Editor’s note: Alan Goldsher interviewed Playboy Club model Hollie Nicole for her favorite “hollieday” recipes.

The holidays are here, and guess what that means? It’s time to eat, drink, and dazzle your party crew with appetizers that’ll make you the belle of the buffet.

These five flirty bites are ridiculously easy, totally fabulous, and guaranteed to steal the show (even if Karen brought her “special” fruitcake again). Who says being hostess with the mostess has to be hard? Not you, babe.

1. Prosciutto Wrapped Pears w/ Arugula

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Servings: 8

Oh honey, this is what you whip out when you want to look fancy without breaking a sweat. Sweet pears, salty prosciutto, and peppery arugula—this trio is the snack equivalent of a power couple (or should I say throuple?!). And guess what? It’s healthy, too. Talk about having it all.

Ingredients

• 2 red pears (or cantaloupe if you’re feeling like a rebel)
• 8 slices of prosciutto, sliced in half lengthwise
• ½ cup baby arugula
• 4 TBL pomegranate seeds (the jewels of the food world)
• ½ TSP olive oil
• A dash of black pepper

Directions

1. Slice those gorgeous pears into ½-inch wedges.
2. Toss the arugula with olive oil, pepper, and pomegranate seeds—because even lettuce likes a little bling.
3. Set a pear slice and a sprinkle of the arugula mix on each piece of prosciutto, then wrap it all up like it’s your edible love letter to the party.
4. Place everything on a platter, add more pomegranate seeds for drama, and BOOM—you’re chic with zero effort.

2. Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Servings: 12

This dip is the definition of a plot twist—it’s sweet, spicy, tangy, and totally addictive. Fresh cranberries meet creamy cheese with a jalapeño kick that’s flirty AF. Bonus? You can make this ahead of time, so you’ll have plenty of time to slay in your holiday outfit.

Ingredients

• 12 oz fresh, tart cranberries
• ¾ cup sugar (because sweet is sexy)
• ½ cup green onions, chopped
• 1–2 jalapeños, seeds removed (because you live on the edge)
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro
• 1 TBL lemon juice
• ¼ TSP kosher salt
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened (aka spreadable happiness)

Directions

1. Toss cranberries, sugar, green onions, jalapeño, cilantro, lemon juice, and salt in a food processor. Blend until it’s a chunky masterpiece (10-15 seconds). Taste-test, then taste-test again—you know, for science.
2. Spread the cream cheese beautifully on a plate (or leave it block-style if you’re bold).
3. Top the cream cheese with the cranberry mixture right before the party. Easy, breezy, irresistible.

3. Balsamic Cranberry Crostini with Brie

Prep Time: 30 minutes

These little bites are holiday glam on a plate—crispy crostini, oozy brie, and tart cranberries roasted with honey and balsamic. If these don’t make you feel like a kitchen god or goddess, nothing will.

Ingredients

• 1 baguette, sliced into cute little ½-inch rounds
• 8 oz creamy brie cheese (the good stuff)
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 2 TBL balsamic vinegar (because you’re fancy)
• 2 TBL honey
• A sprig or two of thyme (purely for the ‘Gram)
• Olive oil for brushing
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Brush your baguette slices with olive oil, bake them at 375°F until toasty and golden, and give yourself a pat on the back.
2. Mix cranberries with balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Roast those little ruby beauties for 10–12 minutes until they’re soft and maybe a little oozy.
3. Layer a slice of brie on each toast, pop them back in the oven until the cheese gets oh-so-melty, and then top with roasted cranberries.
4. Garnish with thyme sprigs if you’re feeling fancy—or skip it because they’re already gorgeous.

4. Cocktail Sauce

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Servings: 6

Who knew shrimp’s best friend was homemade cocktail sauce? This tangy little number takes just minutes to make and tastes so much better than the bottled stuff. Serve this with a killer shrimp platter and watch it vanish.

Ingredients

• ½ cup ketchup (classic and oh-so-reliable)
• 2 TBL prepared horseradish (spice it up, honey)
• 1TBL fresh lemon juice
• ½ TSP Worcestershire sauce

Directions

Whisk everything together like the food genius you are. Chill it for a bit and pair it with shrimp and lemon wedges. Sassy, saucy, and seriously good.

5. Candied Pecan & Cranberry Cheese Trees

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Makes 16

These mini cheese trees are too cute to handle. Sweet, crunchy, creamy, and oh-so-festive, they’ll charm your guests faster than you can say, “Merry Christmas.”

Ingredients

• The Laughing Cow® Cheese Wedges Original or Plant Based Original (guilty pleasure alert)
• ¼ cup honey
• 12 pretzel sticks, snapped in half (tree trunk realness)
• ⅓ cup candied pecans, chopped
• ⅓ cup dried cranberries, chopped
• ½ cup parsley, chopped

Directions

1. Slice each cheese wedge into two adorable triangles.
2. Mix chopped pecans, cranberries and parsley together 
3. Roll one side of the cheese triangle in honey, then coat it with the pecan, cranberry, and parsley mixture.
4. Stick half a pretzel in for the “trunk.” It’s a Christmas miracle you made these so fast.

Serve any of these holiday appetizers, and you’re guaranteed to be everyone’s favorite party guest—or host! Now, go steal the spotlight (and maybe snag a few appetizers for yourself). Cheers to eating, drinking, and being totally fabulous this holiday season!

Hollie is on The Playboy Club. Talk to her here.