Cocktail Hour Must Haves for the Holidays

 Cocktail hour is my favorite hour of the day for sure. Bless my husbands heart, he never bats an eye at me at 4 pm when I slip into the liquor cabinet and take the edge off. This season, why not make the drinks as festive and fun as possible with some new additions to your home bar? From mimosas to salt shooters, this list has something for every adult on it!

Samples were provided for inclusion and photography. Be sure to click thru to my partners and find a few new favorites for your own cocktail hour!


2020 has been quite a year, so why not take the holiday cheer to the next level with Ohza Cranberry Mimosa. These are perfect, and they bring the classic Sunday sip to anytime you want a mimosa. Get a 12 pack for about $40 and raise a glass to the season!


Keel+Curley Wines make the perfect holiday gift to share. This wine started with a desire to use the end of the season fruit for a blueberry farmer and it has blossomed into a wine that is delightful, fruity and practically made for sharing! Prices start at about $15 a bottle. 



Take the guess work out of mixology this holiday season with a box or two of Craft Stirs. These are awesome because all you need to do is pour a pouch into alcohol and mix it. Then like magic, you have a great drink at your fingertips. Order a box for $10 for holiday entertaining made easy.


Travel has been restricted for so many long months. For all of those trips to Mexico that have been canceled this year, raise a glass of Recuerdo Mezca, and sip to the trips that will be made in the future, and the memories that will be made. Prices start at about $36 a bottle.


A pack of Soak It Up Cloths makes for a must have at cocktail hour, where spills have been known to happen. These are so handy and very eco friendly. Order some starting at about $7 a pack and greatly reduce your paper towel use.


Serving hot toddy's to a crowd has never been easier than it is with a box of Aunt Lucy's Hot Toddy Mix. Add hot water, and a splash of booze, if you choose for a delicious way to warm up. Order for about $13 a box.


Serving shots has never been so intriguing as it is with a set of Creative Mixology Salt Shooters. This set has a tray, the shot glasses which are made of real salt and a lime dish for the perfect shot. This set will set you back $40 and will help make this holiday season a memorable one!


No judgments here if you need a cocktail to get thru the festivities with family. We all have that one relative that makes us want to drink a little. These little buzzbox cocktails are like a juice box for grownups. They have a great assortment to choose from so you will for sure find one you love. You can get a case of 24 for about $97.


GH Mumm Champagne is perfect for toasting with this holiday season. Pop the top and savor the delectable flavors. Prices start at about $30 for a bottle of a really good champagne.


Serve refreshing cocktails without spending any time at the bar mixing this season with Joia Spirits.These pre blended cocktails are awesome. Made with premium ingredients for a flavor that is just as good as it would be if a bartender blended it. Check out the line and find your favorite at a store near you.

I hope these ideas help you keep cocktail hour a jolly event! 
While you are here why not check out some of my favorite Christmas ideas?

Gifts for Guys with Beards

 Do you need a great gift idea for a guy who happens to rock an awesome beard? I have some suggestions that will keep his beard healthy and hip! From a starter kit that has everything he needs to maintain his beard, to a great shaving brush and razor for his beard maintenance. This list has some pretty great products on it that any guy would love to get as a gift!


This Beard Guyz Starter Kit has daily wash, conditioner, beard oil, and beard balm for regular beard care. They have a ton of great products on their site for beards, so browse around and find something perfect for the holidays. 



I love a good deep conditioner for my hair, so giving a guy with a beard some beard balm that is a leave in conditioner makes a lot of sense. This one from Forrester is fabulous. It leaves my husbands beard so soft and it smells really manly too. Order it from Auntee B Naturals for about $20. 



Reuzel makes an amazing line of beard care and other manly goods to keep a beard looking its best. From beard serum to beard wash and so much more. Check out their site and browse the line, you will find a lot of stuff you want to buy for all of your favorite beards! Prices start at about $10.



Guys who have beards still need great shaving products because they need to maintain their beard shape, length and so on. Fulton & Roark makes some convenient as can be aftershave wipes and shave cream that helps keep a bead in great shape! Prices start at $22.



For guys with beards that love Whiskey, check out the Classic Manhattan Collection. They make some really great smelling products for beards! From beard oils, to beard softeners, and shampoos and conditioners just for beards! Check out the collection online to order.


The Clear Confidence Company makes classic shaving brushes and razors to keep his beard well maintained and well shaped. Guys will appreciate that this is a nod to classic shaving equipment. Get the Men's Grooming Bundle for about $40.


While you are here, why not check out some of my DIY Christmas Ornaments.


I hope this guide helps you find a great gift for a guy with a beard in your life.

Gifts for Foodies

Foodies can be so much fun to shop for! They usually love to try new things and are adventurous in the kitchen, so going off the beaten path of gift giving can result in a whole lot of delicious fun!

If you are looking for a tasty gift idea for a food lover in your life, check out some of these ideas. I found gift ideas for every budget and every taste bud. From crickets, which are a yummy and sustainable protein source, to imported olives, this list has something for everyone on it! 

