Holidays Archives - Page 5 of 25 - mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents

10 Quick Gift Picks to Check Off Your List {Giveaway}

December 15, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 18 Comments

In the final stretch to Christmas, get it all done with 10 Quick Gift Picks to Check Off Your List and your holiday fun all in one at Allen Premium Outlets. Plus win a $50 Simon Gift Card too!

Thanks to Allen Premium Outlets for making Christmas easy and sponsoring this post + giveaway.

In the spirit of Christmas (and to keep my name on the Nice List), I’m going to share a big truthful secret:

I don’t have one gift under my tree. Not. One. Single. Gift.

And while I’d like to lie and say the Grinch made a visit down my chimney, honestly, in getting the normal to-do list done, I haven’t any time to get the Christmas to-do complete.

So if the holiday hustle has you sweating, don’t worry, here’s a plan that’ll make it easy to get both your shopping done and get in the holiday spirit all at the same time at Allen Premium Outlets. And at 25 to 65 percent off regular retail price, your pocketbook will be jolly too!

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List at Allen Premium Outlets

Giving Back with the New Kid on the Block

Gotta love some baby bling! For those new arrivals (and new arrivals to be), these sparkle TOMS are the cutest thing in the world! And you can surprise the mama with her own matching pair. Best of all, when you purchase TOMS they’ll give a pair of new shoes to another child in need.

Christmas Traditions: PJs and Santa Pictures

Christmas Eve wouldn’t be complete without those Christmas jammies! And Gymboree has some serious sales for all your Christmas clothes for the kids. These matching gingerbread PJs are just $11 and some other looks are as low as $9!

Haven’t done your Christmas photos?Head to Gymboree for these Christmas outfits for your cuties and then see Santa here at Allen Premium Outlets on Dec. 23 for a complimentary visit and photo!

Don’t forget to sign up for Gymboree Rewards for even more savings and rewards now and throughout the year.

For Your Pet

Don’t forget your four-legged friends this Christmas. They’ll look so cute this holiday season with this Doggie Bow Tiefrom Francesca’s!

Little tip: Take an Insta of the two of you and call that your Christmas card! See that’s one more thing off your list!

For the Stylish (or Need to be More Stylish) Man in Your Life

Santa might want to take this one for himself, this Leather Jacket with Faux Fur from Johnston & Murphy Factory Store will keep him looking sharp and warm throughout the winter season. Need the whole look? Then with big sales as low as 70% off here they have it from head to toe.)

For the Sports Fanatic

You’ll get nothing but cheers from your sports fan at Adidas! From the NMDs shoesjersey/shirt “flocked(that was new for me too!) Adidas affiliated soccer team name and number can be added here at the store! But if you want it flocked, you’ll need to come in soon so you can get it done before Christmas!

For the Guys You Don’t Know What to Get

Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Stores is where I go every year. Yep, they all know that’s what they’re getting and look forward to their Polo Ralph Lauren Half-Zipper Pullover! Available in every color of the rainbow and size, this is a no brainer. Valued at almost $100, their price is normally $79.99, then on sale for $39.99 but right now with all the deals happening, I was able to get these for less than $28 a piece! SCORE!

For The Grinch in Your Life

Do you have someone that needs to get into the holiday spirit? Then let ‘em show it with this Grinch Mug A Christmas Story Card Scramble< also from Francesca’s. It’s great for 12 and up and will keep your family gathering a little more fun!

Toast to the Holidays with Wine and Bubbles

Also to get into the spirit these festive stemless champagne flutes and themed wine glass “Sleigh All Day” from Francesca’s makes it easy to celebrate the holidays with your favorite friends. And this cool wax wine stopperis a must for a great stocking stuffer as it serves as stopper and a candle with an LED light.

Paired with The 12 Drinking Games of Christmas, you’ll all be able to survive the holiday!

And don’t forget to head to some of the newest offerings at Allen Premium Outlet like Tory Burch and Bare + Beauty!

Need a few more gifts ideas for under your tree?

Allen Premium Outlets’ Holiday Gift Giving Guide is stuffed with retailer offers and gift giving ideas (that means even more discounts), along with the stores in the center where those great presents can be found. You can pick up this valuable resource at either the Guest Service Center, snag from a Holiday Greeters throughout the center or even download it online now.

Can’t find the time to shop?

