Holiday parties just aren’t the same without a good charcuterie board. But why buy boring cheddar or Gouda when you have ALDI cheeses to choose from? Grab some gingerbread goat cheese and get the party started!
New this season, Emporium Selection Holiday Goat Logs come in festive flavors including eggnog, cranberry stuffing and gingerbread. They’re selling for $2.50 each and after a TikTok feature, they’re likely to go fast! Pair with your favorite cracker and try to decide which one you like best.
If you’re not really a goat cheese fan, the Emporium Selection Artisan Flavored Cheese Assortment ($3.50) will be right up your alley. #ButFirstCoffee combines two of life’s best pleasures in one product, Some Like it Hatch has a creamy, smoky twist and You’re Cajun Me Crazy adds a little heat. Don’t forget to grab some Rose All Day fontina for four bucks, while you’re at it.
ALDI is also offering tips for building the perfect charcuterie board, including the 3,3,3,3 rule: 3 cheeses, 3 meats, 3 starches and 3 sweets for a better board. You can find a whole page of expert advice and how-to guides on the company’s “Board Like a Pro” page.
Last year Dude Dad, a.ka. Taylor Calmus, had us rolling in the Target aisles with his spoof of his Christmas-enthusiastic wife. This year, Dude Dad takes it to a new level with a mash-up of not one but five different family members at Christmas many of whom may strike a chord with parents everywhere. Meet The Christmas Queen, The Oblivious, The Impatient Child, The Humbug and The Teen. Click the video below to enjoy them all.
It’s a much-needed laugh we all need this season. Grab your “eggnog” and watch it on repeat.
Joanna and Clea are ready to help you organize your spices and cupboards! The Home Edit have partnered with the Flavor Maker App by the McCormick to offer exclusive content to get your pantry ready for the holiday season.
Users can scan and digitize their pantry items into the Flavor Maker App by McCormick to make meal prep easy. The app keeps everything in one place, so you can have instant access to thousands of curated, easy-to-follow recipes based on the ingredients you have already. It also has a ready-made shopping list, how-to videos, tips and hacks for cooking and baking, and product information.
Clea Shearer says, “I love that the Flavor Maker App by McCormick bridges the gap between traditional and digital organizing. Being able to take a quick inventory of my pantry while in the grocery store has been a real game-changer in my routine. Plus, who doesn’t love finding new ways to use their spices? The app has taken a lot of stress out of cooking, which I never thought was possible.”
In the app, you can watch Clea and Joanna organize a pantry of spices, scan and to their digital pantries and share helpful tips. Then stay tuned for a special The Home Edit’s Easy Gingerbread Brownies with Eggnog Frosting with decorating options and a vegan version, too.
Those who download the app and watch the exclusive video will get access to a holiday promo code for a discount on select The Home Edit products and services available on The Home Edit’s website, valid through Dec. 23, 2020. You can also follow #FlavorMakerApp, #TheHomeEdit, #SpicedUpOrganization, @McCormickSpice, and @thehomeedit for more organizing and holiday ideas.
Ah, the holidays. The tree is trimmed, the presents are bought, and you’ve spent days joyously baking with your kids while listening to Bing Crosby. Right. In reality, Home Depot sells trees right up until the last second, Amazon Prime can get it to you in two days up to Christmas Eve, and there’s absolutely no reason you can’t listen to the Bing Crosby Christmas CD en route to pick up your Christmas cookies from one of Atlanta’s best bakeries. So go ahead and fake it, already. We won’t tell a soul. Pick up these traditional holiday cookies—and don’t forget to hide the box.
This Buckhead bakery is known for its buttery shortbread cookies with a perfectly placed dollop of frosting in the middle—as well as its selection of almost-too-pretty-to-eat decorated cookies. But don't let the confection perfection fool you. You'll eat every crumb, and go back for more.
The Frosting: Henri's is now offering Christmas Cookie Gift Boxes for delivery, as part of their upgraded online ordering system.
56 East Andrews Dr Nw Atlanta, Ga 404-237-0202 Online: henrisbakery.com
Locations also in Sandy Springs, Marietta, and Upper West Side.
One of Atlanta's bakery standard-bearers, Alon's is a sure bet for a cookie home run. Whether you're shopping for Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanza, or oh-my-gosh-2020-is-almost-over, you'll find the perfect cookie here.
The Sprinkle: Don't wait to place your order if you're feeding a crowd. The cookie basket has an assortment of holiday cookies that are perfect for passing.
1394 North Highland Avenue NE Atlanta, Ga 404-872-6000 Online: alons.com
What was once just a restaurant located in Old Fourth Ward is now a restaurant rapidly expanding its locations to feed everyone closer to home—and their cookies (holiday and otherwise) will make you glad to be their neighbor. And while you might go for the fun pancakes and outdoor seating, you'll be missing out if you don't pack up a box of cookies to take home.
The Sprinkle: Cookie Trays are available so you'll have a fully stocked selection for your little elves.
