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Holiday Vibes!

As we draw closer to the holidays, we're spending more time with our loved ones, families, and friends. In the spirit of fun and good cheer, we've put together some holiday music playlists and a few no-bake recipes that may add to the festivities. 

Family Night

For your listening pleasure, we've put together a playlist of New Christmas Jams, songs that may be new to you and the family. Our suggested treat is an old favorite - Stuffed Dates. These are so easy that their making is often entrusted to the children in the family. Add some new Games and Puzzles to your family night collection!

Stuffed Dates

Here's an easy recipe that the kids can make with a little bit of help. In many Texan and Southern homes, it's a family holiday tradition for the youngsters to make Stuffed Dates as a part of the cookies and sweets that are offered to guests and enjoyed by the family.

INGREDIENTS

Medjool Dates - plump and soft

Pecan halves

Granulated sugar

Lemon zest (optional)

Remove pits from the dates by carefully slicing into the date lengthwise. Older children may be able to do this on their own, but if not, this can be your contribution to the treat. Some dates may still have the remains of the flower at one end. Carefully remove that as well. When the pit is removed, gently place a pecan half in the space left behind by the pit. Add some sugar to a low-sided bowl or pie plate, then gently roll the date in granulated sugar and place it on a plate or in a container for serving, storing, or giving. Some families like to add a touch of lemon zest to the sugar. If so, use a Microplane zester to add a bit of lemon to the sugar, mix it into the sugar, and roll!

Friend-mas

Impromptu holiday gatherings with our friends can bring out holiday cheer like nothing else. Make some movin' groovin' memories with our Dance, Dance Christmas playlist fueled by some delicious Chocolate Rum Balls! Add something unexpected to the mix with items from our Humor and Novelty Collection!

Chocolate Rum Balls 

If you don’t have your own recipe for Chocolate Rum Balls, ask your mom or grandmother. They may have a recipe they’d love to share with you to carry on a lost family tradition. Don’t care for rum? Try bourbon, or brandy, Kahlua, or orange liqueur! Here’s one of our favorites!

INGREDIENTS

2 ½ cups of crushed Vanilla Wafers

½ cup of powdered sugar

1 cup of pecan pieces, finely ground

6 ounces of semisweet chocolate

¼ cup rum or another liqueur

3 tablespoons light corn syrup

Granulated sugar

Deploy the food processor to crush the Vanilla Wafers. If you crush too many, you can use any extra crumbs for rolling the finished balls. Put the cookie crumbs in a large bowl. Finely grind the pecans in the food processor and add to the bowl. Stir in the powdered sugar. Mix the ingredients well and set aside. Carefully melt the chocolate, then stir in the rum or other liqueur and the light corn syrup. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry and mix well. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to firm up. Roll into small balls between your palms, and then in granulated sugar or cookie crumbs, or finely ground pecans. Store in an airtight tin.

Two of Us

Don't forget to set aside time to be with that special someone during the holidays. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. But trust us on this one, time spent together, just the two of you, is time you'll treasure. And for your soundtrack, Throwback Christmas is a collection of a few of our favorite Christmas classics. For a treat, try Sugarplums! Check out our Date Night Collection for more ideas!

Sugarplums

We’ve heard of a Sugarplum fairy and visions of sugarplums that dance. These Sugarplums are made for eating. They’re a rich mélange of dried fruits and nuts with a splash of rum, brandy, or orange liqueur to add an even brighter taste.

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup of dates pits removed

¼ cup of trimmed dried figs

¼ cup of dried tart cherries

¼ cup of dried prunes

¼ cup of golden raisins

½ cup of pecan pieces

¼ cup of sweetened shredded coconut

2 tablespoons of rum or brandy or orange liqueur

Granulated sugar for rolling

Add all the dried fruits, roughly chopped, as well as the pecans, coconut, and liqueur into a food processor. Process until a sticky ball begins to hold together. Form the mixture into small balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place on a plate or in a container for serving, storing, or giving.