57 Festive & Fun Christmas Party Foods to Serve in 2023

It’s never too early to start thinking about the Christmas party foods you’d like to serve at your festive get-togethers. You may have family events to attend and office luncheons to contribute to, not to mention neighborhood shindigs and school celebrations, all of which will require your best take on Christmas party food for each function.

With every new opportunity comes a different group whose tastes for Christmas party food is bound to vary, which makes it important to have lots of options.  

Wondering what food to serve at a Christmas party? We’ve gone window shopping for some of your best bets for crowd-pleasing Christmas party foods to suit a variety of settings this holiday season.

From eye-catching charcuterie displays made merry for the occasion to old-fashioned desserts that add a dash of nostalgia, these Christmas party foods are the perfect gift for hosts and guests alike.  

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• Make Christmas Party Foods With Top Chefs
• Best Office Christmas Party Food Ideas
• Easy Christmas Party Food Ideas for Adults
• Fun Christmas Party Food Ideas for School
• Best Christmas Party Buffet Ideas

Make Christmas Party Foods With Top Chefs

1. Expert-Led Cooking Classes

From charcuterie trays to holiday desserts, from hors d’oeuvres to dips and spreads, whatever your Christmas party food needs, you’ll find cooking classes near you to cover the order. Work with culinary pros who know how to make a party sparkle and shine.

Whether booking cooking classes in Denver, cooking classes in New Orleans or cooking classes in Philadelphia, aspiring chefs have delicious options for filling out their menus.

Can’t make it in person? Try online cooking classes for a virtual lesson in bringing the best Christmas party food to your special event.

2. Holiday Team Building Activities

Get the Christmas crew together for tasty challenges with team building activities near you. You’ll find fun holiday-themed cooking competitions, gingerbread making workshops, and other sessions ready to get your gang supercharged for the season.

With team building activities in San Francisco, team building activities in Miami, team building activities in NYC and beyond, there are courses from Atlantic to Pacific to make your Christmas party terrific! 

Best Office Christmas Party Food Ideas

3. Pinwheel Trays

Pinwheels, those spiral tortilla wraps filled with meats, cheese and spreads, are a Christmas party food you can make by the dozen for a fast work party tray.

Simply spread cream cheese on tortillas and layer cold cuts with cheese slices, then roll and cut into one-inch rounds. Arrange on a platter and take your Christmas party food to the office for all to enjoy!

4. Mini-Quiches

Don’t tell the other elves, but a box of mini-quiches you can bake and take becomes easy Christmas party food that cooks up in minutes. Of course, you can make your own from scratch if you have the time and patience.

Whichever you choose, you’ll have miniaturized versions of a brunch classic to make your office celebration a quaint affair for quiche lovers!

5. Cookie Decorating Bar

A holiday work party without a cookie decorating bar is like a tree without a star on top! Set up pre-baked sugar cookies cut in holiday shapes and an array of frosting spreads and piping bags.

A supply of sanding sugar, button candies and brightly-colored sprinkles will turn this whimsical Christmas party food into a ticket on the Childhood Express for your coworkers!

6. Caprese Skewers

One of the easiest Christmas party food recipes to execute is caprese skewers. These delectable kabobs consist of mozzarella cubes, cherry tomatoes and basil leaves festively adorning bamboo spears.

Add a drizzle of balsamic and a sprinkle of salt and pepper and you have portable Christmas party food your colleagues will love.

7. Stuffed Mushrooms

Get fancy for the festivities and make stuffed mushrooms, a Christmas party food that’s guaranteed to brighten up your spread.

A simple recipe mixes cream cheese, bread crumbs, garlic, butter and black pepper for the filling. Stuff Baby Bella mushroom caps and broil for an unexpectedly upscale nosh.

8. Dessert Cheese Ball

If you’ve only ever tasted a savory version of a cheese ball, the dessert cheese ball is about to become your new favorite Christmas party food idea! Mix a brick of cream cheese with a stick of butter, 3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar and a teaspoon or two of pure vanilla extract.

Then, use plastic wrap to form a ball and cover the surface with mini chocolate chips. Keep cool until ready to serve and provide vanilla wafers, graham crackers and pretzels as dippers.

