Looking for Christmas party food ideas to make your holiday celebration unforgettable? Christmas parties are a time to bond with loved ones over a festive and delicious menu. Whether you’re preparing a potluck dish or crafting an entire spread, I’ve put together a complete list of Christmas party food ideas to help make your holiday season extra special!
Appetizers
Appetizers set the mood for the party! They stimulate everyone’s appetite and get them ready for the main dish!
Homemade Chicken Pâté
I’ve never been a fan of chicken liver pâté, but give me some homemade chicken meat pâté, and I’m all in!
Easy Chicken Pâté
This easy chicken pâté is the perfect addition to any meal, whether you're looking for a delicious spread for your morning toast or a fancy appetizer for your next dinner party. Its creamy texture and rich flavor are sure to impress. Give it a try for your next gathering or when you want a touch of elegance at your meal. It’s particularly great for occasions like brunches or casual get-togethers.
Deviled eggs that look like Christmas trees? Yes, please!
Deviled Egg Cupcakes
If you hate peeling the boiled eggs or simply want fancier appetizers -this one is for you! Eggs and avocados are a match made in heaven, so I used that combination. I made them as tiny Christmas trees to fit the holiday theme! Chilli, lime, and smoked paprika fuse all the flavors together in one perfect bite!
This recipe is actually my all-time favorite! When I bake it, the house smells wonderful, and the taste – oh, my!
Christmas Tree Garlic Bread Pull Apart
This Christmas tree pull apart garlic bread recipe is the only one you’ll need for the rest of your life! You can shape it any way you desire; I chose to roll it for this festive look. It is perfect as a centerpiece for your Christmas dinner or a casual lunch to prepare for the whole winter. It tastes like home – an ideal Christmas bread recipe choice for the holidays. Christmas tree garlic bread pull apart is a perfect Christmas recipe for a crowd!
Have you heard of fried gnocchi? The recipe transformed soft gnocchi into something so crunchy and flavorful that I’m never making them any other way again. Check out the recipe!
Air Fryer Crispy Gnocchi Recipe
Enjoy the crispy goodness! Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner option or something new to impress guests, this recipe for air fryer crispy gnocchi is sure to be a hit.
If you want to include fish on your Christmas appetizer table, this is the recipe you need to try!
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Appetizer
These smoked salmon cucumber appetizers are not only tasty but also visually appealing, making them a perfect choice for parties, celebrations, or as a light and refreshing snack. Enjoy!
If you are looking for the best chicken pasta salad, this is it! The key ingredient is caramelized onions, which transformed this dish into something incredibly delicious!
Easy Cold Chicken Pasta Salad
This cold chicken and pasta salad is particularly delicious because of the addition of caramelized onions, which add a unique aroma and sweetness to the dish. You can serve the salad cold or warm, as you prefer. The recipe is easy and fun to make!
Wow! This cranberry jalapeño cream cheese spread combines unique flavors that make it an extremely tasty appetizer. It’s perfect for Christmas and super easy to prepare for any potluck!
Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Spread
This unique spread features cranberry, jalapeno, green onion and orange juice in a cream cheese base. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and spicy, and perfect for any holiday celebration.
Their fun shape and flavorful pesto make them a crowd-pleaser, perfect for casual gatherings with family or coworkers.
Christmas Tree Pesto Breadsticks
Christmas tree never looked this good! When you fuse perfectly kneaded pastry and homemade pesto, you get this – an incredibly flavorful bite. It is fantastic to serve as an appetizer with salads and dips or as a side dish with roast, soups, or stews. Either way, one thing is clear – the pesto Christmas tree will be a superstar of the show. The recipe for these breadsticks is from scratch but super simple! Check it out!
Wow, I just know that this melted baked brie with pistachios and cheesy flavor will be loved by everyone at your party! It’s the perfect festive addition to your Christmas appetizers, and it’s super easy to make!
Baked Brie Recipe with Figs, Pistachios and Orange
Let us fill you in on a little secret: This sweet and savory baked Brie recipe looks fancy, but it couldn’t be easier to make.
Main dishes are the highlight everyone waits for in every holiday dinner! To make sure you’ll have the best selection, here are recipe ideas for you!
Whole Roasted Stuffed Chicken
There’s something incredibly comforting and delicious about a whole roasted chicken stuffed to perfection. If you agree, this is the recipe for you!
Whole Roasted Chicken Stuffed with Bacon and Celery
This delicious stuffed roast chicken with its crispy skin and flavorful, moist interior paired with hearty vegetables makes for a delightful meal that brings comfort and joy to any table. Enjoy the process and the feast!
