Hello Beautiful Friends! If you are hopping over from Let’s Add Sprinkles, thanks! Today is Pinterest Challenge day. I think this one has perfect timing for our crazy busy seasonal lives. Do you have a house full of guests or have the desire for a quick and easy party? Well today’s post will help with that! My Pinterest Challenge Food bar is “Nacho” Normal Christmas Food Bar! It’s Texas style with a vintage touch. Sounds weird right? IT’S NOT!
“Nacho” Normal Christmas Food Bar
For my new subscribers, a Pinterest Challenge is when I choose one Pinterest photo each month and send it out to my blogger friends. We each take that same photo and put our own spin on it. We turn it into something that works for us in our own style. That way you can see how one photo can have many different looks and ideas. We want you to be able to do the same.
This month our Inspiration photo is from Celebrations at Home. She put together a scrumptious looking soup bar. The ideas I’m taking away and will incorporate into my food bar are as follows:
5 Take Away Ideas
Varied heights for food display
White dishes
Something to corral dishes and utensils
A sign to welcome guests
Added decoration for looks
Here in Texas we love our Tex-Mex food. I’m not sure how or who started “Tex-Mex” but if you haven’t tried it, it is DELICIOUS! I’ve traveled to other states and had their version of Mexican food. I’ve even tried it in Mexico but I always go back to saying Tex-Mex is the bomb. I think it’s way better than authentic Mexican food . The yummy spices are something us Texans could eat everyday and not get tired of.
I decided to make a Texas themed Nacho food bar. Not only are nachos tasty and super easy to throw together but are pretty easy to clean up. Keeping my take away ideas in mind, here’s how I put it together.
Food Bar Step One
First came the cart (that sounds like the makings of a donkey joke – LOL). I used the cart we usually have sitting under the coffee bar sign and put it right in the middle of the kitchen. If we were at home in Highland Village, I’d put this Nacho Bar on the kitchen island. I like for people to be able to maneuver around easily.
Food Bar Step Two
Next was deciding what to put my Texas Christmas themed paper plates, napkins and plastic utensils in. The wooden sleigh was perfect. If you come to a party of mine, expect to use paper or plastic ware. I do not want to have a dirty sink and kitchen when there are multiple people around. Parties are about having fun, not loading the dishwasher. Now if it were a fancy party, I’d hire some teens (responsible girls) to replenish, load, wash etc., but I’m certainly not fancy.
Food Bar Step Three
Decide what pretty display dishes to use. Because we are at the farmhouse, I used the white vintage bowls and mixed and matched things up for fun. Like a cream and sugar set. I’d rather use real dishes for food. Less spills, less leakage, looks nicer.
Food Bar Step Four
You’ll want your dishes to vary in height. Everything sitting flat on a table or bar is BORING. I used a vintage cake plate to hold a few things and for a couple of the bowls I added wood slices underneath for a tiny lift. You can use upside down bowls, boxes, books, just about anything. If you use those items, cover them with pretty paper or fabric so people notice the food and not what’s underneath.
Food Bar Step Five
After placing the food, add decorative elements. This makes a big difference. If your food bar is tight like mine, I wouldn’t recommend real greenery or flowers. Watching someone pick a pine needle out of their teeth isn’t going to give you a Texas five star review. That’s going to you you a sarcastic or nasty review on Instagram or Facebook! So, if you have plenty of room, then absolutely use the real stuff. You can see in the first photo I had put out the food and added one small tree on the left. Now look at the photo below. Just by adding those two red Christmas ornaments it’s happier and more festive. The food bar say’s party time!
I had to forgo the cute Food Bar sign. Total bummer. There’s no room on my small cart. I could have hung one on the knob but that’s to low.
Texas Nacho Food Bar Staples and Toppings
Tortilla Chips, Queso, Salsa and Guacamole are a must. But extra toppings are better. Add shredded chicken, ground beef, or brisket for heavy meats. Other lighter toppings are refried or black beans, chopped onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, cilantro and lettuce. Don’t forget the corn salsa and sour cream if you want to take your bar over the top!
Someone needs to come up with cute crock pot styles in better colors. Why? Because then I’d show you how it looked full of queso. The yummy cheesy goodness that makes all your toppings stick together and not fall off the chips. Mmm mmm good. Okay, my stomach is growling and I’m ready for our “Nacho” Normal Christmas Food Bar! NACHOOOOOOOOO! Do you know what movie that’s from? “They are the Lord’s chips”.
Now it’s time to check out the other Christmas Food Bar ideas below. Next up is Christy from Our Southern Home. You’ll love her Brunch Board! I wish we all lived close together so I could be on their guest lists!
You can wheel that cart right into my mouth. So cute and clever!!!
Author
You crack me up Laura. Thank you. It was a yummy dinner!
I love this Cindy. You’re a clever one aren’t you. This looks easy and fun at the same time. This is a definite crowd pleaser.
