Ideas to Spice Up Memorial Day Cookouts

We’re all about traditions here at Hickory Farms. After all, we’ve been an American tradition for over half a century! But we also love taking traditions and adding fresh flairs to personalize them and make them even more special. So when honoring troops with family and friends this Memorial Day, why not skip the same-old routine, and try to spice it up?

A Memorial Day cookout doesn’t have to be the same every year, instead of the regular routes, try one of these creative alternatives.

Instead of only relying on flags and red, white and blue décor…
Incorporate foods and dishes in your Memorial Day menu that show your patriotism. You can also honor a soldier currently overseas by serving up his or her favorite foods.

Photo via Moonlightrainbow.tumblr.com

Instead of sticking to only hamburgers and hotdogs…
Try throwing unique foods on the grill like salad and fruit. This grilled apple salad from Southern Living looks delicious. And in case you missed it, we recently wrote a post on yummy grilled fruit desserts – be sure to check it out!

Photo via Southern Living

Instead of an ordinary cooler…
Try serving drinks in an unexpected way. We love this creative DIY watermelon cocktail keg idea!

Photo via SheKnows

Instead of your typical food spread…
Create a build-your-own station! It could be a build-your-own drink or build-your-own dessert bar. We love the idea we came across on Design Indulgences for creating a build-your-own fruit pizza bar! It’s a wonderful way to make food more fun for friends, family, and guests.

Photo via Design Indulgences

How do you plan to spice up your Memorial Day cookout? Share your favorite tips, tricks, and ideas in a comment or on our Facebook page.

New Spring Gifts from Hickory Farms

The spring season is always an exciting time of year. As nature is bursting with color, we are bursting with energy to get outdoors and enjoy beautiful weather and our favorite spring season traditions. So to celebrate this vibrant time of year, Hickory Farms is offering new spring gifts to make the season even sweeter. It’s just our way of making this season burst with color, energy, and now flavor, too!

Each spring gift from Hickory Farms comes in a beautiful basket that was thoughtfully designed with bright spring colors and flavors that are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Made with only the freshest of ingredients, our spring gifts feature refreshing fruits, delicious snacks, and delectable treats that can take any spring activity from plain to perfectly delightful.

With The Spring Treats basket you can enjoy D’Anjou Pears, a Fuji Apple, a Navel Orange, Mixed Nuts, 2 Farmhouse Cheddar wedges, and Olive Oil & Rosemary Crackers. You also get our famous Pastel Chocolate Dutch Mints and a Large Spring Flower Decorated Sugar Cookie for a nice sweet treat.

The Hickory Spring Reserve features a lot of the same delicious gourmet snacks and sweets including the Pastel Chocolate Dutch Mints and our cute, flower-shaped Sugar Cookie, but this beautiful basket also includes Kiwi Fruit, Roasted & Salted Pistachios and a bottle of Mirassou Chardonnay.

Our Bountiful Spring Tastings come in a beautiful basket filled to the brim with signature Hickory Farms gourmet goodies including Roasted & Salted Pistachios, Chocolate Covered Dried Strawberries, Lemon Crème Almonds, Mini Dried Fruit Tray, and a Large Spring Flower Decorated Sugar Cookie.

Our new spring gifts are perfect for welcoming a new neighbor or as a special way to wish someone a happy birthday. They make for wonderful graduation gifts and thank you gifts, too!

Who are you planning to surprise with spring colors and flavors this season? Tell us in a comment below.

Celebrate National Military Appreciation Month with Military Gifts from Hickory Farms

“The strength of our nation is our Army; the strength of our Army is our Soldiers; the strength of our Soldiers is our families.” – United States Army

showing appreciation for military families

Photo via Army

May is Military Appreciation Month, a month-long observance dedicated to taking time and special care to honor the brave individuals that serve our nation. As a part of Military Appreciation Month, we celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 10^th, Armed Forces Day on May 18^th, and Memorial Day on May 30^th.

Military Appreciation Month is a wonderful opportunity to show love and support for our soldiers and give back to the very people that sacrifice so much for us. And what better way to show your love and appreciation than by sending thoughtful comfort foods that bring soldiers the love and warmth of home?

Hickory Farms would like to help spouses, family members, friends and other citizens show their love and appreciation to soldiers by offering them special military gifts that are eligible for free APO/FPO delivery. Made with delicious food products and nostalgic authenticity, these gifts are packaged with love to ensure that soldiers know just how much you care.

Spouses, family members, and friends can select Our Deluxe Signature Sausage & Cheese military gift. This gourmet food gifts features signature Hickory Farms flavors that instantly remind soldiers of their favorite family and holiday memories. To read more about the quality ingredients and tasty treats included in these gift boxes, head to the Military Gifts section of our website.

Have you ever sent Hickory Farms to a solider? How did they like it? Or, tell us about your soldier in a comment below and share how you plan to show them your love and support this month.