9 Festive Holiday Snack Ideas for Kids & Adults

Can you believe it’s already the holiday season? Let’s close out the year strong by celebrating the season with joy, gifts, and plenty of delicious meals with the whole family. Whether you’re gathering around the table for Thanksgiving, spinning the dreidel on Hanukkah, or enjoying the magic of Christmas, festive snacks have the power to bring everyone together. 

We scoured the web to find fun and festive treats to make as a family and we are sharing our favorite recipes and ideas with you! Don’t be afraid to get a little more fun and a lot more creative with your snack game—’tis the season to be bold, merry, and bright! 

Kid-Friendly Holiday Snacks

Holiday snacks don’t have to be complicated to be festive and fun! These ideas are perfect for little hands (and big hearts) and can be served at any holiday gathering.

GoGo SqueeZ® Banana Snow Shake

There’s nothing better than a fun, frosty treat to get everyone into the holiday spirit, and a yummy GoGo SqueeZ® Banana Snow Shake couldn’t be easier to make. All you need is some GoGo squeeZ®, a frozen banana, some milk, and some vanilla extract. Throw it into a blender, and you’ve got yourself a scrumptious treat that’s an ode to snow! Check out our full recipe here. 

You’ll need: 

• 1 GoGo squeeZ® Banana YogurtZ pouch
• 1/2 pouch GoGo squeeZ® Apple Banana Fruit Blend
• 1 frozen banana cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup of almond milk or other nut milk of choice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Place all ingredients in a blender, and blitz till smooth. Enjoy!

Reindeer Sandwiches

These adorable reindeer sandwiches are as fun to make as they are to eat! A simple sandwich becomes so much more with just a cookie cutter and a few decorative ingredients. 

You’ll Need:

• A heart shaped cookie cutter
• Sandwich bread
• Sandwich spread/filling of your choice
• Pretzels for the antlers
• Chocolate chips for the eyes
• Blueberries for the nose (or raspberries for a red Rudolph the Reindeer nose!) 

Instructions:

1. Cut the bread into heart shapes with the cookie cutter
2. Fill the sandwich with your choice of spread
3. Attach the pretzel sticks as antlers by gently pressing them into the top of the sandwich
4. Make the reindeers face with chocolate chips and blueberries/raspberries for the nose
5. Enjoy!

Check out the full recipe for Reindeer Sandwiches from Weelicious. 

Santa Hat Fruit Kabobs

These Santa Hat Fruit Kabobs are a colorful and healthy way to celebrate the season with a sweet twist. Plus, who doesn’t love a kabob for snacking on? 

You’ll Need:

• Kabob skewers
• Large marshmallows
• Mini marshmallows
• Fresh Strawberries
• Green Grapes

Instructions:

1. Thread a grape onto the skewer.
2. Chop up a large marshmallow into thirds with kitchen scissors.
3. Slide a slice of marshmallow onto the stick.
4. Slice the top off a strawberry and thread onto the skewer (large side first).
5. Top with mini marshmallows!
6. Serve plain or decorate with frosting.
7. Enjoy!

Check out the full recipe for Santa Hat Fruit Kabobs from Amee’s Savory Dish. 

Christmas Tree Veggie Platter & Dip

A veggie platter might seem simple, but when you shape it into a Christmas Tree, it becomes a festive masterpiece! The fun part of this snack is that you can really get creative with what veggies you use. Try this for your next holiday party. 

You’ll Need:

• Celery, green beans, green pepper (for the branches)
• Carrots, cucumbers, and baby tomatoes (for the trimmings)
• Broccoli or Cauliflower florets (for the base)
• A dip of your choice (ranch, hummus, or even guacamole)

How To

1. Assemble the greens first to look like layers of a christmas tree
2. Assemble the bright, colorful veggies on top to look like the trimmings
3. Assemble the rest of the tree, including the trunk, and the base, with a sliced cucumber and florets
4. Make a festive star topper with celery leaves or dried pasta.
5. Don’t forget the dipping sauces!
6. Enjoy!

Check out the full recipe for a Christmas Tree Veggie Platter from Veggie Fun Kitchen. 

GoGo Gingerbread Cookies

Is there anything that announces the holiday season like freshly baked gingerbread cookies? GoGo Gingerbread Cookies are a twist on the tried-and-true classic, and it’ll be a hit with the whole fam. If you’re feeling like you want to dust off the old baking apron and put in some work, we promise these cookies will be worth the effort! 

