Skip to main content

Easy Holiday Entertaining Ideas

One of the things I love most about the holiday season is hosting parties and entertaining my friends and family in my home. Of course, I love attending festive parties just as much, if not more, because all I have to do is slip on a sparkly dress, wrap up a hostess gift, and I'm ready to rock and roll!

As much as I love hosting friends during the holiday season, it can be stressful when I'm trying to find unique and delicious recipes that will please everyone. I enjoy preparing a variety of different appetizers so it's a more casual atmosphere than a formal sit-down dinner. It's also easier when you're having more than ten people over, and finger foods that are easy to eat make it easier for guests to mingle and walk around, too.

Thanks to Parmalat Canada—and just in time for the holiday party season—a new Black Diamond product has arrived that's sure to be a hit... the Black Diamond Cheese Spread.

Parmalat came to the rescue to help me prepare for the holidays—they sent me a $150 Black Diamond cheese spread pack which included the four different Black Diamond cheese spreads (Original, White, Light, and Sharp) product coupons, a gorgeous Petite Maison By Wildly Delicious Large Olivewood Cheese Board, an Olivewood bread bowl, cheese spreaders, and oven mitts. I'll be using all of this to entertain my guests this festive season.


With the new Black Diamond cheese spreads, you can "Spread It, Spoon It, Dip It"—and more. The new Black Diamond cheese spreads are perfect paired with crackers and bread, or you can fancy things up and try a new recipe—perfect for your holiday entertaining!

I love the easy recipes I found online, like the Chicken and Chedder Quesadillas. I'm not the greatest cook, but this recipe takes only ten minutes to make, so I was brave enough to try making it. Before preparing it for my guests, I prepared it for my toughest critics: my children. Results? They loved it! Next up? I'm making the Cheddar Potato Gratin.



Chicken and Chedder Quesadillas

Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. Black Diamond Original Cheese Spread
1 red pepper, sliced into strips
1/2 cup pulled roasted chicken
1/4 cup salsa
1 large flour tortilla

Steps:

1. Season peppers with salt and pepper and lightly sauté.
2. Spread Black Diamond Original Cheese Spread on the tortilla. Place peppers and chicken on top. Fold quesadilla in half and place in the oven to broil. Serve with salsa... and voila! You're done. (Note: I used grilled chicken breast in my version, and it still tasted delicious.)

I am also preparing the Cheddar Chickpea Hummus dip for my holiday party. How great does that sound... with some pita bread?  Let's get this party started!

I know you're all busy getting ready for your own holiday parties, ('tis the season!) so Parmalat is sending one of these awesome $150 Black Diamond prize packs to one of my readers, too! (This giveaway is open to Canadian residents only... sorry!) 

To win, just leave me a comment below telling me what you love best about the holiday season. 

I'll pick a winner randomly on December 1st, 2013. 


For more unique recipe ideas, check out Spread It, Dip It. Good Luck!

Comments

Unknown said…
I love the holidays for the great shopping deals. Oh and eating tons of holidays treats. :)
Jan said…
What I like best - seeing family and having Christmas cake! Gotta have the marzipan icing!
20 YORK STREET said…
What a fantastic give-away! I live for Christmas! Well, aside from my birthday!

You know me, I love dem shopping for gifts the most and then entertaining so this is perfect!!!

xox,

ML
jemrah said…
the music and the decorations! everything looks and sounds so festive!
Angie B said…
I love the family traditions. Now that I am married we have to split our time and go to one side each year, so I only get my family's traditions every second here now, but I have gained a whole new set of traditions that I look forward to. Our children are still a bit young (one is only a couple weeks old) but next year I look forward to starting some of our own family traditions with them. Thanks for the opportunity to win a great prize-pack.
Stella Garcia said…
The best part of the holidays is sharing the joy with those around us!
Brenda A. said…
Cheese, glorious cheese! I wonder if chocolate coasted cheese would work? Those are my two holiday indulgences.

Aside from yummy things to eat, I love the family time together where no one is rushing out to work, school or activities (aside from sledding!)
Sue said…
This is the time of year to celebrate holiday traditions, a chance to wear your finest, to purchase gifts for family and friends and most of all to spend time with relatives from out of town. Add to that, festive lights, excited children and a sense of merriment and joy by all.
Shannon said…
I think what I love best is the anticipation of what is to come.
SG said…
The best part is watching my daughter's delight in all of the shiny lights.
mongupp said…
I love the peaceful feelings and ha ppiness...wish it could last all year.

mongupp@hotmail.com
Rebecca O'Reilly said…
The best part of the holidays are the gatherings around the food table!!!
Great giveaway! I love the food and spending time with all my extended family =)
ginette4 said…
I love spending time with my family, great meals and the fun and laughter, we have a great time together.
Laurie said…
I love the lights and the music! But what I love most is how much my kids love Christmas!
Karen L said…
I love making my favorite cheeseball each Christmas!
lushka said…
I love the food (some of which is only available at Christmas)
Stacy Monaghan said…
My favorite thing is setting up the tree with the kids, and then enjoying the lights every night for a month.
@a_m_rs said…
What a great giveaway! Thanks! I like how I spend time with my family. Watching them open presents makes me happy. Also, all the pretty colours of the tree, outdoor lights.
Jennifer said…
I love the holidays for the time I get to spend with my family who live far away; listening to Christmas music, making and eating yummy food, and attending candlelit Christmas Eve services!
Amirah said…
What I love best about the holiday season is spending time with the entire family! I also love all the nice Christmas decor = )
Unknown said…
I like the time I get off work, spending quality time with loved ones, and all the yummy holiday foods. (@gabecncx)
Anonymous said…
Hello,

Who won or where is winner information posted
Loukia said…
Hello, the winner lucky entry number three!