Click thru the links of my partners, who were kind enough to send samples for inclusion, and order these foodie favorites!


Roasted Crickets are awesome in a gift basket, or just make an unforgettable holiday goodie to share with an adventurous eater in your life. Gym N Eat Crickets has so many flavors to choose from, and these really are good. I tossed my kids a bag and they ATE THEM ALL, and asked for more!  Get a 12 pack of assorted flavors for $36.



Give the gift of the juiciest poultry ever with the Topsy Turkey. This is a must have kitchen gadget for anyone who likes turkey and chicken at home because it allows for the perfect bird every time with internal basting! Get this for under $22.

Give the gift of the best snack assortment with this 24 pack retro tin from Herr's. It has a great assortment of chips in a collection of favorite flavors that will satisfy the snacker in your life. Order online for $24 this holiday season.  




What could be better than a bunch of little bags of chips for a foodie? Maybe only one thing; if they came in an adorable and awesome little chip delivery truck! This 42 count variety pack truck is perfect for gifting, and you can pick the chip mix too! Get this from Herr's online for $26. It will definitely deliver smiles this holiday season.



Give a foodie a portable snack that packs a protein filled punch with People's Choice Beef Jerky. This is a really great brand of jerky that has a lot of flavor and has a long history of making jerky that people crave! Order a mild jerky box for a meat lover in your life for $24.


Spices are always a good idea for foodies and this collection from The Spice Lab is perfect for gifting! It has 4 blends that complement so many dishes! For an added bonus add a bottle of  Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning to your online cart because you deserve a treat too! They also have drink mixers, sugars and more for all of your foodie gifting needs.


If your favorite foodie also likes wine, then they need a pair of these sassy socks from Lavley. They have a bunch of cute phrases printed on the socks for a gift that is useful and fun! Order online for about $10 a pair.



Give the gift of poetry, art and food references with these brilliant poems for the kitchen from  Good Grub Love. The Avocado Amor Poem is one of my favorite foodie gifts for 2020. Retailing at about $33 it is quirky and will be a classic in the kitchen, to never go out of style. 


Nunbelievable makes some of the most unbelievably good cookies. These are bif, fat, decadent cookies, that you can feel good about eating because when you buy one, you are sharing a cookie with someone in need. So cross off a gift on your list, and gift a foodie a feel good, saving the world one cookie at a time, cookie. Prices start around $18.



Foodies love pork rinds because they are low carb, which is essentially guilt free snacking! Southern Recipe Small Batch Pork Rinds are awesome and have so much flavor. From chili cheese, to classic salt, and hold your hats, apple cinnamon! Order a few a bags for a one of a kind low carb snack to share. 


McCrea's Caramels make for a sweet gift idea for any foodie! They have flavors like single malt scotch, which will be a hit with the guys on your list, and a nothing short of dreamy vanilla caramel too! Prices start at about $5 for pillow packs of gourmet caramels.
If you want to send something healthier, and elegant, the choice is clearly Laumiere gourmet fruits. With fine fruits like dates, apricots and figs, the super fruit collection will wow the foodie in your life with natural goodness. Order online starting at about $35 a square box.


Every foodie needs a great chefs knife. The Kuma Knife provides a perfect cut right out of the box. This knife retails at about $100 and will be a  gift that foodies use and love for years to come. It is a must have for the kitchen.

Steeped Coffee Bags make for an awesome gift idea. These handy bags are like a tea bag, but they make one impressive cup of coffee. Foodies will love to have these in the office, or in the pantry for a cup of coffee whenever they need one. Order specialty coffee in a single use bag for about $15.


If you are looking for a cracker that isn't just a cracker; grab an assortment of Brewer's Crackers. Made with upcycled spent grains, these are a delicious and unique cracker that will be a welcome addition to gift baskets and cheese platters alike. Order online for about $5 a bag.


Gift wellness with a great cup of tea this year. Tea can be enjoyed long after the holiday has passed and Steep & Sip has a great assortment that is sure to please. With such an assortment to browse, I know you will find a great tea for everyone on your list. Prices start at about $3.


Stuff a foodies stocking with healthy, all natural fruit snacks. Chum fruit bites are good and super healthy for on the go, guilt free snacking. They have several fruity flavors like Mango,Strawberry and Peach Bites. Get a 12 pack for about $10.


Give a favorite foodie a cookbook and you will be feeding their kitchen skills for life. This one, Wine Country Table is a great gift because it also explores all of the flavors of California wine country. Order this cookbook that celebrates sustainable harvest food for about $45.


Christmas and Cookies go together like any classic combination. Lucky for any foodie, cookies are as close as the nearest bag of Thinsters, and you won't need to bake them every time you have a craving for a holiday treat. Check out the seasonal flavors and get an extra bag to keep Santa happy this year.


On the go foodies will appreciate a practical gift like Bamboo flatware by Emerging Green. This is a long lasting, eco friendly way to eat on the go without adding plastic to a landfill.  Get a 12 pack for about $18. 

