# Components:
→ Cheese Spread
01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/2 cup sour cream
03 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
04 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
06 - 1/4 teaspoon paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
08 - Salt, to taste
→ Decorations
09 - 12–16 mini sweet bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, green)
10 - 1/2 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - 1/2 cucumber, sliced into thin rounds
12 - Fresh parsley or dill sprigs
13 - Black olives, sliced
14 - 1 bunch fresh chives or green onions
→ To Serve
15 - Gluten-free crackers or baguette slices
16 - Assorted vegetable dippers (carrot sticks, celery, etc.)
# Directions:
01 - In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar, garlic, black pepper, paprika, dried chives, and salt until smooth and creamy.
02 - Transfer the mixture onto a large serving platter, shaping it into a wide oval or rectangle resembling a string of lights.
03 - Lay fresh chives or green onion strips across the spread in a winding, looping pattern to mimic a string of lights.
04 - Slice mini bell peppers lengthwise and remove seeds. Place pepper halves, tomato halves, cucumber slices, and olive slices intermittently along the 'wire' to represent Christmas bulbs, topping each bulb with a small olive slice to resemble sockets.
05 - Decorate with fresh parsley or dill sprigs to enhance the seasonal presentation.
06 - Present immediately alongside gluten-free crackers and assorted vegetable dippers.
