It’s Christmas Eve, the shops are heaving, and the to-do list is somehow getting longer rather than shorter. If the idea of peeling another potato or tackling a complex canapé recipe feels like one task too many, these last-minute Christmas bites are designed to step in – big on flavour, light on effort, and perfectly happy to share oven space with everything else.
Super-fast nibbles
When guests appear with little warning, it helps to think in terms of colourful platters rather than fiddly canapés. Choosing good ready-made elements and arranging them generously does most of the work.
- Stuffed cherry peppers
Fill peppadew-style peppers with cream cheese or crumbled feta and chopped soft herbs. The balance of sweet heat and salty richness feels far more considered than the 10 minutes it takes to assemble. - Scottish cheese and charcuterie board
Lean into local producers with a mix such as Anster, Isle of Mull cheddar, crowdie or a smoked cheese, alongside oatcakes, crusty bread and a sharp chutney. Add sliced Scottish salami or cured meats and clusters of grapes or sliced pears to round out the board. - No-cook prawn cocktail cups
Loosen ready-made prawn cocktail with a squeeze of lemon and spoon into crisp little gem lettuce leaves. Finish with smoked paprika or snipped chives for a nod to the classic starter without any pan time.
Warm-and-serve comforts
On a cold Scottish December night, something warm in hand instantly makes the room feel more welcoming. These ideas rely on the freezer aisle and deli counter, with small tweaks to make them your own.
- Baked Camembert with a Scottish twist
Score the top of a whole Camembert, drizzle with Scottish rapeseed oil and tuck in rosemary or thyme before baking until molten. Serve with torn baguette, oatcakes or hot buttered tattie scones for dunking, and perhaps a drizzle of local honey. - Dressed-up party food
Cook a mixed tray of supermarket party pieces – think mini kievs, prawns or arancini – and pile them onto a large platter. Serve with two simple dips: shop hummus finished with chilli oil and sea salt, and a yoghurt dip brightened with lemon zest and chopped dill. - Speedy sausage bites
Roast cocktail sausages until browned and sticky, then toss with a spoon of marmalade or honey and a little mustard. Tip into a small bowl or whisky tumbler with cocktail sticks for a snack that feels both playful and grown-up.
Five-minute crostini
Crostini bridge the gap between casual and polished, ideal for a magazine-worthy spread that does not demand chef-level timing. Toast baguette slices under the grill, rub lightly with a cut clove of garlic, then choose a couple of topping combinations.
- Goat’s cheese and roasted peppers
Spread goat’s cheese over the warm toast and top with strips of jarred roasted red peppers. A drizzle of balsamic and a few thyme leaves make them look instantly restaurant-ready. - Smoked salmon and lemon
Layer soft cheese or butter, then curls of Scottish smoked salmon with lemon juice and black pepper. A sprinkling of finely chopped red onion or capers adds sharpness and colour. - Whipped feta with honey and nuts
Mash feta with a splash of cream or yoghurt until smooth and spreadable. Top with a drizzle of honey and chopped toasted walnuts or hazelnuts for a pleasing contrast of salty, sweet and crunchy.
Ridiculously easy sweet things
For many hosts, dessert is where energy and oven space run low. These ideas rely on minimal or no baking, but still deliver the sense of abundance that suits a Christmas table.
- Santa hat cheesecake bites
Use mini cheesecakes or a plain vanilla traybake cut into squares as your base. Crown each with a spoon of whipped cream and an upturned strawberry “hat” for a playful, photo-friendly finish. - Last-minute chocolate fridge traybake
Crush a mix of biscuits – shortbread, digestives or whatever is in the tin – and stir through melted chocolate. Fold in dried cranberries, chopped nuts or crushed mint sweets, press into a lined tin, chill and slice into bars. - Microwave fudge
Gently heat condensed milk and chopped chocolate together in short bursts, stirring until smooth. Flavour with whisky, orange zest or vanilla, pour into a lined tin to set, then cut into small squares to serve or gift.
Effortless dessert centrepieces
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A showpiece pudding need not monopolise the oven, especially when turkey and trimmings already claim most of the heat. These desserts largely assemble on the counter but arrive at the table looking suitably celebratory.
- Cheat’s pavlova
Arrange a shop-bought meringue wreath or individual nests on a platter and top with softly whipped cream. Spoon over berries or mixed frozen fruit that has just started to thaw and dust with icing sugar, adding a drizzle of berry coulis or melted dark chocolate if you wish. - No-cook banoffee dish
Layer crushed biscuits, tinned caramel or dulce de leche and sliced bananas in a glass dish. Finish with whipped cream and a grating of dark chocolate, then chill until serving time. It behaves like a trifle, but with almost no effort. - Marmalade or chocolate “fool”
Fold good orange marmalade or cooled melted chocolate into whipped cream or thick Greek yoghurt to taste. Spoon into small glasses and top with crumbled biscuits or toasted nuts for texture. It feels rich and restaurant-style while taking only minutes to assemble.
For readers juggling work, last-minute shopping and back-to-back gatherings, these ideas are designed to ease the pressure while still feeling worthy of the Christmas table. By leaning on Scotland’s rich larder, smart supermarket shortcuts and unfussy presentation, it becomes possible to host generously, eat well and actually enjoy the day as much as your guests.