Simple Goodness Sisters Syrups are an awesome gift idea because these are perfect for cocktails or homemade sodas. Made with fresh from the garden ingredients, this is something any foodie will appreciate having in the kitchen. Order a few bottles for about $20 a bottle.


Maya's Cookies are the perfect gift for anyone! They are vegan, and totally gourmet. You will love the texture and the taste, even if you aren't vegan! Order these online for someone sweet, but get yourself a few too. You will thank me later! Prices start at about $24 and they have a lot of wonderful flavors!



This year, if you can't share your own home baked goodies with your loved ones, why not send them a coffee cake sampler from Dorothy Lane Market?  Made with local, fresh ingredients, these are simply the best in coffee cakes. They make for a great gift idea! Order 3 cakes for $57 online.


Send your love and a little sass to your favorite foodie with a 12" cookie cake from Eat Me Cookie Cakes. You give them the message and they will write it on a tasty cookie cake and ship it your foodies door. Prices start at about $30.




Foodies like to have a little fun too,and the Original Taco Cat will bring so much fun to the table! Get this cute taco holding cat for about $15 and make keep the mess at bay on Taco Tuesday!


Coca Cola lovers will delight in this one of a kind jelly, made with peppers and real Coca Cola syrup. Foodies will have fun trying Cola Pepper Jelly on a variety of foods. Order online starting at $20.


With the current state of the world, there will be less mingling, and more mailing of gifts than ever before.  If the pandemic is keeping you from your loved ones, send them a smile and an unforgettable cookie from Contessa the Bakery. It is hard to woo me with a cookie; my mom is a long time baker, and I have tried them all. But, these holiday cookies were something special. They are gorgeous for one, and they were really delicious and *almost* too pretty to eat! Order starting at $79 this holiday season.




Give a steak loving foodie some quality steak knives and forks with the Porterhouse Steak Set from Tramontina. This heavy duty set is made to last, is dish washer safe, and best of all costs under $30. Find it on Amazon, and at a variety of retailers like Walmart, Kohls and more.



Bring the flavor of Sicily to your favorite foodie with the Bono line of olive oil, marmalade, olives and more. This is a perfect gift for someone who would love to explore the flavors of Sicily, but is stuck at home this year. Order from Amazon or Vitacost.


Give a gift that is tasty and unique with Vegky Shiitake Mushroom Jerky. Available in several delectable flavors, this is a delightfully chewy way to get your protein at snack time. Get a 3 pack for about $20.


If you are shopping for a chocolate lover, these Lekkco chocolate spreads are the bomb. They are available in 4 flavors that are so good, and are for more than spreading on bread. Make hot cocoa with them, or make no bakes pop. Order online where a 4 pack of this Belgian goodness will cost $32.


Table Mountain Farm makes an incredible line of Goat Milk Caramels that will tickle the taste buds of any foodie. This caramel is made with simple ingredients to create a luscious, buttery caramel that is perfect for dipping or topping! Order online for $10 a delicious jar.




If your favorite foodie likes pretzels, then send them Eastern Standard Provisions Pretzels for a happy holiday! These are soft and wonderful bites of pretzel heaven that anyone will love to get, especially if you can't be together in person this year.  They have a good assortment of styles and prices start at about $13.




If you want to add a good gluten free goodie to a gift basket or holiday spread, all foodies are sure to dig these Fit Joy Pretzels. They have a lot of flavor without the gluten. Prices start at $4 a bag.


Tea is the ultimate winter beverage so why not gift a favorite foodie an assortment of tea from Rare Brew? They make some damn fine teas that will hit the spot all winter long. Find the perfect blend online.



Bring the bakery goodies home with this selection of bake at home goodies from Porto's Bakery. From sweet cheese rolls to chocolate chip cookies, there are so many tasty choices to order and bake at home for your holiday festivities!


This trio of seasonings from Heifer International makes a great gift for foodies because it will spice things up in the kitchen long after the holiday has ended. Featuring Parisian Pastry seasoning Garam Marsala and a delightful espresso seasoning, this has such an assortment of flavors that anyone will love. Order for about $22.


For a true foodie, there is no substitute for fine chocolates. Mariebelle of New York makes not only some of the most beautiful candies ever, but they are also quite scrumptious too, if you can bring yourself to snack on these little works of art. Check out the variety of sweets offered in the online shop.


Foodies are going to flip for this taste of decadence delivered to your door. San Diablo Take and Bake Churro Kits bring a goodie to the table that no one will forget! Featuring an assortment of fillings, this is one really fun kit for foodies this holiday season. Order online for about $32.




If you need a gift for someone who seriously loves cookies, then order them a 12 pack of Chip City Cookies. These are big, beautiful and perfect for snacking on. Pop one out of the box and slide it into the oven for a total treat. These are some of the biggest cookies to ever come out of an oven! A 12 pack will cost about $75 and is so worth it!




I hope these suggestions help you find some wonderful gifts for your foodie friends and family!