-Blend 1/4 C store bought pesto with cream cheese. Top it with lightly toasted pine nuts.

-Blend 1/4 C pitted kalamata olives into the cream cheese. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves.

-Blend 1/4 C chopped, oil-packed, sun dried tomatoes into the cream cheese. Sprinkle 1 T. of chopped fresh basil over the top.

-Blend a jar of chopped marinated artichokes into the cream cheese and spread this on pumpernickel or rye bread.

-Drain a small can of tiny shrimp and blend them into the cream cheese. Season with a pinch of ground mace or nutmeg and sprinkle with 1 T. of minced red onion. Spread on bagel chips.

-Blend a can of drained chopped chiles, 1/2 C. of shredded Cheddar cheese, and a pinch of cumin into the cream cheese.

-Blend 2 ounces of smoked trout and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice into the cream cheese. Garnish with 1 T. of chopped fresh parsley.

-Blend 1 clove of garlic that you have crushed in a garlic press, 1 tsp. of herbes de Provence, and a pinch of black pepper into the cream cheese for a homemade Boursin-style cheese.

-Blend 1 small can of deviled ham and 1 tsp. Dijon mustard into the cream cheese.

-Blend 1/4 C. of chopped radishes and some black pepper into the cream cheese.

-Blend 1/4 C. of finely chopped honey-roasted almonds and a dash of hot pepper sauce into the cream cheese.

-Spread the top of the cream cheese with 1/2 C. of chutney. Sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds.

-Cover the cream cheese with 1/2 C. of whole-berry cranberry sauce.

-The classic-spread the top of the cream cheese with 1/2 C. of top-quality pepper jelly. Let it drip down the sides.