The festivities are synonymous with indulgence, and nothing embodies the festivities quite like Christmas party food. From mince pies to sausage rolls, these bite-sized delights bring people together during the festivities.
Whether you’re hosting a grand gathering or a cosy get-together, understanding Christmas party food can elevate your hosting game.
Here, the Christmas.co.uk team looks at the rich history of party food, evolving trends and expert tips – along with three irresistible recipes to impress your guests.
What is Christmas party food?
Who doesn’t like pigs in blankets at Christmas? PIC: M&S
Christmas party food refers to small, easy-to-eat dishes served at festive gatherings. Think finger foods like pigs in blankets, vol-au-vents or cheese straws — items that don’t require a sit-down meal but keep the merriment flowing.
In the UK, these treats are tailored to the season, often featuring rich, warming flavours like cranberry, spiced meats and creamy cheeses.
It’s a popular offering at Christmas and for many people is a practical and social tradition.
It allows hosts to cater to a crowd without the formality of a full meal, encouraging mingling and conversation.
Having a range of finger foods is also a nod to generosity, a cornerstone of Christmas, as hosts share an abundance of nibbles to delight their guests.
A brief history of festive party food
The roots of Christmas party food stretch back centuries.
In medieval times, feasts featured roasted meats and spiced cakes, shared communally during winter celebrations.
By the Georgian era, mince pies – once packed with meat – evolved into the sweet, fruity versions we know today.
The Victorians popularised roast goose and plum pudding, but smaller bites like sausage rolls emerged as industrialisation made entertaining more accessible.
Post-WWII, convenience foods like prawn cocktails and cheeseboards became party staples, reflecting a blend of tradition and modernity.
Which party foods were popular 10 years ago?
Prawn cocktail is still a popular favourite. PIC: M&S
While many people still love to dish up prawn cocktail and a cheeseboard, it’s interesting to see how tastes change.
A decade ago, the classics dominating Christmas parties includes prawn cocktail, but also pigs in blankets and mince pies topped the list. Undoubtedly, some people were still serving, perhaps ironically, cheese and pineapple sticks.
People also enjoyed tucking into cheese boards with artisan cheeses, bite-sized treats like smoked salmon blinis, mini quiches and vol-au-vents.
For many people, these reflected a love for nostalgic, hearty fare.
Fast forward to today, and trends have shifted.
Now the spotlight is on premium grazing boards, baked camembert with toppings like honey or garlic and international twists like tandoori chicken skewers.
Vegan options, such as stuffed mushrooms or plant-based sausage rolls are increasingly popular, driven by younger, eco-conscious generations.
Salted caramel desserts and miniature dishes — think tiny beef sliders or lobster bites — are also popular, perhaps showing a move towards sophistication and variety.
How should hosts impress with party food?
To stand out, hosts should blend tradition with innovation – focus on delivering a visually stunning spread. Try these tips:
- Create a showstopper centrepiece: A baked camembert or a charcuterie board with festive touches like rosemary sprigs and cranberries will wow guests
- Offer variety: Mix classics (such as pigs in blankets) with modern twists (vegan mince pies) to cater to all tastes
- Focus on flavour: Bold seasonings — think chilli flakes on brioche or truffle oil on cheese to help elevate simple dishes
- Keep it bite-sized: Small portions encourage grazing and keep the party lively
- Add a personal touch: Homemade dips or hand-rolled sausage rolls signal effort, earning host brownie points.
Three popular party food recipes to try
Baked Camembert with garlic and rosemary PIC: Ocado
Here are three crowd-pleasing recipes reflecting today’s Christmas food trends, perfect for your festive bash:
Baked Camembert with garlic and rosemary
Ingredients: 1 whole camembert (250g), 2 garlic cloves (sliced), 2 sprigs rosemary, 1 tbsp olive oil, crusty bread to serve
Method: Preheat oven to 180°C. Unwrap the camembert, place in its wooden box and score along the top. Insert the garlic slices and sprigs of rosemary, drizzle with oil and bake for around 20 minutes until gooey. Serve with bread for dipping.
We think this is an easy festive hit to create!