9. Bruschetta

This Italian classic not only adds flavor to your holiday spread, it also brings the perfect color combination to give your party a splash of Christmas punch!

Toasted slices of baguette topped with mozzarella, basil and cut grape tomatoes, plus a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic, are just the right blend of crunchy, tender, juicy and creamy to make the office hum with excitement.

10. Cream Puffs

You can impress your colleagues with your baking skills by whipping up a tray of indulgent cream puffs filled with satiny pastry cream.

Or you can buy the frozen version and heat it up in your oven before the party starts. Whichever works best for you, your secret is safe with us!

11. Lavosh and Tzatziki

Skip the traditional Christmas party food possibilities and go for something more unique, like crispy lavosh served with a cool tzatziki dip.

This unleavened Armenian bread is similar to a soda cracker, the perfect surface for spreading the creamy cucumber-and-yogurt goodness of tzatziki for a light and lovely Christmas party nosh.    

12. Pasta Salad

Pasta salad isn’t just for summer picnics and backyard barbecues. It’s also a sensational addition to your office Christmas party menu. You can find pre-made salads in your grocer’s deli section or at boutique food stores in your area.

If you opt to make your own, you can determine the pasta-to-vegetables-to-dressing ratio that works best for your taste.   

13. Honeyed Ham

Would it be a Christmas party feast without a honeyed ham on the table? Dedicated home chefs may up for the challenge of making their own.

For everyone else, you can find local restaurants firing up their cookers to sell holiday hams as part of their seasonal selections. They may even slice it for you, making it even easier to serve your crew. 

14. Quesadillas

More fun than finger sandwiches and much simpler to make, the humble quesadilla is a fan favorite at any Christmas get-together in the workplace.

Melt a mix of shredded cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses on a tortilla in a frying pan, add strips of cooked chicken, steak or sauteed peppers, and add another tortilla on top. Cut into wedges and stack on a Christmas platter for a dish with international flair. 

Easy Christmas Party Food Ideas for Adults 

15. Shot Glass Dessert Flight

Fill several shot glasses with layers of cake, pudding and candies for holiday desserts that go down smooth. You can also use scoops of cakes with frosting to fill out your diminutive parfaits.

These treats can be spirited or zero-proof, depending on the group you’re serving. If you make both, be sure to keep them separate to avoid any Christmas party confusion!

16. Garlic Knots

Anyone asking, “What finger foods are good for a party?” should consider garlic knots as a fun Christmas party food that hits the mark.

Tie pre-packaged biscuits into knot shapes, brush with butter and sprinkle with garlic. Then, bake as instructed on the label for a visually striking twist on the usual breadstick.    

17. Baked Brie

One of the most gourmet additions to your Christmas party banquet is also one of the easiest to prepare. Baked brie is as simple as it sounds: a wheel of brie baked until the center melts.

You can serve this upscale treat with crackers, toast rounds, vegetables or fruit. It’s a dip, it’s a spread — it’s a conversation starter guaranteed to get your guests in the holiday mood!

18. Brisket Sliders

A grown-up version of the mini-burger, brisket sliders use succulent beef slices cooked to tender perfection piled on half-sized brioche buns.

These stylish sandwiches are so elegant, they may turn out to be the centerpiece of your entire Christmas party spread! 

19. Dessert Sandwiches

Quick breads become a sweet sensation when you turn them into dessert sandwiches. Start with a cake-like loaf like banana or spice bread cut into regular slices, then cut the slices vertically into to squares.

Spread nut butter, jam or Nutella on one slice and top with the other slice. You can also add chocolate chips, nuts or coconut to the center before adding the top slice. Serve them on a silver tray like tea sandwiches and watch your guests’ eyes light up!

20. Smashed Potatoes

Baked potatoes don’t stand a chance in a Christmas party food line-up where smashed potatoes are present.

These battered brothers of traditional baked potatoes get a solid whack on the counter after baking to break up the starch and make it fluffy, then head back into the oven with olive oil and salt to crisp up. The result is an ultra-textured potato that’s ready to celebrate! 

21. Stuffed Olives

Elegant adult Christmas parties should always include a tray of stuffed olives on the table, and you can be the one to provide them for your event!

