I'm thinking of a Christmas Eve menu inspired by the Feast of Seven Fishes but with more of an appetizer focus since we traditionally do heavy hors d'oeuvres on Christmas Eve . Essentially, I would roll out a bunch of seafood-centric appetizers. But I'm running a couple of fish short:

Shrimp cocktail w remoulade
Smoked Salmon w accoutrements
Bacon wrapped jumbo scallops
Tuna ceviche- maybe
Crab cakes

Maybe crawfish queso? Anyone have a good recipe?

I love fried calamari but have never made it and am not sure I want to have my first attempt be on Christmas Eve. I'd prefer another make-ahead appetizer.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Not particularly make ahead, but limited time required.

I use an oyster bed to grill or oven roast oysters.

Raw oyster shooters premade in small plastic cups

you make the stew ahead, reheat and cook the seafood (and fish in oven) with minimal involvement at the time of service (done it many times)
https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/cioppino.html

Alton Brown has a recipe for squid stuffed squid that is really good and easy. Just need whole squid.

- canned smoked oysters
- imported pickled muscles
- smoked salmon dip
- shrimp artichoke dip
- hot crab dip
- pickled shrimp on crackers
- popcorn crawfish tails
- crab stuffed mushrooms

Sorry, I don't have any recipes handy. Good luck!

No baccala?

Fried baccala balls sounds ideal

Lots of ideas here

https://texags.com/forums/67/topics/3008884