Christmas Wreath Appetizers: 14 Party Platters That Double as the Centerpiece

These Christmas wreath appetizers prove the trick pro hosts never tell you: put any snack in a circle, tuck in some rosemary, and it becomes the prettiest thing on the table. Wreath shaped party food is taking off right now. A video of hummus toastie wreaths passed 3.2 million views on Instagram in just two days, and a simple puff pastry wreath from the same home cook drew more than 860,000 views. You do not need any special skill or pan. Most of these are store bought shortcuts, like crescent dough, puff pastry, deli meats and cut vegetables, simply arranged in a ring. Below you will find what each one is, the easy shortcut and how far ahead you can build it. Grab a big round platter..

Christmas Wreath Appetizers Start With Puff Pastry

A braided puff pastry wreath filled with brie and cranberry sauce is the easiest showstopper of the season. Two sheets of store bought puff pastry, a wheel of brie and a jar of cranberry sauce bake into a golden ring that guests tear apart by hand. Put a bowl of dip or extra cranberry sauce in the middle and decorate the edge with rosemary. Which do you serve first: A: the wreath or B: the drinks?..

You will need: 2 sheets puff pastry thawed, 8 oz brie cut in small cubes, 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, 1 egg beaten, 2 sprigs rosemary, 2 tbsp chopped pecans.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F and line a sheet pan. 2. Lay one pastry sheet flat and cut out a large ring using a dinner plate and a small bowl as guides. 3. Spread cranberry sauce and brie cubes on the ring. 4. Top with the second sheet cut the same way and press the edges. 5. Cut short slashes around the ring and twist each section. 6. Brush with egg and bake 22 to 25 minutes, then add rosemary and pecans.

Hummus Toastie Wreaths, the Viral Bite

This is the idea that blew up this week. Small rounds of toast are spread with hummus, then topped with a ring of tiny herbs, pomegranate seeds and diced red pepper so each one looks like a little wreath. They are bright, fresh and a nice break from heavy holiday food. They are also one of the few vegetarian Christmas wreath appetizers that kids love.

You will need: 1 baguette sliced into rounds, olive oil, 1 1/2 cups hummus, fresh parsley and dill, 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, 1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper, flaky salt.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Brush the bread rounds with oil and toast 8 minutes. 3. Cool the toasts. 4. Spread a thick layer of hummus on each one. 5. Press small herb sprigs around the edge in a ring. 6. Dot with pomegranate and red pepper like ornaments.

Pigs in a Blanket Sausage Roll Wreath

Mini sausages wrapped in crescent dough are a party classic. Arrange them in a big ring before baking, with the ends touching so they bake together, then put a bowl of honey mustard in the center. Tuck parsley or rosemary between the rolls after baking for the green wreath look. It is always the first of the Christmas wreath appetizers to be emptied at a party.

You will need: 2 cans (8 oz) crescent roll dough, 48 cocktail sausages, 1 egg beaten, 1 tsp everything bagel seasoning, honey mustard for dipping, fresh parsley or rosemary.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F and line a large pan. 2. Cut each crescent triangle into 3 thin strips. 3. Roll a strip around each sausage. 4. Arrange in a large ring, two rows deep, with sides touching. 5. Brush with egg and sprinkle with seasoning. 6. Bake 15 to 18 minutes and fill the center with dip and herbs.

Christmas Wreath Appetizers in Party Colors: Caprese

Red tomatoes, white mozzarella and green basil are already Christmas colors, so a caprese wreath is a natural fit. Thread cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls and basil leaves onto short skewers and lay them in a ring on a round platter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving. You can build it the morning of the party and keep it covered in the fridge.

You will need: 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 8 oz small fresh mozzarella balls, 1 bunch fresh basil, olive oil, salt and pepper, balsamic glaze, short skewers or toothpicks.

How to make it: 1. Pat the mozzarella balls dry. 2. Thread a tomato, a basil leaf and a mozzarella ball on each skewer. 3. Arrange the skewers in a ring on a round platter. 4. Fill gaps with extra basil leaves. 5. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 6. Add the balsamic glaze right before serving.

