Guide for Easy Holiday Entertaining

Sit back and relax. Market of Choice’s guide to easy holiday entertaining will help you plan a stress-free gathering with delicious appetizers, stunning entrees and impressive desserts. Get tips for decorating your home, setting a table, and even hosting a memorable holiday brunch.

What if holiday entertaining could be easy and fun again? With a few simple tips and genius-level hacks from Market of Choice, they can be. Whether you’re planning a small gathering or a large celebration, we have a plethora of ideas for easy and impressive holiday entertaining.

In this guide, you’ll find a variety of entertaining tips and inspirations to plan a stress-free holiday gathering, serve delicious appetizers, mix festive cocktails, decorate your home, create easy and impressive desserts, and even host a memorable holiday brunch. Sit back, relax, and let us guide you through the enchanting world of easy holiday entertaining.

Planning a Stress-Free Holiday Party

A stress-free holiday party begins with effective planning. Here’s how to get started.

Create a Party Checklist: Start by creating a comprehensive checklist of every task you need to complete for your holiday party. This may include sending invitations, planning decorations, and organizing entertainment. A clear checklist will help you stay organized and ensure nothing is missed.

Plan the Menu in Advance: Whether you’re planning a holiday tea party, brunch or seated dinner, planning the menu well ahead of time helps you avoid stress later on. Here are a couple of points to consider when planning a menu:

1. Your guests’ dietary preferences and any special dietary needs.
2. Providing a variety of dishes to cater to different tastes and restrictions.

Prepare a make-ahead menu

To minimize stress on the day of your event, prepare foods like soups, dips, casseroles, and desserts ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. This way, you have time to enjoy the company of your guests, and they won’t feel pressure to help you toil in the kitchen. For ultimate ease with little preparation, check out the Market of Choice Catering site. You’ll find a plethora of mouthwatering, crowd-pleasing entrées, main dishes, party platters, cheese plates, sides, sweets, and more, ready to take home and store, reheat, and serve. The best part is you can place an order in advance and arrange pick-up at your convenience. Here are some of our favorite reserve-able main dish items for the holidays:

• Herb Stuffed Boneless Leg of Lamb: locally raised boneless leg of lamb filled with delicious herbs, then tied and ready to pop in the oven.
• Family Size Scalloped Potatoes: layers of velvety potatoes in our house-made Alfredo with garlic, pepper, a touch of nutmeg and plenty of cheese.
• Turducken: antibiotic-free turkey breast filled with a delicious Andouille sausage and smoked duck bacon, then rolled and tied.

Check out our catering site for more ready-to-go items.

Make-ahead recipes

For those who enjoy making food at home, here are some easy and delicious recipe ideas from our carefully curated recipe page:

• Apple Cider Ham Glaze: This sweet cider glaze is perfect for your holiday ham and it only requires a few simple ingredients to make.
• Greg’s Dungeness Crab Bisque: This easy, yet elegant recipe from our head Chef is perfect for special occasions.

Delicious Appetizers and Finger Foods

Appetizers and finger foods are essential for any holiday gathering. They keep your guests satisfied and set the tone for the meal. Save yourself some time and effort by checking out the appetizers on the Market of Choice catering site.

Here are some highlights from Market of Choice’s holiday appetizer collection available to reserve online now:

• Veggie Crudités Platter: Crisp-cut veggies served with creamy ranch dressing and hummus.
• Pre-made Charcuterie Boards: Choose between Keg & Barrel or Cork & Cage Boards with delicious cheeses, salamis, cured meats, mustard, fruit, and jam.
• Mezze Platter: Loaded with Mediterranean favorites, such as falafel, dolma, olives, cucumbers, tzatziki, baba Ganoush or hummus and pita for dipping.
• Smoked Salmon & Caper Deviled Eggs: A classic appetizer taken to a stunning new level. Filled with herbs, smoked salmon, and briny capers.

Check out our catering site for many more appetizer ideas.

Present your appetizers creatively

Arrange your appetizers on different levels to make them more appealing. Our experts in the Home & Gift Department can help you find tiered serving trays and eye-catching platters for height and visual interest. Garnish with fresh herbs from the Produce Department. Check with our Floral Department for edible flowers. Find your favorite colorful sauce in our Cheese & Provisions Department to add a pop of color and enhance your presentation. Use unconventional serving vessels like mini mason jars, shot glasses, or hollowed-out fruits for a unique display.

Prepare appetizers in advance

Here are some tips to keep in mind if you choose to make appetizers yourself:

1. Select appetizers that can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Reheat or assemble them just before serving.
2. Prep ingredients in advance, like chopping vegetables or marinating meats, to streamline the cooking process.
3. Label and organize your prepared appetizers in containers (we love Stasher Bags & Bowls from the MoC Home & Gift Department) or zip-top bags to keep them fresh and easily accessible.

Entertaining with Festive Cocktails

Festive cocktails are a must-have for holiday entertaining. Visit our Beer & Wine Department for mixers and Zero Proof cocktail ingredients to shake up the merriment. Here are some cocktail recipes that are sure to impress:

• Cinnamon Toddy: Our recipe for this warm and comforting winter beverage is made with 3 oz. Zero Proof Smoky no. 56 from For Bitter For Worse, 3 oz. Pukka Herbs, cinnamon tea, a generous squeeze of lemon, and local Craft & Kitchen honey to taste.
• Cranberry Mule: Add a holiday twist to the classic Moscow Mule with cranberry juice and fresh cranberries. The tart cranberries complement the ginger beer perfectly.
• World Famous Eggnog: This creamy cocktail is lighter than you might expect and very easy to make. Use leftovers to make amazing French toast at your holiday brunch! Simply whirl together 4 oz. Smoky no. 56 (For Bitter For Worse), 3 oz. milk, 2 oz. cream, 1 Craft & Kitchen egg, 1/8 cup coconut sugar.

