This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayPairings #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.

Having friends and family over this holiday season? Are you worried you don't have the time or energy to create a beautiful table and a delicious meal too?  I created this holiday entertaining inspiration + 10 tips with you in mind.


1. Set your table the night before. Gather everything you will need, from the tablecloth or runner to the napkins and utensils. This tip helps you "see" the table styled and you have time to tweak it, by adding or replacing certain decor and getting it just right. Try to think outside the box when setting your table. Here I used, one of my flannel scarves as the table runner. I love how it doesn't quite cover the entire table.


2. Plan your menu ahead of time. That way, you are not running to the store to grab "forgotten" items at the last minute, {we've all done that}. If you can, prepare your food items a day or two earlier. This helps ease the stress. I do all my shopping at Walmart which helps make the planning and preparation easier on me.

3. Serve an appetizer such as an Antipasto. An appetizer is not essential but it is nice to have in case more guests arrive than you expect.


Be prepared and keep these ingredients on hand: 

Cheese, at least two different types are best
Fruit, grapes {red and green}, oranges, figs
Bread, we served cheese bread
Salami
Wine Sticks
Crackers, such as Pepperidge Farm Cracker Trio which includes a mix of Golden Butter, Harvest Wheat and Classic Water
Olives classic green and Kalamata olives


4. Your main dish should be made with minimal prep. With the hustle and bustle over the next few months, I am looking for a quick way to feed my family and friends this holiday season. I don't know about you, but I love being able to create a delicious meal in just a few steps. With the help of Barilla Pronto Pasta, my life just got a whole lot easier! The easy-to-prepare pasta is ready in minutes. You prepare Barilla Pronto Pasta in one pan making mealtime faster and easier for you and other hosts this busy holiday season. Genius! I made a sausage pepper pasta and paired it with three of my favorite Constellation Brand Wines ~ Tom Gore {Cabernet Sauvignon}; Estancia {Pinot Noir} and Robert Mondavi {Merlot}. Find out why I picked these three wines over others, later on in the post.



5. Bring the outdoors in. Look outside your home for fallen branches, leaves, pine cones or other decor you can use as a centerpiece. You can even spray paint the branches or pine cones to match your color scheme.



6. Self-serve vessels. Adding a decanter of wine, wine bottles and water pitchers to your table, means less times you have to get up to refill glasses.



7. Stock up on pretty white tableware and serving dishes. These can be used for everyday or added to a dressed up table such as this one.


8. Cloth Napkins. Add such a classic feel to your table. Include some greenery under the utensils and pull everything neatly together with our free printable napkin wraps.




9. Wine Tasting Game. This is a fun way to get your guests up and moving around after your meal.



Be sure to have plain bread and water available between wines, this will allow your guests to clean their palate for the next wine experience. And don't forget to serve a light dessert with your Wine Tasting. My favorite Pepperidge Farm Classic and Chocolate Cookie Collections, pair perfectly with wine.



10. Have Fun! This may be my number one tip. You need to make sure you are enjoying yourself and spending time with your family and friends instead of stressing over everything else. 

I hope I have inspired you to host your own dinner party! Stay tuned for our tips on hosting a Wine Tasting. I promise, you will not want to miss it. 

For shopping and preparation ease, my local Walmart store is my go-to place to pick up all of my holiday and dinner party essentials, including premium wine for a great price. Why I chose the three wines I did, for my holiday table:

Tom Gore: A Farmer's Wine. The first wine brand to celebrate the role of the grape farmer in winemaking. A farm-to-glass story from Tom Gore, our farmer who tells the story about the vital role that farming plays in the style and quality of wine.  Big Hearted, Rooted, Artisanal, Charismatic, Storytelling. Brand Mantra: Celebrating the Farmer in Every Glass. 

Estancia: Craftsmanship. A wine that exudes small scale, high-touch winemaking craftsmanship that is terroir focused. Focused, Warm, Confident, Thoughtful. Brand Mantra: Grown with Passion.

Robert Mondavi: Edgy, engaged newcomer millennials. We find refuge and price in authentic brands and experiences that allow us to express the most real and grounded side of ourselves. Friendly, Grounded, Confident, Candid, Clever. Brand Mantra: Stay True.

Here are all the wines, pasta, crackers and cookies we served at our party. 


To make it easier on you, while shopping, I added photos of the aisles I found each product on. 



Be sure to visit the Simple Entertaining Hub here to find out about a tasting or pairing event at a Walmart near you. I'd love to hear about your favorite holiday tip and/or recipe.