As we gather this Christmas season, there is sure to be fun, laughter, connection, and of course, food! With so many parties, it can be hard to know what to make. There are always the traditional foods like ham, mashed potatoes, rolls and more —but if you’re wanting to mix things up a little or add to the traditional favorites this Christmas, then you may enjoy these 10 amazing Christmas recipes as appetizers or desserts!
#1 Spinach Artichoke Dip
If you’ve ever been served hot, cheesy spinach artichoke dip before, then you know why it’s on the list. It’s so tasty and sure to warm your soul this season.
You can serve it with toasted bread, veggies or even tortilla chips. No matter how you serve it, everyone is sure to shed a tear when it’s gone.
You can use your favorite recipe or use this one created by Jaclyn from Cooking Classy here.
#2 Fudge
Fudge is a Christmas must. It’s so good and so easy to share. There are so many kinds of fudge to choose from that your whole party is sure to love it.
You can make a variety of fudge for a huge party or just bring your favorite to keep things simple.
If you’ve never made fudge before, here’s this easy recipe from Southern Bite.
#3 Cheeseball
Big ball of cheese? Do we even need to go on? This cheese ball is beautiful, delicious and so easy to make.
With some light mixing, you’ve got an amazing appetizer. I love to serve it on a platter with a variety of crackers. It’s the perfect appetizer for guests to snack on while they’re waiting for the festivities to begin. You can get the full recipe here.
If you’re bringing it to a party, you can even bring these beautiful cheese knives with it & bring an extra pair to gift the host or hostess.
Find more host or hostess gift ideas here.
#4 Fondue
Speaking of great gifts for hosts, I always think fondue pots are the way to go because they make for GREAT party food. Whether you do cheese or chocolate, everyone is sure to enjoy it!
You can find my favorite fondue pot here. It’s so easy to use! Simply put out the fondue pot and fill it with this delicious cheese recipe from Well-plated or this fun chocolate dip from Simply Recipes. Then, add dipping sticks and a platter of snacks to the table, and voila—you’re ready to go!
Cheese fondue can be paired with an assortment of dipping items, like bread, apples and pears, broccoli, cauliflower and bell peppers.
For chocolate fondue, we love to include dippers like rice crispy treats, cookies, marshmallows, strawberries and bananas.
These are both crowd pleasers that everyone will enjoy!
#5 Cranberry Jalapeño Dip or Cream Cheese with Jalapeño Jelly
Okay, this one is a little bit of a cheat. When it comes to Christmas, we all know time can be short. If you ask us, there’s nothing wrong with making your life a little bit easier.
One way to do that is by buying store bought dip. This Cranberry Jalapeño Dip from Costco (it’s made by Stonemill Kitchens) is everything. Simply pair it with your favorite crackers, and you’ve got a dip everyone will love.
If you don’t live close to Costco and your local store doesn’t carry it, you can always do cream cheese with a layer of your favorite jalapeño jam on top! This is an easy crowd pleaser that everyone is sure to love.
#6 Stuffed Mushrooms
This won’t be for everyone, but for those of us who like mushrooms—this is a favorite.
You can find one of our favorite stuffed mushroom recipes her
e from Delish.com . We especially love this dish because it’s easy to prep ahead of time and pop in the oven right before everyone arrives.
Be sure to make extras, because these go fast!
#7 Christmas Crack Candy 
This is a sweet and salty dessert that’s also easy to put out as an appetizer or snack. Plus, it makes a great gift for family and friends.
The best part? It’s so easy to make! With only 5 ingredients, you can whip this up in no time.
You can find this Christmas recipe here created by I Heart Naptime…and yes, there is a reason it’s called “Crack Candy”.
#8 Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are a classic—and perfect for any party! You can even make them a few days early, so you can stagger your cooking.
This peppermint chocolate Christmas cookie recipe is always a fave. Plus, they are so fun to bake and look so festive.
You can get the full recipe here from Small Town Woman!
#9 Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa or Apple Cider
When it comes to throwing a party, it’s all about the details. And nothing completes a spread like a festive drink!
You can make a simple apple cider or create an entire hot cocoa bar.
Here’s a great slow-cooker hot cocoa recipe from Well-Plated we love. The best part? By serving it out of a slow cooker, your hot chocolate will stay at the perfect temperature all night long.
For cider, this recipe is a classic from Dinner at the Zoo.
#10 Pull Apart Pigs in a Blanket
This might not be the most fancy meal, but it sure is a favorite.
It’s great for both kid and adult parties alike! Plus, these couldn’t be easier to make. You can get the full recipe from Martha Stewart here.
Or, if you’re feeling really festive, you can make these Pull-Apart Crescent Christmas Trees from Pillsbury! No matter what you choose, it’s sure to be scrumptious.
Bonus Recipe: Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies is such a fun tradition in our family, and we make them every year! We love this recipe, and it tastes and smells so good! Get the full recipe here!
10 Delicious Recipes for Your Christmas Party
With all of these delicious Christmas recipes at your fingertips, your next get together is sure to be a hit.
If you want to make things even more festive, we created what we’re pretty sure is the best Christmas playlist of all time! It’s nearly seven hours of music, and it’s sure to set the tone for a fun and festive gathering. You can listen to it here.
As a side note, all of these recipes are super portable and would be easy to take to a friend’s party. To make your friend’s night, make sure to also bring a thoughtful gift. We’re sharing our favorite ideas here!
I hope you enjoy all the yummy food this holiday season.
Happy Holidays!
