Christmas Tablescape
Christmas is practically here and I must say, I was NOT expecting this year to zoom by the way it did. Before you know it, it will be Houston Rodeo time again. (Not complaining about that either).
I’m assuming everyone has their home decorated and an idea as to what they are going to serve for the big day (Christmas). In some of my recent Instagram posts, I mentioned my love of desserts and setting up a nice tablescape to graze from.
Christmas Dessert Kitchen Spread
If you are like many of us that are still on the hunt for some Christmas inspo, decor ideas or recipes, check out the mini projects, tips and ideas I have below. Leave a comment on some of your tricks of the trade this holiday season.
If you have been keeping up with my social media, you noticed I posted a picture of (what I consider) a beautiful simple holiday dessert. The angel food cake got a little more “angelic” when I was through with it.
Semi Home Made Angel Food Cake
After realizing that I may need some help this season (time management…geez) I knew I could count on my local grocers like Trader Joe’s, Kroger and HEB for some of their made fresh daily dessert goods. After scoping the selection, the simple angel food cake was an easy winner. It fits the taste buds of many and it can blend in with any season and decor.
As you can tell, I am very visual so not only was I expecting the dessert to be “on point”, I need the visual pleasure of dining on something pretty. Here comes the “semi homemade” part to “zhoosh” it up (that’s my 2018 word of the year…get use to it, ha!)
Adding fresh fruit and whipped cream really elevated the look of the dessert AND it gave it that extra texture, and flavor when indulging in a slice.
Semi Homemade Angel Food Cake
My next go to trick are what I like to call Christmas Cups. Most would label these as parfaits or even shooters but can we settle to say it is a “Layer of Love”…get it? Yes, I’m the girl with puns, nice to meet you!
Christmas Dessert Cups
These mini Christmas Cups were created using simple ingredients and a race against the clock. A mini hack is to use actual glassware cups for these dessert items. I love these heavy gold base cups for dessert. They were too heavy to use as actual glassware for the holiday, so I switched it up. If you are curious what’s in the cup, check out the recipe below. This is a bit more homemade than semi but simple nonetheless.
Christmas Cheesecake Dessert Cups
Ingredients: Cream Cheese, Lemon Juice, Condensed Milk, Vanilla Extract, Graham Cracker Crumble, Chocolate Chips, Whipped Cream, Vanilla Wafers, Fresh Whipped Cream
Directions:
Pack your Graham Cracker Crumble in the base of your glass
In a separate container, mix half a package of cream cheese, half a can of condensed milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/3 cup of lemon juice
Melt a 1/3 cup of chocolate chips with following instructions on the package *another option is to purchase chocolate melts
Mix the other half package of cream cheese and the half of condensed milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract along with the chocolate melts.
Pour 1/3 of the original cheesecake mixture on top of the graham crackers.
Layer with the chocolate cheesecake mixture . Repeat as many times as you would like or stick with 3 layers.
Allow the mixture to chill for 4+ hours to set. I usually allow the mixture to settle overnight.
When ready to serve, place a dollop of whipped cream, a garnish of vanilla wafer and fresh fruit.
These will be quick to go and are the perfect personal serving.
Christmas Dessert Cups
What’s Christmas with out some signature drinks? I love creating cocktails and mocktails and a dear friend of mine, Stacy with The Hurried Hostess rose to the occasion with providing a holiday cocktail for Christmas morning called “The Poinsettia”. Head over to her blog here and snag the recipe.
The Poinsettia Christmas Drink
One of my fave recipes created for Christmas happens to be this Christmas Cocktail-tini.
Christmas Cocktail-tini
I created this sweet sip that I styled in a simple ornament and topped with my signature “Puffermint” Twirl Cotton Candy Topper. Check below for the recipe:
Ingredients: Cranberry Juice, Peppermint Schnapps, Lemon Lime Soda, Grenadine, Raspberry Vodka
Instructions: Mix 1 ounce of Raspberry Vodka, 1/2 ounce of grenadine, 1/2 ounce of Peppermint Schnapps in a shaker. Funnel mixture into a plain ornament and place on a cloud of Puffermint Twirl Cotton Candy.
Christmas Cocktail-tini
Last but not least, decorating for the holidays in style – my favorite. If you didn’t know, I’m a bar cart addict and love incorporating this signature piece in all of my hostessing events.
Christmas Bar Cart
This is another option for those extra Christmas bulbs that you may have floating around, they are perfect fillers for vases and the base of this bar cart. Fresh flowers are a must and a candle to set the mood.
Christmas Inspiration
I loved thinking outside the box and rather than using a standard tablecloth or runner, live greenery wreaths were used as table centerpieces to enclose additional Christmas bulbs. Talk about getting more bang for your buck.
Christmas Wreaths by Casa de Flores Design
Christmas Inspiration
With Christmas being only a few days away and having all my family come to Houston, it makes the preparation all worth it. Yes there will be closets that have “junk” shoved into them and rooms that are “off limits” but that’s real life and all that truly matters is quality time with them and celebrating the birth of Jesus and real reason of CHRIST-mas.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May the Lord continue to keep you, bless you and show his love and favor on you everyday. I appreciate you all for reading along – leave a comment below on how you are spending Christmas and what are you most looking forward to.
All photos captured by my dear friend, Stacy also known as The Hurried Hostess and Stacy Anderson Photography
Photos captured by Stacy Anderson Photography
Florals: Casa de Flores Design
Styling and Recipes: Toast from the Host and The Hurried Hostess
Gingerbread Cookies: 350.Bakehouse