As my sister-in-law Abby’s October due date gets closer, I get more excited. I can’t wait to meet my new nephew Jayce! There’s been plenty of planning with an upcoming shower and working on the nursery, but I’m also doing a little planning for Abby for “after”.

Let’s be honest, labor is exhausting. I know Sam and the rest of the family will give her plenty of support but when she gets home from the hospital she’s going to feel a lot different than the day she goes in. I’m working on putting together a list of freezer meals that she can store away now, and I also put together this New Mom Gift Basket that I will have waiting for her when she gets home. Continue reading »

Hickory Farms Signature Chocolate is a partnered post.

You may remember a few weeks ago when I shared how when I was younger Hickory Farms had often been part of our holiday traditions. Even though our Signature Pantry Planner box is pretty much gone now, I’ll be picking up another gift box for our trip to the in-laws on Christmas Eve. Tradition is tradition, after all, right?

When you’re considering your own family’s Christmas traditions this year I encourage you to make donations of time or money one of them. This is an especially hard time of year for those who already struggle; they could definitely benefit from a little Christmas magic. Plus giving back makes you feel good so it’s a win-win situation. Continue reading »

Compensation and products for review were provided by Hickory Farms via MomTrends. I received a free sample of the product for the purpose of this review and to facilitate a giveaway. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hickory Farms.

Growing up, before starting to have visions of sugarplums and noshing on candy canes while having a chat with Santa, a highly-anticipated seasonal occurrence was the arrival of the Hickory Farms gift basket. Each year without fail, one was delivered to our house from one of the business contacts that worked with my Dad’s company.

Create holiday traditions with Hickory Farms' Beef & Turkey Hickory Sampler

I know it might not sound all that interesting for a kid, but it was always fun to open the box and sort through all the different items in each basket. Sausages, cheeses, nuts, sauces, crackers, even those little mint candies – there was something for everyone. Fortunately in my family everyone reached for a different selection from the box or basket, so everyone was able to enjoy their favorite. Continue reading »

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Rubbermaid Bento Organizers but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #HolidayBento http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

Are you done your holiday shopping yet? Not me! I feel so behind this year, because normally right about now I’m just crossing a stocking stuffer or two off my list to finish up, but this year I’m not even 50% done.

I found myself shopping at Target the other day, trying to knock a few things off of Ashley’s wish list. She’s already secured a teaching job, so after graduation in the spring, she’ll be moving a few hours away where she’ll have her very first apartment. Target gift cards were on her list as she knows they carry lots of great items for home decoration and storage plus items to stock her kitchen.

Rubbermaid Bento Organizers at Target #HolidayBento #PMedia

While wandering around the home department I came across the Rubbermaid Bento Organizers. I was immediately drawn to their design; we have a chair with a similar pattern. After taking a few minutes to examine them more closely, I was also impressed with the actual construction. The interior pockets flex to accommodate the items, letting you create just the right size and shape compartments for what you’re storing. Continue reading »

2011 Holiday Gift Guide – Gifts For Him

One gift idea that fits almost anyone – especially those hard-to-shop-for guys on your list – is a gift basket. And you really can’t go wrong with a basket of snacks and other edible goodies.

Ballreich’s can provide you with a variety of gift baskets for men full of tasty snacks for a number of different occasions. They are a family-owned company that was founded in Tiffin, OH, in 1920 by Fred Ballreich and his wife Ethel. They called their chips “Marcelled”, which means wavy, after the popular ladies’ wavy hairstyle of the time.

Gift Baskets for Men: Ballreich Chips Gift Baskets

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2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Ballreich Chips Gift Baskets #SfSHolidayGiftGuide

2011 Holiday Gift Guide – Gifts For Him