Allen Premium Outlets offers extended hours to accommodate the needs of busy shoppers. Visit the website for more information on specific dates and individual store hours vary.

Need Some Christmas Spirit?

Just because it’s last-minute doesn’t mean that you don’t have time to get in the spirit of Christmas. Allen Premium Outlets hosts free family entertainment on Saturdays to make it easy to get it all done!

Cocoa & Carolers – Saturday, Dec. 16, 7-9 PM by the Fire Pit

Families are invited to sing along with Dickens Carolers and sip on hot cocoa to get in the festive spirit.

Santa Photos – Saturday, December 23, 9 AM-8 PM outside Suite 134

You still have time to let Santa know what’s on your list and take your annual photo with the big man in red. Experience the joy and magic of the holiday season with a complimentary visit and printed photo with Santa.

Now all you have to do is left is to wrap those gifts and put them under the tree (or get it in the mail!) And if you don’t have time, you know there’s an app for that.

Allen Premium Outlets
820 W Stacy Rd
Allen, TX 75013

Now let’s win a $50 Simon Gift Card to get this shopping complete!

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Thank You for Everything Bagel {Printable}

December 14, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Looking for a quick way to say Thank You at work or a group or organization? Show your appreciation with this Thanks for Everything Bagel Printable + bagels for everyone.

Thanks to Einstein Bros. for this bringing us together + this sponsored post.

You should always be in the spirit of saying “thank you,” but the holidays are prime time for not just saying “I appreciate you,” but making a grand gesture to show it, too.

Unfortunately with so much other stuff to do during the holidays, you think about a lot of good things to do for good people but you just can’t get to it. You think, “maybe next time,” of course that’s after another year rolls by.

But it doesn’t have to be a big soiree or big extravagant gifts to get everyone together and to say thanks.

At my husband’s company, employee appreciation goes a long way but there’s not a lot of time to get the team together.

But one thing is definite that will make any office happy: free food. 🙂

So off to Einstein Bros. Bagels I went. Great for bringing friends, family and even colleagues together, Einstein Bros. Bagels offers a variety of options including a Baker’s Dozen Box (13 Bagels with 2 Shmears) and a Half Dozen Box (6 Bagels with 1 Shmear)!

How can you go wrong with these bagels choices:

Asiago
Blueberry
Chocolate Chip
Cinnamon Raisin
Cinnamon Sugar
Cranberry
Egg
Everything
French Toast
Garlic
9-Grain
Honey Whole Wheat
Onion
Plain
Poppy Seed
Potato
Pretzel
Pumpernickel
Pumpkin (Seasonal)
Sesame Seed
Apple Cinnamon
Cheddar Jalapeno
Cheesy Hash Brown
Green Chile
Power Protein
Pumpkin Walnut Crunch
Six Cheese
Snickerdoodle
Spinach Florentine

And Super Smears like:

Plain
Onion & Chive
Smoked Salmon
Blueberry
Honey Almond
Strawberry
Garden Veggie
Garlic & Herb
Jalapeño Salsa
Reduced Fat Plain
Maple

The bagels, along with this quick 5 x 7 printable “Thanks for Everything You Do” is a super easy way to show your appreciation even your team only has a few minutes to come together in the break room. Whether it’s Christmas, Labor Day, or Wednesday, you’ll definitely make an impression without having to much at all.

And if you can’t resist snacking before you get your Einstein Bros. to the office, snag your own with this $2 off coupon. (Personally it’s the egg sandwiches that make my mouth water.) Buy remember this coupon expires 12/31/17.

Print off yours by clicking below in two different versions and receive a PDF.

PDF / JPG

The Guys Guide to the Best Gifts for Guys

December 13, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 110 Comments

Want to know the secret of getting the right gift for the guy in your life? ASK HIM. So for this holiday gift guide, we solve this #mamachallenge for The Guy’s Guide to the Best Gifts for Guys courtesy of my guy, my husband.

Thanks to Academy Sports + Outdoors for making Christmas easy with one-stop affordable shopping and this sponsored post.

Every year around this time the inevitable question always arises: What do you want for Christmas?

It’s a thoughtful question because it means, “I want to give you a gift to show you love and appreciation and I want you to get something you want.”

But even worse some people don’t even both to ask and just assume they know what you want. That’s how I’ve ended up with a lot of pajamas and pullovers…and I have an ample supply.

Funny enough, most men, like myself, are not hard to please and are easy when it comes to Christmas shopping.