655 Highland Ave. NE, Suite 10 Atlanta, Ga 404-586-0772 Online: highlandbakery.com
Locations also in Midtown, Emory, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and Peachtree City.
If you're looking for an old school seven layer bar cookie, Canvas serves up a whopper of one, and it's better than the ones your mom used to make (sorry, mom).
The Frosting: Pick up a box of artisanal donuts from Canvas' sister company, Donut Dollies, while you're at it.
724 Cherokee Street Marietta, Ga 678-213-2268 Online: canvasfoods.com
My Sweet Things
My Sweet Things
If you're looking for a custom decorated cookie, My Sweet Things is buttercream perfection. Order online from Kathi, and you can arrange the best pick-up for your comfort level.
The Frosting: However you celebrate the holidays, if you can dream a design for your cookies, Kathi can make them.
If you want to kick your fancy level up a notch, order Holiday Macaroons from Southern Peach. They come in Peppermint White Chocolate/Dark Chocolate Swirl, Gingerbread Caramel Cream, Spiced Apple Cider, Hot Chocolate (Chocolate with Marshmallow Cream), Sugar Plum Fairy, and Eggnog flavors. Or, pick up a box of customizable holiday cookies, instead.
The Sprinkle: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation & A Christmas Story custom cookie sets are available, with sayings like "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out" and "I Triple Dog Dare Ya!" on them.
These frosty favorites will get you in the holiday spirit. Baskin-Robbins has unwrapped a lineup of festive cakes and ice cream flavors that are sure to make the season happy and bright. Bring a gift to the table with the newly launched Rosette Christmas Tree Cake, topped with a decorative Christmas Tree made with swirls of sweet icing and colorful sprinkles.
Baskin-Robbins is also bringing back holiday-themed ice cream flavors to be enjoyed in cakes, scoops, shakes and more all season long:
December’s Flavor of the Month, Winter White Chocolate. Swirled with a rich cherry ribbon and bursting with bits of sweet cherry dipped in a chocolate flavored coating with a white chocolate-flavored ice cream, this scoop is sure to be on everyone’s wish list.
Guests can dig into holiday decadence with the seasonal return of Baskin-Robbins’ classic Peppermint, loaded with peppermint pieces in a pink peppermint ice cream. This seasonal flavor also makes the perfect shake!
Eggnog flavored ice cream with hints of rum and nutmeg and Butterscotch Crunch with butterscotch pieces and a toffee-flavor ribbon, are available in pre-packed quarts to-go.
“We’re excited to share a taste of the season with our collection of customizable holiday cakes and festive ice cream flavors,” said Shannon Blakely, Vice President of Marketing, Baskin-Robbins U.S. and Canada. “We also invite our guests to order a treat for themselves or send a surprise to a loved one through our delivery partners DoorDash and Uber Eats – or with an e-gift card ordered through our app.”
Along with the Rosette Christmas Tree Cake, guests can also celebrate the holidays with returning favorites like the Reindeer Cake, featuring an adorable reindeer with chocolate snout, antlers and holly garnish, the Snowman Cake, bundled up for the season in festive holiday icing or the Winter Wonderland Cake, decorated in beautiful icy blues, a white chocolate-drizzled edge, and topped with sparkling glitter. Plus, Baskin-Robbins’ new Modern Wreath Cake and Winter Forest Cake, which both feature iconic holiday designs that are sure to make the season merry. Each cake can be customized to include guests’ favorite ice cream and cake flavors.
Cake orders can be placed online at BaskinRobbins.com, through the Baskin-Robbins mobile app or by visiting or calling your local Baskin-Robbins restaurant. Gift cards are also available for purchase.
For those looking for a sweet post-holiday treat, guests who spend $10 or more on Baskin-Robbins through Uber Eats between Dec. 28, 2020 and Jan. 3, 2021 will receive a $0 delivery fee with no promo code necessary.
Many consider the release of Starbucks red cups as the unofficial launch of the holiday season. Starting Fri. Nov. 6, the coffee chain’s fan-favorite holiday beverages are back. Plus they are giving away a free collectible red holiday cup to customers who order a handcrafted holiday beverage tomorrow.
Head over to Starbucks to enjoy a Peppermint Mocha, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Caramel Brulee Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte and Eggnog Latte. The bakery case is also getting a seasonal upgrade with the new Cranberry Orange Scone and returning Sugar Plum Danish, Cranberry Bliss Bar, Snowman Cookie and Snowman Cake Pop.
The chain is releasing four new cup designs this year:
Ribbon: This design brings forward all the joyful elements of the holiday season in ribbons of brand greens and a jolly red like a cozy holiday sweater. Look closely and you’ll see a familiar crown, tail, and scales. The design is repeated on this year’s collectible Starbucks red holiday cup.
Dot: Stripes swirl around a field of Starbucks house green punctuated by playful polka dots, sharing the sentiment to “carry the merry.”
Sparkle: This red cup has vintage vibes, with cutout shapes in green like glittering holiday ornaments. The motif is repeated in a snowy white on Starbucks cold beverage cups.
