Let's be real — the snacks can make or break a holiday party. You need options that are easy to prep, fun to eat, and appealing to everyone from kids to picky adults. We've got you covered with a mix of interactive stations, make-ahead favorites, and crowd-pleasers that require minimal effort but deliver maximum flavor.
Check out our list of easy holiday snacks below:
What Makes Great Holiday Snacks
When planning your holiday snack spread, aim for variety that keeps guests happy throughout the party.
The winning combination includes:
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Finger food: Easy to grab and no utensils needed.
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Make-ahead options: Prep early so you get to enjoy the party.
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Balance sweet and savory: Have something for every craving.
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Dietary variety: Besides offering a mix of sweet and savory snacks, keep dietary restrictions in mind.
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Temperature range: Offer a combination of hot, cold, and room-temperature snacks.
The Best Snacks for a Holiday Party
1. Gourmet Popcorn Bar
We have to kick off this holiday party snacks list with popcorn. It’s what we do best after all! You can go one of two ways here — follow festive popcorn recipes like this Grinch-inspired popcorn or butter toffee popcorn, or go all-out and set up a popcorn bar where guests create their own flavor combinations.
How to Set Up Your Popcorn Bar
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Pop kernels in your Popper and pour the popcorn into huge bowls
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Set out toppings like mini chocolate bars, crushed candy canes, chopped nuts, cinnamon sugar, and ranch seasoning
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Place small scoops in each topping bowl to avoid mess
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Provide paper bags or individual bowls
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Make it pretty with holiday decorations — think pine branches, string lights, ornaments, or a festive tablecloth
RELATED: How to Create the Perfect Popcorn Bar for Any Occasion
2. Charcuterie Board
Is it really a holiday party without a charcuterie board? It looks incredible, has something for everyone, and most importantly, it’s super easy to set up.
What to include:
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3-4 types of cheese (aged cheddar, brie, goat cheese, gouda)
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2-3 cured meats (prosciutto, salami, pepperoni)
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Fresh and dried fruits (grapes, figs, cranberries, apricots)
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Nuts (candied pecans, almonds, pistachios)
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Crackers and breadsticks
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Honey, jam, or chutney
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Fresh herbs for garnish
PRO TIP: Arrange items in clusters with different heights and textures. Add small bowls for dips and spreads to create visual interest.
3. Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Mix equal parts cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo for your base. Then stir in frozen spinach, roughly chopped artichoke hearts, minced garlic cloves, parmesan, and shredded mozzarella. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly with crispy edges, and voila — you’ve got yourself one delicious dip. You can serve it with tortilla chips, crackers, or pita chips.
4. Caprese Skewers
Thread cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and basil leaves onto small skewers. Then drizzle with balsamic glaze and olive oil just before serving. These bite-sized appetizers are as delicious as they are beautiful, and they balance out all the rich, heavy holiday food. Your guests will love them!
5. Swedish Meatballs
For a hearty holiday snack, you can’t go wrong with Swedish meatballs (seriously, the sauce alone is pure magic). These stay warm in a slow cooker the entire time and will make your home smell amazing.
The Basics
Mix ground beef and pork with egg, breadcrumbs, sautéed onion, and warm spices (allspice, nutmeg, salt, pepper). Roll into small balls, brown in a skillet, then simmer in a cream sauce made with butter, flour, beef broth, and heavy cream.
SERVING TIP: Keep a stack of toothpicks nearby for easy eating, and put out a small bowl for used ones so things stay tidy.
6. Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs never go out of style. They just hit the spot every time. But maybe instead of the classic version, you can get creative with flavors this year and mix in ranch seasoning with bacon bits or sriracha and jalapeño slices.
7. Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Sweet dates, salty bacon, creamy cheese — this combo is basically foolproof and tastes way fancier than the effort required to assemble it.
How to Make Them
Stuff pitted dates with goat cheese or blue cheese, wrap with half a strip of bacon, secure with toothpicks, and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until the bacon is crispy.
MAKE-AHEAD TIP: Assemble your bacon-wrapped dates in the morning, refrigerate, and bake right before guests arrive.
8. Hummus Trio with Vegetables
Next on our list of holiday party snacks is this healthy idea. Like the caprese skewers, these give your guests a break from the rest of the hearty spread at the celebration.
The Setup
Set out three hummus flavors (classic, roasted red pepper, garlic) alongside an abundant platter of fresh vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, celery, and snap peas.
9. Sausage Rolls or Pigs in a Blanket
If you want pure comfort food, these will be a hit with kids and adults alike. Here are two ways to make them:
Easy Method
Wrap cocktail sausages in crescent roll dough triangles and bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until golden. Serve with mustard and ketchup for dipping.
Fancier Method
Use puff pastry and quality sausages, then brush with egg wash before baking for a golden finish.
PRO TIP: Make a huge batch a few days before and freeze them unbaked. When it’s time for your party, just bake them straight away — you’ll only need to add 5 extra minutes.
10. Holiday Snack Mix
This is the ultimate low-maintenance holiday party snack. Just toss the following ingredients together, portion into bowls, and scatter them around your party space:
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Pretzels and crackers
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Nuts (ex. almonds, cashews, pecans)
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Dried fruit like cranberries and cherries
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Chocolate chips or M&M’s
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Peppermint pieces
11. Stuffed Mushrooms
Elegant and deceptively easy — that's stuffed mushrooms for you. Serve them warm and watch them vanish within minutes!
How to Make Them
Remove mushroom stems, brush caps with olive oil, and roast for 10 minutes. Fill with a mixture of cream cheese, garlic, breadcrumbs, parmesan, and herbs. Top with more cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.
More Filling Ideas
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Sausage and cheese
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Crab with cream cheese
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Spinach and feta
12. Sweets Station
Every party needs a little something sweet! Set up a small sweets corner with:
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Chocolate-covered pretzels with white chocolate drizzle
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Brownie bites
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Chocolate truffles
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Store-bought cookies
Smart Planning Tips for Your Holiday Party Snacks
How Much to Prepare
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Plan for 6-8 pieces per person for a 2-3 hour party
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Include 4-6 different snack options for variety
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Balance hot items (1-2), cold items (2-3), and room temperature options (2-3)
Timing Strategy
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Prepare dips, cheese boards, and snack mixes the day before
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Bake items like meatballs and sausage rolls early in the day
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Pop fresh popcorn and assemble skewers within an hour of guests arriving
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Keep hot items warm in slow cookers
Presentation
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Use tiered stands to create height and visual interest
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Add fresh herbs, pomegranate seeds, or cranberries for a pop of festive color
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Label items clearly, especially those with common allergens
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Keep serving utensils or toothpicks with each item
Let’s Get This Party Started
Any of these holiday party snacks will be perfect for your celebration. The biggest challenge? Deciding which ones to serve. But here’s what we know for sure — popcorn is non-negotiable.
Make entertaining easy with our Popper, and visit our blog for even more inspiration, popcorn recipes, and snack ideas!