Want to know the secret?

Go to Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Put something in the basket.
Go Home, Wrap it (or not, we don’t care.)
Enjoy seeing his face when he opens it.

For me this place takes care of all my favorite things to do and interests and the fact that’s it’s always affordable with low prices makes it easy to give and gift.

The way my wife clicks on everything on Pinterest is how I feel about Academy. I can walk around the store and find all kinds of gifts ranging from hunting, camping, working out, cooking, fishing…whatever!. And if your man is anything like me, they are probably the same way, and you took the work out of it and now put a present under the tree.

But if you need us to narrow it down a little bit, here’s our Guide to the Best Gifts for Your Guy at Academy Sports + Outdoors.

The Guys Guide to the Best Gifts for Guys

Masterbuilt MES 130S 30 in Digital Electric Smoker with Window

If Santa wanted to leave me something under the tree, this is it. The Masterbuilt MES 130S 30 in Digital Electric Smoker with Window makes it easy to do some cooking, actually a lot of cooking. With an electric ignition and time, you can whip up 6 chickens, 2 turkeys, 4 racks of ribs or 4 pork butts all at one time. And it’s on wheels so it won’t be hard for Santa to roll this one in. This one is a win-win.

LEM Electric Meat Grinder

Every year I harvest quite a bit of meat while out hunting. One of the best and most popular ways to put deer and hog on the table is to grind it up and then freeze it to eat throughout the year.. This is step one to making chili, sausage, and burgers. I’ve been trying to perfect the perfect sausage recipe for several years while working from an attachment on my blender. Unfortunately, it takes hours to get through 10 lbs of sausage and there really aren’t a lot of options for changing up how you want the meat ground up, i.e. course for chili and super fine to crank out some homemade bologna.

With the LEM Electric Grinder you have a dedicated tool to get the job done. It comes with a couple of grinding plates and sausage stuffing tool right out of the box. I can look forward to a much more enjoyable experience processing the game I’ve taken when using the right tool for the job from a great brand.

Outdoor Gourmet Propane Fish Fry Cart Set

To me, when I think of holiday traditions I’d like to start, I’ve always thought the “Fried Fourth” has the double appeal of patriotic alliteration combined with the sweet siren’s call of a bubbling caldron of grease. Fried fish, calf fries, dove, shrimp, frog legs, steak fingers, chicken strips, and mounds and mounds of French fries. Everybody sits around all days getting stuffed on an assortment of fried foods just in time to watch a majestic fireworks show. It brings a tear to my eye and I get a little choked up dreaming about the “Fried Forth.”

But if I’m going to do that much frying, I need a rig that can handle some volume. The Outdoor Gourmet Propane Fish Fry Cart Set can do just that. Two burners, two pots, with three baskets can pump out a lot of golden fried goodness. Hopefully this is the year we can bring the “Fried Forth” to America’s heartland.

Wildgame Innovations Moonshine Hog and Varmint Feeder Light

One thing most any land owner can agree on is this, wild pigs are not your friends. They tear up everything they can and multiply about as fast as anything on earth. These are just some of the reasons to hunt pigs year-round. Not to mention pigs can be some pretty good eating too. One of the most efficient ways to manage these throngs of pork is to set them on a feeder and then light em up.

The Wildgame Innovations Moonshine Hog and Varmint Feeder Light can be set to activate on motion and produces a bright blue light while operating off of a 6 volt battery. Put this up on or around your feeder at night and then just wait for a passel of hogs to show up, then, you and your buddies can get to harvesting.

Do-All Outdoors Double Trap

Next on the list is the Do-All Outdoors Double Trap because one of my favorite activities is shooting clays. Shooting clay pigeons is a great way to stay tuned when bird season comes around and it’s great fun all by itself. For example, when the birds aren’t flying, it’s always nice to have a standby where everyone can get on the line and test their skill for a little game of Wolf Chase.

In addition, there’s no better way to start getting your kids used to hunt that to get them out in the country and start training. Spend some quality time as a family while learning basic hunting and shooting safety and technique. I’m already looking forward to hearing my son yell, “Pull!”

Magellan Outdoors Men’s Glacier Shield Jacket

Our family holiday tradition is going skiing. I love to ski and we try to go somewhere new every year. While it doesn’t often get real cold in Dallas, it is when we head to Colorado. The Magellan Outdoors Men’s Glacier Shield Jacket does you a solid for all the different weather conditions that are thrown are way. And this coat comes with a storage bag so you can pack it away when not in use.