Cindy
Author
I’m not sure about being clever but finding an inspiration item (plates and napkins) is easy. And well, Tex-Mex speaks volumes with our neck of the woods. Enjoy Christmas!
Cindy, you are so right ~ nothing is better than Tex-Mex and no one outside Texas seems to get it right. We have it once a week at our favorite Mexican restaurant. The Nacho station is a great idea for a party anytime and you styled it so well. Happy Christmas girlfriend.
Author
I know, right? No one gets Tex-Mex right but TX. 😉 James and I have Tex-Mex at least once a week. Probably more if I really paid attention. Glad you liked the Nacho Bar. Thanks so much for the visit too Carol. Merry Christmas!
This is awesome! I’m going to put this out for our Christmas celebration.
Author
Hi Debbie. No one around here would say no to a Nacho Bar for Christmas or any day of the week for that matter. Enjoy!
What a great idea for a holiday party for friends or family. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy yummy nachos?
Author
Exactly Paula. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy yummy nachos?! I bet Sherman would like some of that chicken or beef! Glad you stopped by.
Sherman would be at the side of everyone begging hard for some chicken or beef.
Author
Sweet Sherman. Sounds like our dogs. Six big bug eyes all looking without a blink. One even growls. :0
Oh, yum, Cindy! You had me at nacho bar!!! Yes, Tex-Mex is VERY good! Thank you for the tip on covering books for risers and using them in general. After living for trailers for almost 4 years, I have totally forgotten using cake stands… Will be ready for Saturday night and the party we are hosting here. 😀 Love the Christmas ornaments tucked into your nacho bar. <3
Enjoy your time at the farmhouse,
Barb 🙂
Author
If I had come from California and tried Tex-Mex, it would make me stay forever and I’d only make short visits back. LOL! Glad you found some inspiration Barbara. I’m sure your party will be amazing. Have fun!
What a great idea for a food bar. I got the same take aways from the inspiration pic as you did. I have an identical creamer to match yours. It’s adorable at your little country home. I am with you on the dishes and I may have to steal the hiring out the dishwashing idea. Thanks for putting this together. I’m so glad to be joining you once again.
Author
Thank you Katie. I love the creamer and have a whole set of that pattern which I will cherish forever. There’s a different sound that comes from those dishes that I love. It’s almost a clacking noise. They just don’t make them the same which is obviously better considering we microwave everything. Merry Christmas!
Cindy,
I love your tea cart! It’s the perfect set up for any food bar. i could eat Mexican everyday. My family would so love this over the holidays!
Author
Yay Christy – another Mexican food fan! The tea cart has been several colors over the decades. Black seems to be the best choice in color. We are hoping that someday Navasota adds a Mexican fast-food place here. We have one restaurant close that we visit quite frequently but would love a drive-thru. Merry Christmas
How cute. Cart are so useful for so many things. I love Your Texas style plates. I’d be interested in joining your Pinterest challenge if you are looking for more bloggers. Please let me know.
Author
Thank you Cynthia. I love that tea cart. You are correct – it’s been very useful. You’ll need to email me to discuss the Pinterest Challenges. Thanks for your visit!
Your Nacho cart looks amazing, and so yummy, too! You did a great job, and I love all your tips, Cindy!
Author
Thank you Julie. Can’t go wrong with a Nacho Bar! Glad you could visit today. Merry Christmas!
Perfect for the Texas hostess with the mostest! Yum. You definitely know how to put out a Nacho Bar spread. I love Nachos at a restauarant, but never thought about doing a make-your-own; totally doing this! Great styling ideas, too! Thanks for coordinating us all, Cindy!
Author
Say whaaaat?! You’ve never thought about doing a Nacho bar? In Texas, we love nacho’s so much that Chuy’s (a chain restaurant) has the Elvis Presley Nacho Trunk weekday’s as happy hour. Girl, you need to come visit me. I’ll show you all the Tex Mex hot spots. :0 Glad you were inspired Lora – Thanks!
Woohoo! This looks delicious and cute too. I bet y’all enjoyed every bite.
Merry Christmas Cindy!
Author
Yep, every single bite! A lot of fun to put together. Thanks Stacey! Merry Christmas to you too! ❤️
This bar is something I want to copy. My family loves nachos so this holiday season I can display my appetizers in style. Love this blog post. Your blog hop is so inspirating. Each one of the girls are sharing some cool bars!
Author
Thanks so much Terrie. I’m so excited you found things you like. Enjoy your appetizer bar and Merry Christmas!
cindy! this looks amazing and being a Colorado girl we love our nacho and taco bars and salsa and guacamole! Now I wish I had joined the challenge! your photos look great too! laura
Author
Thank you Laura! I’m glad you liked it. We do love the nachoooooos! I think tacos are number 2 on the list! Thanks for the visit.
I love serve yourself food stations, and a nacho bar is a favorite.
Your pinterest challenges are always a fun visit.
Author
Thanks so much Rachelle. I appreciate you saying that. Always lots of ideas. Merry Christmas!