Easy Holiday Hosting with Crate & Barrel

The holidays are a busy time, but it's so important to me to carve out time to spend with some of our favorite people.

I personally love to host family and friends so I've done lots of it over the years however, I know that for some the thought of having people over can be really daunting and stressful.

I’ve come up with a handful of my go-to crowd pleasing tips and recipes so you can enjoy your next holiday get together without the stress. I partnered with Crate & Barrel to showcase how you can use simple entertaining pieces to create a memorable get-together that's all about enjoying your hosting duties and the ones you love.

Cocktails in Exchange for Coats

Having as much prepared in advance as possible can help ease your stress the day of an event. When guests first arrive it can be chaotic, so having a simple go to cocktail or sangria bar ready to go can help get everyone in the door and a drink in hand while the party is getting started.

Empress 75 Cocktail

For this cocktail I use the Edge champagne glass from Crate & Barrel. I personally love something a little bubbly for the holidays, so this drink is perfect. And aren’t these glasses the prettiest shape?

Empress 75
1 1/2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
3/4 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Top with sparkling prosecco

Shake over ice using the Hatch Cocktail Shaker and pour into chilled glasses. Garnish with a lemon twist. Once your guests are in the door and have a yummy cocktail in hand you can relax and start to enjoy yourself!

Pair with an Appetizer

I came up with a simple warm holiday appetizer that will pair perfectly with this cocktail; you can prep it in advance and then throw it in the oven when you hear the doorbell. They only take 15 minutes to cook and will be so well received by your guests!

Spicy Cranberry Baked Brie Bites

Pre-heat oven to 375 degree, spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray and set aside.

Roll out one can of pre-made crescent dough (huge time saver compared to making it from scratch) on a lightly floured surface, cut into 24 equal squares; fill each muffin cup with a piece of dough. Cut a wheel of brie into equal portions and place a piece in each cup, along with a small spoonful of red pepper jelly and a single cranberry. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and bake in the pre-heated oven until dough is browned and cheese is melted. Approximately 15 minutes.

Serve warm!

Self-Service

When hosting large groups, I always like to have a little self-serve drink station. That's why I fell in love with the Claro Acrylic Drink Dispenserand French Country Stand. I know this is one of those pieces that I will use for many get togethers to come.

Winter-Inspired Sangria

One fantastic option for a holiday self-service station is this winter-inspired sangria that will be full of fresh fruit and flavours. Prepare this ahead of time and store in the fridge so the flavours have time to combine.

1 cup cranberries
1 cup frozen pomegranate seeds
2 sliced mandarin oranges
4 cups red wine
4 cups of prosecco
4 oz apricot brandy
4 oz triple sec

Mix all ingredients together and allow to sit for approximately 30 minutes. Serve in these pretty old-fashioned glasses for a twist on modern serveware.

A Spread for Everyone

If you are invited to our home, there is a 100% chance you will find my signature charcuterie spread. It’s such a high chance that my guests are usually disappointed if I try to switch it up! This isn’t a unique idea by any means, but I love it for one very clear reason: when inviting company for drinks I like to have lots of options for food available, especially when there can be so many dietary restrictions. A spread like this honestly has something for everyone so you can be confident your guests won’t leave hungry.

I’ve listed out everything I include so you can recreate my signature combo for your next event below! And because we all eat with our eyes, I would suggest a beautiful board to present the goods; this beautiful marble and wood serving board is a current favorite.

Signature Charcuterie

I like to have a minimum of three cheeses and three types of meat. These are our personal favourites, but feel free to adjust for your preferences:

Jalapeno Havarti
Wensleydale - with mango & papaya
Medium Holland Gouda
Balderson Royal Canadian Cheddar
Prosciutto
Coppasdi Parma
Genoa Salami
Kolbassa Sausage

You’ll also need some vessels for all this yumminess! I like to offer a mix of fresh bread like a banquette and crackers. If you have gluten sensitive guests, you can easily offer a mix of rice crackers as well.

Then I add in the freshness with a mix of fresh fruits and veggies. I also always include mini gherkin pickles and pickled onions; my grandmother always had bowls of these on the table at family dinners, so I like to have them as a nod to her.

Next, you need the final and I think the most important part! The sauces and spreads. Include a selection: possibly a grainy mustard, a spicy jelly like the red pepper one we used for the brie bites, and most importantly, honey! Honey is a charcuterie must-have in our home and how beautiful does it look serviced in this beehive glass jar?

You’ll also want to add salt. The Hayes Marble and Wood Salt Server is perfect for sharing our two favourite salts: kosher and Himalayan pink salt.

Layer everything together on your board and it’s ready to go! I like to make it easy for everyone to mingle around the board so I put out small plates right next to it. These gorgeous salad plates are the perfect size.

A Sweet Ending

To end the night, I like to provide something for those with a sweet tooth. This white chocolate peppermint martini is the perfect little treat at the end of the night. Because this is heavy on the alcohol, we serve them in these oversized shot glasses.

White Chocolate Peppermint Martini

1 1/2 oz chocolate liqueur (I love!)
1 1/2 oz peppermint vodka
1 1/2 oz 1/2 & 1/2 cream

Shake over ice using the Hatch Cocktail Shaker and serve in glasses coated with crushed candy canes.

For those that need a little extra treat, I create a simple dessert spread; this footed cake stand was the perfect way to dress up this store-bought gingerbread house and meringue snowmen!

Fun for all Ages

If your little ones are joining in the festivities, consider making a kid’s station. You can set up a kiddo-approved charcuterie board and a decorating station for their own gingerbread house.

These are all Winn and Cash’s favourites cut into fun shapes, making it easy to keep them fed while mama’s hosting.

Hosting for the holidays can be overwhelming, but with a few simple recipes, beautiful, festive serveware, and some optimism (remember, this is supposed to be fun!), your guests will have a fantastic time.

Cheers!