The holiday season is a time for gathering, celebrating, and, of course, feasting. Presenting your culinary creations beautifully is just as important as the recipes themselves. The right serving tray is more than just a plate; it’s a centerpiece that elevates your table setting and makes serving a large group effortless and stylish.
From festive platters that embody the spirit of the season to versatile, space-saving designs perfect for snacks and appetizers, the options are vast. We have curated a selection of the best holiday serving trays for 2025 to help you find the perfect match for your hosting needs, ensuring your holiday spread is both functional and visually stunning.
Our Top Picks for Holiday Serving Trays
- Masirs 3-Tier Collapsible Bowl
- Lenox Holiday Large Porcelain Serving Turkey Platter
- Spode Christmas Tree Holiday Platter
- Gibson Home Bountiful Serveware Platter
- Wexford by Anchor Hocking Glass Serving Platter
- Luxivi Acacia Wood Round Serving Tray with Handles
- Royal Craft Wood 3-Tier Bamboo Serving Tray Stand
- Homestyles Holiday Holly Berry Porcelain Serving Tray
Masirs 3-Tier Collapsible Bowl
Maximize your serving space without sacrificing your storage space with the Masirs 3-Tier Collapsible Bowl. This innovative set features a patented design where the plastic bowls twist down and nest neatly into one another, making it incredibly compact when not in use. It is an ideal solution for those with limited cabinet space.
The set is highly versatile, perfect for organizing and serving a variety of foods. The top bowl is conveniently divided into three sections, allowing you to separate dips, nuts, or small candies. Use it for chips, pretzels, salad, or fruit at holiday dinners, family barbecues, or office parties. Its functionality makes it a great choice for any special event throughout the year.
Lenox Holiday Large Porcelain Serving Turkey Platter
Make your holiday centerpiece unforgettable with the Lenox Holiday Large Porcelain Serving Turkey Platter. This substantial 20-inch platter is designed specifically for showcasing your main course, such as a beautifully roasted turkey, ham, or prime rib. Its generous size provides ample space for a grand presentation that will impress your guests.
Crafted from high-quality porcelain, this platter features a classic holiday turkey design that adds a touch of traditional elegance to your table. Lenox stands behind the quality of their product with a breakage replacement program, offering you peace of mind. It is the perfect piece for Christmas hosting, turning your meal into a true celebration.
Spode Christmas Tree Holiday Platter
Add a uniquely festive touch to your holiday table with the Spode Christmas Tree Holiday Platter. This 14-inch platter is shaped like a Christmas tree, making it an instant conversation starter and a charming centerpiece for your festive tableware collection. Its distinctive design is perfect for serving holiday appetizers, cookies, or even a main dish.
Spode is renowned for its fine porcelain, and this platter is no exception. It offers a blend of durability and timeless elegance that can be used season after season. As part of a larger collectible series, this tree-shaped platter allows you to build and enhance your Christmas dishware set over time, creating lasting holiday traditions.
Gibson Home Bountiful Serveware Platter
The Gibson Home Bountiful Serveware Platter offers a classic and elegant solution for your holiday serving needs. This 18.75-inch oval ceramic platter provides a large, clean canvas for presenting everything from a holiday roast and sliced meats to a colorful array of fruits and vegetables. Its versatile white color complements any table setting, from modern to traditional.
This platter stands out with its beautiful embossed designs and graceful, raised edges that help keep food securely in place. The ceramic construction adds a substantial and sophisticated feel, making it a centerpiece that enhances your overall tablescape. It is a reliable and stylish choice for creating beautiful presentations at any buffet or dinner party.
Wexford by Anchor Hocking Glass Serving Platter
For a timeless and versatile serving option, consider the Wexford by Anchor Hocking Glass Serving Platter. This 14-inch diameter plate features a classic cupped-edge design that is both practical and elegant. Its clear glass construction allows the colors and textures of your food to take center stage, making it perfect for any course.
This durable glass platter can be used to serve a wide variety of dishes, from meats and appetizers to desserts like tortes and cakes. Its simple, clean lines ensure it never goes out of style and can be used for holidays and everyday occasions alike. The sturdy build from a trusted brand like Anchor Hocking guarantees long-lasting performance.
Luxivi Acacia Wood Round Serving Tray
Incorporate natural warmth and rustic charm into your holiday decor with the Luxivi Acacia Wood Round Serving Tray. Crafted from solid acacia wood, this tray showcases the unique and beautiful grain patterns of the wood, ensuring no two pieces are exactly alike. The natural material adds an organic and cozy feel to your table setting.
This round tray is equipped with two convenient handles, making it easy to carry from the kitchen to the dining room or outdoor patio. It is an excellent choice for serving cheese boards, charcuterie, breakfast in bed, or beverages. Its sturdy construction and practical design make it a versatile piece you will use for many gatherings to come.
Royal Craft Wood 3-Tier Bamboo Serving Tray Stand
Optimize your serving space in style with the Royal Craft Wood 3-Tier Bamboo Serving Tray Stand. This elegant stand is perfect for parties and buffets where table space is limited. Its three-tiered design allows you to serve a variety of snacks, desserts, or appetizers vertically, creating an attractive and organized display.
