When they say ‘tidings of joy’, they probably meant ‘appetizers in abundance’, wouldn’t you agree?

Jokes aside, if you too, prefer small bites to main courses, this is the blog post for you! In partnership with my favourite wedding, gift and decor company, Weddingstar, we bring you five festive and holiday-worthy appetizers to grace your dining and coffee tables this December. Each prettier than the last, and all as Christmassy as ever, when paired with Weddingstar’s beautiful serveware you’ll be the hostess with the mostest. Though we suggest serving them for Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties, these also make perfect bridal and baby shower bites, and if you feel so inclined, we think they are certainly wedding-worthy as well!

Bookmark this page, so you’ll have these tasty ideas accessible whenever you need them.

Scroll on, for these 5 delicious recipes, as well as shopping info for these unique display pieces!

INDEX

Tap to jump to a category!

Classic Cheese Ball

Camembert and Cherry Puff Pastry Bites

Caprese Bites

Meat & Cheese Tree

Prosciutto Wrapped Pears

Must-Have Table Decor

Though the following recipes include meat and dairy products in their ingredients, feel free to get creative and customize them to suit any and all dietary needs.

CLASSIC CHEESE BALL

INGREDIENTS

CHEESE BALL:

2c. Cream cheese
1/4c. Sour cream
1/2c. Grated cheddar cheese
1tbsp. Ranch dip mix
1/2tsp. Poppyseeds
1tsp. Dried parsley 
1/2tsp. Cayenne (optional)
2tbsp. Chopped pecans 

CRUST:

1tbsp. Chopped pecans
1tbsp. Slivered almonds 
1tsp. Dried chives 
1/2tsp. Dried parsley 
2tsp. Ranch dip mix
1tbsp. Dried minced onion
1tsp. Poppyseeds 

METHOD

In a large mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and sour cream well (use a hand mixer to make it even easier). In a separate smaller bowl, combine cheese ball seasonings and pecans and stir thoroughly. Combine seasonings with cheese mixture, and blend until all ingredients are evenly mixed, and cheese is silky smooth.

Lay out 2-4 large pieces of cling wrap, layering two sheets vertically and two sheets horizontally. Using a spatula, scoop cheese ball mixture into the centre of the cling wrap. Gently lift edges of cling wrap, until all corners meet at the top. Twist wrap closed, and gently roll cheese ball on the countertop, patting edges gently as you go until a ball form is achieved. Clip or tie cling wrap closed tightly, and refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to serve (or overnight, for best results). 

In a small container or bowl, combine cheese ball crust seasonings and mix well. Just before serving, roll ball generously in seasonings. Place in the centre of your serving board, and top generously with slivered almonds and chopped pecans.

Serve immediately with your favourite pretzels, crackers, and crostinis, as well as vegetables such as carrots, celery sticks, sugar snap peas, and bell pepper slices.

CAMEMBERT & CHERRY PUFF PASTRY BITES

INGREDIENTS

2 cans of Pillsbury Flaky Rolls, or Crescents
1/4c. Cherry jam
350g. Camembert cheese
1/4c. Pecan halves
Rosemary, to garnish

METHOD

Open the Pillsbury dough, and spread out over a clean countertop. Cut into triangles, and place each triangle into the cup of a greased mini muffin tin (12-16 openings). Fill with a slice of camembert and a dollop of cherry jam, until all cups are filled. Top each puff pastry bite with a pecan. Bake 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven, and garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary. Serve immediately.

CAPRESE BITES

INGREDIENTS

1 Container mini bocconcini cheese
12 Grape tomatoes
12 Basil leaves
1 Baguette
Balsamic reduction, to garnish
Sea salt, to garnish

METHOD

Slice baguette into 1/4″ slices, and then each slice into halves. Preheat oven to 350°, and toast baguette slices on a clean, ungreased baking sheet for 5-7 minutes, until just golden. Top each crostini with a folded basil leave or two, a mini bocconcini, and a grape tomato, held together with a toothpick. Arrange on a serving dish or board, and top with a drizzle of balsamic reduction. Serve immediately.

MEAT & CHEESE TREE

INGREDIENTS

1/2c. Sliced dry-cured pepperoni sticks
1/2c. Sliced fresh pepperoni sticks
1/2c. Cubed aged white cheddar cheese
1/2c. Cubed havarti cheese
1/2c. Cubed swiss cheese
1c. Purple grapes
1c. Green grapes
Rosemary, to garnish
Thyme, to garnish

Serve with:

Water crackers
Breadstick crackers
Pickles
Jellies
Grainy mustard

METHOD

Prep all ingredients; slice pepperoni sticks into bite-sized pieces, and cut cheeses into 1/2″ cubes. Remove grapes from stems, wash and dry thoroughly. On a longer serving board, such as Weddingstar’s white handled cutting and serving board, arrange ingredients in tiers to create a ‘Christmas tree’ shape. Intersperse with fresh herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, and sage, as desired. Refrigerate covered, until ready to serve. Serve with crackers, breadsticks, spreads and pickles.

PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED PEARS

INGREDIENTS

2 Bartlett pears, ripened
4 Slices of prosciutto
1/4c. Crumbled blue cheese, or 2 blue cheese sandwich slices
1c. Baby arugula 
Balsamic reduction, to garnish (optional)

METHOD

Wash and thoroughly dry pears. Slice pears into wedges, 4-6 wedges per pear, and pat dry of excess moisture. If using blue cheese slices, divide into 8 pieces a slice. If using a blue cheese block, cut into 1/4″x1/2″ thin pieces. Divide prosciutto slices into halves, lengthwise.

Wrap each pear wedge, a generous pinch of arugula, and a blue cheese slice, tightly with a prosciutto strip. Top with extra blue cheese crumbles, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction if you wish (or set out some of each). Serve immediately, or make in advance up to an hour or two (pears are best if served immediately!).

*Please note; for safety reasons we advise not to use toothpicks in this recipe – not to worry, they don’t need them!

Who doesn’t love finger food? The best of all worlds!

MUST-HAVE TABLE DECOR

For the hostess that doesn’t yet have the mostest, but soon will…! Here are some gorgeous entertaining pieces that will see you through all of life’s special occasions.

Personalized Wooden Paddle Cutting & Serving Board With Handle – Berry Bunch

Always start with serving boards. Choose from rustic, round styles to elegant, marbled styles, and even boards with built in utensils.

Personalized Wooden Round Cutting & Serving Board With Handle – Signature Script, Personalized Round Marble & Wood Serving Board – Rustic Love Monogram

Personalized Wood & Slate Serving Board Set – Script Monogram, Personalized Wooden Cutting & Serving Board With White Handle – Circle Monogram

Personalized Wooden Cutting & Serving Board With White Handle – Signature Script

The best part of Weddingstar’s serving boards is the customization options. Use a family name, couples names, or monogrammed initials, whatever reflects your current phase of life.

Custom Engraved 3-Piece Gold Handled Cheese Knife Set – Signature Script, Custom Engraved 3-Piece Gold Handled Cheese Knife Set – Modern Serif Initial, Custom Engraved 3-Piece Gold Handled Cheese Knife Set – Circle Monogram

No serve board is complete without an attractive cheese knife set. Weddingstar’s gold handled set comes plain or personalized, and is of the most superior quality. This set is built to last!

 

Round Gold Wood Decorative Coffee Table Trays – Medium – Set Of 2, Round Gold Wood Decorative Coffee Table Trays – Large – Set Of 2

Carry your appetizers out on these lightweight, gold wood coffee table trays. Available in sets of 2 in two sizes, medium and large, we suggest getting a set of each. You’ll want to display these, outfitted with holiday coasters on all of your end tables!

Geometric Metal Wire & Glass Test Tube Flower Vases – Gold – Set Of 3

Delicate vases in metallic gold, and crystal candle holders compliment any appetizer spread, and become mainstays in your decor collection.

Crystal Tealight Holders (6)

Vintage Style Pressed Glass Champagne Flute – Clear, Vintage Style Pressed Glass Wine Goblet – Clear

Weddingstar has a vast line of drink and glassware at the most affordable prices. Be sure to stock up on your favourites for the holidays!

Vintage Style Pressed Glass Champagne Flute – Pink, Vintage Style Pressed Glass Wine Goblet – Pink

Personalized Stemless Toasting Champagne Flute Wedding Favour Gift

Personalized Stemless Toasting Champagne Flute Wedding Favour Gift

Personalized Foil Printed Paper Napkins – Merry Midnight Merry Christmas, Personalized Foil Printed Paper Napkins – Mistletoe Kisses

And last, but not least, pick up some cute and personalized napkins for a unique finishing touch to your holiday appetizer spread. Weddingstar carries the best quality paper napkins, and you can select from 3 napkin sizes, 14 napkin colours, 14 font colours, and 20+ designs.

Personalized Foil Printed Paper Napkins – Mistletoe Kisses, Personalized Foil Printed Paper Napkins – Classic Christmas Happy Holidays

With these fanciful appetizers ready to go in minutes, you’ll have your guests thinking Santa’s helpers are behind the scenes! Just add chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and you’ll be all set. Though Christmas comes but once a year, you can enjoy these recipes all year long – let us know how you’re serving these appetizers this year in a comment!

Please give Weddingstar and I a follow on IG, as we would love to continue bringing you inspiration for all of the special occasions in your life. Thank you so much for reading! From myself and my friends at Weddingstar, we wish you the happiest holiday season, and hope these recipes are enjoyed with the ones you love all throughout December.

xo, Jamie

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