Since people love to eat turkey during holidays, I believe that ground turkey patties will complete your holiday dinner table just perfectly.
Ground Turkey Patties without Breadcrumbs
Easy recipe for healthy ground turkey patties without breadcrumbs, stuffed with cheese. Enjoy your meal with a side of your choice, and feel free to customize these patties to suit your taste!
This is the healthier version of a classic lasagna dish. Check it out!
Sweet Potato Lasagna with Meat Recipe
This recipe guides you through making lasagna using layers of thinly sliced sweet potatoes instead of traditional noodles, layered with a savory meat sauce and creamy bechamel. It's a straightforward dish that swaps pasta for sweet potatoes, making it a bit healthier and adding a unique twist.
Cajun shrimp is probably the best meal I made this year. I was just speechless when I tried it. I recommend this dish if you are having pescatarian friends over.
Cajun Shrimp and Rice
This is an American recipe for tiger shrimp in a sweet and spicy tomato and cream sauce. It's so creamy and delicious that you won't even have time to talk while enjoying this meal, which is inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Louisiana. I didn't use store-bought cajun seasoning, but rather homemade.
If you know me, you’ll know how I love balsamic glaze! This balsamic dijon glazed ham is so good, and adding it to my party menu was one of my best decisions!
Balsamic Dijon Glazed Ham
This is beyond any doubt the BEST ham I have ever tasted – and the secret is all in the 3 ingredient ham glaze.
I’m already a fan of crumb toppings, and making it buttered just takes it to another level! This baked cod is heavenly with its moist, flaky texture and rich, buttery crumb topping.
Baked Cod with Buttered Crumb Topping
This easy, foolproof recipe for baked cod features a buttery, flavor-filled crumb topping that ensures moist, flaky fish every time.
Another delicious glazed recipe, this honey-glazed roast pork is amazing! I also love the addition of roasted vegetables; it makes the whole dish even more satisfying and perfect for any gathering.
Honey Glazed Roast Pork with Vegetables
Easy one pan honey glazed roast pork is moist, tender, and juicy, coated with an irresistible honey glaze and packed with potatoes, green beans and apples.
Did someone say it comes with mustard cream sauce? Well, I’m already sold! This heavenly spice-rubbed tenderloin is coming to my table, and I can’t wait to enjoy the incredible flavors.
Spice-Rubbed Tenderloin with Mustard-Cream Sauce
Since beef tenderloin doesn’t have much fat, it can easily become dry and overcooked. For tender slices, don’t cook past a meat thermometer registering 130° in the center.
Seafood is an underrated Christmas main dish, and this orange pomegranate salmon proves it! The flavor is amazing, and the pomegranate seeds add a festive touch that makes this dish fit in your holiday table.
Orange Pomegranate Salmon
A colorful, festive salmon dish makes an impressive addition to your holiday table—and it is as delicious as it is beautiful. What will no one guess? How easy it is to cook. I serve this with roasted baby potatoes and asparagus for a showstopping meal that is wonderful for special occasions. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
If you’re looking for vegan options for your Christmas menu, you should definitely try this vegan lentil sweet potato loaf! The vegetables are mouthwatering and make this dish a standout choice!
Lentil Sweet Potato Loaf
This vegan lentil sweet potato loaf is healthy comfort food at its finest. It’s made with nutritious lentils, sweet potato, and rolled oats.
Want to add a flavorful soup to your pork or chicken this Christmas? This Mexican pozole is calling your name! I’m in love with the chilli sauce—it adds such a delicious special kick to the dish.
Pozole
This Mexican POZOLE recipe is a hearty soup with hominy and tender pork in a mild red chile sauce, garnished with crunchy fresh toppings.
Last but not least is this another seafood delight! Lobster is loved by everyone—who doesn’t enjoy it? Baked with garlic herb butter sauce, this dish will definitely complete your Christmas dinner.
Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter
Baked Lobster tails with garlic butter are a classic and luxurious dish that can be served as the main course for a special occasion or as part of a larger seafood feast.
Side dishes really go hand in hand with main dishes and help improve the flavor and eating experience. Sof here are some side dish ideas for your holiday menu!
Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Sauce
Sauces are a crucial part of any food table, in my opinion. But I always try to make a homemade one because they tend to be healthier than store-bought ones. Recently, I made this caramelized onion and mushroom sauce for burgers, and oh my! That’s all I’m going to say.
