10 Delicious Christmas Day Starters to Kick Off Your UK Feast

The right starters for Christmas dinner set the mood for a festive celebration, offering a delicious preview of what’s to come. This guide to Christmas starters ideas combines flavour, ease, and festive flair, ensuring your guests enjoy a warm, welcoming start to your holiday meal without adding stress to your prep.

If you want warm, crowd-pleasing Christmas day starters ideas, this Baked Camembert with Garlic and Rosemary is perfect. 

First, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Take your Camembert and make small cuts across the top. Slip in thin slices of garlic and sprigs of rosemary into those cuts—it adds a great depth of flavour. Drizzle it with a little olive oil and pop it in the oven for 15-20 minutes until it’s melted and bubbling. 

You can prep it the night before, making it one of those easy Christmas starters to make-ahead. Serve it with warm, crusty bread for dipping, and you’ve got a starter that everyone will love.

Pro Tip: For an extra burst of flavour, drizzle a little honey over the Camembert before baking. The sweet and savoury combination of honey, garlic, and rosemary makes this one of the best Christmas starters your guests would have had.

If you want a starter for Christmas dinner that feels festive and refined, this Fig and Blue Cheese Bruschetta is an excellent choice. 

Start by slicing a baguette and toasting the slices until crisp and golden. While they’re still warm, spread a layer of creamy blue cheese on each slice. Slice fresh figs and arrange them on top of the cheese. Drizzle a bit of honey or balsamic glaze over the figs for a touch of sweetness. 

This is one of those easy Xmas starters that looks impressive but is simple to assemble.

Pro Tip: For an extra layer of flavour, lightly grill the figs before placing them on the bruschetta. This adds a caramelised touch that pairs perfectly with the blue cheese, taking your Christmas starter ideas to the next level.

For a dish that’s both classic and crowd-pleasing, the Prawn Cocktail is one of the most popular Christmas starters you can serve. 

Begin by mixing mayonnaise, ketchup, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, and a squeeze of lemon to create the perfect Marie Rose sauce. Layer shredded iceberg lettuce at the bottom of each glass or serving bowl for a refreshing crunch. Then, top it with cooked and chilled prawns, ensuring they’re generously coated in the sauce. 

This dish is a staple among traditional Christmas starters, offering a nostalgic yet timeless taste.

Pro Tip: To add a modern twist to your Xmas day starters, garnish each serving with a sprinkle of smoked paprika and a wedge of avocado. It brings in extra flavour and a bit of creaminess that pairs wonderfully with the prawns.

For a light yet flavorful option, Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus is perfect for your Christmas dinner starter ideas. 

Start by blanching the asparagus for 2-3 minutes until tender, then immediately plunge them into ice water to maintain their vibrant green colour. Once dry, wrap each spear in a slice of prosciutto, ensuring the ham covers most of the stalk for even flavour. Place them on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, and bake at 200°C (390°F) for 10-12 minutes, until the prosciutto is crisp. 

This dish is one of the simple starters for Christmas dinner that combines minimal ingredients with maximum taste.

Pro Tip: For an elevated twist on your Xmas starter ideas, sprinkle grated Parmesan over the wrapped asparagus before baking. It adds a rich, savoury note that perfectly complements the salty prosciutto and tender asparagus.

For a warm and comforting soup for Christmas starter, Leek and Potato Soup is always a winning choice. 

Start by sautéing chopped leeks and onions in butter until softened, then add peeled and diced potatoes, cooking them for a few minutes to enhance their flavour. Pour in vegetable or chicken stock, bring to a boil, and simmer until the potatoes are tender. Blend the soup to a smooth consistency and season with salt, pepper, and a touch of cream for richness. 

This dish is ideal among Christmas lunch starters as it’s hearty but not too heavy, making it perfect to begin your holiday meal.

Pro Tip: For added texture and flavour in your Christmas meal starters, garnish the soup with crispy bacon bits or a sprinkle of fresh chives. This adds a delightful contrast to the creamy soup and elevates the presentation.

If you’re looking for cold Christmas starters that feel both fresh and festive, Beetroot Gravadlax on Rye is a great choice, often featured in a traditional Swedish Xmas food.

Start by curing the salmon in a mixture of grated beetroot, salt, sugar, and a touch of dill for about 24-48 hours, which gives it a vibrant colour and unique flavour. Thinly slice the cured salmon and place it on toasted rye bread, offering a perfect balance of earthy, sweet, and salty flavours. 