YETI Roadie 20 Cooler

Repeat this: You can’t go wrong with a YETI. Especially when it’s the convenient YETI Roadie 20 Cooler. Whether he hunts, fishes, tailgates, boats, whatever…he’s got a reason for this convenient sized cooler that keeps everything cold for days (tested a million times over!) And for a limited time Academy Sports + Outdoors is giving a free $75 Academy Gift Card with the purchase of any YETI Hard-Sided Cooler.

Under Armour Men’s UA Storm Vortex Short

Now that winter has set in and holiday season is in full swing, it’s never too early to start thinking about that beach bod. Maybe I could say that with a straight face when I was younger, but as the years come on it’s less about looking great and more about staying healthy. Part of staying healthy is getting in regular workouts and when you’re working out you want to be comfortable. Under Armour has some incredibly comfortable clothes that will help you worry less and perform better.

This Under Armour Men’s UA Storm Vortex Short is vented to keep you cool and water resistant to keep you dry. They also have a pocket built in to keep the cell phone handy while cranking out the tunes to keep you moving. Under Armour is a great brand and they continue to hit the mark with these shorts.

FREE SHIPPING BANNER (AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME)

Nike Men’s Run Swift Running Shoes

If you’ve got the shorts on to work out, you’ve got to have something on your feet as well. When it comes to athletic footwear, Nike is the iconic brand that’s been around longer than I have and knows more about athletic footwear than anyone around. I’ve also been with Nike long enough to know what I like and these Nike Run Swift Running Shoes. These shoes are great on the pavement, the treadmill, or the gym floor. The look of the shoe is simple, lightweight and breathable and none too flashy.

Body Champ VKR Power Tower

I’ve been trying to finish a workout program for years now. It’s a pretty strenuous and demanding three-month program working out 6 days a week, which has a lot to do with why I’ve never finished. With the Body Champ VKR Power Tower you can not only do pull ups and chin ups, but can also do dips and leg raises. In addition, you don’t have to wonder if this thing is going to fall and send me crashing to the ground. This tower would be one more tool available to me to keep my “temple” in working order for a long time to come.

Huffy Men’s Alpine 26″ 18-Speed Mountain Bike

This Huffy Men’s Alpine 26″ 18-Speed Mountain Bike is the gift that keeps on giving. Our family has some land out in the country with some elevation to it and it’s perfect for an off the beaten path mountain bike. And riding this will definitely help get some great exercise while going on adventures with and without the family.

The second use is a little more clandestine. Every morning when I set out to go hunting I hop on the ATV and head down to the stand. I know you can hear that things for miles around. Now if I hope on my Huffy, I can peddle right by the stand and be as quiet as a mouse. When you only get to hunt a few weekends out of the season, you want to take advantage of every edge you have.

Mosaic 29 in Fuego Grande Fire Pit

You can never go wrong with a gift that the entire family can enjoy together. I can see us now, all sitting around the fire grilling steaks with potatoes and onions wrapped in foil sitting right in the middle of the Mosaic 29 in Fuego Grande Fire Pit. We’ll finish up the evening with a bunch of kids roasting marshmallows on sticks getting ready for s’mores. If you’re going to be outside with a group of folks you’ll want to take care of him. We can make all that happen with the Mosaic 29 in Fuego Grande Fire Pit. It’s got everything you need. It’ll help you cook up a mess of food and stay warm at the same time. That’s how I like family time well and like this too.

Happy Holidays to you from us!

Christmas Eve Emergency Kit

December 11, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 20 Comments

Christmas Eve is full of sweet dreams for the kids, but Santa’s elves (i.e. the parents) have lots of work to do. Keep the work going all night with this Christmas Eve Emergency Kit.

Thanks to Mirum for keeping us all going this holiday season and this sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

It was the best of times…

It was the worst of times.

Yep, it’s the holidays for moms and dads.

You want so much to make the best holiday memories for your family but it takes so much work. So many days, so many hours and so much patience, all in efforts to create the perfect Christmas.

And Christmas Eve, that’s like the grand production and you only get one shot to do it right. You get the kids to bed in their special matching Christmas Pjs, and then go right to work doing Santa’s work building, opening, wrapping and everything to get it all right before the sun rises…along with the kids.

