Holiday Party Platter, by Casey Barbles of The Informal Grub

Still unsure on what to make this holiday season for an upcoming family dinner or swingin’ soirée? This party platter is easy to make, requires no cooking and is so aesthetically pleasing, it practically looks like decor. I enjoy making these snack boards because there truly are no rules and they are the epitome of a great return on investment. I personally like to add foods that are easy to pick up and eat while chatting. You can add fruit, veggies, cheese, cured meats, honey, jams, crackers, nuts and dips. We eat with our eyes first so don’t underestimate the power of color and versatility.

Here are some simple rules to live by when making a party platter:

1. Find the right platter – You want to find a piece that really pops. I love this Large Beatriz Ball Organic Nicola Pedestal Platter paired with this adorable Beatriz Ball Holiday Christmas Tree Mini Bowl that I used for the dip. These two pieces came from Bering’s Hardware here in Houston, my go-to spot for all things entertaining. If you haven’t been and you need some last minute gift ideas or serving pieces for your upcoming holiday party, Bering’s is your spot.
2. Add your crudités – these raw veggies will be great with any dip you decide to add and they also provide a great opportunity to add fun pops of color to your platter.
3. Add something sweet – Dried and fresh fruit are the way to go to satisfy the sweet factor here. Any fruit you like or have on hand would work. Just make sure to treat fruits that oxidize (like pears and apples) with a fresh lemon juice before putting them out so they do not brown.
4. Add some crackers –  I enjoy using a mix of crackers, just because it’s fun, but use whatever makes you happy. I just pile them on the platter wherever there are openings.
5. Add a dip or two – Condiments are a really fun addition to a party platter and can provide a flavor boost to all of those delicious veggies. Some of my favorite options: hummus, honey, fancy mustards, jams, and preserves. You can add sauces and chutneys and whatever else makes you happy.
6. Fill spaces – This is what will help make your party platter look really amazing—fill in all the empty spaces. I like to do this with clusters of grapes, cherries, blueberries or nuts. They fill in all the nooks and crannies nicely, and they’re the perfect size for someone to grab and just eat a few grapes.
7. Garnish – For the holiday season, I love adding a few sprigs of fresh rosemary – it looks a lot like a Christmas tree, and it smells great. Is this step important? No. Does it look great? Heck yes.

And that’s it! I know that was a lot of explaining, but honestly, the whole process takes less that ten minutes. It is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser this holiday season.

This post is sponsored by Bering’s Hardware.

Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Informal Grub possible. …Thank you, Casey! We love collaborating with you and love your blog, The Informal Grub!