This dish works wonderfully as one of your starters for Christmas dinner, as it is light yet satisfying.

Pro Tip: To make it one of the truly easy Christmas Day starters, prep the gravadlax ahead of time, allowing you to focus on assembling it on the day. For added freshness, garnish each bite with a dollop of crème fraîche and a sprinkle of lemon zest.

For a cosy and flavorful option among your Xmas dinner starters, this Chestnut, Smoked Bacon, and Parsnip Soup is a must-try. 

Start by roasting parsnips until caramelised, which brings out their natural sweetness, while gently frying smoked bacon until crisp. In a pot, sauté onions and garlic, then add roasted parsnips, chestnuts, and stock, simmering until everything is tender. Blend the mixture until smooth for a rich and creamy texture, and season with salt and pepper. 

As a Christmas dinner starter, it’s hearty enough to stand out but not too filling to overwhelm the main course.

Pro Tip: To elevate this dish for your starters for Xmas dinner, crumble extra crispy bacon on top and drizzle with a little truffle oil for an indulgent finish. It adds a smoky depth and luxurious touch that pairs beautifully with the chestnuts and parsnips.

For an effortless yet elegant dish, these Brie and Cranberry Parcels are a perfect addition to your easy Christmas starter ideas. 

Simply cut puff pastry into squares, place a piece of creamy Brie in the centre, and top it with a spoonful of cranberry sauce for a tangy kick. Fold the pastry into neat parcels and bake at 200°C (390°F) until golden and flaky. This is one of those starter ideas for Christmas that requires minimal prep but offers maximum flavour and festive charm.

Pro Tip: To add an extra layer of texture and flavour, sprinkle chopped walnuts or a dash of rosemary inside before sealing the parcels. This inventive touch will elevate your Christmas starters ideas, adding a delightful crunch and a burst of herbiness.

For a hearty and crowd-pleasing option, this Festive Pork and Sausage Roll is a top contender among Xmas day starters. 

Start by combining seasoned pork sausage meat with finely chopped herbs like sage and thyme, adding a touch of cranberry sauce for a festive sweetness. Roll the mixture into puff pastry, brushing with an egg wash for a golden finish, and bake at 200°C (390°F) until crisp and golden brown. 

This dish works perfectly for your Christmas dinner starters ideas as it’s easy to serve in slices and is packed with comforting flavours.

Pro Tip: To make this one of the standout Christmas starter recipes, mix in finely chopped dried apricots or chestnuts with the sausage meat for an added layer of texture and sweetness that enhances the festive appeal of the dish.

For a rich and flavourful plant-based option, this Vegan Mushroom and Walnut Pâté is one of the most popular Christmas starters for a festive spread. 

Start by sautéing finely chopped onions, garlic, and a mix of chestnut and porcini mushrooms until softened. Add thyme, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce (or tamari) to deepen the flavours, then let it cook until the liquid evaporates. In a food processor, blend the mushroom mixture with toasted walnuts until smooth but still retaining some texture. 

This creamy pâté works wonderfully as one of your Christmas starters ideas and can be served with crackers or crusty bread.

Pro Tip: This is one of the easy Christmas starters you can make ahead, as it lasts in the fridge for up to a week. For added presentation and flavour, garnish with pink peppercorns or extra toasted walnuts before serving—it’s a delightful way to elevate this dish for your Christmas dinner starter ideas.

These Christmas starter ideas are bound to impress, but let’s not forget the challenges that come with them. Prepping Xmas starters while also managing the main course can be a juggling act, especially when you’re hosting. Throw in a mix of dietary preferences—vegan, gluten-free, or otherwise—and the stress can skyrocket.

On top of that, navigating the chaotic holiday markets with limited ingredient options adds another layer of pressure. The more time you spend in the kitchen, the less time you have to enjoy the true magic of Christmas—cherishing moments with loved ones.

This is where hiring a private chef can be a game-changer. 

A private chef handles everything from meal prep to serving, ensuring that each of your chosen Xmas dinner starters and other courses are precisely tailored to your guests’ preferences and dietary needs. And, best of all, they take care of the cleanup too, leaving you free to relax and soak in the festivities without a single worry.

Platforms like Yhangry streamline Christmas catering by connecting you with over a thousand vetted chefs across the UK. They specialise in crafting a custom menu that fits your budget and preferences, ensuring your Christmas feast is memorable and stress-free!