snacks
- Snack mixes, haystacks, pretzel rods, and cookie bars are all easy to serve to a crowd.
Try to balance richer easy Christmas appetizers with a few lighter bites so people can snack all evening without feeling weighed down. And whenever possible, lean on recipes you can prep ahead—your future self will thank you when guests start ringing the doorbell.
FAQs About Christmas Finger Foods
What are some good appetizers for Christmas?
Great holiday starters are usually easy to pick up and eat in a couple of bites. Think cheesy pull-apart breads, pinwheel trays, puff pastry bites with brie and cranberry, deviled eggs, spinach-filled cups, and simple sliders. These kinds of snacks feel festive but don’t require a lot of utensils or prep at serving time.
What’s the most popular finger food?
It depends on the group, but cheesy breads, pigs in a blanket, deviled eggs, snack mixes, and anything with melted cheese are usually the first to disappear. For Christmas, tree-shaped breads, wreath-style appetizers, and cute pretzel treats tend to be especially popular.
What are some easy foods to serve at a finger buffet?
Look for recipes that bake on sheet pans, in muffin tins, or in one big baking dish. Pull-apart breads, sliders, tortilla pinwheels, make-ahead deviled eggs, vegetable or cheese bites, and simple cookie bars all work well. They’re easy to arrange on platters and refill as the night goes on.
What are popular Christmas snacks?
Sweet and salty mixes, puppy chow, pretzel treats, cookie bars, shortbread, and dipped chocolates are all classic Christmas snacks. They store well, can be made ahead, and are easy to serve in bowls or on dessert trays.
What is a good starter for Christmas dinner?
A good starter is small, flavorful, and doesn’t fill everyone up before the main course. Deviled eggs, crostini with brie and cranberry, a few pieces of warm pull-apart bread, or a light bite like cucumber and cream cheese rounds are all nice ways to open a Christmas meal without stealing the show from the main dish.
Bringing Your Christmas Party Food Together
By the time you’ve picked a few warm appetizers, a make-ahead platter, something fun for the kids, and a couple of sweet bites, you’ve basically built your whole holiday menu. The rest is just filling in little gaps with snacks that are easy to grab as people mingle, play games, or curl up with a Christmas movie.
Use these ideas as a mix-and-match toolbox: choose two or three savory options, add one or two dessert trays, then finish with a big bowl of snack mix. You don’t need a dozen different dishes—just a small variety of finger foods that feel festive and are simple to eat while everyone enjoys the party.