Holiday Party Appetizers for 45 People
Festive appetizers for holiday entertaining. Meatballs, shrimp cocktail, and cheese are classic crowd-pleasers that work for any winter celebration.
Perfect for: Holiday Party✓ Quick Answer
For 45 people, you'll need:
Estimated cost: $199 - $436
Detailed Breakdown
How to Execute This Combo Smoothly
This combo is balanced around appetizer, appetizer, appetizer, appetizer, so guests can build full plates without over-consuming one item. For 45 guests, start prep same day + 12 hours ahead before service and stage food in 2 waves to keep quality high throughout the event.
- Wave 1: serve 45-50% of total quantities at start time.
- Wave 2: refresh with 30-35% at peak attendance.
- Wave 3: hold final 15-20% for late guests and second servings.
- Keep each item labeled by role so guests build balanced plates faster.
Calculate for Different Group Sizes
Holiday Party Appetizers Tips
- Keep meatballs warm in a slow cooker
- Keep shrimp on ice throughout the party
- Take cheese out 30 minutes before guests arrive
- Arrange trays attractively with garnishes
- Label all foods for guests with allergies
Food Safety Resources:
Frequently Asked Questions
How many appetizers per person for a holiday party?
What's the most popular holiday party appetizer?
Editorial Process and Sources
Last reviewed: February 19, 2026
Publisher: FeedMyGuests Editorial Team · Contact: contact@feedmyguests.com
This combo page is generated from item-level calculator data for each component food, then reviewed for formula consistency, role balance, and link integrity before publication.
Reference Sources
- USDA FoodData Central Retrieved: February 19, 2026
- FDA Food Safety Guidance Retrieved: February 19, 2026
- USDA FSIS Safe Food Handling Retrieved: February 19, 2026