Christmas parties are fun… but prepping food at the last minute? Not so much. The key to a stress-free holiday gathering is serving make-ahead finger foods that taste amazing, look festive, and won’t create extra work when guests arrive.

Whether you’re hosting a big Christmas bash, an office party, or a cozy family gathering, these 25 delicious finger foods can be prepared in advance—some the night before, others even 2–3 days earlier. From cheesy bites and savory snacks to sweet mini treats, this list gives you plenty of crowd-pleasing ideas.

Let’s dive in!

⭐ 1. Mini Caprese Skewers

Ingredients

• Cherry tomatoes
• Mini mozzarella balls
• Fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic glaze
• Olive oil
• Salt & pepper
• Toothpicks

Instructions

1. Thread a tomato, basil leaf, and mozzarella ball onto each toothpick.
2. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Finish with balsamic glaze before serving.

Make-Ahead Tip

Assemble up to 12 hours ahead; add balsamic glaze just before serving.

Amazon Picks

• Bamboo toothpicks
• Balsamic glaze squeeze bottle

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⭐ 2. Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites

Ingredients

• Puff pastry sheet
• Brie cheese
• Cranberry sauce
• Egg wash

Instructions

1. Cut puff pastry into small squares and press into a mini muffin tray.
2. Add a cube of Brie and a spoonful of cranberry sauce.
3. Brush edges with egg wash.
4. Bake at 375°F for 12–15 minutes.

Make-Ahead Tip

Assemble and freeze, then bake straight from frozen.

Amazon Picks

• Mini muffin tray
• Pre-made cranberry sauce

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⭐ 3. Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread Bites

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Ingredients

• Biscuit dough or pizza dough
• Melted butter
• Minced garlic
• Parmesan
• Parsley

Instructions

1. Cut the dough into 1-inch pieces.
2. Mix butter, garlic, Parmesan.
3. Toss dough pieces in mixture.
4. Bake at 375°F until golden.

Make-Ahead Tip

Assemble in a baking dish and refrigerate overnight.

Amazon Picks

• Garlic press
• Silicone pastry brush

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⭐ 4. Veggie Christmas Tree Platter

[IMAGE HERE – Veggie Tree Platter]

Ingredients

• Broccoli florets
• Cherry tomatoes
• Yellow bell peppers
• Ranch or hummus

Instructions

1. Arrange broccoli as the tree shape.
2. Use tomatoes as ornaments.
3. Use yellow pepper strips as the star.
4. Serve with dip.

Make-Ahead Tip

Chop veggies 1 day ahead and assemble right before serving.

Amazon Picks

• Large white serving platter
• Holiday dip bowls

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⭐ 5. Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

[IMAGE HERE – Stuffed Mushrooms]

Ingredients

• Button mushrooms
• Sausage
• Cream cheese
• Parmesan
• Garlic
• Parsley

Instructions

1. Cook sausage with garlic.
2. Mix with cream cheese and Parmesan.
3. Stuff mushroom caps.
4. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.

Make-Ahead Tip

Assemble up to 2 days ahead.

Amazon Picks

• Sheet pans
• Nonstick skillet

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⭐ 6. Spinach Artichoke Dip Cups

[IMAGE HERE – Dip Cups]

Ingredients

• Wonton wrappers
• Spinach artichoke dip
• Parmesan

Instructions

1. Press wonton wrappers into mini muffin cups.
2. Add dip and top with Parmesan.
3. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.

Make-Ahead Tip

Bake and freeze; reheat at 300°F.

Amazon Picks

• Silicone cupcake liners
• Oven-safe mini cups

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⭐ 7. Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers

[IMAGE HERE – Chicken Skewers]

Ingredients

• Chicken breast cubes
• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Garlic
• Oil

Instructions

1. Marinate chicken.
2. Thread onto small skewers.
3. Bake or grill.

Make-Ahead Tip

Marinate chicken 1 day ahead.

