Feel-Good Holiday Hacks: Easy, Better-for-You Essentials for Stress-Free Entertaining
Holiday hosting is one of the greatest joys of the season and one of the heaviest lifts. Between prepping dishes, managing timing, and keeping guests happily fed, even the most seasoned hosts benefit from a few well-chosen shortcuts.
This year, we’re spotlighting four no-prep, better-for-you essentials from brands in the OSC (One Step Closer) community, a collective of mission-driven, sustainability-forward companies committed to doing business in a way that’s better for people and the planet. Think of these as simple swaps and smart add-ons that make holiday gatherings easier, healthier, and more enjoyable for hosts and helpers alike.
Spicy Queso Dip from Darë Vegan Cheese; $12
Every holiday spread needs a reliable centerpiece that anchors the table and gets people gathering around it. Darë’s Spicy Queso Dip is exactly that: bright, rich, dairy-free, and instantly crowd-pleasing. Made from cashews, coconut, and blended veggies, it’s soy-free, gluten-free, and crafted with a clean, plant-based ingredient list you can feel good about serving.
The best part? There’s zero prep. Warm it, open it, or spoon it straight into a serving bowl. Reviewers call it “the best cheese on the market” and “yummy!!!,” and it’s the kind of shortcut that delivers maximum payoff with minimal effort.
Lotus Foods: Organic White Jasmine Rice Heat & Eat Pouch; $3.99
The perfect blank canvas for all your festive flavors, white rice is an unsung hero of our holiday tables. Lotus Foods’ 90-second Organic White Jasmine Rice is fragrant, fluffy, and ready to serve in moments. It’s ideal when you need a quick base for dips, saucy dishes, or last-minute bowls.
One reviewer says it best: “I love this rice!” As a brand known for championing more sustainable global rice cultivation, Lotus Foods adds a feel-good layer to the convenience because you’re supporting better agricultural practices while enjoying delicious food.
PACHA: Sprouted Sourdough Buckwheat Bread; $12.99 per loaf, Comes in packs of 2, 4 or 6
One of the trickiest parts of holiday entertaining is accommodating everyone’s dietary needs, especially when it comes to bread. Instead of running around to find multiple options, PACHA’s Sprouted Buckwheat Sourdough gives you one loaf that almost everyone can enjoy.
Naturally gluten-free, grain-free, organic, and made from just four simple ingredients, including sprouted buckwheat, water, Himalayan salt, and sourdough culture, it simplifies your shopping list without sacrificing flavor or texture.
It slices cleanly, toasts beautifully, and stands up to dips, spreads, and hearty holiday dishes without crumbling. Reviewers call it “delicious and nutritious” and “a staple in our home,” and it’s exactly the kind of reliable, allergy-friendly staple that keeps entertaining stress-free.
CatSpring Yaupon: Loose Leaf Yaupon Tea Variety Pack; $14.95
Holiday hosting is a marathon, and sometimes the simplest hack is having a warm drink that keeps you and your guests going. CatSpring Yaupon’s Loose Leaf Variety Pack (Green, Medium, and Dark roasts) brings a smooth, gentle caffeine lift thanks to yaupon, North America’s only native caffeinated plant.
Because it’s wild-harvested and regeneratively grown in Texas, it’s also a sustainable choice. Reviewers call it “smooth and delicious” and “my new favorite tea,” and the variety of roasts makes it easy to brew a pot for guests or a quiet, restorative cup to enjoy between moments of holiday chaos.
Together, these four products offer a smarter, more sustainable way to entertain. Darë’s plant-based queso, PACHA’s simple ingredient bread, Lotus Foods’ sustainably sourced rice, and CatSpring Yaupon’s regeneratively harvested tea each simplify hosting while supporting mission-driven brands doing better for people and the planet. Pair them together, and you have a feel-good, low-stress approach to holiday hosting that tastes as good as it feels.