*This post is sponsored by Walmart. All product choices and opinions are my own!
“Babe will you take a pic with me before I start baking?”
Kenny teases me for a good 5 minutes about my apron and then this is the pic I get. Not really what I had in mind!
I try to not laugh at his jokes (it only encourages him!) and then demand a re-take.
Much better. I guess he’s forgiven for making fun of my Mrs. Claus apron.
This time. ;)
I’ve been in such a baking/treat mood this month and today I’m sharing some of our favorite holiday treats! We’ve always ordered a lot of our grocery staples from Walmart. Groceries are so expensive in San Diego and for years we have saved money by getting certain items our kids love like cereal, pretzels, peanut butter, crackers, etc. through Walmart on-line. Walmart just launched a new benefit, Walmart +free shipping, no order minimum (excludes oversized/freight & Marketplace items) so you can get anything you need that isn’t at your local store with next-day or two day shipping. We’ve been loving it! It’s so nice not having to run to my grocery store every other day for items we always need! Especially now while we are all trying to spend more time at home. Groceries come quickly at the same everyday low prices. I’ve been ordering items for my holiday treats with Walmart + and I love that everything I order shows up on my doorstep and I can start baking! I get excited about anything that saves me time and this has been huge for me that way. You can read more about it here and see if this is something that might help you and your family save time/money too.
Here are a few favorites we’ve been making! Some of these holiday treats I’ve shared before and some maybe not. They are all really simple treats that my kids look forward to every year. :)
First up last week we made our Applesauce Cookies. My mom always made these when we were growing up (the recipe was from my grandma) and I especially love making them in December. We usually give them to friends/neighbors, but this year I’m giving friends something different so we just made a few batches to enjoy at home. :) I know many of you have made them and I love hearing that you love them too! Here is the recipe if you are newish to my blog..
Directions from a previous post:
Five reasons you should make these: 1 – They’re delicious. 2 – They’re easy – if I can make them correctly (most of the time), anyone can. 3 – The cinnamon and spices will make your house smell so Christmassy! It’s the best! 4 – They have applesauce in them so you can pretend they are good for you. They’re not. But it’s always fun to pretend. 5 – You’ll want to see the applesauce sizzle part. It’s just cool.
You all know that we make our Pretzel Hugs in bulk every year! Here are some pics from previous years. This is one of my kids’ favorite traditions and as soon as December rolls around they start asking “when can we make Pretzel Hugs!?” Their friends also start asking “when are you making your Pretzel Hugs!?” I love that they all look forward to it so much!
These never last long in our home! So delicious!
And SO easy to make. We made this sheet on Saturday and by Sunday they were gone!
Here are a few other simple treats we love making in December. Grinch Santas! Just fruit on a toothpick with a marshmallow on top.
You all know I love popcorn! In December I toss holiday m&ms and pretzels in with the popcorn for movie nights. So simple and it makes it feel like a special Christmas treat.
I also love making these cute Santa hats. Just Ritz crackers, cream cheese, strawberries and marshmallows! Eat these quickly after you make them or the crackers get soggy! My family always eats these fast so it’s not an issue, but I once tried to make them for movie night earlier in the day and they didn’t taste quite as good.
These Ritz reindeer treats are Kenny and Kole’s favorites. :) Peanut butter on a Ritz cracker and then add chocolate chips, pretzels for the antlers and a red m&m for the nose. My antlers always look a little different because I get lazy making them and just work with whatever the pretzel looks like when I snap it in two no two reindeer are a like.
Ha. ;)
These treats couldn’t be more simple and that’s what I love about them! Obviously I’m not a food blogger. :) But these simple holiday treats have become traditions that my kids love so much. I thought they would be fun to share in case you need some festive treats to add a little something to your next family movie night this month!
On a side note.. while I was going through pictures tonight I landed on this pic of Ad making pretzel hugs. Addison is the only one in our house who LOVES cooking. She has always been my best helper in the kitchen. She is super short like her mom and always stands on her toes when she cooks! #shortpeopleimprovise
Making Applesauce cookies with dad a few years ago. In a pig onesie of course.
This was taken on Thanksgiving a couple of weeks ago. (Didn’t Kenny’s turkey turn out nice? I’m still in shock we pulled that meal off..ha.)
