(BPT) - Holidays are all about cozy gatherings and enjoying quality time with family and friends. But when everyone has full calendars and endless to-do lists, hosting can quickly become overwhelming. These simple tricks will help make entertaining feel effortless, so you can relax, slow down and savor all your seasonal celebrations.
1. Create a checklist
A few days before the party, jot down everything you'll need, from ingredients and decor to serving pieces, and note where to buy each item. This can help streamline the logistics of your shopping or ordering for delivery, while also ensuring you won't forget anything important!
2. Keep your home visit-ready
Keep your home effortlessly guest-ready by creating a designated drop zone near the entryway. Use hooks or baskets for coats, bags and shoes. No coat closet? No problem. Try a rolling bin to neatly store your family's essentials and tuck it out of sight whenever guests drop by, expected or not.
3. Prep a batch dish in advance
Choose one dish you know will be a hit, like a baked pasta, a hearty winter salad, or a cozy soup, and prepare it the day before. Having a delicious, ready-to-go option on hand eases the pressure on the day of and helps you spend more time with guests and less time in the kitchen.
4. Pre-set your table décor
Prep your tablescape the night before your celebration, setting out platters, utensils and drinkware as well as seasonal decor, like greenery, candles or themed place cards. Make sure to snap a quick photo of your table setup or decor once it's ready — next year, you'll thank yourself for the easy inspiration.
5. Make tasty appetizers or sides in a snap
Short on prep time but still want to wow your guests as soon as they come in the door? Try this Pull-Apart Holiday Caesar Salad Wreath from Fresh Express! It's fresh, fun and effortlessly elegant, making it the perfect seasonal dish that looks as good as it tastes (and comes together in minutes)!
Pull-Apart Holiday Caesar Salad Wreath
This show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday table features classic flavors with crisp greens, herb-seasoned crouton crumbles, and a rich Caesar dressing, beautifully arranged for a delightful seasonal presentation.
Prep time: 25 minutes Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 3 (9.4-ounce) packages Fresh Express® Caesar Chopped Salad Kit®
- 3 boxes Chebe Original Cheese Bread Mix
- 6 eggs, room temperature
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 9-12 tablespoons water
- 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 6 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning
- 4.5 cups chopped broccoli florets
- 1.5 cups red bell pepper, diced
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, prepare the Chebe mix according to the package instructions, using approximately 3 tablespoons of water per box of bread mix to ensure the dough is not too sticky.
3. Knead the dough until well combined. Divide it into 12 equal portions, rolling each into a ball. For accuracy, each ball should weigh about 28 grams if using a kitchen scale. If no scale is available, roll the dough into a log shape and slice it into equal pieces.
4. Arrange the dough balls in a circular pattern on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1/2 inch of space between each ball. To guide placement, visualize the face of a clock and position the dough balls where the numbers would be.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the dough balls are lightly golden brown. Allow them to cool completely before proceeding.
6. In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese and dry ranch seasoning until smooth.
7. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the baked wreath, using approximately 3/4 of the mixture. Reserve any leftover cream cheese mixture as a dip for vegetables or crackers.
8. Layer the chopped broccoli over the cream cheese mixture, pressing it gently to help it stick. Sprinkle the diced red bell pepper over the top to complete the decoration.
For effortless entertaining, Fresh Express brings you chef-inspired salad blends that are as convenient as they are craveable. Each mix is washed, rinsed and gently dried to perfection — no prep needed — so you can serve vibrant, flavorful sides and appetizers in minutes.
Visit FreshExpress.com for more recipes and products to inspire your holiday entertaining.