Pigs in blankets with honey and mustard glaze
- Ingredients: 12 cocktail sausages, 12 rashers streaky bacon, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
- Method: Preheat oven to 200°C. Wrap each sausage in bacon, secure with a cocktail stick and place on a baking tray. Mix honey and mustard, brush over the sausages and bake for 25 minutes until crispy.
This is a timeless favourite and enhanced here with a sticky glaze.
Vegan stuffed mushrooms
- Ingredients: 12 large chestnut mushrooms, 100g breadcrumbs, 50g vegan cheese (grated), 1 garlic clove (minced), 2 tbsp olive oil, parsley (chopped)
- Method: Preheat oven to 190°C. Remove mushroom stems, chop finely and mix with breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic and oil. Stuff the mushroom caps, place on a tray and bake for 20 minutes. Garnish with parsley.
If you search online for ‘vegan Christmas recipes’ this is a popular dish which caters to modern diets with rich flavour.
Party food suppliers
For those hosts who don’t have the time or inclination to prepare party food, there are lots of great suppliers you can rely on for quality offering. They include:
COOK
Cook also supply this impressive Christmas pudding
What they offer: Known for remarkable frozen party food, Cook provides a range of hand-prepared canapés, buffet selections and dinner party dishes like goat’s cheese and roasted pepper quiche or gammon-stuffed tarts. Their focus is on restaurant-quality food that’s easy to serve.
Why they’re great: Perfect for hosts who want premium, stress-free options delivered nationwide. Their vegetarian and vegan choices add variety.
Where to find them: Order online at cookfood.net or visit a local Cook shop.
Tipiak Foodservice
- What they offer: A French-inspired supplier offering unusual frozen party foods like gluten-free macarons, mini-éclairs and elegant canapés with a sophisticated twist. Think delicate amuse-bouches or pâtisserie-style bites.
- Why they’re great: Their French flair sets them apart, ideal for adding a touch of class to your Christmas spread. Bulk options suit larger gatherings.
- Where to find them: Contact via tipiakfoodservice.co.uk for catering orders.
Yumbles
- What they offer: Specialising in artisan and unusual food hampers, Yumbles features quirky party treats like luxury cheese selections, vegan snack boxes or chocolate-dipped delights from independent UK makers.
- Why they’re great: Perfect for unique, high-quality nibbles that double as gifts or grazing table fillers—great for impressing guests with something different.
- Where to find them: Shop online at yumbles.com.
Waitrose & Partners Entertaining
- What they offer: Their ‘Food Made to Order’ service includes quality party platters like sandwich selections, savoury snacks and desserts, all freshly prepared. Options like tiered cakes or seasonal bites cater to festive needs.
- Why they’re great: Reliable, high-quality British fare with no minimum spend for in-store collection — ideal for last-minute Christmas party planning.
- Where to find them: Order at waitrose.com for delivery (minimum £40) or collect in-store.
Poptop UK
- What they offer: A platform connecting you to local mobile caterers and party food suppliers across the UK. Options range from wood-fired pizza vans to gourmet sliders, churros carts or even oyster-and-cocktail bars.
- Why they’re great: Offers unusual, experiential food options for a memorable twist — think a converted horsebox serving Neapolitan pizzas or a nacho bar at your doorstep.
- Where to find them: Book via poptop.uk.com with instant pricing and availability.
These suppliers cater to a range of tastes, from traditional British quality to innovative and unusual offerings, ensuring your Christmas party food stands out.
Don’t forget too that the party food offering at Christmas has expanded hugely in recent years, so the main supermarkets all offer impressive ranges that are worth checking out: Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Marks & Spencer.
Whether you want frozen convenience, artisan flair or a live food station, they’ve got you covered!
Delivering the best Christmas party food
Christmas party food is more than just sustenance — it’s a celebration of tradition, creativity and togetherness.
From its historical roots to today’s trending grazing boards, it reflects the UK’s evolving festive spirit.
With these insights and recipes, you’re ready to host a party that’s both delicious and memorable.
So, roll up your sleeves, preheat the oven and let the festivities begin!