And I snapped this with my phone quick last night (she was making another batch of Applesauce cookies with me!). On her toes once again. It always makes me smile.
I really don’t know where she gets it from.
;)
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Hi Erin ! I love your pretzel hugs and we make them every year now too. Can you please share the link for the little glass jars with red lids that you use for the pretzel hugs? Thanks so much and Merry Christmas ! :) Jen
Love that Jen! That makes me so happy to hear! I’m going to try to find them on-line and I’ll share them in my next post! (Hopefully tomorrow.) Merry Christmas to you and your family! xo
Oooh it looks so festive with all your yummy treats! We’ll be making some Pretzel hugs, but we’ve made them with Rolos, because we are huge fans of caramel. lol Finals were just completed, so may the Christmas baking begin. LOL Since it’s just us, maybe not quite as many goodies on the agenda, but it should still be fun. How fascinating that you and your daughter always stand on tip toes. I get it, being fun sized as well. The way she bends her toes looks to me what I think a ballerina might do., like they are used to that position from dancing. (does that make sense). Thanks for sharing this really fun post. Looks like you are definitely making the most of the holiday season! Enjoy these last several days before Christmas. Holiday hugs to you!
Thank you Jeanne! We need to try the hugs with Rolos! Sounds SO good! And YEA for finals being done! Best feeling. Ellie has one more paper to turn in by tomorrow and then we are done and ready to party over here too. Addison did dance when she was young so maybe that’s where she picked it up!? I agree.. she looks like a little ballerina. She does it so often and it always makes me smile. :) Enjoy the weekend with your sweet family! One more week! :) xo
Loved that first picture with Kenny :)
And the pics of Addison on her toes! Priceless!
Merry Christmas Erin!
Ha.. he can be quite amusing when he wants to be. ;) Thank you Lisa! Merry Christmas to you and your family! xo
Such a great, fun idea for neighbors! Where did you find those red lidded jars? They are perfect!
Thank you Alyssa! I’ll see if I can find them on-line and link them in my next post!
The tip toeing makes me smile too cause I can be found doing this same thing when I’m cooking, especially when using a tall pan on the stove. Why can’t they design counters where the height can be adjusted by the user? lol
Ha ha.. right!? I’m with you Debbie! ;)
Hi Erin, love your blog! Is it possible to substitute vegetable oil for the shortening in your applesauce cookie recipe?
Merry Christmas!
Hi Jolie! To be honest I’m not sure! I’ve never tried that! Sorry I’m not more help on that one. I’m a horrible cook so I don’t ever venture too far from the original recipe. Ha. ;) Thank you so much and Merry Christmas to you and your family! xo
Hi Erin!! I just had to say how much this post made me smile–for so many reason! I love all the tippy-toes pictures! I appreciate them–from one short person to another!! Kate and I both relate!! And while I’m on here I wanted to tell you what a wonderful job Addy did this morning when she sang!! It was beautiful and perfect!! She brought tears to this grandma’s eyes–and I’m not even HER grandma! So, please tell her I said so! Also, you’ve inspired me to do a little baking. Since the kids aren’t coming home this year I’ve put it off. But I need to get into the spirit, so maybe some pretzel hugs will be just the ticket!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
Susan! It made my week hearing from you on my blog! You are just the sweetest. Thank you so much for your kind words about Addison. I told her what you said and she was so happy! Very kind of you. Katie was amazing too.. as always! Such a special meeting. And yes! Pretzel hugs will get you in the Christmas spirit in no time! Make them with a Hallmark Christmas movie on and you’ll be set. Works for us every time. ;) Thanks again Susan! Have a wonderful Christmas and I hope I get to see you in the New Year! xo
Hi Erin,
I love your blog and have purchased several items that you have shared. I have looked and looked for a link for the green sweater your wearing in the post about Christmas treats with the picture of your husband being silly. So funny. Him teasing you about your apron reminds me of something my husband would do. Thank you in advance!
Hi Judy! So sorry I’m just seeing this comment! For some reason it didn’t pop up until now. Here is the link for the sweater. On sale but only available in some sizes!
https://rstyle.me/+MCOoArDmyzqSFm1H9Y09Ng
And I’m so happy it’s not just my husband with the endless teasing! ;) Happy New Year! xo