You’ll find jars of kalamata olives stuffed with blue cheese in your grocery store’s specialty deli section. Spear them with toothpicks and arrange them on a platter for a luxe treat that goes great with cocktails.

22. Corn Chowder

Whether you make your own or choose a store-bought version, corn chowder is a sophisticated yet earthy soup that will help warm up your Christmas party food selections.

Serve it in bread bowls topped with shredded cheese to make the occasion even more special. 

23. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts that are roasted instead of boiled bring the gift of big flavor to any adult Christmas festivities. The crisp, caramelized layers are bound to be a revelation to anyone who hid these mini-cabbages under their napkin during childhood dinners.

Jazz them up with a bit of bacon to add a whiff of smoky flavor.

24. Boozy Pudding Cups

With boozy pudding cups scattered among your Christmas party food ideas for adults, you have a fun cocktail-forward dessert for the grown-ups can indulge in.

Make a simple recipe of boxed chocolate pudding that uses RumChata and chocolate liqueur among the liquid ingredients. Then, pour the pudding into single-serving cups or shot glasses and top with whipped cream.

25. Jalapeño Poppers

Jalapeños stuffed with cheese, battered and gently fried, are a sharp way to warm up an adult Christmas party crowd.

You can find a slew of recipes online for making your own, or you can place an order with a local restaurant and spend your extra time getting dressed to the nines for your stylish affair. Holiday entertaining is all about options! 

26. Spinach Artichoke Dip

If you’re wondering “What food should I bring to a holiday party?” you can’t go wrong with a dish of spinach artichoke dip. The homemade version can be a bit of a chore, so it wouldn’t be wrong for you to pick up a pre-made package in the specialty deli section of your favorite grocery store.

Fill a special dish and serve it with a variety of seeded crackers and sliced bread rounds.

27. Grape Jelly Meatballs

A crock pot filled with frozen meatballs and grape jelly may sound like a recipe for holiday disaster, but this unlikely blend becomes a sweet and tangy appetizer your Christmas crowd didn’t know they were missing.

Elevate the mix with barbecue sauce or caramelized onions, and you have the makings of a new Christmas party food classic.

28. Slow-Cooker Smoky Links

The enticing smell of smoky links as they warm up in the slow cooker is just the aroma you need to bring guests running for the Christmas party food table.

These tiny sausages may seem like kiddie food, but the elevated essence of hickory reveals their true nature as a gourmet goodie adults can enjoy too. 

Fun Christmas Party Food Ideas for School 

29. Flatbread Pizza

Flatbread pizzas are a quick solution that supplies your Christmas party food display with more mindful choices than just traditional pizza.

Using storebought flatbread from your grocer’s deli section, spread spaghetti or marinara sauce in the center and top with a sprinkle of grated mozzarella, fresh herbs and a few slices of pepperoni.

30. Merry Mac & Cheese

Mac and cheese made merry with a few colorful garnishes can be a cheap Christmas party food idea that kids will cheer for.

Use a boxed mix with liquid rather than powdered cheese to save steps, then decorate with sliced cherry tomatoes and sprigs of rosemary arranged like holly boughs. Be sure to remove the garnish before serving. 

31. PB&J Cookie Cut-Outs

Simple PB&J sandwiches cut out in cookie cutter star and gingerbread men shapes will provide familiar Christmas party foods for a class of hungry holiday students.

Use a variety of white and wheat bread to create a fun visual display on a serving board. You’ll also give selective eaters a chance to choose their favorites. If food safety prevents you from using peanut butter, substitute with almond or sunflower seed butter, or even cream cheese.

32. Home Fries

Sliced potato wedges baked with a sprinkle of salt are the Christmas party food that French fries aspire to be! Young eaters will love the familiar flavor and crispy texture without realizing they’re eating a healthier holiday version of their junk food favorite. 

33. Cinnamon Rolls

Packaged cinnamon rolls are one of the best cheap Christmas party food ideas for school parties, thanks to generous servings of super-sweet cinnamon filling and cream cheese glaze!

Prepare a tube or two of pop-and-bake rolls just before the party starts and serve them warm for a gooey Christmas treat.

34. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Even a grilled cheese sandwich can become Christmas party fare if you know your audience! Go simple with your recipe, using white bread and American cheese cooked in a frying pan until golden. School-aged party folk will be thrilled to find one of their favorites on the table.

