Nostalgic Hickory Farms Christmas Traditions

Celebrations

60 Years of Holiday Traditions

With Thanksgiving right around the corner and Christmas just over a month away, families across the U.S. are gearing up and looking forward to their unique holiday family traditions. If you observe those holidays, you may already be feeling a little nostalgic. 

Me with my fall harvest, Circa late 1960s

MBE partnered with Hickory Farms for this post

Here to help you get even more into the holiday spirit is Hickory Farms, a retailer that has been part of this American seasonal celebration of family and feasting for more than 60 years.

I know I remember as a child going to the local shopping center, as malls were called back then. Deeply ingrained in my memory is a very clear vision of seeing the Hickory Farms store decked out at Christmastime, bustling with shoppers picking up gifts for others and themselves. Chances are that you have your own recollections of this unique retail shop.

In 2013, Hickory Farms continues to pride itself on perpetuating that classic holiday tradition and being a part of multi-generational gatherings of friends and family past, present and future.

Today the brand maintains its popularity with consumers, bringing back year after year many of the same old-fashioned products they've always been known for -- like their iconic beautifully packaged gourmet cheese, salami and sausage gift boxes.  

To keep up with the latest trends and changes in modern tastes, the food specialty chain is equally adept at mixing in more contemporary edibles and gift items that appeal to today's young people, inspiring new traditions in the next generation such as the new Snowflake Pretzels being offering this season. 

Image provided by Hickory Farms

Where to Buy Hickory Farms

Consumers can shop at more than 700 Holiday Market stores and kiosks in North America, both in the U.S. and Canada, during the holiday season.  Additionally, you can shop online at Hickoryfarms.com year-round as well as by phone at 800-753-8558 so you don't have to wait all year to enjoy your favorites. Order by Monday, November 25 for 2-Day delivery in time for this Thanksgiving or by December 18 for standard shipment to arrive before Christmas.

Hickory Farms Reserve Elegant Gift Box

FTC Disclosure: Compensation and products for review were provided by Hickory Farms via MomTrends to facilitate this review and the associated giveaway. However, opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Tech Use Interrupts Family Thanksgiving 64% of Parents Wish for Holiday Meal Device Ban

Technology

Before Thanksgiving it's a great time to talk turkey about replacing our mobile addictions with some quality family time.

Back in the day -- before personal computers arrived on the homefront -- it was simply about surviving the family drama among relatives during holiday gatherings between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. It seems some things never go out of style because today dysfunctional family dynamics are alive and well especially at this time of year. Thanks to technology that permeates nearly every aspect of our lives in 2013, though, now there's yet another layer of stress that is complicating modern family togetherness every day including during holiday celebrations.

Image by Raphael Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Results just announced from the Tech Timeout survey conducted by Harris Interactive have unearthed to what extent tech has taken over our family and kids lives and how parents really feel about it.

Here's a peek through the keyhole at some noteworthy findings

• On average, a US resident admits to spending 6.5 hours per day on electronic devices outside of work
• 64% of US parents wish they could ban the use of technology during family holiday meals such as Thanksgiving
• 77% of US parents believe their family would benefit from taking a one hour break every day from technology

About Tech Timeout

Tech Timeout is an initiative started in February 2013 by Foresters, a life insurance provider, to inspire families, both kids and adults, to take a break from technology every day in favor of carving out more quality time to spend with loved ones. To enhance your family life you are invited to sign the digital pledge as well as see their free list of 50 Things to Do With Kids Without Technology by visiting TechTimeout.com.

Like this story? Then, I invite you to read another MommyBlogExpert post to get ideas on how the smallest changes can enhance the quality of family time.

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or compensation for this post sourced from Tech Timeout. Opinions are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Gortons Wicked Good Seafood Coupons & Swag Fish Prize Package Giveaway

Giveaway
Ends 12/9/13

This is a sponsored post

Image from Gorton's

Gorton's Wicked Good Seafood fish products are one of my go-to foods for those times when my four teens come home hungry, which seems to be happening frequently these days with 16 year-old triplets and their big brother. The brand is also a great base ingredient for some of my favorite foods including this original, easy Tilapia Fish Mexican Fiesta recipe I created for this blog.

Keep reading, because immediately below you'll learn how you can enter to win a Gorton's Wicked Good Seafood prize package that includes store coupons and fun swag for seafaring fish lovers of all ages.

Gorton's Prize Package, MommyBlogExpert.com

Gorton's Seafood 
Coupon & Swag

GIVEAWAY

Ends 12/9/13 

Prize Package includes

• THREE (3) $2 off Gorton's store coupons
• ONE (1) Gorton's branded silvertone ship wheel keychain in box
• Assorted Gorton's recipe cards
• A collection of seaside/Gorton's postcards

Gorton's engraved key chain, MommyBlogExpert.com

This Gorton's MommyBlogExpert (MBE) Giveaway ends December 9, 2013 at 12 am PT. Contest open to legal residents of the U.S. only. ONE (1) winner will receive the prize package described above. Winner of this MBE contest will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Image from Gorton's

To learn more about Gorton's, the iconic Gorton's Fisherman, responsible fish sourcing practics and everything else the brand is doing, visit Gortons.com. For additional information, promotions and more, follow the company on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.

GOOD LUCK!

More Family-Friendly
Mommy Blog Expert Giveaways

ENTER Them All HERE

Thanks to Online-Sweepstakes.com for including this contest in their directory of current giveaways.

FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post. I disclose that I received product coupons and other items in exchange for hosting this giveaway and writing the related Gorton's review. Gorton's is providing the prize and shipping for this giveaway. However no payment was received and opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Gortons Wicked Good Seafood Review Delicious Fish Ready in a Flash for Hungry Teens

Good Food

This is a sponsored post

Enter to win a Gorton's Prize Package

Image from Gorton's

Working as a brand ambassador for Gorton's Seafood is lots of fun because it gets me to think outside the box about a popular consumer food company that has been around for over 150 years. It's a brand that I have been buying regularly for years that keeps reinventing itself to meet the needs and wants of contemporary families. 

Me at Gorton's Booth, BlogHer 2013 Chicago, MommyBlogExpert.com

In May, I created this original Tilapia Fish Mexican Fiesta recipe using the brand's ready-to-cook Gorton's Skillet Crisp Tilapia. Now I'm back to share more with readers about Gorton's Wicked Good Seafood and what makes this company and their fish products so desirable when you have chronically hungry teens like I do.

As a former PR executive now a full-time lifestyle blogger and social media strategist, I especially appreciated the Gorton's press kit I received for the campaign. This media kit was cleverly packaged, literally, inside one of the brand's new zip close resealable bags. 

Gorton's fisherman USB w/ press bag added to fun, MommyBlogExpert.com

My family of six does enjoy eating together and I love creating recipes like that delicious Tilapia Fiesta Fish for my appreciative DH and kids. The reality is, though, that with four teens with irregular and busy schedules, I sometimes find that I turn into a short order cook who prepares dinner for each of them on a different timetable.

Gorton's in-store display, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

To make sure I'm prepared at home for feeding frenzies that are bound to occur at random moments, I always keep our freezer stocked with the Gorton's fish varieties we like most. As a matter of fact, it's often my go-to protein source ingredient on those hectic school nights when my kids come home one by one, starving and wanting to eat RIGHT NOW. 

Teen temperaments permitting, I'll sometimes bring my iPad into the kitchen and use one of the many creative fish recipes on Gorton's site. But more often,  each kid picks their personal favorite out of the freezer and I'll prepare anywhere between 1-4 pieces of fish per person (sometimes even more for my big guys).

Gorton's Fish Sandwich Fillets, Image from Gorton's

Gorton's Fish Sandwich Fillets in 10 minutes, MommyBlogExpert.com

Recipe

10-Minute Teen Fish Sandwich

Like many other teens, mine usually come home ravenous and they don't have a lot of patience to wait around for me to make dinner. The directions on the package of Gorton's Fish Sandwich Fillets, for example, instructs you to bake in the oven a total of about 28-30 minutes. 

But what I do when the kids are really in a rush and can't wait that long, is microwave the fish for about a minute to thaw. Next, I put it in the oven on broil for 5-10 minutes, flipping it once and watching it carefully so it doesn't burn until it looks brown and crispy. Lastly, I add a sesame seed bun, lettuce, tomato and onion, with a side of dipping sauce, and -- as the package declares -- I'm done! 

The kids love this and so do I because it's simple and fast, taking less than half the preparation time listed on the box. For sure, it's a win-win for both this home cook and her demanding "customers."

Buffalo Fish Sandwich, Image from Gortons

Now, with all this talk about Gorton's delicious fish offerings, aren't you getting hungry? Maybe, even thinking about cooking up some for your own kids or teenagers? To help you out, thanks to the brand, I'm pleased to be hosting a Gorton's Wicked Seafood Giveaway with prizes that include coupons and branded swag. You can also download a $1 off Gorton's store coupon here.

Image from Gorton's

To learn more about Gorton's, the iconic Gorton's Fisherman, responsible fish sourcing practics and everything else the brand is doing, visit Gortons.com. For additional information, promotions and more, follow the company on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.

FTC Disclosure: This #WickedGoodSeafood review is a compensated post. I disclose that I received free product coupons and other items in exchange for writing this review and hosting the associated prize package giveaway. However no payment was received and opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Giveaway Disney on Ice Tickets - Win Two Passes Ice Skating Family Entertainment

Giveaway

This is a sponsored post

All images in this post provided by Disney on Ice

The brand new Disney on Ice Rockin' Ever After show skates into Southern California in less than a month. As always, I expect it will be family entertainment at its best with this season's production offering an artistic mashup of  moments from Disney Pixar’s BRAVE, Tangled, The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Tickets are on sale now.

Southern California Show Dates

• December 11-15, 2013  Staples Center, Los Angeles
• December 17-22, 2013  Honda Center, Anaheim
• December 25-29, 2013  Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario
• January 1-5, 2014  Long Beach Arena, Long Beach

Full schedule of So Calif dates/times

I know I can't wait to see this year's production with my family and also look forward to sharing my review on this blog to tell you all about it. 

With such a entertaining and colorful show coming to town I couldn't be more pleased to let you know that Disney on Ice is providing a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky MommyBlogExpert reader to attend a performance in Southern California! 

Read on, a few clicks below and you're entered to win this great prize!

Disney On Ice 

GIVEAWAY

Ends 12/3/13

This Disney on Ice - MommyBlogExpert (MBE) family show giveaway ends December 3, 2013 at 12 am PT. Contest is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. Winner of this MBE giveaway will be selected at random from all qualified entries received and will be notified via email and must respond within 24 hours to claim their prize.

One winner will receive two vouchers by mail that are good to exchange for two reserved seat tickets to any Southern California Disney on Ice weekday performance. Subject to ticket availability; not good on holidays. Valid at the box office at the winner's choice of venue: Staples Center, Honda Center, Citizens Business Bank Arena or Long Beach Arena.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK!

More Family-Friendly
Mommy Blog Expert Giveaways

ENTER Them All HERE

Thanks to Online-Sweepstakes.com for including this contest in their directory of current giveaways.

FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post and I will receive tickets to take my own family to Disney on Ice in exchange for my time. In addition, Disney on Ice is providing the prizes for the ticket giveaway that I'm hosting. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.