Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with GIANT Food Stores. All opinions are my own as our my photos. Giveaway has been provided by the sponsor.
Christmas is over. Is anyone else sad it is over? Well, the season is not but sometimes after getting everything together and ready, the day comes and goes and it is all done. We had a lovely and quiet time. I say quiet even though having three little ones is never a guarantee it is a quiet time. The girls luckily slept in and I had already prepared a delicious brunch consisting of sour cream coffee cake, fruit salad, eggs, and sausage. It was delicious and definitely a great way to celebrate with our family.
Every year we try to keep up with traditions and incorporate a little of my husband’s traditions as well as some traditions I practiced in my home. I have to say that I feel like we have established a few this year that I can see us enjoying year after year. We did in fact bake cookies and we then packaged them up and gave to friends and neighbors. It was the first time in several years being able to do it since I have had litle ones at home and little time to bake. It was a lot of work but it was therapeutic and fun to do.
My husband decided to smoke a brisket for the first time this year. My mother usually made a brisket every year but what I did not realize is that it was overcooked every year. I never really learn how to cook meat so I was happy to pass on the task to my husband who did a most excellent job! I ordered a first cut brisket from Giant Food Stores and it was ready for pick up 2 days before Christmas. My husband did his research and smoked the meat in a gas grill using a smoker box. It was fab.
Another thing we try to do every year is to have a New Year’s get together with friends. Some years it has been successful and other years it has been non-exisent. I personally would love to go to a dance and ring in the new year at a party, but it is not possible right now. I thought about having some young families come over before the night time arrived to ring it earlier but I am not sure we would have anyone attend. While the notion of just ringing in the new year with just our family sounds nice, I like sharing it with other people.
Last year we had a couple of friends over and everyone brought appetizers around 9pm and we sat around and chatted and played a few games. This is probably the easiest and best way to have a party without any stress. What I found is that I make 1-2 appetizers and have other bring their own, but I am definitely going to use some shortcuts this year.
Giant Food Stores has an amazing variety of appetizer choices and they have definitely made my party prep much easier. While I have only a few choices pictured above, there are so many more in-store ranging from savory to sweet.
Here are a couple of my go-to appetizers I make every year for my new year’s party. Enter my giveaway below for a chance to shop for your ingredients at Giant Food Stores. Good Luck!
Baked Chipotle Cheese Olive Bites
Sharp Cheddar Cheese Ball and Veggie Tray