Brand Wrap: This modern, scaled-up version of the ribbon design features bold bands of holiday color and the Starbucks wordmark, designer street style.
If you are looking to enjoy your favorite seasonal beverages from the comforts of home you can find Christmas Blend whole bean coffee when you pick up your holiday beverage at Starbucks. You can also pick up your favorite Starbucks seasonal flavors like Holiday Blend and Peppermint Mocha in Roast & Ground, K-Cup pods and ready-to-drink formats wherever groceries are sold.
The Rock is getting into the ice cream business—and Dwayne Johnson’s first frozen foray is a five-pack of Salt & Straw “Dwanta Claus” flavors!
Johnson and his business partner, Dany Garcia, recently announced their new joint investment in the Portland-based Salt & Straw ice cream chain. Not only is Johnson investing in the chain, but he also helped to create five holiday-themed flavors.
The Dwanta Claus Holiday Pack is available for $65 from Salt & Straw here. The five-flavor pack includes the whiskey-infused peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough and milk chocolate caramel fudge swirl “I Saw Mommy Kissing Dwanta Claus,” a fruitcake-like raspberry, cherry and chocolatey “The Rock’n Around the Christmas Tree,” “Peppermint Cocoa,” “Cinnamon Chai Spiced Eggnog” and “Chocolate Gooey Brownie.”
Don’t worry if you think Johnson’s fun flavors will your pre-holiday diet. The newbie ice cream maker wrote, on his Instagram page, “Enjoy your holiday cheat meals, my friends. Don’t cheat yourself, treat yourself. Love, Dwanta.”
Dunkin’ recently announced its holiday lineup—and the flavors are fabulously festive!
Starting Nov. 6 you can find a limited-time holiday menu at participating Dunkin’ stores. This year’s sweet selection includes old faves and a few new sweet treats, drinks and more.
So what does Dunkins’ holiday lineup look like? Fans of the Peppermint Mocha-flavored coffee will get the gift of its return for another season. Dunkin’ app users can get early access to this favorite flavor and enjoy it one day (Nov. 5) before the menu’s official launch date.
Along with the Peppermint Mocha flavor, this year’s picks also include Gingerbread S’mores and Winter White Chocolate—available in hot or iced coffee, Cold Brew, espresso beverages, frozen coffee or even frozen chocolate.
Dunkin’ will also feature four holiday latte flavors, including Holiday Eggnog Signature Latte, Merry Mocha Mint Signature Latte, Toasted Gingerbread Signature Latte and Frosted White Chocolate Signature Latte.
If you’d prefer a sweet treat, you can also nab a new Holiday Brownie Crumble Donut. With vanilla frosting and brownie crumbles, this goodie is a holiday delight!
Looking forward to a little bit of magic and mischief this holiday season? Then you’ll want to wave your wands and send your best summoning spell to collect Pottery Barn’s Harry Potter Christmas collection.
Featuring ornaments, decor and serving wear, there will be plenty of magical yuletide cheer with these beautifully designed items that the whole family will cherish year after year, just like the beloved books. Here are a few of our favorite new items.
Happy Christmas Garland
Spell out the season's greetings with this beautiful red garland.
Prepare the mantel for the arrival of Father Christmas with these stockings featuring intricate designs for each Hogwarts house. All of the choices can be customized with an embroidered name.
Dress up your tree with these gorgeous Harry Potter themed ornaments, including a golden snitch, a flying key, the Hogwarts Express and the Deathly Hallows symbol.
The holidays are here—and that means parenting hangovers after holiday parties are here, too. If you just went, “Huh?” then take a look at what a recent poll conducted by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital found out about special events, alcohol consumption and yes, parenting practices.
Raise your hand if you sip on some eggnog or a glass of wine at holiday parties this time of year. Well, you aren’t alone. According to the poll, 27 percent of parents and another 36 percent say they drink alcoholic beverages “often” or “sometimes” during special events, respectively. (17 percent of parents polled said they drink “rarely” at special events.)
While the majority of parents planned ahead for a boozy holiday party—73 percent were very likely to make plans ahead of time for someone else to watch their kiddos and 68 percent were very likely to arrange a designated driver—they didn’t necessarily plan for the next day.
Forty-seven percent of parents surveyed said they were very likely to take how much they were drinking into consideration. So yeah, slightly more than half of the parents polled don’t think about how much they’ve had to drink— And that may make next-day parenting (with a hangover), kind of tricky. But plenty of parents probably won’t end up in this not-so-pleasant situation. Yep, 64 percent of parents did say they were very likely to plan child care for the day after a party.
Image: Courtesy of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health
Only eight percent of parents admitted they couldn’t parent adequately due to alcohol-related impairment. In other words, only a small fraction of parents surveyed had gotten so drunk that they couldn’t care for their kiddos at all.
So what does this survey tell us? Holiday parties require more planning than creating a menu or a seating chart. Hey, plenty of parents indulge—especially around the holidays. Just consider planning ahead to avoid the next day parenting hangover.
