Fun Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day

Have you ever tried to ask your mom what she wants for Mother’s Day? Did she respond with something along the lines of “your presence is present enough”? Give your mom what she really wants this Mother’s Day and plan a family outing to spend some quality time together.

Photo via 5 Minutes for Mom

Hickory Farms looked around to find some great ideas for family outings to surprise Mom with this Mother’s Day. Here are some of our favorite ideas.

For outdoorsy moms…

Take mom on a hike! Find a nearby trail and plan out a mini outdoor excursion. Don’t forget to throw in some snacks like fruit and nuts.

For wine lover moms…

We love Sunset magazine’s idea for impressing mom by organizing an at-home wine tasting. Not sure where to start? Check out our posts on “Tips from Food & Wine Experts on How to Host a Wine Tasting” and “Wine & Cheese Pairing 101.”

For sunseeker moms…

Plan a picturesque picnic. Pack lunch and take Mom to a peaceful spot where you can enjoy a nice meal in nature.

Photo via Sunset magazine

For foodie moms…

Treat her to a special homemade Sunday brunch. If your mom loves to cook, have the recipes and ingredients all ready to go and plan to make brunch together! For inspiration, check out our recent post on delicious brunch menu ideas.

For adventurous moms…

Take an exciting day trip. Find a destination that is not too far from home but has something unique you can explore and enjoy, such as a nearby city, beach, or lake.

How will you be spending Mother’s Day? Share your idea for fun and unique ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in a comment below or on the Hickory Farms Facebook page.

If you can’t be with mom this Mother’s Day, make sure you send her something special! Hickory Farms has a wonderful selection of gourmet gift baskets and gift boxes with delicious fruits, wines, and other treats that mom’s will love!

Cute Snacks for Outdoor Play Dates with Kids

After being cooped up inside all winter long, kids (and parents) are counting down the days until its prime, outdoor playtime weather! The arrival of spring opens the door to tons of options for fun activities to enjoy with kids. One of our favorite ideas is to arrange an outdoor play date with friends at the park, bringing along cute snacks that kids will love.

Lots of pre-packaged snacks for kids are made in the shape of animals, but they’re not nearly as much fun as trying to make your own. This fruit peacock is made from juicy pears, grapes, blueberries and a baby carrot. You can add in other fruits to make it even more colorful and tasty!

Photo via Be Different Act Normal

You can use cookie cutters to make meat and cheese sandwiches into fun shapes. What kid could resist this dinosaur sandwich and kiwi tree?

Photo via Play and Learn Pals

How about these adorable hardboiled egg mice chasing after tiny bites of cheese? These are sure to make kids giggle and make them actually want to eat their lunch!

snacks for outdoor play dates with your kids

Photo via DairyGoodness.ca

But don’t let the fun stop at animals! Here’s a creative snack made of slices of meat, cheese, and veggies that will inspire kids to put on their pretend astronaut helmets for a space mission around the playground.

Photo via Rafa Kids

Who wouldn’t love making their own edible flower gardens? In fact, you can simply bring lots of tasty snacks and let kids use their imagination to make their own creative display. Tell them you are making an exception to the “don’t play with your food” rule just this once!

Photo via Creative Kid Snacks

What types of fun snacks do you carry for outdoor play dates with your children? Leave a comment to share with us, or better yet, share a picture with us on the Hickory Farms Facebook page!

Delightful Décor and Food Displays for Baby Showers

Nothing is quite as exciting as welcoming a new baby into the world! Before the little one arrives, friends and family members often shower the mom and dad with gifts. But a baby shower is not only about making sure mom and dad are equipped with all the items they’ll need as new parents, it’s a special celebration! If you are hosting or helping throw a baby shower this spring, here is some fantastic inspiration for making this occasion extra special!

Hostess With The Mostess has tons of cute ideas for decoration that you couldn’t find at your typical party store. We love this baby shower décor with its trendy chevron stripes and adorable elephants in a pretty turquoise color scheme. The tiered baskets would also be a great way to serve snacks like gourmet nuts and mints.

Photo via Hostess with the Mostess

Photo via Hostess with the Mostess

Instead of baby elephants, you can incorporate small birdies and make it a “Welcome to the Nest” baby shower! Here are some wonderful ideas for invitations and décor for this whimsical theme.

Photo via Simply Sweet Celebrations

Will the gender of the baby be a surprise? Take a look at this boy-girl baby shower with a gorgeous teal and red theme, from the decorations down to the food.

Photo via Kara’s Party Ideas

Here’s an idea for a creative food display for a baby shower that we absolutely love – a baby carriage fruit tray!

Photo via Fussy Monkey Business

For heartier snacks, we like the idea of placing gourmet sausage, cheese, crackers, and condiments in a way where guests can build their own hors d’oeuvres. Don’t forget to add a few garnishes, too!

Photo via On to Baby

Hickory Farms gourmet baskets and towers are great for easy entertaining. They also make wonderful gifts for new moms and dads or thoughtful thank-you presents for hostesses.

What are your favorite ideas for adorable baby shower decorations and food displays? Share your ideas with us in the comment section below.