Crescent Ring With Chicken and Spinach

The crescent ring is an old potluck favorite. Triangles of crescent dough are laid in a sunburst around a plate, filled with a creamy chicken and spinach mix, then folded over to make a golden wreath. Slice it like a pie for a hearty appetizer that can double as a light dinner. Assemble it a few hours early and bake right before guests arrive.

You will need: 2 cans (8 oz) crescent roll dough, 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 cup chopped spinach, 4 oz cream cheese softened, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, 1 clove garlic minced, salt and pepper.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Arrange the crescent triangles in a ring on a pan, wide ends overlapping in the middle and points facing out. 3. Mix the chicken, spinach, cheeses, garlic, salt and pepper. 4. Spoon the filling over the wide part of the dough. 5. Fold the points over the filling and tuck them under. 6. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden.

Christmas Wreath Appetizers for Grown Ups: Charcuterie

A charcuterie wreath is just a cheese board arranged in a ring. Start with sprigs of rosemary in a circle on a big board, then add folded salami, sliced cheeses, grapes, olives, nuts and crackers around it. Put a small bowl of jam or honey in the middle. It looks like hours of work, but it takes about 20 minutes.

You will need: 6 oz salami, 4 oz prosciutto, 3 cheeses (cheddar, brie, gouda), 1 cup grapes, 1/2 cup olives, 1/2 cup nuts, crackers, rosemary sprigs, a small bowl of fig jam or honey.

How to make it: 1. Lay rosemary sprigs in a ring on a large round board. 2. Place the jam bowl in the middle. 3. Add the cheeses in small groups around the ring. 4. Fold the meats into ribbons and tuck them in. 5. Fill gaps with grapes, olives and nuts. 6. Add crackers on the outside edge just before serving.

Veggie Wreath With Ranch in the Middle

The healthy option that still looks festive. Broccoli florets make the green base, and red and yellow peppers, cherry tomatoes and cauliflower become the ornaments. A bowl of ranch or hummus goes in the center. Kids will actually eat their vegetables when they come in a wreath, and it can be made the night before and kept covered. It is the lightest of all the Christmas wreath appetizers here.

You will need: 4 cups broccoli florets, 1 cup cauliflower florets, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 red and 1 yellow bell pepper cut in small pieces, carrot sticks, 1 1/2 cups ranch dip or hummus.

How to make it: 1. Put the dip bowl in the center of a large round platter. 2. Make a thick ring of broccoli around it. 3. Tuck cauliflower in among the broccoli. 4. Dot the ring with tomatoes and pepper pieces like ornaments. 5. Add a bow shape made from red pepper strips. 6. Cover and chill until serving.

Shrimp Cocktail Wreath

For a fancier party, arrange chilled cooked shrimp in a ring around a bowl of cocktail sauce, tails pointing out. Add lemon wedges and a few sprigs of dill or parsley to fill the gaps. You can also serve them in small cups or shot glasses for easy grabbing. Keep the platter on a bed of ice if it will sit out for a while. Of all the Christmas wreath appetizers, this one feels the most special.

You will need: 2 lb large cooked shrimp, peeled with tails on, 1 cup cocktail sauce (ketchup, 2 tbsp horseradish, 1 tbsp lemon juice, dash of hot sauce), lemon wedges, fresh dill or parsley.

How to make it: 1. Thaw and pat the shrimp dry if frozen. 2. Mix the cocktail sauce ingredients. 3. Put the sauce bowl in the center of a round platter. 4. Arrange the shrimp in a ring, tails facing out. 5. Tuck in lemon wedges and herbs. 6. Keep cold and set the platter on ice at the party.

Cheese Ball Wreath

Instead of one big cheese ball, shape the mixture into a thick ring on a plate and press chopped herbs and dried cranberries all over it. It looks just like a wreath and is easier to serve because guests can reach it from every side. Surround it with crackers and pretzel sticks. It tastes even better made a day ahead.

You will need: 16 oz cream cheese softened, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 green onions minced, 1/2 cup chopped parsley, 1/3 cup dried cranberries, 1/3 cup chopped pecans, crackers.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese, cheddar, garlic powder, Worcestershire and onions. 2. Spoon onto a plate in a ring around a small glass. 3. Smooth into a thick wreath and remove the glass. 4. Chill 1 hour to firm up. 5. Press the parsley, cranberries and pecans all over. 6. Serve with crackers.

