# What You’ll Need:
→ 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, thinly sliced into 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 - Combine cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar, minced garlic, black pepper, paprika, dried chives, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy.
02 - Spread the cheese mixture evenly on a large serving platter, shaping it into a wide oval or rectangle to resemble a string of lights.
03 - Lay fresh chives or green onion strips across the cheese spread in a winding, looping pattern to mimic a string of Christmas lights.
04 - Slice mini bell peppers lengthwise and remove seeds. Place pepper halves, tomato halves, cucumber slices, and olive slices intermittently along the chive 'wire' to represent Christmas bulbs, topping each bulb with a small olive slice as a socket.
05 - Decorate with fresh parsley or dill sprigs for a festive appearance.
06 - Present immediately with gluten-free crackers and assorted vegetable dippers.