35. Pigs in a Blanket

A tiny hot dog wrapped in a layer of crisp, chewy pastry dough…what’s not to love about Christmas party food like that? Make them from scratch or opt for heat-and-serve to make happy revelers out of the K-through-8 set (though older kids will love them, too). 

36. Rice Krispie Squares

Rice Krispie squares are a quick and easy bakeless treat you can churn out by the panful with a simple 2:2:2 ratio. Melt two cups of marshmallows with two tablespoons of butter or margarine and mix in two cups of cereal until evenly coated.

Press the mixture into a buttered pan and slice when cooled. Top your bars with frosting and holiday candies to give them a bit of Christmas glitter!

37. Christmas Popcorn

Christmas popcorn tops the list of Christmas party food recipes you can make in under fifteen minutes. Coat freshly popped popcorn with candy melts, toss with crushed candy canes and holiday M&Ms and let cool on a parchment-covered baking sheet.

Break up into bite-sized chunks when solid and you have a last-minute Christmas party food that looks as great as it tastes!

38. Grinch Fruit Sticks

What holiday-happy kid wouldn’t love finding adorable Grinch fruit sticks among their Christmas party food selections? Spear a green grape, a banana slice, a de-topped strawberry, and a mini-marshmallow on a toothpick for hors d’oeuvre that bear a striking resemblance to the Mean One’s grouchy green face and bright red Santa hat!  

39. Reindeer Food

Even reindeer need to eat, though this type of reindeer food is strictly for your party guests! Use white candy melts to coat a bowl of Chex and Cheerio cereals and toss in Christmas M&Ms and candy cane pieces.

Scoop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a parchment-covered baking sheet and chill until solid. Serve these sweet clusters in a jolly bowl for all to enjoy.

40. Chocolate-Dipped Oreos

Everyone’s favorite sandwich cookie gets a smooth chocolate coating in this kid-approved Christmas party food idea. Let your little bakers help add the fudgy shell and sprinkle fun décor on top.

Be careful with this project; melted chocolate has a sneaky way of burning tender skin when it splatters.

41. Pretzel Wands

With chocolate-coated pretzel wands, little ones can help create their own Christmas party food. You can set up a station with melted chocolate for dipping full-sized pretzel rods and dishes of holiday sprinkles and Christmas candies to decorate them with.

Turning prep work into exciting Christmas activities lets school-aged party folk feel like they’re assisting with the celebration.

42. Ham and Cheese Sliders

Tiny slider rolls filled with ham and cheese sliders will give grade schoolers a holiday sandwich perfectly sized for their hands and bellies.

Add a pickle slice to some for the more daring eaters at the party, with a toothpick stuck in the tops to mark which are which. 

Best Christmas Party Buffet Ideas

43. Hummus and Veggies

The best cheap Christmas party food ideas keep flavor in the budget, like homemade hummus served with fresh veggies. You can make a batch using a can of chickpeas, a few tablespoons of olive oil, a clove of garlic and a sprinkle of salt and paprika.

Blend in a blender or food processor for five minutes, adding a few drops of water if needed to reach a smooth consistency. Then, slice up carrots, cucumbers and bell peppers and arrange it all on a tray for a cost-effective Christmas party that’s healthy and delicious. 

44. Hot Chocolate Pudding

Using packaged cocoa mix in place of pudding mix will give you an authentic hot chocolate pudding that brings new dimension to a holiday favorite.

In the simplest version of the recipe, you’ll blend the hot chocolate mix with cornstarch, milk and water, then cook on the stovetop until the mixture reduces enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pour into cups to chill in the fridge until set and serve with a scallop of whipped cream.

45. Spiced Pecans

If you’ve ever had pecans glazed with sugar and warm winter spices, you know how much Christmas spirit this goodie can add to a Christmas buffet. Make your own by coating pecans with maple syrup and sprinkling on cinnamon and nutmeg.

Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until the syrup becomes dry. Stir at five-minute intervals to prevent burning. Break up the pecans after they cool and serve in a holiday-ready dish.

46. Deviled Eggs

What do you serve at a Christmas party buffet? If deviled eggs aren’t part of the menu, your guests may feel like they’ve gotten coal in their stockings!

