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Entertain for Less

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

Hosting a holiday celebration doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Whether you’re planning a gift exchange, a New Year’s bash or a cookie swap, you can cut costs without sacrificing good food and fun! Throw a festive holiday party with thesebudget-friendly entertaining tips and recipe ideas.

Do it Yourself

While ready-to-serve spreads, dips and snacks cut down on party prep time, they often cost more. You can prepare healthier recipes from scratch that cost less with basic ingredients like low-fat cheese, olives, fresh produce and lean deli meat. Great-tasting Dietz & Watson® premium meats are hand-trimmed and flavored with only natural seasonings without added fillers, artificial colors, flavors or MSG. Try them in a variety of quick and easy appetizers like ham-wrapped roasted asparagus, mini roast beef and cheese pinwheels, or this recipe for Red & Green Turkey Bites featuring Gourmet Lite Turkey Breast. Look for the Healthier Lifestyle™ seal for meats that are low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol with less sodium.

Splurge Where it Counts

Holiday celebrations call for festive thirstquenchers. Splurge on quality ingredients for drinks that complement your party spread. Sourced at the foot of the Italian Alps, S. Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water has a lightly mineralized flavor from limestone and volcanic rocks. The signature mediumsized bubbles of this water enliven flavors of sweet and salty foods and refresh the palate. Serve it with a simple citrus twist or in this alcohol-free Pomegranate Frost mixed drink.

Less is More

Downsize your to-do list by serving finger foods instead of a full course meal. Bite-sized appetizers are also a cinch to assemble. Simply start with a base like crusty artisan bread, mini fillo shells or Weis Quality Woven Wheat Crackers and layer with your favorite ingredients. Made with soft white winter wheat and baked until golden brown, Weis Quality Woven Wheat Crackers have a delicate taste and distinctive crunch, plus whole grains in every bite. Top the Regular or Reduced Fat variety with low-fat mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and half a grape tomato; fat-free cream cheese, raspberry preserves and sliced almonds; or bruschetta and shaved Parmesan cheese.

Feature the Season’s Bounty

Add festive color to your holiday spread with plenty of red and green fruits and vegetables like pomegranates, cranberries, roasted red pepper, artichokes, celery and avocado. Offering party snacks made with seasonal produce is easier on your wallet. Vibrant green Chilean Avocados are incredibly versatile and have countless uses in the kitchen. You can mash them for creamy dips, layer slices atop tiny sandwiches or dice them to sprinkle over salads or use as a garnish. Avocados supply more than 25 essential vitamins and minerals, including potassium, vitamins B and E, fiber, folic acid and healthful monounsaturated fats.