The holidays are my absolute favorite time of year—gathering around the table, fostering connection, sharing laughs, and creating memories over food made with love. But let’s be honest: the cost of holiday meals can add up fast. That’s why I’m sharing my go-to tips for keeping your holiday spread festive and affordable–because delicious doesn’t have to mean expensive!
Create a Budget and Keep It Simple
Knowing how much you want to spend and sticking to it is crucial to keeping your meal affordable. Once you set your budget, keep your menu simple. Plan your menu around core crowd pleasers–a few well-loved dishes will go further than a dozen overwhelming ones. A main, a few sides, a salad and an appetizer or dessert is all you need. If guests are joining you and offer to bring something, you can suggest they bring a beverage of their choice or the dessert.
Shop Your Home Before Heading to the Store
Before I grocery shop I do a quick inventory in my pantry, fridge and freezer. This can help you avoid buying duplicates and can even inspire your meal based on what you already have. Once I’m ready to shop, I always look for savings with Smart & Final’s store brands, choosing Sun Harvest for natural and organic products and First Street for affordable, everyday staples.
Buying in Bulk
One of the things I love about Smart & Final is their wide range of club-sized products (without the membership)! They make buying in bulk throughout the year so easy, and this can significantly reduce the cost of holiday meals and hosting. I’m a huge fan of shopping a few weeks early and freezing what I can–especially when butter is on sale! I love that I can grab everything in one trip, from everyday groceries and pantry staples to bulk ingredients and holiday extras.
Seasonal Ingredients = Savings
In-season produce is always the way to go! Even as a side, sauteed mushrooms with fresh thyme and butter are sensational. My Holiday Pomegranate Salad served with kale, mixed greens, sweet potato, beets, pomegranate and the soft cheese of your choice is one of my favorite ways to showcase what’s in season. For an appetizer I love to make my Crudité Wreath with an irresistible triple cheese dip. Guests will always choose the healthier options if you have them available and there is nothing more beautiful than colorful vegetables!
Break Tradition with the Proteins
There are no rules when you’re hosting! If you’re not even a fan of turkey, roast a chicken with seasonal herbs and citrus! It will look beautiful and taste great. If no one ever eats all the turkey in your family, swap it out with a roasted stuffed turkey breast. Instead of splurging on a giant prime rib, toss a roast in the slower cooker.
Celebrate What Matters
Remember, you are the heart of the home. The holidays should be about creating warmth and connection. When your food is made with love your table will feel rich with intention, gratitude and joy. And if everyone leaves full, happy and a little more connected –that’s a perfect holiday in my book!
Colorful, Crowd-Pleasing Recipes
Looking for something fresh to bring to the table? Here are Brandi’s seasonal favorites, perfect for holiday entertaining:
Holiday Pomegranate Salad
Think jewel tones and winter greens — roasted sweet potatoes, beets, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, and blue cheese over a bed of baby kale. Styled, it’s a show-stopping (and nutrient-packed) centerpiece that doubles as décor.
By Brandi Milloy
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1” cubes
Sun Harvest Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
1- 5oz. Sun Harvest Organic Baby Kale Spring Mix
2 small pre-cooked beets, sliced
Aerials from 1 pomegranate
¼ cup pistachios, chopped
1/4 cup Blue Cheese, plus more for topping
Directions
Toss potatoes in EVOO and roast on a baking sheet at 425F for 30 minutes, flipping halfway or until tender and crispy. To assemble salad, add greens into a large bowl. Top with beets, pomegranate aerials, nuts and cheese. Serve dressing on the side.
Honey Mustard Dressing
By Brandi Milloy
Ingredients
2 tbsp. First Street Honey Mustard
1 tbsp. Sun Harvest Organic Honey
1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice
½ tsp. Salt
Fresh ground pepper
¼ cup Sun Harvest Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Directions
Into a mason jar, add ingredients and shake to mix. Keep dressing in the refrigerator up to 1 week.
Crudité Wreath with Triple Cheese Dip
Use seasonal veggies like broccolini, sugar snap peas, radishes, and bell peppers to create a vibrant wreath display, garnished with fresh herbs and paired with a whipped triple-cheese dip. Bonus: The dip can be served warm or cold depending on your vibe.
By Brandi Milloy
Ingredients
Broccolini, trimmed
Sugar Snap Peas
Persian Cucumbers, sliced into spears
Radishes, sliced in half
Cherry Tomatoes
Red Bell Pepper, sliced
Yellow Bell Pepper, sliced
Mushrooms, sliced in half
Sun Harvest Organic Living Rosemary and Thyme, for garnish
Directions
Wash and dry vegetables and slice according to each. Layer ingredients in the shape of a wreath alternating vegetables evenly. For visual interest, separate sugar snap peas. Decorate with ribbon.
Triple Cheese Veggie Dip
By Brandi Milloy
Ingredients
8oz package First Street Original Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 5.2-oz wheel Boursin cheese, any flavor
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
½ tsp. Garlic powder
½ tsp. Onion powder
½ tsp. Salt
½ tsp. Pepper
1-2 tbsp. Milk
Directions
Into a bowl, add cream cheese, sour cream and Boursin cheese and mix until smooth using a hand mixer. Add parmesan cheese and spices until combined. Add 1-2tbsp of milk until desired consistency. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve with vegetables or crackers.
Pro tip from Brandi: “Guests will always choose healthier options if they’re colorful, fresh, and beautifully styled.”
For ingredients, inspiration, and everything in between, visit Smart & Final Temecula at 32937 Temecula Parkway, or go to smartandfinal.com for recipes and holiday deals.
The new Temecula Smart & Final offers holiday essentials, fresh flowers, spirits, and more — effortlessly.
I always look for savings with Smart & Final’s store brands, choosing Sun Harvest for natural and organic products and First Street for affordable, everyday staples.