It’s a LOOOOOONG night with lots of stress. And without a doubt you’ll run out of something. Batteries, tape, whatever…and you always realized it about 2 am in the morning. So this year I put together a real stocking full of what the nubs REALLY needs to make it through the Christmas Eve.

To make it through a real long night like Christmas Eve, you need snacks and you need to take a break. Slim Jim makes it easy to keep going all night long without a mess and lots of taste. A quick trip to Walmart I picked up a box of Slim Jim, along with all the other goodies in these cutest Santa stocking.

Christmas Eve Survival Guide

Aspirin

Christmas Eve can be a hard night reading all the fine print on those instructions.

Antacid

Christmas Eve dinner (and all those cookies) may be rough later so prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

Slim Jim Original Smoked Snack Sticks, 26 ct. at Walmart

You can’t ever go wrong with Slim Jim for a snack in one hand, no mess, and all the taste.

Tape

Murphy’s Law says you always run out of tape when you get ready for wrap. So get the multipack and get ready to roll.

Gift Tags

Every tried to wrap all the gifts and forget to tag them as you go? That’s why you tag them and not with the leftover masking tape.

Batteries

Never included and always needed. So get ’em in every size and plenty of them.

Multi-purpose Swiss Army Knife

Need a screwdriver? Need scissors, need to open a package. This baby helps you do it all.

Super Glue

Something always breaks so get ready for glue.

Energy Drink

It’s gonna be a long night and sometimes you need more than coffee.

Heat / Cool Flask

Whether it’s coffee or a little something special in your eggnog, this container makes it easy to keep it cold, hot, and handy.

Make Your Own Virtual Stocking

Ready to make your own? Slim Jim is making it even easier to get Stuff’d with Make your Own Virtual Stocking. Take a Slim Jim Bold Break by clicking on the site and design yours for a chance to win a Slim Jim prize pack when you share your creation on social.

Did you see how cute mine is? Yes, my moniker is Slaybelle.

What would you put in your stocking?

10 Things to do in Arlington for the Holidays

December 7, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 9 Comments

Known as America’s Dream City, Arlington, Texas is also your winter wonderland for holiday magic during the holidays. Get your game plan for all things Christmas with these 10 Things to do in Arlington for the Holidays.

Thanks to Visit Arlington for their partnership.

Looking for something to do to get you in the holiday spirit? Right in the middle of it all you’ll find Arlington, Texas. There’s always something to do in Arlington, but during the holidays it’s a hot spot fun for things to do for everyone in the family. Here are 10 things to do in Arlington for the holidays.

1. Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas

2201 Road to Six Flags

Nov 23 – January 5

If you’re looking for holiday thrills you’ll find them at Holiday in the Park at Six Flags over Texas. Discover a winter wonderland filled with holiday attractions including a snow hill, visits with Santa, sing-a-longs, and holiday shows. This year introduces the Merry Marketplace filled with holiday treats, shopping, and photo opportunities. Get the details.

2. Decorators Warehouse

3708 West Pioneer Pkwy

Open year round

The largest Christmas store in Texas, and one of the largest in the world, is located in Arlington. Walk through the 150 styles of pre-lit Christmas trees, dazzling light displays, oodles of ornaments, and even a dedicated ribbon room. Make the day even more special by stopping by Dasher Pie Co a grab one of their delicious pies. Get the details.

3. Texas Christkindl Market

Arlington / Nov. 29 – Dec. 22

Prices: Free to visit

It’s a German Christmas at the Texas Christkindl Market! and this year it is bigger and better than ever! This delightful, FREE, family-friendly market, inspired by a cherished German tradition, features holiday gifts, decorations and music. Holiday shoppers will enjoy exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas decorations and designs from the renowned Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village in Germany, as well as over 20 holiday vendors and food options. Join us for an Arlington tradition! Get the details.

4. Santa’s Toy Factory at The Parks Mall

3811 South Cooper Street

Now – December 24

Santa’s Toy Factory is an interactive Santa experience where kids can put on their safety hat and “test” out the new toys at Santa’s Toy Factory before they get delivered on Christmas morning. After testing the toys, kids have the chance to digitally design their own toys. The Toy Factory experience wraps up with meeting Santa himself for photos. Get the details.

