These staple holiday ingredients are a lot more versatile than you might think. Go beyond shrimp cocktail and turn these store-bought items into fun holiday appetizers.

This easy melted-cheese dip is a crowd-pleaser, so you might want to double the recipe to have a backup ready! Feel free to change up the dried fruit — cherries, raisins, dates and figs would all work nicely.

Bright, crisp and briny, salsa verde is just what you need to cut through the richness of creamy fried Brie. You can find cornichons (pickled mini gherkins) in the pickle aisle of your grocery store, or use slices of dill pickle.

A little bit sweet, salty and peppery, this five-ingredient dip is great solo or as an addition to a party cheese platter. Be sure to take your time and stop to scrape down the side of the mixer bowl — that's the key to making the dip smooth and light.