By Pamela Vachon
Every year when the holidays rolled around, my family would often have a big, sit-down meal for more than a dozen people that my mother took the primary responsibility for. But a few years ago, she and my sisters decided to forego the sit-down dinner and just do a holiday appetizers spread instead. And thus, a new family tradition was born.
Initially, I was disappointed. My then-fiancé, now husband, would be joining for the first time, and I wanted him to have the same experience that I had always enjoyed with my family at the holidays. Conversations around the table with platters of roast beef with fixings or a big pasta bake with various salads were suddenly swapped for mingling around a coffee table and grazing on finger foods like brie bites, stuffed mushrooms, charcuterie, and various dips.
Surprisingly, this new tradition turned out to be great fun and instantly became the new way of family holidays. It was a refreshing change from the numerous food-centered, sit-down celebrations people have at their in-laws’ or friends’ celebrations throughout the season.
And, there are so many good reasons to consider reframing holiday celebrations into something simpler. A holiday appetizers spread makes it possible for anyone to contribute who wants to, relieving any sort of family politics about who’s solely responsible. With a variety of options, there’s something that appeals to everyone’s palate, including kids, without having to make separate accommodations. As new members have become part of the family, it’s a way to honor everyone’s heritage: my Irish husband’s family always has smoked salmon on soda bread for their celebrations, and we added that to my family’s holiday spread this year, to everyone’s delight. And the best part? Clean up is much, much easier.
The real tradition in my family has always been playing games during holiday celebrations, and grazing on holiday appetizers instead of sitting for dinner has also allowed for even more of what we really enjoy doing together. Both of my sisters have backgrounds as teachers, and each year we have new activities: holiday or family-specific trivia, relay-race type games, and this past year we even managed a handbell choir.
If you’re considering a holiday appetizer party this season (and I hope you do!), here are nine holiday appetizer recipes that more than set the festive atmosphere, without the need for anything formal.
Cream Cheese Christmas Tree Pinwheels
Bacon, bell pepper, and chives are mixed into a garlicky ricotta cheese mixture and rolled into spinach wraps for an on-theme, savory holiday look. Arrange the individual pinwheels into a tree arrangement, and “deck” with grape tomatoes and a bell pepper star. Pro-tip: to cut the cleanest slices, be sure to fully chill the rolls-ups first.
Get the recipe: Cream Cheese Christmas Tree Pinwheels
Charcuter-Wreath Board
A charcuterie board is a welcome addition to any appetizer spread. Here, it gets the holiday treatment with rosemary sprigs as the basis for a wreath. Use small cookie cutters to punch out star shapes from wheels of brie, and twist salami slices into roses that stand in as ornaments. An easy selection of fruits, cheese cubes, and olives completes the effect.
Get the recipe: Charcuter-Wreath Board
Holiday Cheese Trees
Individually-wrapped cheese wedges have never looked so adorable, transformed into holiday trees with the simple addition of pretzel sticks, fresh and/or dried herbs, and pomegranate seeds. Almost as fun as decorating cookies, the simplicity of this seasonal appetizer means you can get the kids involved in making dinner, too.
Get the recipe: Holiday Cheese Trees
Winter Veggie Board with Herby White Bean Dip
A holiday spread is a great excuse to elevate your go-to vegetable tray. Ditch the usual suspects for veggies that come into their prime in the winter, such as radishes, broccolini, endive, and steamed sweet potatoes. A bright and delicious dip for scooping comes together quickly: white beans, herbs, garlic, and lemon juice only require a quick zip in the food processor.
Get the recipe: Winter Veggie Board with Herby White Bean Dip
Raspberry and Brie Bites
Easier to serve (and eat!) and more festive than a whole baked brie, these fruity and savory raspberry and brie bites feel like a special occasion appetizer. Premade phyllo shells are filled with chunks of brie and topped with a simple compote composed of raspberry jam, walnuts, and rosemary before a quick turn in the oven. Warm, melty, and aromatic, a garnish of minced chives gives them a final touch of holiday elegance.
Get the recipe: Raspberry and Brie Bites
Cheesy Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are a great way to balance out the carb load of a holiday appetizer spread while still being festive and tasty. Mushroom caps are filled with a savory mixture of sauteed mushroom stems, panko breadcrumbs, and a cheese blend. Along with shredded parmesan, spreadable garlic and herb cheese is a brilliant shortcut for adding dynamic flavor and texture without the effort.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Mushrooms
Spinach-Artichoke Wreath
Spinach and artichoke dip, but make it holiday. With strategically wrapped crescent roll dough, this beloved appetizer is easily transformed into something holiday-spirited. Prepared spinach and artichoke dip makes this easy as can be. Chopped parsley and roasted red peppers complete the creative wreath look.
Get the recipe: Spinach-Artichoke Wreath
Smoked Salmon Bagel Chips
Smoked salmon is the ultimate holiday chameleon: a culinary MVP that works for so many occasions, from brunch to appetizer hour to big family holiday spreads. Using bagel chips or any kind of bread or cracker rounds you have, a swipe of garden vegetable cream cheese is the only other thing you need besides the rich and savory salmon itself.
Get the recipe: Smoked Salmon Bagel Chips
Caprese Wreath
Mini caprese skewers are arranged into a wreath for another one of our easy holiday appetizers that kids can help with this season. Mozzarella pearls, grape tomatoes, and Castelveltrano olives provide the perfect color scheme and flavor, along with prepared pesto for easy dipping.
Get the recipe: Caprese Wreath
Pamela Vachon is a freelance writer based in New York, London, and a little slice of rural Ireland, where she and her Irish husband are renovating a stone farmhouse. When not writing about food, beverages, or travel, Pamela is a musician, avid karaoke enthusiast, and lifelong student of cheese. She hopes to actually make cheese one day and raise donkeys.