Caramelized Onion and Mushroom
Caramelized onion and mushroom is a top-tier choice for addition to almost every meal, especially meats. This time I served it with rib-eye steak and turkey burgers for a real gourmet feast. It is actually nothing special, but pairs with many dishes enhancing the flavors. Here is the recipe for this simple, but effective side dish!
Potatoes are probably a universal side dish because they go with everything! These air fryer roast potatoes are easy to make and match any meal, adding that crispy touch that we all love!
Easy air fryer roast potatoes made in the Ninja Dual Zone
Quick and simple air fryer roast potatoes. This recipe helps you have crispy air fryer roast potatoes in just 30 minutes!
Speaking of universal side dishes, pasta is also great for balancing flavors in your menu! This seafood pasta is a haven for seafood lovers, featuring a mix of shrimp, clams, mussels, and scallops and a flavorful sauce.
Seafood Pasta Recipe
This seafood pasta is a mix of shrimp, clams, mussels and scallops, all tossed together with spaghetti in a homemade tomato sauce.
This Hungarian mushroom soup with dill offers that warm and cozy feeling perfect for Christmas! It’s a creamy bowl that offers earthy flavors, really making it a good choice for chilly holiday gatherings!
Hungarian Mushroom Soup with Dill
This Hungarian Mushroom Soup is a creamy, warm and satisfying meal. It’s a delicious bowl of comfort with incredible earthy flavor. An easy to make soup you’ll love on chilly days.
You can never go wrong with pizza, and this pesto-stuffed bread is a certified good side dish! The festive star shape makes it more fitting for Christmas! Plus, the pesto adds a delicious flavor!
Pesto Pizza Stuffed Star Bread Is The Perfect Holiday App
Time for some healthy side dish options? These honey soy sprouts are a winner—sweet and savory, they provide a tasty twist that you’ll never be disappointed with.
Honey soy sprouts recipe
Try a new twist on sprouts. Shredding and coating them in a sticky soy and honey sauce takes them to a new level – it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser
I was speechless when I saw the rich color of this spiced red cabbage with cranberries in cider! Seriously, it’s perfect for Christmas – it heavily improves the festive vibes on your holiday table and it’s healthy too!
Spiced Red Cabbage and Cranberries in Cider
Serve this sautéed side dish for Thanksgiving, or just as a weeknight accompaniment!
How could I forget salad? This lentil and roasted eggplant combo is a fantastic choice, whether as a fresh appetizer or a satisfying side dish – it brings amazing flavors and hearty textures to your meal.
Lentil and Roasted Eggplant Salad
This eggplant salad is just downright delicious – lentils cooked in a seasoned broth topped with plump caramelised eggplant with a zesty lemon dressing.
Raclette-Gruyère Mac and Cheese with Pickled Shallots
I love mac and cheese—it’s such a universally adored dish! This version, featuring Gruyère and Raclette with tangy pickled shallots, takes it to a whole new level, making it the best side or main dish!
Raclette-Gruyère Mac and Cheese with Pickled Shallots Recipe
This Raclette-Gruyère Mac and Cheese with Pickled Shallots from Josh Miller pairs tangy pickled shallots and nutty Swiss cheeses in this creamy twist on classic mac and cheese.
Last but not least—the desserts section! Desserts are important to sweetfully conclude the meal and balance the flavors too!
Concha Cupcakes
If you love this Mexican sweet bread, you will love it in the form of cupcakes, too! These cupcakes are so soft and flavorful, perfect for Christmas gatherings.
Concha Cupcakes Recipe
Concha cupcakes are a perfect blend of Mexican and American cuisine. Sweet bread is fluffy, aromatic, soft, and airy, while the streusel topping is crunchy with a melt-in-the-mouth texture. I was inspired by gingerbread cookies, so they are infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla!
This is not only the best recipe for cinnamon rolls, but also for the tree-shaped cinnamon rolls dessert. Check it out!
Christmas Cinnamon Rolls
If you are looking for an idea of what to bake for a Christmas party, look no more! Here is the step-by-step recipe for Christmas-themed cinnamon rolls!
Did you know that you can serve cornbread as a fruity dessert? Well, I have to say that it tastes delicious, too!
Cornbread with Berries
Enjoy this delightful Cornbread with Berries as a special treat that’s sure to bring smiles and a bit of sweetness to your table! A wonderful addition to your holiday celebrations that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.
