15 Festive Christmas Party Food Ideas

No holiday party is complete without appetizers.

No holiday party is complete without hors d'oeuvres. From artisan foods to sweet and salty treats, hors d'oeuvres help invite your guests to feel the Christmas spirit in the air. Here are some of our favorite Christmas appetizers that can be made in just a few minutes.

• Pinecone Cheese Balls

Want to add a touch of nature to your holiday party's appetizer table? This Pinecone Cheese Ball is easy to whip up and will make you look like a true artisan chef. Simply mix cream cheese, goat cheese and spices like fine shallots and tarragon. Use your hands to shape the cheese dip into the shape of a pine cone. Add almonds to mimic the scales of a pine cone, and use some rosemary sprigs to add the look of fresh branches.

• Fruit and Vegetable Christmas Tree

Wish your friends, family and co-workers a Merry Christmas with an appetizer that is sure to get their attention.

Use four to five different vegetables and layer them on a Christmas tree-shaped tray. Vegetables that fit the green part of the tree include broccoli, celery and asparagus.

Use vibrant vegetables such as red and orange bell peppers and tomatoes to add color to the tree. Include some pretzels for the trunk and some cauliflower florets for the snowy background. You can also make this appetizer tree with fruits like pineapple, mangoes and berries.

• Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie

The gooey cheese and fruity flavor encourage eating and drinking. Baked Brie is an excellent holiday appetizer that adds elegance to any spread without hours of prep time.

This Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie recipe takes only 10 minutes to prepare. Drizzle brie with honey, butter, cranberry sauce and pecans, pop it in the oven and in a few minutes you'll have an appetizer ready for your loved ones.

You can also choose small round slices of brie to make small pieces of brie instead of the whole brie.

• Holiday Artichoke and Spinach Dip

This spinach and artichoke dip is the perfect topping for grilled French baguettes or some crispy tortilla chips. Place the dip in the center of a round tray and use crackers or baguette slices to mimic the look of a wreath. Sprinkle with pomegranate or cranberries. 5.

• Sweet Five Spice Nuts

Holidays are full of spices and seasonings. From roasting chestnuts over an open fire to rosemary sprigs, the season is full of moments to tempt your senses. These sugary and spiced nuts are the perfect addition to an appetizer. Mixed with paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and brown sugar, these nuts are sure to be a hit.

• Grilled Lamb Kebabs

This appetizer is easy to put together at the last minute, with simple ingredients that add elegance to any holiday table. Best of all, it incorporates the season's popular shades of red, green and white. Use long toothpicks to add mozzarella balls, basil leaves and tomatoes. Drizzle the skewers with a balsamic glaze to add sweetness and tang.

Turn your kitchen into Santa's workshop and add a new twist to this classic appetizer. Swap out the mozzarella for feta cheese. Use pesto ravioli instead of basil. Or try using sun-dried tomatoes instead of plain sage. The possibilities are endless.

• Cranberry Walnut Blue Cheese Pinwheel

These holiday rolls can be made from scratch with flour, or you can save time by substituting store-bought puff pastry. They add a decorative touch to any buffet table, and their contrasting tart and savory flavors are sure to please your guests. Swap out the walnuts for other nut-loving foods like pistachios and pecans, or use ricotta cheese instead of blue cheese for a milder flavor.