The old saying goes that “an apple for the teacher will always do the trick when you don’t know your lesson in arithmetic.” But as Eric Hoffer once wisely said, “The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.” May 7, 2013 is Teacher Appreciation Day and a wonderful opportunity to teach kids about the importance of expressing gratitude. How the tradition of giving a teacher an apple first came about is still a bit of a mystery. Some say the tradition is rooted in the fact that apples once served as a common form of compensation. Others say the association of apples with education began because apples are symbolic of learning right from wrong (remember our curious friends Adam and Eve?). But as most of us know, the only teachers still getting apples from their students are most likely only the ones in the movies. But here at Hickory Farms, we love the idea of reinventing this tradition! Instead of sending your student to school with an apple, how about sending a gorgeous fruit basket to the teachers lounge for the whole faculty to enjoy? Hickory Farms has several fruit baskets and …

      April showers bring May flowers… and May graduates! If you are celebrating a diploma this spring, make the graduate feel special by hosting a themed graduation party. Here are some wonderful ideas for graduation party themes. Keep it Classic Cap and Gown… Take the traditional graduation garb as inspiration for creating eye-catching décor and food displays. This theme doesn’t have to get tacky, just think chic! Show His or Her True Colors…   Create a spread with school colors. With this theme, you can choose to look back or look forward by either using the colors of the school the graduate attended or the by using the colors of the next school the graduate will be starting at. Dream On… Whether the graduate is starting a new study, entering the work-world, or pursuing another ambitious goal, encourage him or her to dream big! Let the graduate’s biggest passions in life inspire a theme that’s all about following your dreams! Here are some other great entertaining and decorating ideas to celebrate the graduate in style. Hang old photos of the grad throughout the years.  Make a clever play on words like this “bright future” candy-filled light bulb or …

        “People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring” – Rogers Hornsby, major league player for 23 seasons. The waiting is over! Spring is here, and it’s time to step up to the plate! Whether you are lining up to support your favorite major league team or are cheering on your little league star, make an event out of it by setting up your own baseball tailgate. But skip over the Cracker Jacks, and instead draft the Hickory Farms Best Friends Gift Box for your team/ This all-in-one gourmet gift basket really is your best friend come game time – it has just about everything you need to throw a perfect game-winning tailgate! The Hickory Farms Best Friends Gift Box includes 4 Summer Sausages, 7 varieties of Hickory Farms Cheese, 2 types of tasty crackers, and 2 gourmet mustards. Now let us show you how you can turn these palatable players into an all-star baseball tailgate.      Bullpen Cheese-Filled Bead Bowls: Bat it out of the park with bread bowls filled with Mission Jack Blend, Smoked Cheddar …