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.
Bonnie Sanders says
Everything looks so lovely. I would love to know what the Chocolate-Covered Pomegranates were that you refered too. Is there a recipe or something you bought premade? Thanks! Happy Holidays!
Holly Couch says
This is so beautiful, I wish I had your talent to ‘whip up’ something as gorgeous as this!
Sarah says
I love this – will you fly to our house in Austria and cook this for us at Christmas?
I also love your colours/decorations you use with the food. Very seasonal. 😀
http://www.smileyculture.com/diy-advent-calendar/
angel swanson says
Lovely! And that first pic of you? GORG.