You’ll Need:

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp clove
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger (less if you like them with less of a kick)
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup molasses (we used black strap molasses)
• 1 egg
• 1 pouch GoGo squeeZ® Apple Apple Applesauce
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions: 

1. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and ginger in a bowl.
2. Mix the maple syrup, molasses, egg, GoGo squeeZ® Apple Apple Applesauce, and vanilla extract in a separate, and larger bowl.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix until well combined.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic, and refrigerate for 3+ hours.
5. Remove the dough from the fridge, and roll out on a floured surface until about 1/4 inch thick.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Using a gingerbread man cookie cutter (or cookie cutter of your choosing), cut the dough into shapes, and place them on the lined baking sheet.
8. Bake cookies for 8 minutes, then let cool. Decorate to your liking (we mixed some GoGo squeeZ® YogurtZ with honey and vanilla extract to make frosting)
9. Enjoy!

Check out our full recipe and how your end result should look here. 

Quick and Easy Holiday Snacks

Sometimes, you need a snack that’s quick and easy, whether you’re preparing a platter for a holiday party or filling lunch boxes with something festive. Try these snacks out when you’re short on time but want something delicious! 

Pretzel Sticks Dipped in Chocolate

These Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Sticks combine the salty crunch of pretzels with rich, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate—an irresistible combo that’s perfect for holiday snacking. Not only are they a delight on the table, but this snack will also be a delight for the kids to decorate with you! Just pull them in after all the chocolate is melted, and let them unleash their creativity! 

You’ll Need:

• Pretzel rods
• A chocolate of your choice (White, dark, milk, or candy melts) for dipping) 
• Coconut flakes, sprinkles, M&M’s, chopped nuts, etc for sprinkling/decorating

Instructions:

1. Melt your chocolate in tall, clean jars. You can use a crock pot filled with warm water, or the microwave in short 10 second bursts and stirring in between. 
2. Once chocolate is melted, dip the sticks in and shake off the excess before letting them set on a sheet of parchment paper. 
3. Before they fully set, decorate them with the topping of your choice.
4. Enjoy!

Check out the full recipe for Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods from House of Nash Eats. 

Holiday Spiced Nuts

Holiday Spiced Nuts are a fantastic snack that’s savory, sweet, and full of seasonal flavors like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Don’t be intimidated by the spices—when mixed together, they create a well balanced seasoning that pairs super well with the natural savory flavor of nuts. They’re a perfect addition to your holiday snack table and a great gift idea, too!

You’ll Need:

• Light brown sugar
• Maple syrup
• Water
• Garam Masala
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cardamom
• Salt
• Mixed, unsalted nuts

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, water, Garam masala, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt, and mix thoroughly. 
3. Add the nuts, and mix so that the nuts are coated thoroughly.
4. Spread the nuts on a parchment lined baking sheet, and roast in the oven in 7 minute increments, until the sugar is fully caramelized, around 15-20 minutes. 
5. Remove from the oven and continue to stir every 10 minutes until the nuts have cooled and the sugar hardens, around 20 minutes.
6. Enjoy!

Check out the full recipe for Fall Spiced Nut Mix from Wyse Guide. 

DIY Snack Gift Ideas

The holidays are a time for giving, and what better way to share the festive spirit than with a delicious DIY snack? Homemade snacks are thoughtful, delicious, and make great gifts for family, friends, and neighbors.

Homemade Apple Apple Cranberry Sauce

This Apple Cranberry Sauce made with GoGo squeeZ® Apple Apple Applesauce is a classic holiday treat with a twist, making it the perfect gift to pack in cute jars for friends and family. Made with only 4 ingredients, you’ll be shocked at what a delicious homemade cranberry sauce this makes! It’s a tangy and sweet treat that would stun at any dining table. 

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Enjoy something comforting during the winter months like a steaming mug of hot chocolate. This Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix is the perfect gift for anyone who loves a warm treat on a cold day (which is everyone)!

You’ll Need:

• 2 cups confectioners sugar
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups powdered milk 
• Mini marshmallows (optional)

Instructions:

1. Sift the confectioners sugar and cocoa powder into a big bowl. 
2. Stir in powdered milk until fully incorporated.
3. Separate into small jars, and top with mini marshmallows if desired.
4. Enjoy!

Check out the full recipe for Hot Chocolate Mix from The Pioneer Woman. 

With these festive holiday snack ideas, you’ll be ready to impress everyone at your holiday gatherings. Whether you’re baking with the kids, sharing a quick snack with friends, or gifting homemade treats, celebrate the season with food that brings people together. From all of us at GoGo squeeZ®, we want to wish you and your family a very happy holiday filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of delicious snacks!