Amazon Picks

• Short bamboo skewers
• Nonstick grill pan

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⭐ 8. Christmas Cheese Board

[IMAGE HERE – Cheese Board]

Components

• Cheddar
• Brie
• Cranberries
• Rosemary
• Crackers

Make-Ahead Tip

Assemble the board 3 hours ahead, keep chilled.

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⭐ 9. Mini Ham & Cheese Sliders

[IMAGE HERE – Sliders]

Ingredients

• Hawaiian rolls
• Ham
• Swiss cheese
• Butter
• Poppy seeds

Instructions

1. Layer ham & cheese on rolls.
2. Brush with butter + poppy seed mix.
3. Bake until melty.

Make-Ahead Tip

Assemble 1 day ahead; bake before serving.

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⭐ 10. Deviled Eggs Christmas Edition

[IMAGE HERE – Deviled Eggs]

Ingredients

• Eggs
• Mayo
• Mustard
• Paprika
• Chives

Make-Ahead Tip

Make filling 2 days ahead.

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⭐ 11. Sweet & Spicy Nuts

[IMAGE HERE – Nuts]

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews)
• 2 tbsp butter (melted)
• 3 tbsp maple syrup or honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. In a bowl, combine melted butter, maple syrup, and spices.
3. Add nuts and toss until evenly coated.
4. Spread nuts on a lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for 12–15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
6. Cool completely before serving—they’ll crisp up as they cool.

Make-Ahead Tip

Store in an airtight jar for up to 2 weeks.

Serving Tip

Serve in small bowls throughout your grazing table.

Amazon Picks

• Mixed nuts variety pack
• Silicone baking mat

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⭐ 12. Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon

[IMAGE HERE – Prosciutto Melon]

Ingredients

• 1 ripe cantaloupe or honeydew
• Thinly sliced prosciutto
• Fresh mint (optional)
• Balsamic glaze (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut melon into bite-sized cubes or wedges.
2. Wrap a strip of prosciutto around each piece.
3. Top with mint or drizzle with balsamic glaze (optional).

Make-Ahead Tip

Prep melon 1 day ahead; wrap with prosciutto right before serving.

Amazon Picks

• Pre-sliced prosciutto
• Balsamic glaze squeeze bottle

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⭐ 13. Mini Meatballs in Cranberry Glaze

[IMAGE HERE – Meatballs]

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 egg
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 2 garlic cloves
• Salt & pepper

For the glaze:

• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• ½ cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix meatball ingredients; roll into small 1-inch balls.
3. Bake for 15–18 minutes until cooked through.
4. In a pot, heat glaze ingredients until smooth.
5. Toss meatballs in the warm cranberry glaze.

Make-Ahead Tip

Freeze cooked meatballs + glaze separately.
Simmer together before serving.

Amazon Picks

• Frozen meatball option
• Stainless steel sauce pot

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⭐ 14. Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites

[IMAGE HERE – Salmon Bites]

Ingredients

• 2 cucumbers (sliced thick)
• 6 oz smoked salmon
• Cream cheese
• Lemon zest
• Dill

Instructions

1. Slice cucumbers into thick rounds.
2. Top each with a small dollop of cream cheese.
3. Add a piece of smoked salmon.
4. Garnish with dill and lemon zest.

Make-Ahead Tip

Prep cucumbers and cream cheese mix ahead; assemble before serving.

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⭐ 15. Cheesy Spinach Pinwheels

[IMAGE HERE – Pinwheels]

Ingredients

• 1 puff pastry sheet
• 1 cup spinach (chopped)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup cream cheese
• 1 garlic clove
• Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Mix cream cheese, spinach, garlic, mozzarella, salt & pepper.
2. Spread on puff pastry.
3. Roll tightly into a log.
4. Slice into ½-inch pinwheels.
5. Bake at 375°F for 15–18 mins.

Make-Ahead Tip

Freeze the rolled log and slice + bake from frozen.

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⭐ 16. Baked Brie & Pecan Cups

[IMAGE HERE – Brie Cups]

Ingredients

• Mini phyllo shells
• Brie cheese
• Chopped pecans
• Honey

Instructions

1. Place a cube of Brie into each phyllo shell.
2. Top with pecans and honey.
3. Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.

