[Disclosure: This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media.]
If you happen to have unexpected guests show up during the holidays, or you spontaneously decide to host a last-minute get-together for friends who are in town for a few days, then these easy entertaining ideas will help you host and toast with ease.
One of the easiest ways to set the stage for a warm and inviting holiday get-together is to light candles and put out your holiday decorations, like twinkling lights and Christmas stockings. Holiday decorations will instantly put your guests in the mood to enjoy the festivities at your gathering.
A quick trip to the market or flower shop to pick-up some fresh flowers in holiday-inspired colors (like red, white, and green), add natural beauty and holiday cheer to your space, creating a festive ambiance.
When it comes to cooking for your last-minute guests, always keep a few must-have essentials in the pantry, to make sure you’re prepared. BabbleBoxx recently sent over this box filled with goodies, to help us entertain with ease this season. The box included a number of great items, including kitchen tools, kid-friendly foods, and tasty snacks.
This “Hosting & Toasting Edition” BabbleBoxx contained a Simplehuman Foaming Soap Dispenser, Snack Factory Original Pretzel Crisps, Sunsweet Pacific Tropicals, LaCroix Sparkling Water, Wild Garden Quick Marinade and Heat & Serve Pilaf, Annie’s Homegrown Organic Kid Soup, Ella’s Kitchen The Red One Juice Box, and a GreenPan 10″ Fry Pan and Bamboo Turner.
To help keep you and your guests germ-free during the flu season, the Simplehuman Foam Cartridge Sensor Pump & Soaps makes it as simple as a wave of your hand to eliminate nasty germs. This touch-free foaming soap dispenser takes the hassle out of cleanliness by dispensing a rich, luxurious foam soap. Plus, the refills are simple – just eject the old cartridge and pop in a new one. The unit is also rechargeable, and gives you 3-months of use with only one charge.
As soon as your guests arrive, greet them with tasty snacks that will keep them satiated while you prepare a meal. Sunsweet Pacific Tropicals are unique, flavorful snacks that are both sweet and succulent. Available in four flavors (like the delicious Philippine Green Mango and Thai Coconut), these tropical snacks include a variety of refreshing dried fruits, making them a healthier snack alternative. Plus, they come in convenient re-sealable bags, so they’re ideal for entertaining, on-the-go, and as energy-boosting snacks.
Download a coupon for $1 off a Sunsweet Pacific Tropicals product by visiting their website.
If your guests bring their little ones, keep them occupied by serving Annie’s Homegrown certified organic kid soup. Not only will the kiddos love the taste of this healthy vegetable soup (that contains 1/2 cup of vegetables per serving, as well as farm-shaped pasta), their parents will also be happy to know that the soup contains no artificial flavors, synthetic colors, preservatives, antibiotics, or high-fructose corn syrup.
Save $0.75 on any Annie’s Organic Soup by visiting http://www.annies.com/savings-fun/coupons.
Whipping up tasty meals in a jiffy couldn’t get any faster than with the GreenPan Lima frying pan and accompanying Bamboo tunrer. This Thermalon ceramic non-stick pan is considered healthy cookware, as it was designed to cook foods using less oils. You can fry and evenly brown food because the pan provides great heat conduction. Plus, there are no toxic chemicals used in this pan, and it’s incredibly easy to clean.
You can win a GreenPan Lime 12-piece Cookware Set by entering the GreenPan sweepstakes. Just visit their website from now until 12/25/2016 to enter.
Even if you offer your guests a glass of wine, it’s always advisable to have a non-alcoholic beverage on-hand. Not only do some folks just want a refreshing beverage that won’t get them buzzed (especially if they’re the designated driver that night), it’s also great for underage guests who happen to swing by.
LaCroix Cúrate Melón Pomelo is a delightful 100% natural sparkling water that is a tasty (and healthy) alternative to sugary beverages. This calorie-free, carbonated drink quenches your thirst with a refreshing taste of ripe cantaloupe essence infused with pink grapefruit. This tangy duo imparts a touch of sweetness, making it a unique flavor your guests will love.
For the young ones who show up on your doorstep, put a smile on their little faces with Ella’s Kitchen The Red One, which is an organic smoothie for kids. These wholesome and tasty fruit smoothies are certified USDA organic, and only contain real fruits (and nothing else). Babies and toddlers will enjoy squeezing and slurping the fruit smoothies, and parents will be happy to know that their kids are getting a good source of fiber and nutrients in these drinks.
When your guests arrive, set out an assortment of tasty bites and healthy snacks, to keep them occupied while you’re busy in the kitchen cooking up a meal. To keep your guests satiated, put out a tray of Snack Factory Original Pretzel Crisps. These ‘better-for-you’ snacks contain 30% less calories than potato chips, are available in a variety of savory and sweet flavors, and can even be used with dips. Plus, your guests will feel good knowing that these pretzel crisps have no trans fat, saturated fat or cholesterol.
When you have last-minute guests show up to celebrate the holidays, a quick and easy meal to prepare is sautéed chicken and rice. To add flavor to your meal and help you cook even faster, opt for Wild Garden Quick Marinade and Heat & Serve Pilaf. This Mediterranean line of marinades and healthy pilafs include a flavorful mix of spices and oils.
In less than 2 minutes, you can quickly heat-up the rice pilaf (which includes Bulgur, Couscous, Rice and Lentil), which can be mixed in with the chicken. Just add the marinade to the mixture, and stir regularly. In about 10 minutes, your delicious and nutritious meal will be ready to serve.
To make your exotic, Mediterranean-flavored meal even more nutritious and pretty, simply scoop the hot chicken and pilaf onto a bed of mixed leafy greens. For more recipe ideas, visit www.wildgarden.com/recipes.
With these easy-to-use ingredients and kitchen tools, entertaining last-minute guests during the holidays is easier than ever. Cheers to a warm and wonderful holiday season!