Set up a DIY cocktail bar

Provide a variety of spirits, mixers, and garnishes to cater to different tastes. Display the ingredients in an organized manner, making it easy for guests to mix their own drinks. Label each ingredient to avoid confusion and help guests find their preferred choices. Offer a variety of glassware options to enhance the presentation and experience of each cocktail.

Zero Proof cocktail options

Don’t forget to cater to non-alcoholic guests with delicious Zero Proof options like these:

• Sparkling Cranberry Spritz: Mix Som Cordial Cranberry, Tonic Water, and a splash of lime juice for a refreshing mocktail.
• Virgin Mojito: Muddle fresh mint leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup. Top with club soda for a zesty, alcohol-free version of the classic cocktail.
• Pomegranate Spritzer: Combine pomegranate juice, sparkling water, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Garnish with pomegranate seeds for a vibrant mocktail.

Decorating Your Home for the Holidays

Creating a festive atmosphere is not as complicated as it may seem. With soft lighting, a little mood music in the background, and pretty table settings, you’re good to go. Here are a few tips to help you decorate your home for the holidays:

Ideas for festive table settings

A well-decorated table sets the mood for a memorable holiday gathering. Use a holiday-themed tablecloth or runner as a base. Add a centerpiece with seasonal flowers from local growers in our Floral Department, and natural elements from Oregon’s beautiful outdoors, like pinecones, Douglas fir branches, sage, and acorns.

Don’t forget to pick up some elegant place settings, sparkling glassware, and festive napkins from our Home & Gift Department.

Creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere

1. Add soft lighting with candles or string lights to create a warm atmosphere.
2. Set up cozy seating areas with plush pillows and blankets.
3. Play holiday tunes to set the mood.
4. Fill your home with seasonal scents by simmering mulled cider or baking cinnamon-spiced cookies.

Easy and Impressive Desserts

Having a selection of quick and simple desserts is a must for easy holiday entertaining. Be sure to check out the decadent dessert options on our Catering site for ultimate ease and zero preparation.

Here are some highlights from our dessert collection, available to reserve online now:

• Rum Balls: Chocolate, fruit, and rum flavoring dipped in dark chocolate ganache.
• Baker’s Bounty Board: A lovely selection of holiday desserts, such as cannoli, truffles, and French macarons.
• Seasonal Cookie Tray: A selection of bite-sized versions of your favorite Market Bakery cookies, made with real butter and local ingredients.
• Pumpkin Pie: Creamy, deep-dish pumpkin pie in a flaky crust.

Check out our catering site for many more dessert ideas.

Make-ahead dessert options

Here are some seriously delicious dessert recipes for those who love to bake their own sweets.

• Triple Decker Pumpkin Pie: Pick up our November issue of Gather Holiday 2024 magazine—FREE in stores now—to learn how to make our Triple Decker Pumpkin Pie. Spoiler alert: one of the layers is a decadent cheesecake.
• Hard Apple Cider Holiday Loaf: The lush flavor of apple cider shines through in this warm and comforting seasonal dessert.

Tips for decorating desserts with flair

1. Add a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate sauce to elevate the look of your desserts.
2. Use fresh Oregon berries or mint leaves as garnishes to add a pop of color.

Hosting a Memorable Holiday Brunch

Hosting a holiday brunch is a fantastic way to gather friends and family to celebrate the season. Here are some entertaining ideas to create a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Brunch recipe ideas for easy holiday mornings

Serve a variety of delicious dishes like these favorites from our carefully curated recipes collection:

• Crab Cakes Benedict: This elegant Benedict is perfect for a PNW holiday brunch. Pick up some Market–made crab cakes from the Seafood Department at your local Market, then gather the remaining ingredients from our aisles. This recipe has gluten-free options as well.
• Challah French Toast with Oregon Berry Compote and Crème Anglaise: This French toast might just be the best you’ll ever have tasted! Featuring tender challah from the Market Bakery, creamy egg mixture and toasted until fluffy and golden.
• Incorporate seasonal ingredients like cranberries, cinnamon, or gingerbread flavors. Offer a selection of beverages such as mimosas, hot cocoa, or festive holiday punch.

Setting up a beautiful brunch buffet

1. Use festive table linens, fresh flowers, and decorative accents to create an inviting buffet table.
2. Don’t forget to add your own unique flare. Whether your style is vintage and eclectic, or clean and minimalist, your personality should always shine through.
3. Arrange dishes in an organized and aesthetically pleasing manner, and label any dishes containing common allergens.
4. Add height and dimension to your buffet with cake stands or tiered serving trays to maximize space and visual appeal.

Tips for accommodating dietary restrictions

Consider your guests’ dietary needs and restrictions. Offer options that cater to different dietary preferences, such as vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free dishes. You can find a plethora of recipes for special diets on our Recipes page.

Label each dish with clear signage indicating any potential allergens.

Be prepared to provide alternatives or modifications for guests with specific dietary restrictions, such as decaf coffee, coconut sugar, and plant-based butter, spreads, cheeses, and cream.

At Market of Choice, we offer a wide range of holiday entertaining essentials to help you bring your vision to life. From elegant tableware and unique recipes to premium cooking ingredients, and items to reserve online, you’ll find everything you need to create a festive holiday party—stress-free. Stop by your local Market to explore our selection and get inspired for easy holiday entertaining.