What are you really most excited for on Christmas—the gifts or the food? You probably said gifts, because you’re relatively sane and your entire life doesn’t revolve around food, but hey, we’ll just have to agree to disagree.
Some of the best Christmas food spreads in my time were better than any gadgets, gizmos, and gift cards I could have received. Okay, maybe I’m playing it up a bit (I really like gifts, too), but you can’t deny that Christmas is a certified comfort food feast. Whether you’re sitting down for a cozy brunch, putting out the best Christmas party foods for friends and family, or making room for seasonal desserts, Christmas is basically a second Thanksgiving—only with less rules. (Turkey, begone.) Here are all the best Christmas foods to serve for a holiday feast that may just outshine the presents.
Christmas Brunch & Appetizers
Best Cinnamon Rolls
Is it even Christmas morning if your house doesn’t smell like cinnamon and sugar?
Best Christmas Foods for Brunch
I don’t know about you, but Christmas is the day my family turns into hobbits. We have first breakfast (pre-gifts), then second breakfast (post-gifts). Here are some cozy, indulgent Christmas brunch ideas to make your living room feel like a hearth in the Shire.
Best Pigs in a Blanket… So You Can Pig Out (in a Blanket)
We’re all just pigs in a blanket on Christmas. That’s how I feel after second breakfast, anyway. If you’re hosting your extended fam for the rest of the day, these are some of the best Christmas party foods you can buy—mainly, because you can throw them in the oven and go right back to the couch.
Best Brie Cheese
If you’ve ever looked down at your holiday appetizer spread and thought, “Hmm, something’s missing,” I’m telling you, it’s a cheese wheel. A brie cheese wheel, specifically, because you can top it with cranberries, nuts, and honey, maybe a dollop of fig jam, and present it like the star on top of the Christmas tree.
Best Fondue to Make Your Fancy Christmas Dreams Come True
Ever dreamed of spending the holidays at an expensive ski lodge, nursing a Hot Toddy and a pot of exquisite fondue while watching snow fall outside a tall picture window? Well, this isn’t that—it’s cheap, store-bought fondue you heat up on the stove—but it’s still a novelty that makes even the best Christmas food spread feel a little more luxurious.
Best Shrimp Cocktail to Serve (Or Stuff in Your Stocking and Save for Later)
We’ll take any excuse to serve a shrimp cocktail. Happy birthday, Jesus. *taps two cold shrimp together in a cheers*
Best Caesar Dressing for a Big, Easy Salad
There are many different salad options when curating the best Christmas party food. You can go the fruity salad route, with goat cheese crumbles, pecans, and a light spring mix. But there’s something very classic about caesar salad. With a generous helping of croutons and parm, no one’s going to skip the salad this time, we promise.
Best Christmas Dinner Appetizers
Oh, and we made a whole other list of appetizers for the best Christmas foods you could possibly imagine, too. We just do it all, don’t we? “Hey Alexa, play Michael Buble radio.” *A warm, seductive baritone fills the room… “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”*
Mains & Sides for Christmas Dinner
Best Frozen Mac & Cheese (Because, Duh)
Let’s all stop pretending mac and cheese isn’t a top-tier holiday side, okay? Stuffing is great, but we’re not trying to relive Thanksgiving. These are the best Christmas foods. You asked Santa for a Mac, and he’s bringing it. (That’s what you were talking about, right? Mac and cheese?)
Best Canned Yams for the Whole Fam
Every fam needs some form of yam on Christmas. Use this holiday staple in mash, casserole, or pie. Roast them, glaze them, candy them, or eat them plain. (Just don’t forget the marshmallows.)
Best Frozen Mashed Potatoes
Sure, you can boil a dozen potatoes and mash ‘em with some cream, butter, and herbs. But they probably still won’t taste as good as these frozen mashed potatoes, we’re sorry to say. The truth hurts, but it’s important not to lie on Jesus’s birthday. Gosh, that new Christmas sweater looks amazing on you, though!
