Looking for christmas party food that looks just as festive as your decorations? Think cheese boards shaped like trees, little reindeer bites and cupcakes topped with candy canes.
There’s plenty to choose from here, whether you’re planning a whole buffet or bringing one plate to share.
You can keep it simple or go all out. I especially love the little edible bows!
Pick a few savory ideas, add something sweet and borrow the serving details you like best.
Festive Party Food Ideas to Try
cheese board christmas tree
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous tree-shaped snack board. I love the rows of green grapes, folded salami and cheese cubes.
That big cheese star at the top is such a cute finishing touch.
Read also: 20+ Genius Food Ideas That Save Time Daily
Try arranging your snacks in wider rows as you move down the board, then tuck edible herb sprigs around the edges.
little red-topped pastry cups
If you’re looking for individual bites rather than one big pastry, this idea is for you. The pastry squares sit in a muffin pan with white-rind cheese and glossy red topping in the middle.
These are shown before baking. For your own version, choose a tested cranberry and brie pastry recipe to get the filling and baking steps right.
Read also: 19+ Easy Puff Pastry Appetizer Ideas Guests Devour
reindeer sausage bites
How cute are these little reindeer? The pastry-wrapped sausages have pretzel antlers, candy eyes and bright red noses.
I love how the decorated ones sit among plain bites rather than covering the whole platter.
You could follow that same mix if you only want to decorate a few.
tomato and cheese wreath
This is such a pretty way to serve tomato and mozzarella skewers. The basil leaves give the platter its green wreath shape, with little lines of dark glaze across the red and white bites.
Read also: 20+ Irresistible Appetizer Ideas Guests Devour First
Leave the middle open when arranging yours so you keep that wreath outline.
nut-covered cheese ball
Don’t want to shape everything into a Christmas tree? No problem! This cheese ball looks festive with chopped nuts, dark red dried fruit and green chives scattered over the outside.
I’d place crackers on a separate plate beside it so the colorful coating stays on show.
a full holiday snack spread
If you are looking for lots of serving inspo, then this one is for you. There’s so much to love, from the gingerbread-shaped cookies to the little strawberry Santa hats on dark mini cakes.
Keep sweets grouped at one end and savory snacks at the other, like this spread. For your own setup, leave a little space between decorative greenery and the food.
twisted pastry tree
I am obsessed with this pastry tree. The twisted branches and golden center are so pretty, plus you can see the green filling peeking through the folds.
Serve your version on a large board with room around the branches. The tree shape deserves its own spot on the table.
glazed meatball bites
Don’t want to go all out with themed shapes? Look no further because a bowl of glazed meatballs is a lovely option.
These have a glossy reddish-brown coating with chopped green herbs on top.
Set cocktail picks beside your bowl so guests can take a bite without reaching for a serving fork.
green veggie wreath
This vegetable wreath may just be one of my favorites here. I love the overlapping cucumber slices and little groups of red tomatoes among all that green.
Start your arrangement with a dip bowl in the middle, then group broccoli, snap peas and cucumber around it. Keep the tomatoes together for those little berry-like details.
golden stuffed mushrooms
The mushroom fans are going to love this! These caps have generous mounds of filling, browned crumb tops and a scattering of chopped herbs.
I’d keep the serving plate simple like this white one. Those golden tops don’t need any extra Christmas decorations around them.
hot cocoa topping station
Who doesn’t love a little choice with their cocoa? This collage has plenty of ideas, including marshmallows, candy canes and small bowls of colorful toppings.
You don’t have to recreate every setup. Pick a few toppings, give each bowl its own spoon and keep your mugs nearby.
shrimp cocktail centerpiece
This shrimp cocktail display is so pretty. The tails point up around the sauce bowl, with lemon wedges and green garnish tucked between them.
Try a footed serving dish if you want the same raised display. Keep the sauce in a separate bowl in the center to follow this arrangement.
candy cane cupcakes
How adorable are these cocoa-inspired cupcakes? I love the tall light-brown frosting swirls with mini marshmallows on top.
The curved candy canes make them look a little like tiny mugs.
Read also: 18 Non-Alcoholic Christmas Drink and Garnish Ideas
Add a few crushed candy cane pieces to your frosting if you want to repeat that red-and-white detail.
cranberry and brie flowers
These cranberry and brie flowers are such a lovely alternative to plain pastry squares. The curled layers have golden edges with bright red filling showing between them.
I’d give these a little space on the serving platter so you can see each flower shape.
pastry presents with green bows
Okay, those little bows are adorable! Each pastry square has white-rind cheese and a red topping, with green chives wrapped around it like a present.
This is a fun detail to borrow for your own cheese-topped pastry bites. Keep the bows small so the topping still shows underneath.
red and green snack mix
If you’re looking for a sweet idea without individual decorations, go with a holiday snack mix. This bowl combines white-dusted cereal pieces, miniature chocolate cups and red and green candies.
The colors do the decorating here. I’d serve it with a scoop and little cups alongside.
red-topped grilled toasts
I love these grilled toasts with their generous white spread and deep red fruit topping. The dark grill marks and tiny herb leaves make them look lovely without any shaped decorations.
For your own variation, try a whipped cheese spread with cranberry topping. Keep the layers loose rather than spreading everything right to the edges.
colorful fruit tree
If you want to go all out with your fruit display, this one is for you. There are berries, peeled citrus fruits and green grapes all over the tall tree shape.
The yellow and orange fruit stars are my favorite part. For a simpler variation, arrange your fruit in a flat triangle on a platter and keep those star-shaped accents.
individual snack cups
This is such a cute way to serve a snack board in individual portions. Each stemmed cup has crackers, a salami rose and a gold-wrapped chocolate tucked among the other bites.
I especially love the upright rosemary sprigs. Keep your crackers standing at the back if you want to follow this arrangement.
santa hat and snowman sweets
Last but definitely not least, we have this adorable trio of decorated treats. The red Santa hat, white snowman and green Christmas tree look so cute together.
Read also: 20 Christmas Birthday Party Ideas With Festive Cakes, Decor and Treats
The snowman’s little brown hat is my favorite detail. You could borrow these decorations for cake pops, keeping the dotted smile and colorful tree sprinkles.