# 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 tsp black pepper
06 - 1/4 tsp paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp dried chives
08 - Salt, to taste
→ Decorations
09 - 12 to 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
# How to Make It:
01 - In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar, minced garlic, black pepper, paprika, dried chives, and salt; mix until smooth and creamy.
02 - Evenly spread the cheese mixture onto a large serving platter, forming a wide oval or rectangular shape to resemble a string of lights.
03 - Arrange fresh chives or green onion strips across the spread in winding, looping lines to simulate the string wires.
04 - Slice mini bell peppers lengthwise and remove seeds; place pepper halves, tomato halves, cucumber slices, and olives intermittently along the chive wires; top each bulb with a slice of olive to mimic the socket.
05 - Decorate with fresh parsley or dill sprigs for a festive touch and serve immediately with gluten-free crackers and assorted vegetable dippers.
