All Photos By Gail (Click on Any Image to Enlarge for Detail)

The idea of Christmas in July has always been exciting to me, because I love the Holiday season, but I also love Summer. So it was extremely fun to be invited to a lovely Holiday-Themed Dinner Party thrown by Swanson and Pepperidge Farm that not only featured delicious foods but also easy cooking tips and beautiful home decorating ideas. Win win win!

Of course, the point of the Holidays in July Campaign is not rush the coming of the season but to point out that it is never too early to start planning!

Swanson and Pepperidge Farm (which are both owned by Campbell Soup Company, a fact I did not previously know) had the event space decorated beautifully complete with seasonally appropriate touches including a Tree, Wreaths and Wrapped Presents — very festive!

Before dinner was served, we all enjoyed a spread of delicious snacks, including this insane Brie En Croute made with Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry.

Look at this gorgeous thing. Just look at it.

Pre-dinner cocktails included a signature drink, the Gingerbread Martini, topped with a Pepperidge Farm Gingerman Cookie! You would not believe how delicious and refreshing this cocktail was.

Plus, cute.

Nothing gets your guests excited for a delicious holiday meal quite like a beautifully set table. Mixing Christmas ornaments in with fresh flower arrangements really brings the seasonal atmosphere into your home.

And look, somebody made a Gingerbread Cookie House from a variety of Pepperidge Farm Cookies!

Here’s what was on the evening’s menu:

Herb Roasted Turkey and Pan Gravy with Swanson Chicken Stock.

Red Wine Braised Short Ribs with Swanson Beef Stock.

Here’s a fun presentation suggestion: serve two different kinds of potatoes side by side in the same dish! Above, you’ll see a Sweet Potato and Parsnip Puree nestled alongside ultra creamy traditional Mashed Potatoes. All vegetables were cooked in Swanson Chicken Broth instead of water, which simply enhances the flavor of the food without imparting a chicken taste to the finished dish. This is a tip I am definitely going to put into practice, because the results are outstanding.

Check out this rich Four Cheese Macaroni and Cheese topped with crushed Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers. Kids (and Adults) will flip over this!

Three varieties of stuffing included (Left to Right):

Caramelized Onion with Pancetta and Rosemary Stuffing made with Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing and Swanson Chicken Broth.

Sausage Cornbread Stuffing made with Pepperidge Farm Cornbread Stuffing.

Baked Apple Cranberry Stuffing made with Pepperidge Farm Unseasoned Stuffing and Swanson Chicken Broth. (My Favorite).

Sausage Cornbread Stuffing made with Pepperidge Farm Cornbread Stuffing.

There was also an assortment of Pepperidge Farm Bake at Home Breads and Stone Baked Artisan Breads.

After a huge feast like the one I’ve just talked about, everyone needed a bit of a rest before dessert. Everyone was invited into the kitchen to watch one of Pepperidge Farm’s in-house chefs demonstrate how easy it is to make desserts with the brand’s best-selling Puff Pastry!

Puff Pastries topped with Fresh Fruit.

Puff Pastries filled with Nutella and topped with Hazelnuts.

And last but not least, Bananas Foster Pudding topped with a layer of Pepperidge Farm Chessmen Cookies! Delish! Happy Holidays!