Christmas Wreath Appetizers From the Slow Cooker: Meatballs

Glazed party meatballs get a holiday look when you arrange them in a ring on a platter, stick a toothpick in each one and tuck rosemary sprigs around them. Cook them in a cranberry chili sauce in the slow cooker, then plate them right before guests arrive. It is a hearty addition to a table full of lighter bites.

You will need: 2 lb frozen cooked meatballs, 1 can (14 oz) jellied cranberry sauce, 1 cup chili sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, rosemary sprigs, toothpicks.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, sugar and lemon juice in the slow cooker. 2. Stir in the meatballs. 3. Cook on low 4 hours or high 2 hours. 4. Arrange the meatballs in a ring on a round platter. 5. Spoon a little sauce over them. 6. Add rosemary and a toothpick in each one.

Cranberry Feta Pinwheel Wreath

Tortilla pinwheels filled with cream cheese, feta, dried cranberries and green onion are colorful, make ahead and easy to eat in one bite. Slice them and arrange in overlapping rings on a round platter. The red and green flecks inside give them a holiday look without any extra work. Make the rolls a day ahead and slice right before serving, which makes them the easiest Christmas wreath appetizers to prep early.

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1/2 cup crumbled feta, 1/2 cup dried cranberries chopped, 3 green onions sliced, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 4 large flour tortillas.

How to make it: 1. Mix the cream cheese, feta, cranberries, onions and parsley. 2. Spread evenly over the tortillas. 3. Roll each one up tightly. 4. Wrap in plastic and chill at least 2 hours. 5. Slice into 1/2 inch rounds. 6. Arrange in overlapping rings on a platter.

Antipasto Skewer Wreath

Antipasto skewers bring big flavor in a tidy bite. Thread salami, mozzarella or provolone, tortellini, olives, pickles and cherry tomatoes on short skewers, then arrange them in a ring. A drizzle of Italian dressing ties it all together. These Christmas wreath appetizers hold up for hours, which makes them great for open house parties.

You will need: 8 oz cooked cheese tortellini cooled, 4 oz salami, 6 oz cubed provolone, 1 cup olives, small pickles or peppers, cherry tomatoes, Italian dressing, short skewers.

How to make it: 1. Toss the cooked tortellini in a little dressing. 2. Fold the salami slices in quarters. 3. Thread tortellini, salami, cheese, olive and tomato on each skewer. 4. Arrange in a ring on a platter. 5. Drizzle with more dressing. 6. Cover and chill until serving.

One Sweet Finish: Chocolate Roll Wreath

End the spread with a sweet wreath. Slice store bought or homemade chocolate cream rolls and arrange them in a circle, then top with whipped cream, cherries and chocolate shavings for a Black Forest look. A version of this went viral in October with more than 1.8 million views. It takes 10 minutes and no baking at all.

You will need: 2 chocolate cream rolls or 12 mini chocolate rolls, 1 cup whipped cream, 1 cup cherry pie filling or fresh cherries, chocolate shavings, fresh mint.

How to make it: 1. Slice the rolls into 1 inch rounds. 2. Arrange the slices in a ring on a round platter. 3. Spoon or pipe whipped cream on top. 4. Add cherries around the ring. 5. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings. 6. Add mint leaves for green and chill until serving.

How to Build Christmas Wreath Appetizers Ahead

The secret to a calm party is building early. Cold wreaths can be assembled up to 8 hours ahead and covered tightly. Baked ones can be shaped earlier and baked at the last minute. Add crackers, herbs and sauces just before serving so nothing gets soggy. For more party ideas, see our holiday appetizers guests love, and these wreath appetizer ideas from Hearth and Petals. Which of these Christmas wreath appetizers will you make first?

You will need: A large round platter or board, a small bowl for the center, fresh rosemary and parsley, plastic wrap, a few cranberries or cherry tomatoes for color.

How to make it: 1. Pick a platter at least 14 inches wide. 2. Set the center bowl first so the ring stays even. 3. Build cold wreaths up to 8 hours ahead and cover tightly. 4. Shape baked wreaths ahead and bake right before guests arrive. 5. Add herbs, crackers and sauces at the last minute. 6. Keep a spare bowl of each item to refill the ring.