Hardboiled eggs cut in half and filled with a whipped mix of egg yolks, mustard, mayonnaise and seasonings make a classic Christmas party food everyone will recognize. 

47. Christmas Queso

A slow cooker with queso bubbling away is a warm reminder of just how delicious a Christmas party food buffet can be.

Heat a can of cheese sauce mixed with cooked and seasoned ground beef and a sprinkling of red and green bell peppers, and you have a rich sauce that tops other dishes or stands on its own as a dip for tortilla chips.

Add a dish of jalapenos next to the cooker to encourage the crowd to make their own nachos.

48. Pumpkin Pie Bites

Skip the slices when adding pumpkin pie to your Christmas party food selections and go for pumpkin pie bites instead.

Take a small circular cutter and press it into the surface of the pie to make small petit four-sized cylinders. Arrange them on a pretty tray with a spritz of whipped cream crowning each one for a stylish sweet treat.

49. Hasselback Potatoes

These fancy potatoes look more complicated to make than they actually are. The secret is slicing the potatoes super-thin without cutting all the way through the bottoms, which creates delicate chip-like segments with crisp edges.

You can serve them with traditional baked potato toppings or keep things simple with a bit of olive oil and a sprinkle of dried herbs.

50. Shrimp Cocktail

A tray of cool shrimp cocktail on your Christmas party food table will give your guests a posh bite they can really chill out with. Play holiday chef and make your own fresh shrimp and homemade cocktail sauce or pick up a frozen shrimp cocktail tray at a grocer or warehouse store to save time and labor. 

51. Caramel Pull-Apart

One Christmas party food idea buffet lovers will rave over is a caramel pull-apart. This classic bake is a twist on the traditional cinnamon roll, with sticky caramel in place of cream cheese glaze.

Also known as monkey bread, the simplest version of the recipe uses frozen bread rolls and boxed butterscotch pudding to achieve a rich and chewy texture few holiday revelers can resist. 

52. Stuffed Butternut Squash

For Christmas party food ideas buffet-style that plant-based eaters will enjoy, try your hand at making a stuffed butternut squash. A filling of cranberries, kale, chickpeas and quinoa will transform a halved gourd into a hearty harvest that’s ideal for celebrating in gourmet style.

53. Charcuterie Tree

One of the most captivating charcuterie board ideas to include among your Christmas party food is a charcuterie tree! Arrange your sliced meats and cheeses in alternating rows to create a triangular Christmas tree shape and lay almonds, cherry tomatoes and olives among the branches as ornaments. 

54. Tamales

There’s no need to become an expert tamale maker to include these wrapped culinary treasures among your Christmas party food.

You can find tamales in the frozen food section of most grocery stores that will thaw and cook easily. If you’re feeling ambitious you can try this recipe for a more authentic — and labor-intensive — method.

55. Turkey Breast

Few traditional Christmas party foods top turkey as a familiar favorite, but cooking a full bird is a big task. Why not serve a turkey breast among your Christmas party foods instead?

There are smaller, oven-ready cuts in your grocer’s freezer section that use a slow cooker to make easy work out of a holiday staple. 

56. Whipped Sweet Potatoes

Find the festive balance between sweet potatoes and plain old mashed potatoes by turning sweet potatoes into a whipped Christmas party food!

Heavy cream, butter and cinnamon give this sumptuous starch the rich taste and texture of a pie filling. It’s a thoughtful way to bring comfort foods made with a gourmet touch to your celebration.  

57. Cake Ball Truffles

Simple cake Ball truffles are the Christmas party food ideas your buffet can’t do without. Bake your favorite cake to the instructions on the package and crumble it once cooled completely.

Add a can of vanilla or chocolate frosting until you have a ganache-like paste. Roll it into balls and let set in the fridge until solid. Then, dip each ball into melted chocolate and decorate with nuts or sprinkles. Voila — Christmas party food and table décor all in one! 

Having so many ideas to choose from may make your Christmas party food planning seem overwhelming. But there’s no need to throw a gala in order to work these Christmas party foods into your plans.

Smaller affairs like brunch party ideas or after-work meet-ups with a few friends become special occasions with the addition of just a few easy-to-make Christmas party foods.

For even more fun holiday ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!