Simple, Unexpected Holiday Starters Everyone Will Love

Fish is a must-have at Christmas, and this starter ticks that box perfectly. Use fresh minced fish or your favorite canned fish, drained well. Mix the fish with finely chopped veggies and spices, add a whole egg, and bind it with breadcrumbs. You can swap breadcrumbs for potato, bulgur, brown rice, or couscous.

After mixing, let the mixture rest briefly, then shape into small or medium balls. Coat them in breadcrumbs and fry in hot oil until crispy and golden. They’re delicious on their own or served with a salad or dipping sauce.

Mini Christmas trees made with creamy avocado bring festive vibes and a tasty bite for all ages. Simply mash ripe avocado with salt, a touch of garlic, and a spoonful of sour cream.

Cut pre-baked pizza dough into 8 slices to form the tree shape. Stick a pretzel stick into the edge of each slice as the trunk, then spread the avocado cream on the dough. Decorate with diced red bell pepper for a pop of color.

Sticking with shapes, create a festive cheese platter that’s surprisingly simple. Cube different cheeses varying in flavor, color, and texture, then stack them in straight rows to form a Christmas tree.

Add slices of salami or ham if you like, and don’t forget fresh veggies. Green cucumber, red tomato, and black olives make this light, healthy starter even more inviting. Use pretzel sticks or homemade cheese rolls for the tree trunk.

Marinated feta is as easy to make as it is delicious. Start with store-bought feta balls or cut a block of feta into cubes. Place them in a bowl and cover with extra virgin olive oil, seasoning to taste—Mediterranean herb blends work wonderfully. Serve with toasted bread slices and fresh walnuts.

The best part? You can prepare this days ahead and store it sealed in the fridge. That way, when the holiday rush hits, your appetizer is ready to go.