Best Scalloped Potatoes
In case you’re sick of plain old mashed potatoes (we get it, Thanksgiving was basically yesterday), cheesy scalloped potatoes are some of the best food for a Christmas party out there. Throw in some sausage and extra cheese and turn them into a main casserole dish instead of a simple side.
Best Frozen Casseroles
In fact, speaking of easy casserole dishes… these are some of the best in the bunch.
Best Gravy to Pour Over Everything
Get out that tacky Christmas gravy boat your in-laws gave you. You only have to get to use it once a year!
Best Dinner Rolls
It’s not Christmas without a basket of hot rolls, half of which no one eats. That’s okay.
Best Rotisserie Chicken (Because Turkey Time is Over)
A store-bought rotisserie chicken may, understandably, feel blasphemous to some people. But sometimes you just don’t have the energy to roast a whole bird for Christmas dinner, and that’s okay. These best store-bought rotisserie chickens are really, really yummy, we promise.
Best Christmas Dinner Sides
Oh, what’s this? A whole other list of Christmas dinner sides we made just for you? Incredible. Santa, are you seeing this level of generosity? (I want to go on a cruise, thanks.) At this rate, you’ll have the best Christmas foods ready to go in no time.
Beverages
Best Bloody Mary Mix
When it comes to Christmas day brunch, you’re either a Bloody Mary or Mimosa family. Just to cover our bases, here’s the best store bought orange juice, too.
Best Egg Nog
For whatever reason, egg nog is still only socially acceptable to drink during the holiday season. Makes no sense to me, whatsoever. I think it’s repressive and, frankly, un-American. In my first act as President of the United States, I promise to—
Best Christmas Beers for Santa’s Beer Cooler
What? You think Santa got that belly just from cookies?
Best Hot Cocoa
Wash down the best Christmas food, apps, and desserts with some cozy, piping-hot cocoa in a reindeer-shaped cup. That’s what this holiday is all about, right? *Cranks up Michael Buble.*
Desserts & Sweets
Best Fruit Cake Even Fruit Cake Haters Will Love
Most people who don’t like fruit cake simply haven’t had a good fruit cake—or any fruit cake, really. Remember: fruit cakes are boozy. If we called them “booze cakes,” would you like them, then? It’s hard to sell “booze cakes” as one of the best Christmas foods for a wholesome holiday dessert, though. So here we are.
Best Gingerbread Cookies
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it a thousand times: Ginger cookies taste how watching the holiday version of Great British Bake Off feels. Needless to say, I love them, and you will, too.
Best Peppermint Bark
Peppermint bark is literally just Christmas in candy form—sweet, crunchy, minty magic. It’s the only time of year we really get to enjoy this, so stock up!
Best Peppermint Ice Cream for a Cool Christmas Treat
Have a scoop of this sublime seasonal delicacy all on its own, or pair it with a warm brownie or slice of pie for the ultimate hot-and-cold combo.
Best Candy Canes for Your Winter Wonderland
The candy cane is the symbol of Christmas itself. Whether you hang them on your tree, stuff them in a stocking, or eat them all before dinner, they’re a classic Christmas treat for a reason.
Best Pie Crust for Your Holiday Pies
If you’re committed to believing the best Christmas foods are homemade, we support you. And as far as we’re concerned, you rolled these store bought pie crusts from scratch. No matter what pie you’re baking (pumpkin, apple, pecan, oh my), find a crust that’s buttery, slightly sweet, and sturdy enough to hold all that rich, spiced filling.
Best Cookies For Santa
Our cookie wishlist, courtesy of Mrs. Claus.
Seasonal Holiday Candy for 2024
The elves are working overtime. From innovative chocolate bars to fun, limited-edition flavors, 2024’s holiday candy lineup is packed with tasty treats that will make your Christmas sweeter than ever.
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!