Christmas Party Foods - Festive Selections From North and South
A Warm Welcome with Glögg - Mulled Wine and Gingerbread with a Twist or a simple Cava
Begin your Christmas gathering with something cosy and fragrant. Serve warm mulled wine, either the German-style version or the Swedish glögg. Traditional glögg is gently warmed with spices such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and a little orange peel, sometimes with raisins and almonds added just before serving. Pair it with pepparkakor (gingerbread men) topped with a thin slice of blue cheese. The mix of sweet spice, salty creaminess and warm wine surprises people in the best way and sets a welcoming festive mood. Or as Spanish Christmas celebrations, begin with a glass of Cava raised around the table, before the snacks even begin.
Vol au Vents, Finn Crisps and a Table of Dips
Once guests settle in, bring out a selection of simple, festive finger foods built around Vol au Vents and Finn Crisps. They are perfect little bases for spreads and creamy fillings, and they look beautiful on the table.
We tend to prepare them ready with different tastes, but you can also add bowls of dips so everyone can create their own favourite bites. Goat cheese mixed with caramelised onions gives a gentle sweetness. Guacamole with a hint of chili adds colour and a soft kick. All sorts of cream cheeses work beautifully on both vol au vents and Finn Crisps, and lingonberry jam adds a Nordic touch that blends well with anything creamy. A bowl of alioli brings that familiar Spanish comfort, and also mayo with a few drops of truffle oil…yummy! For something fresh, serve a salmon dip made from flaked salmon mixed with cream cheese, lemon and a little dill. These small combinations feel festive, inviting and easy for all guests to enjoy.
Veggie Boards, Meat Boards and a Festive Grazing Style
To complete the table, set out bright veggie and meat boards. Arrange them naturally or shape one into a Christmas wreath with tomatoes, peppers, olives, cheeses, nuts and a dip in the centre. Spanish nuts are a must at any festive table, especially the locally roasted almonds that are slightly salty and warm in flavour. Thin slices of jamón ibérico are arranged next to wedges of manchego and soft goat’s cheese, with bowls of marinated olives to nibble on. A plate of boquerones en vinagre or salchichón ibérico brings that perfect salty contrast. Bowls of mixed nuts, candied almonds, toasted hazelnuts or walnuts from the markets, and you instantly bring that familiar Andalusian Christmas feeling to the room, variety of colours and flavours makes the whole setting look generous and welcoming.
Mediterranean Seafood
Seafood always finds its place at the Christmas table, especially in coastal towns like Nerja. Lightly salted prawns and langostinos are served cold with lemon, while small dishes of clams in white wine or anchovies with olive oil add a taste of the sea without much effort. Some families prepare mini montaditos topped with smoked salmon, alioli or roasted peppers, which disappear as soon as they are placed on the table.
Adding Something More Filling for Hungry Guests
Alongside the lighter bites it is nice to include a few heartier things. If available in one of Nerja’s international shops, Finnish karjalanpiirakka bring a cosy traditional touch. Serve them the classic way with a warm mash of butter and chopped egg spread over the top. Homemade meat pies are always appreciated, but the ready-made tuna or meat pies from Mercadona work well if you prefer something quick. A plate of home cooked ham, surprisingly simple to prepare, adds warmth and substance and pairs well with everything else on the table.
For the Sweet Tooth with Chocolates, Lussebullar and Spanish Treats
End the evening with sweets from both the North and Spain. Dessert brings the sweetest touch — a small sip of Málaga Moscatel or Pedro Ximénez enjoyed with turrón and polvorones. One year we held a friendly chocolate competition where everyone brought the chocolate they believed was the best. After plenty of tasting and laughter, the winning chocolate came from Finland. Add soft Swedish lussebullar scented with saffron, slices of roscón which may be a Three Kinds Day tradition but is lovely at early Christmas time and a little turrón to round off the meal. It creates a final spread that feels like Christmas from every direction.
A Cosy Nerja Amigos Ending
Before the evening ends, take a moment to look at your table and enjoy what it represents. A little North, a little South, and a whole lot of heart. Christmas in Nerja is full of flavours, memories and small traditions shared among friends and family. Majority of the foods you can find in local Supermarkets, or the smaller International stores and Swedish Hemlängtan.
If you’re looking for more festive inspiration, have you explored our other Christmas pages on Nerja Amigos? There are plenty of cosy ideas, local finds and seasonal stories waiting for you. And very soon, we will be sharing something special, the Nerja Amigos Christmas Table.
