# 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, 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 such as carrot sticks and celery
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Combine cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar, garlic, black pepper, paprika, dried chives, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy.
02 - Evenly spread the cheese mixture on a large serving platter, forming a wide oval or rectangle to resemble a string of lights.
03 - Arrange fresh chives or green onion strips across the spread in winding, looping patterns 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 at intervals along the chive 'wires' to represent Christmas bulbs.
05 - Top each bulb with a small olive slice to mimic sockets, garnish with parsley or dill sprigs, and serve immediately with crackers and vegetable dippers.