5. Arlington Music Hall Spectacular Christmas

224 N Center St.

December 7 – December 14

It’s all your Christmas favorites all in one show! Spectacular Christmas is an original musical adventures featuring singers, dancers, kick lines, special effects, a beautiful Nativity, and a visit from Santa. Matinee and evening showtimes are available this weekend only at Arlington Music Hall. Get the details.

6. Santa at Legal Draft

500 East Division St.

Saturday, December 9

Santa is coming to the taproom at Legal Draft! If you’re family Santa photos include your four-legged pups, this is the place to get photos. Bring your dogs, kiddos, or both, for pictures with Santa from 3 to 5pm. The Taproom will be open as normal. Get the details.

7. Arlington Holiday Lights Parade

100 W. Abram St.

Saturday, December 14

The Arlington Holiday Lights Parade is more than just a parade! Ran by an all volunteer committee, the festivities start at 2pm in Founders Plaza with music, food, and reindeer games. The parade begins at 6pm and concludes with the Mayor and Santa Claus lighting the spectacular 50-foot Christmas Tree. Following the Tree Lighting get pictures with Santa at the Levitt Pavilion and a movie screening of “Elf.” Get the details.

8. Symphony Arlington Holiday in Vienna

224 N Center St.

Thursday, December 14

Spend a holiday evening in Vienna thanks to Symphony Arlington and their 2017-2018 Season “Vienna, City of Music”. The December concert features their annual carol sing-along and lots of holiday favorites including Jingle Bells Forever by J.P. Sousa and Sleigh Ride by Anderson. Book your trip to Vienna Thursday December 14 at 7:30pm at the Arlington Music Hall. Get the details.

PC: https://www.facebook.com/events/834428786709397/

9. Interlochen Christmas Lights

Randol Mill Rd and Westwood Dr.

December 13 – December 25

Voted “Texas Best” by fans of the Texas Country Reporter TV show, this year is the 43rd annual Interlochen Christmas Lights event. Featuring about 200 decorated homes designed by residents, the light show is a free event and runs nightly from 7 to 11 pm. Entrance to the event can be found and Westwood Dr and Randol Mill Road. Visit the website for a route map. Get the details.

10. Ballpark Tours Come See Santa

1000 Ballpark Way

Saturday, December 16

Is there a little baseball fan at your house? Santa is making a trip from the North Pole to visit Globe Life Park. Come visit Santa, enjoy sweet holiday treats, and take a guided tour of the ballpark. Doors open at 10am and tours leave every hour with the last tour leaving at 2pm. Get the details

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Rum and Coke Cake Balls

December 5, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 20 Comments

Forget the fruitcake, these rum and coke cake balls are the way to ring in the season. This easy recipe can be made for giving (or keeping) with (and without) the spirits, but all the festive flavor.

This post is being sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I was growing up there were several dishes you knew to expect for the holidays.

Grammer’s stuffing
Granny’s pecan pie
Aunt Debbie’s corn casserole
Grandpa’s stash of chocolate candy in the special box at the top of his closet he tried to “hide”
And a huge box of Coca-Cola® to stay stocked all season long

There would also be lots of goodies like divinity, fudge, carefully decorated Christmas sugar cookies, etc. from the neighbors and friends that would get dropped by the house and remain on display for eating throughout the season.

And by no means did we ever ever, ever go without.

However, there was never fruit cake. Not once that I can remember. It was always that thing that they talked about as the “worst thing ever” – and for some reasons I wanted so bad to know what it was. But what we did have was the rum cake.

When you would pull off the cloche on the rum cake, the most amazing aroma would permeate every part of the room with a rich buttery, coconutty smell that would start at your nose and soon make its way to every part of your taste buds.

But I wasn’t allowed to eat it. That was for the adults. And since I wasn’t supposed to eat and my grandma seemed to love it so much, I didn’t understand why I wasn’t given the opportunity to enjoy something that was so good. It just didn’t seem right that I wouldn’t get to have some. So of course, being the me that I was, I was focused on getting a taste. And one day it happened. No one was looking and I went in for my bite. I still remember that taste. Hitting my tongue, it was better than what I could have imagined!

Later, when I got older, I would find out what that special something was. It was the same spirited concoction the adults would indulge in with their Coca-Cola®. As kids we would also be limited how many sodas we could have, but like that rum cake, it was something to savor, every drop of it from the moment you poured it over ice, until the last drop hit your mouth.

