Holiday entertaining doesn’t have to mean immaculate tablescapes, elaborate menus or perfectly matched plates. In Santa Cruz, we do things a little differently. We lean into warmth, creativity and community with a hint of coastal quirk. Forget Martha Stewart—the recipe for a memorable gathering starts with setting a theme, asking guests to bring something they love, and filling in the rest with local flavors that tell a story all their own.
This year, consider a theme that captures the season without tipping into tinsel overload. Think Winter by the Sea, Homegrown Holidays or Mediterranean Solstice—a nod to bright citrus, good olive oil and the comforting warmth of spices. A theme is less about rules and more about a vibe, a playful prompt that pulls everything together from décor to dishes.
Once you’ve set the tone, let the menu become a team effort. Asking guests to bring a favorite dish isn’t just practical; it builds connection. Instead of a potluck free-for-all, invite everyone to choose something that fits the theme or reflects a holiday memory. A favorite soup. A family-recipe dessert. A salad inspired by a recent farmers’ market haul. And let them know they don’t even have to make it. If they’re willing to brave the line at Gayle’s, more power to them, and you! Choose a beautiful main dish or a signature cocktail, and let your guests bring the color, creativity and the conversation pieces.
The best part? In Santa Cruz, we’re spoiled for locally sourced shortcuts that make hosting genuinely stress-free. Need a centerpiece cheese board? Shopper’s Corner or Cheese Shop 831 in Capitola has you covered with everything from truffle brie to perfectly aged goudas. For something more homegrown, swing by Bargetto Vineyards or Birichino for a vintage to warm up a crisp winter evening.
If your theme leans Mediterranean, stop by Companion Bakeshop for a loaf of naturally leavened sourdough that instantly elevates any meal. Add in some Tuscan herb olive oil and fig balsamic vinegar from True Olive Connection and you’ve upgraded simple ingredients into a small feast. For dessert, few things beat the macarons or honey cake from Sugar Bakery in Soquel—easy to plate, impossible to resist.
For the cooks who prefer shortcuts (no shame here), Zoccoli’s Deli carries local favorites like house-made dips, colorful salads and grab-and-go entrées that blend seamlessly into a home-hosted meal. And for an extra festive touch, pick up a bouquet or table greens from Far West Nursery, where the winter foliage is as inspiring as it is fragrant.
When the evening arrives, remember that the magic isn’t in perfection, it’s in atmosphere. Dim the lights, spark a few candles, put on some mellow holiday jazz, and let the afternoon or evening unfold at its own pace. With a thoughtful theme, good local ingredients, and dishes made (and chosen) with love, what you’re really serving is presence. Connection. A moment to exhale in the middle of a season that too often asks us to rush.
This year, let entertaining be easy. Let it feel like Santa Cruz.
