25 Make Ahead Christmas Eve Appetizers (Prep Them Days Ahead)
Are you looking for make ahead Christmas Eve appetizers that don’t leave you cooking while your guests arrive? These 25 recipes are sorted by when you prep them — three days ahead, 2 days before, and the night before. Scroll down for the make-ahead timeline and all those delicious recipes!
Christmas Eve Menu Made Easy
Growing up, my parents often hosted a Christmas Eve open house. As an Italian family on Long Island, it was usually loud, crowded, with people pouring in all night long. That’s not a complaint! I have a ton of great memories from those years.
However, that kind of hosting takes a certain kind of skill, I’ve learned since becoming an adult myself. My mom always made it look so easy, like it was second nature. But for the rest of us like me? I’m going to need a little more help and preparation.
The key to hosting an event like this – or any Christmas Eve gathering or Christmas party is making food ahead of time. And that’s the whole idea behind this list.
Every one of these Christmas Eve appetizers can be made before the day itself, and I’ve organized them by when you prep rather than by what they are — so you can work backward from Christmas Eve and know exactly what to make when.
Some hold beautifully for three days. Some get assembled the night before and go straight into the oven. Some never see heat at all and come out of the fridge ready to serve.
You’ll find easy Christmas Eve finger foods for the kids, decadent dips, and elegant hors d’oeuvres that look fancy but actually are really easy!
If you’re feeding a crowd that comes in waves or just hosting your close family and friends, this is the way to go.
The Make-Ahead Timeline
This is what you’re looking at for timelines, which you’ll see under each heading below:
- The Week Before: 3-7 Days Ahead
- Two Days Before
- The Day Before
On the actual day of your gathering on Christmas Eve, the only thing you might need to do is to turn on the oven, flip on the crockpot, or add some dressing.
The Week Before: 3-7 Days
Many of these genuinely improve or hold with time. You may actually want to make these ahead of time.
This cocktail sauce can be made up to a week prior, kept tightly covered in the fridge. All you need to do is defrost the shrimp.
This delicious combo of orange, rosemary, and garlic can actually be made up to a week before Christmas Eve!
This delicious dip comes together quickly and easily - the relish can be made up to a week prior, and this dip can be assembled 3 days prior.
A delicious recipe for mozzarella balls, which can be made up to 5 days out.
Maple Rosemary Roasted Nuts are sweet, savory and sure to please! Made in twenty minutes and can be made up to 2 weeks prior!
With only four simple ingredients, these Homemade, fibre-rich Almond Flour Chia Seed Crackers are crispy, crunchy, and can be made 3 days before!
These yummy pizza cupcakes are very kid-friendly and can be made up to 4 days before your party.
These delicious bites will be a hit with everyone - kids included! Best part- you can make these 3 days in advance for no stress!
Two Days Before
If you’re looking to avoid the day-of rush, two days out is a great goal!
The flavor improves in the fridge for this one! Make the mixture, shape the cheese ball, and refrigerate up to 48 hours in advance; add exterior coating until the day of serving if you want maximum crunch. It can even be frozen for a month, prior to coating!
To make this delicious appetizer ahead of time, prepare the whipped feta up to two days prior. Blend the base ingredients and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Add the toppings just before serving.
This is gorgeous, delicious, and can be assembled up to 2 days before baking.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates are just 3-ingredient appetizer that comes together simply and can be assembled up to 48 hours in advance.
These can be assembled and refrigerated 2 days prior - but if you're a super planner, these can be frozen for up to 2 months prior!
This heavenly classic is one every loves - and you can make this up to 2 days ahead!
These colorful, 3-ingredient, cream cheese stuffed mini peppers are incredibly easy to make! And you can make them 2 days before!
Goodness - this one sounds delicious! You can make this one 2 days ahead of the main event!
These delicious bites have all the holiday feels - and you can eliminate the stress by making them 2 days ahead of time!
The Day Before
This might feel a little last-minute, but what a relief to not be doing this on Christmas Eve!
These can be assembled the day before and just popped into the oven the day of! Easy peasy!
These festive bites can be prepared up to 24 hours before serving!
These adorable skewers can be made up to 24 hours in advance.
This delicious appetizer is a perfect individual serving finger food that can be made 1-2 days ahead!
Crescent roll recipes are one of my favorite hacks - and this delicious upscaled pizza can be made the night before!
These Christmas Cheese Trees are a fun holiday appetizer made with creamy cheese, herbs, and pretzel sticks. Make them the night before! Best to add pretzels before serving.
You can make these cute Christmas tree quesadillas the day before and heat up on the day of!
This beautiful board has something for everyone and can be made a day ahead of time!
I hope you found some amazing Christmas Eve appetizers! Be sure to save this post because with the exception of a handful of specifically Christmas-themed recipes, most of these can work at any party or gathering!
More Appetizer Ideas
If you need more ideas, I’ve got ’em!
50 Best Christmas Appetizers & Finger Foods for a Party (all Christmas themed!)
40+ Absolute Best Individual Appetizers Party Approved!
40 Insanely Easy Last-Minute Appetizers that Come to the Rescue
40 Fancy Appetizers for Every Elegant Occasion
Thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!
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