Holiday Hosting with a Local Touch

Holiday hosting is its own kind of magic—the house dressed up, the good glasses out, and everyone gathered for a night that really matters.

This year, make it unforgettable with a local touch: New Brunswick shops and makers are filled with gorgeous tableware, next-level snacks, and hosting essentials that instantly elevate your night.

These holiday hosting ideas help you impress your guests, show off your “in-the-know” local favourites, and feel good knowing you’re supporting NB businesses and your community during the most meaningful season of the year.

Start with a Holiday Spread Rooted in Local Flavour

Kick things off in the kitchen with Dolma Foods, Moncton’s independent grocer known for its freshly cut local meats, imported cheeses, artisan breads, and seasonal produce. It’s the perfect place to build a holiday menu that feels elevated and uniquely New Brunswick—from roasted mains to beautiful sides and shareable bites. And if you’re not from Moncton, you can still stock your pantry like a local by ordering their dry groceries online for shipping, or pre-ordering for pickup if you’re coming into town (locals can, of course, pop in and shop in store).

If you’d rather spend more time with your guests and less time at the stove, Dolma’s Christmas pre-order menu makes hosting feel effortless. Think honey glazed ham, stuffed turkey breast, local turkey and more—fully prepped and ready for your table. Choose your holiday feast, place your pre-order by December 14, and swing by to pick it up, whether you’re driving in from away or live just around the corner. You’ll set the table with a festive spread that looks (and tastes) completely homemade.

Their charcuterie boards are a hosting no-brainer: piled with cured meats, cheeses, and accompaniments, they instantly upgrade your snack table and save you all the slicing and styling. They also make an impressive grab-and-go option to bring along to someone else’s gathering—just unwrap, set out, and wait for the compliments.

Pour Something Special (That Everyone Can Enjoy)

Wine and beer are the usual suspects, but if you want your holiday drinks to feel a little more “wow,” reach for a local non-alcoholic cider like Yip Cider’s Yip Sparkle. It has that same crisp, complex character wine and beer lovers enjoy, with a touch of natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with classic holiday dishes. Crafted in New Brunswick with real fruit and no added sugar, it’s crisp, refreshing, and sparkling!

Serve Yip Sparkle chilled in your nicest glassware and it instantly feels like a celebration. It pairs beautifully with most holiday favourites—roasted turkey, ham, stuffing, charcuterie—and really comes alive alongside dessert, where that fresh apple flavour shines. With 0% ABV, it’s a no-brainer for inclusive hosting: drivers, non-drinkers, and sober-curious guests all get something that feels special, not like a backup option.

You can pick up Yip Sparkle at local retailers or order it online, making it easy to stock up before your big night. Keep a few flavours on hand—like classic apple, blueberry, or strawberry—pop the cans in an ice bucket, and watch how quickly your guests gravitate toward “the fun local cider” all evening long.

Turn Your Table into a Showpiece

Once your food and drinks are sorted, how you present everything can take your holiday hosting to the next level. Ocean Boards by Eveline add that “wow” factor the second they hit the table—each piece is handcrafted, with ocean-inspired resin that looks like waves crashing along the shoreline. It’s functional art and a subtle nod to New Brunswick’s coast, all in one.

The Large Ocean Board is perfect for more than just charcuterie. Use it for a stacked holiday grazing board with meats and cheeses, a cozy dessert spread with cookies, chocolates, and fruit, or even a festive brunch board with bagels, smoked salmon, and toppings. Whatever you’re serving, it instantly looks more intentional and elevated when it’s laid out on a statement board.

Finish the look with the Ocean Cheese Knife Set, designed to match the boards with the same ocean detail. The knives are perfect for slicing cheese, pâté, and spreads, and they pull the whole setup together. Between the local food, local drinks, and a locally made serving board, your table becomes a true New Brunswick moment your guests won’t forget.

Pollipop: A Sweet Detail at Every Seat

For one more layer of “wow, you thought of everything,” sprinkle a little Pollipop magic into your holiday hosting. These Fredericton-made maple candies and lollipops are crafted with Canada Grade A pure maple syrup, wild blueberry juice, and organic cranberry juice from New Brunswick, with no artificial additives—basically a love letter to local flavour in bite-sized form.

Set the tone right at the table by tucking a Maple & Fruit Flavoured Lollipop or a couple of Assorted Maple Flavoured Hard Candies beside each name card. It’s a simple detail that makes every place setting feel personal and delightfully on-theme for a Maritime holiday.

Pollipop’s Maple Gift Box also makes an amazing host or hostess gift—an easy, polished way to say thank you that feels thoughtful and local. Slip it into a white elephant or gift exchange game, or bring a few boxes to open and share as a light, fun dessert after the main feast. With their beautiful packaging and unmistakable maple flavour, Pollipop treats are the kind of small-but-memorable touch guests talk about on the drive home.

For a final local touch that lasts beyond the night, look to handcrafted pieces from Giroux Woodcrafts. Their Light of Friendship ornament is a small wooden keepsake that captures the warmth and connection of the holidays—a beautiful way to thank a friend, neighbour, or host and a reminder of your time together every year it’s hung on the tree.

Pair it with one of their wooden tic-tac-toe games on the coffee table; the engraved boards and themed playing pieces invite kids and adults alike to linger, laugh, and play between courses.

Whether you offer them as gifts, stocking stuffers, or part of a cozy game night, Giroux Woodcrafts is an easy way to weave New Brunswick craftsmanship into your holiday hosting.