Made from sustainable bamboo, this serving stand is both eco-friendly and durable. The natural wood finish fits seamlessly into most decors, from farmhouse to contemporary. It is an excellent choice for holding finger foods, cupcakes, fruit, or cocktails, helping you create a sophisticated and functional presentation for your holiday guests.
Homestyles Holiday Holly Berry Porcelain Serving Tray
Celebrate the season with the classic and cheerful Homestyles Holiday Holly Berry Porcelain Serving Tray. This tray features a traditional holly and berry motif that instantly brings festive cheer to your table. The porcelain construction offers a delicate and refined look, perfect for your holiday entertaining.
Ideal for serving Christmas cookies, pastries, or as a decorative accent on a sideboard, this tray adds a pop of seasonal color and theme. The durable porcelain is easy to clean and built to last, ensuring it can become a part of your family’s holiday traditions for years to come. It is a simple way to make your holiday table feel more special.
How to Choose the Best Holiday Serving Trays for 2025
Finding the right holiday serving trays for 2025 is about more than just picking a pretty platter. It is about selecting pieces that work with your style, your menu, and your practical needs. I have learned from many holiday gatherings that the right tray does not just carry food; it becomes part of the table’s story. The first thing I consider is the material, as it dictates the tray’s look, feel, and care. For a classic and elegant feel, I look at wood, marble, or slate. Wood trays, especially acacia or walnut, bring a rustic warmth that is perfect for a cozy dinner. Marble or slate offers a cool, sophisticated surface that is fantastic for keeping cheese or desserts at the right temperature. If I am hosting a big, busy party, I often lean into melamine or high-quality ceramic. They are lightweight, durable, and come in so many festive patterns that can handle a drop or two without a crisis.
Next, I think hard about size and shape. A huge, round tray might be stunning for a centerpiece cheese board, but it can be awkward to store for the other eleven months of the year. I try to find a balance. A set of nesting trays or a few rectangular platters in varying sizes gives me the most flexibility. They can be used separately for different courses or grouped together for a grand buffet setup. Shape also influences function. A long, rectangular tray is my go-to for slicing and serving a roast or a loaf of bread. A round or oval tray is better for presenting a wheel of brie or a pile of cookies, as it encourages a communal gathering around it.
Finally, I focus on functionality and versatility. Does the tray have a lip or raised edges? This is a small detail that makes a huge difference when carrying saucy appetizers or small, rolling items like olives and grapes. Handles are another big one for me; sturdy handles make transporting a heavy, loaded tray from kitchen to table much safer and more comfortable. I also ask myself if the tray can pull double duty. A beautiful marble tray can serve cocktails in the summer, and a rustic wooden board is perfect for a charcuterie spread any time of year. By choosing trays that are not just for one holiday, I build a collection of serving pieces that feel fresh and exciting for every 2025 celebration.
FAQ
What is the most durable material for a holiday serving tray?
For pure durability, it is hard to beat high-quality melamine or bamboo. Melamine is practically chip-proof and can handle being knocked around during a busy party, and it is often dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. Bamboo is a very hard, resilient wood that resists moisture and scratches better than many other wooden trays. If you are looking for a more elegant option that is still tough, enameled metal or slate are also excellent choices that can last for years.
How many serving trays do I realistically need for a holiday party?
This really depends on your menu and serving style. For a standard dinner party with 6-8 guests, I find that three to four trays is a good number. This allows you to have one for appetizers, one for the main course (like a roast or a large side dish), and one or two for bread, desserts, or condiments. If you are doing a full buffet, you might want one tray per major dish to keep things organized and visually appealing.
As you plan your holiday meals, thinking about the best holiday serving trays for 2025 now will save you stress later. It is all about making your life easier while creating a beautiful table.
Can I put a wooden serving tray in the dishwasher?
I strongly recommend against it. The high heat and harsh detergents in a dishwasher can warp, crack, and dull the finish of a wooden tray. The best way to clean a wooden serving board is by hand with warm, soapy water, a quick rinse, and immediate drying. To maintain its beauty, you can occasionally treat it with a food-safe mineral oil.
What is the best shape for a versatile serving tray?
In my experience, a simple rectangular tray is the most versatile shape. It is efficient for arranging sliced meats, rows of appetizers, or even a lineup of drinks. Rectangular trays are also generally easier to store, as they stack or line up neatly in a cabinet. An oval tray is a close second, as it offers a softer look while still being practical for many of the same uses.
Are marble serving trays difficult to maintain?
They require a bit more care than some other materials, but it is not difficult. Marble is porous and can stain, so it is best to wipe up spills quickly. You should avoid placing highly acidic foods like tomatoes or lemons directly on the surface for long periods. Cleaning is simple—just use a soft cloth with warm water and a mild soap. The main thing to remember is that marble can scratch, so using cutting boards on top of it is a good idea.