I just love eating oranges during winter time to keep myself healthy, and just recently, I found out that you can make cheesecake with this fruit. I just had to make it and the result was this delicious creamy dessert, the best cheesecake ever!
Orange Cheesecake Recipe
Dive into this luscious Orange Cheesecake for your next gathering or as a special weekend treat. Its unique citrus flavor and creamy texture make it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion!
Enjoy this gingerbread cake with cranberries – a dessert that screams Christmas!
Sticky Chewy Cranberry Gingerbread Recipe
This autumn treat is perfectly moist and slightly crumbly. The taste is out-of-this-world, warm, spicy, and slightly tangy. I love a cinnamon-ginger combo with a touch of vanilla flavor! 100% recommend!
Lemony, spicy, sweet… I don’t need anything else from the Christmas dessert.
Sticky Ginger Lemon Cake
This is the best tea cake you'll ever serve! It's perfect for cozy nights at home with its rich flavors and interesting texture. Plus, it looks magazine-worthy!
If you want a light and festive appetizer, this cinnamon puff pastry Christmas tree is the answer! The cinnamon flavor is so good and it’s a sure crowd pleaser!
Spiced Apple and Cranberry Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
How do you fancy making this amazing puff pastry Christmas tree, filled with a spiced cranberry applesauce, topped with cinnamon and decorated with toddler-friendly treats?
The dish is far from fancy-looking, and it can come off a bit messy, but it has a warm, comforting taste; it tastes just like fall!
Pumpkin Pie Tacos
Pumpkin Pie Tacos have a warm, comforting taste, just as fall should be. Imagine a crispy taco filled with caramelly pumpkin, loaded with cinnamon and ginger. Sounds amazing, right?!
I already love classic cinnamon rolls, but adding cookies and cream twist takes them to another level! The combination of flavors makes these rolls a tasty treat that I just can’t resist.
Cookies And Cream Cinnamon Rolls Are Basically Dessert For Breakfast
Cookies and cream cinnamon rolls are a fun twist on a classic breakfast treat. Add the flavors of cream-filled chocolate cookies to classic cinnamon rolls.
This Christmas candy is such a sweet and addicting treat! It’s quick and easy to make, with the toffee being my favorite part. The crispy base and rich flavors are simply irresistible!
Saltine Cracker Candy Is a Sweet and Salty Christmas Treat
It’s smothered in homemade toffee and chocolate! 🤤
Tiramisu is always at the top of my list when it comes to sweets, and this festive version is no exception! With its creamy layers and sweet flavors, it’s a sure hit for any holiday dessert table.
Christmas Tiramisu
Sweet holiday panettone joins traditional ladyfingers in a creamy, indulgent tiramisu.
Mary Berry’s pavlova is the ultimate festive dessert with its stunning wreath shape! It looks so delicious and elegant that I’m seriously craving a taste right now. This dessert is perfect for adding a touch of holiday magic to any table!
Mary Berry’s pavlova recipe
Mary’s pavlova is topped with pretty berries, but most fruits work well. It’s a great dessert for Christmas because it can be made well ahead.
Gosh, these Santa hat brownies are just too adorable! I’m definitely trying them this year— they’re the perfect Christmas treat with their cute and chocolatey twist! Plus, they are very easy to prepare!
Santa Hat Brownies Recipe
These Santa Hat Brownies are super cute and easy to make. A perfect Christmas recipe. Everyone will love these rich brownies topped with strawberries.
Wrapping up my list with a festive yule log! My favorite part has to be the crunchy hazelnut brittle (huge fan of crunch textures!) — such a good addition that makes this dessert extra special for the holidays.
Chocolate Yule Log Recipe
Need a show-stopping dessert recipe to impress guests over Christmas? Check out our indulgent chocolate log with dark chocolate with a boozy Baileys cream
Laura Bais is the owner of Julie's Cafe Bakery food blog. From a young age, she had a passion for cooking, and at the age of 13, she made her first meal. After finishing high school, she undergraduates in Cultural Studies at the University of Rijeka, and graduates in Journalism at the University of Zagreb. At that time she honed her cooking skills, but also worked in marketing. Since her love for cooking never faded, in 2021 she finally decided to share her recipes with the world. Laura turned her hobby into a career and loves every moment of it. Now she writes about common mistakes in the kitchen and how to avoid them, about adding twists to traditional meals, etc. Her love for trying new foods often leads her to visit restaurants and attempt to recreate the meals at home. She has been featured on F and B Recipes and BOXROX, to name a few.
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