Make-Ahead Tip

Assemble the cups early and bake when serving.

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⭐ 17. Antipasto Skewers

[IMAGE HERE – Antipasto Skewers]

Ingredients

• Cherry tomatoes
• Mozzarella balls
• Salami
• Olives
• Basil
• Tortellini (optional)

Instructions

1. Boil tortellini if using.
2. Thread ingredients onto mini skewers.
3. Drizzle with olive oil & Italian seasoning.

Make-Ahead Tip

Assemble skewers 24 hours ahead; keep refrigerated.

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⭐ 18. Stuffed Mini Peppers

[IMAGE HERE – Mini Peppers]

Ingredients

• Mini sweet peppers
• Cream cheese
• Cheddar
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Chives

Instructions

1. Slice peppers in half vertically.
2. Mix cheeses + spices.
3. Fill pepper halves.
4. Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes.

Make-Ahead Tip

Fill peppers and refrigerate 2 days ahead.

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⭐ 19. Holiday Pretzel Bites

[IMAGE HERE – Pretzels]

Ingredients

• Pretzel twists
• Hershey’s Kisses (any variety)
• Red & green M&M’s

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 250°F.
2. Place Kisses on pretzels.
3. Heat for 3 minutes until soft.
4. Press an M&M on top.
5. Cool before serving.

Make-Ahead Tip

Store in airtight containers for 1–2 weeks.

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⭐ 20. BBQ Cocktail Sausages

[IMAGE HERE – Sausages]

Ingredients

• 1 pack cocktail sausages
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• ½ cup grape jelly or cranberry sauce

Instructions

1. Combine sauces in a pot.
2. Add sausages.
3. Simmer for 20 minutes until glossy.

Make-Ahead Tip

Cook fully and reheat in a slow cooker.

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⭐ 21. Mini Chicken Pot Pie Bites

[IMAGE HERE – Pot Pie Bites]

Ingredients

• Puff pastry or biscuit dough
• Cooked shredded chicken
• Frozen mixed veggies
• Cream of chicken soup
• Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Mix chicken, veggies, soup, salt & pepper.
2. Press dough into muffin cups.
3. Fill with mixture.
4. Bake at 375°F for 15–18 mins.

Make-Ahead Tip

Freeze fully baked pot pies; reheat at 300°F.

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⭐ 22. Pesto Christmas Pinwheels

[IMAGE HERE – Pesto Pinwheels]

Ingredients

• Puff pastry sheet
• Basil pesto
• Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Spread pesto on pastry.
2. Roll into a log.
3. Slice into ½-inch pieces.
4. Bake at 375°F for 12–15 mins.

Make-Ahead Tip

Freeze the roll; slice & bake when needed.

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⭐ 23. Baked Feta & Olive Crostini

[IMAGE HERE – Feta Crostini]

Ingredients

• French baguette slices
• Feta cheese
• Olives
• Olive oil
• Oregano

Instructions

1. Toast baguette slices.
2. Top with crumbled feta and chopped olives.
3. Drizzle with olive oil.
4. Bake at 375°F for 8 mins.

Make-Ahead Tip

Toast bread 1 day ahead; assemble & bake before serving.

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⭐ 24. Shrimp Cocktail Shooters

[IMAGE HERE – Shrimp Shooters]

Ingredients

• Cooked shrimp
• Cocktail sauce
• Lemon wedges
• Mini shot cups

Instructions

1. Fill small cups with cocktail sauce.
2. Hang shrimp over the rim.
3. Garnish with lemon.

Make-Ahead Tip

Prepare sauce cups 1 day ahead; add shrimp before serving.

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⭐ 25. Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Santa Hats

[IMAGE HERE – Strawberry Santa Hats]

Ingredients

• Strawberries
• White chocolate
• Mini marshmallows
• Red sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

1. Melt white chocolate.
2. Dip strawberry tips into chocolate.
3. Add a mini marshmallow on top.
4. Chill until set.

Make-Ahead Tip

Best made the same day, but hold well 6–8 hours refrigerated.