Christmas Entertaining

Wow, what a crazy holiday weekend we had! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed getting as stuffed as the turkeys you ate. Before my family left Los Angeles, I hosted a small Christmas gathering. We won’t be together this year, as Zan and I are headed to New Jersey and NYC to be with his family for Christmas. I wanted to do something festive, but keep it simple since we just finished cooking a Thanksgiving feast! I baked a very easy and delicious boneless carving ham, put out a decadent cheese plate, an olive “wreath” and served some traditional Christmas sides like stuffing and cranberry sauce. Instead of baking all day, I created no bake desserts by serving a mini-hot cocoa bar with marshmallows, candy canes and cute sprinkle toppings. We roasted S’mores, using jumbo marshmallows, chocolate-covered graham crackers and crushed candy canes inside, they were incredible!! I also set out some caramel popcorn, addicting chocolate-covered pomegranates, adorable mini-truffle cupcakes and chocolate-covered pretzels. There definitely wasn’t a lack of tasty treats! And of course it’s not a gathering (at least not at my house), without cocktails and wine! I whipped up some easy vodka cranberry spritzers and served red wine.
Since I made it buffet style, which is usually my choice for gatherings, I didn’t have individual place settings. Instead, I decorated the table with red poinsettias, a beautifully decorated lantern and a giant Christmas wreath. It was elegant without taking hours to set up.
I bought pretty much everything I used at Sam’s Club. From December 6-8 Sam’s Club is hosting a Holiday Open House to get inspired for Christmas! The best part is that they’ll be serving festive food samples, yum! I was actually impressed with the selection of items there, so check it out! Below is a little description and buying guide.

Menu
Boneless Carving Ham
Stuffing
Champagne Cranberry Sauce
Cheese Plate: Manchego, Le Gruyere and a Brie wheel
Kalamata Olive Wreath
Garnishes: rosemary, cherry tomatoes, pomegranates,

Desserts
Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
Holiday Treats Tower
Chocolate Cupcake Truffles
Chocolate-Covered Pomegranates
Gourmet Hot Cocoa
Candy Canes
Marshmallows
Homemade whipped cream

Drinks
Vodka Cranberry Spritzers: Cranberry juice, tonic water, Tito’s Vodka, rosemary
Red Wine
Champagne

Decor
Poinsettias
Decorated Lanterns in white
Sheepskin Rug Deluxe
Mixed Wreaths
Aromatique Candles
Flowers and greens
Flour sack towels

We teamed up with Sam’s Club to bring you this post.