Now I’m the adult. And unfortunately many of those dishes aren’t around anymore just like the women that made them. But there are a few things we still do…but now with a twist.

There’s still chocolate…except now it’s stashed in MY closet.

There are lots of little delights already in the making…but now I’m the one that is making them for my friends and neighbors.

There’s always a stock-up on Coca-Cola® as part of my Sam’s Club run.

And while there’s still no fruit cake, there is rum cake…but with a twist.

Since rum cake and Coca-Cola® were limited as a kid I’ve retaliated with the ultimate Christmas recipe: Rum and Coca-Cola® Cake Balls! It’s like a rum cake and rum and Coca-Cola® in one little bite. But if you’re like me and now you’re the adult with a few kiddos running around, then you can still enjoy the rum and Coca-Cola® cake without any of the spirits by using the rum extract instead. (You can find it almost anywhere!) Just remember, that a little the Rum Extract goes a long way!)

These make the perfect gift for goodies for the holidays or as something to do as a family while you’re getting in the holiday spirit.

Nothing says the holidays better than Coca-Cola®!

Rum and Coca-Cola® Cake Balls

Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
Yield: 2 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Forget the fruitcake, these rum and Coca-Cola® cake balls are the way to ring in the season. This easy recipe can be made for giving (or keeping) with (and without) the spirits, but all the festive flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate (the darker the better!)
1 box Graham Cracker cookies (or approximate 400 g cookies)
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 tablespoon white sugar
⅓ cup Coca-Cola®+ 1 tablespoon
2 1/2 tablespoons Rum Extract + 2 teaspoons
450 grams dipping chocolate (There are several great versions to use, just make sure it hardens)

Optional for Topping

¼ cup walnuts, chopped
1 tablespoon Coca-Cola®
1 Tablespoon Spiced Rum or 1 teaspoon Rum Extract
2–4 tablespoon cocoa powder
Colored melting chocolate

Instructions

Melt chocolate and butter into microwave until smooth (normally 30 seconds.) Let cool. In a food processor, combine cookies, cocoa and sugar until fine (like sugar.)
Add chocolate to the cookie mix until mixed thoroughly. (Make sure to blend until it’s even.)
Add cola and rum extract until it created a ball of dough. Knead a few minutes until mixed and allow to sit for a few minutes.
When able to pick up, begin making 1-1 1/2 inch balls from the dough and place on
parchment or a Silpat mat.
Melt dipping chocolate in the microwave until ready to dip. Using a fork, quickly coat balls in chocolate and place back on paper/mat to dry.

Notes

Optional: If you’d like to add a topping, use cocoa powder as a simple finish or make them even more rum and Coca-Cola® flavor, combine cola and rum (or extra together) with nuts and allow to sit so liquid can be absorbed. Once a little dry, sprinkle nuts for a finishing touch. Otherwise, you can add another melted chocolate for a special holiday touch!

Sweepstakes Information

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“Coca-Cola” is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company.

Cheesy Pasta Pie

December 3, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 20 Comments

Give your holidays an Italian twist with this Cheesy Pasta Pie that’s a creative family favorite featuring rigatoni, marinara and all the cheese!

This post is sponsored by Barilla and Galbani Cheese, but the thoughts and opinions are my own.

If I had to choose only two foods to eat for the rest of my life, the first one would be pasta and the second one would be cheese.

And combine them together…you find perfection.

During the holidays, I can appreciate a turkey or a ham, but honestly, when it comes to a special occasion or a special day like Christmas, my taste buds call for Italian.

Thankfully, Italian food is some of the easiest to make and it can feed a huge family! No one gets upset either when you say we’re serving lasagne. NEVER.

And you can put all the veggies in and no one complains either. BECAUSE CHEESE.

So during the holidays we’ve started to go for a more Italian menu so it keeps us out of the kitchen and doing the stuff that really matters – like visiting with family, friends, and enjoying the time together.

But of course, during the holidays, you don’t just want something you can make and eat every day. You want something that makes an impression. Something that says, “this dish is so good and I am too.”

So with the help of a springform pan, you can use Barilla pasta and marinara to make a this very unique presentation on a baked ziti using rigatoni pasta. And like whipped cream on a pie, cover the top with Galbani fresh mozzarella for the ultimate cheesy bite! (This dish can be made vegetarian as well although I opted for a lean ground chicken.)

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Cheesy Pasta Pie