‘Tis a festive Thursday because…it’s another edition of TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE!
In years past, I have shared many different holiday inspired TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE posts such as…
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HOLIDAY THINGS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS MOVIES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS SONGS
How in the world though have we not covered…TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS FOODS?!
Let’s do it!
These are my…
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS FOODS
#5: JINGLE JANGLE
You guys, I’m all about the Jingle Jangle from Trader Joe’s. Is it homemade? No. Is it just a bunch of random snacks covered in chocolate? Yes. Will I make a special trip to Trader Joe’s just to buy as many tins as I can fit in my cart? ABSOLUTELY! It’s just little nibbles of Christmas happiness, and I love it. I love all of it.
#4: GINGERBREAD COOKIES
Soft, chewy gingerbread cookies make me so happy. They’re a little spicy, not too sweet…I love them. They just smell like the holiday season. The crispy ones are good too, but the chewy variety is my favorite.
#3: ANY SORT OF FESTIVE DIP
Give me a cream cheese based dip all season long. I don’t know about you, but “dip” is a major food group for me during the holiday season. I would never make “dip” a meal the rest of the year, but legit just this week, I went to a holiday party and ate a bunch of dip for dinner. Make it spicy, make it nutty, add in dried cranberries or some cheddar…I really don’t care, just please make some and invite me over.
#2: LITTLE DEBBIE CHRISTMAS TREE CAKES
I know, I know, I know, but THEY ARE SO DELICIOUS AND SO SENTIMENTAL TO ME! These cakes and The Carpenter’s Christmas album sum up my childhood. My dad used to buy them for us each Christmas season, and I would get SO excited. Other Little Debbies are fine, but these are DELICIOUS (and they have sprinkles!). When I first started dating Andrew, we were walking into a Walmart one evening making that awkward “newly dating chit chat” and he asked me what my favorite Little Debbie was, and I told him to guess. He guessed Christmas Tree Cakes, and I couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t even the holiday season! That’s basically why I married him. He knew me so well even then 😉 . Andrew always buys these for our kids and each season, I will enjoy one myself and think about my own sweet dad.
#1: PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE ANYTHING
Anything.
Literally anything.
Put this combination in my coffee, in my cocktail, in my cookie, my bar, brownie, cake, pie or ice cream. This is the perfect marriage of flavors. I love it all year long, but I really, really, really love it when it’s the holiday season.
And bless it, here are my BOTTOM FIVE CHRISTMAS FOODS…
#5: CHESTNUTS
They smell amazing roasting on an open fire, but honestly, are they that good to just eat by themselves? Kind of taste like a burnt piece of cardboard to me.
#4: ORANGE CHOCOLATE
This might be a controversial opinion, but I don’t love the orange/chocolate combination that is so famous during the holiday season. It’s not terrible, it’s just not my favorite. Every time I watch The Great British Baking Show, Prue always goes on and on any time a baker uses this combo (she loves it), and I always think “who wants chocolate in their OJ?”. I think it’s way overrated.
#3: SUGAR COOKIES
Are sugar cookies ever the best option? I mean, they’re fine. They’re good. I don’t dislike them. If I’m at a bakery and see other cookie options though, why am I eating the “base” when I can eat an actual “good” cookie with something in it? During the Christmas season when there are AMAZING desserts everywhere, why on Earth would we eat a plain sugar cookie? I’ll allow it if you put some frosting on it and shape it like a tree, but other than that, yawn. It’s Christmas, eat some Jingle Jangle.
#2: JELLO SALADS
My family thinks you can and SHOULD serve a salad made out of Jello at every holiday meal. First of all, Jello is never a salad. My family’s are typically red or orange, they always includes a nut and most certainly Cool Whip. It’s ALWAYS on the table next to the green beans and potatoes and even as a young child, I thought this was odd. I kept quiet about it until I married a Missouri boy. He could NOT understand this dish on the table by the ham. It was a quiet secret between the two of us (why the Jello?) until my brother married a Washington girl and when she asked Andrew at her first holiday gathering what was up with the Jello, we could not stop laughing. Now, it’s a joke every time we see it. My family still thinks it’s necessary, but Andrew, Catherine and I all laugh and judge those who put it by their macaroni and cheese and call it a side.
Without a doubt though, this is my least favorite Christmas food…
#1: THANKSGIVING FOOD
Whhhhhhhhy does my family (yup, I’m throwing them under the bus) think it’s a good idea to eat Thanksgiving food on Christmas?! A few years ago, they let me introduce them to Andrew’s family’s tradition of eating hearty appetizers for Christmas Eve dinner, but on the years when I don’t see them for Christmas, they go right back to the turkey and dressing. We LITERALLY just ate this overrated meal together as a family four weeks before. Why on Earth do we need to eat it again?! Let’s leave turkey in November.
Whew.
I’m pretty passionate about that 😉 .
Those are my TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS FOODS 🙂 .
Now…
It wouldn’t be a TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE without Andrew weighing in too.
ANDREW’S TOP FIVE CHRISTMAS FOODS:
#5: A SAUSAGE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE ON CHRISTMAS MORNING
#4: UNLIKE MMM, I DO LOVE TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING FOOD ON CHRISTMAS (WITH MY PARENTS’ BEAN CASSEROLE)
#3: LITTLE DEBBIE CHRISTMAS TREE CAKES
#2: A POPCORN TIN (CARAMEL, WHITE CHEDDAR AND THEN ANY OTHER SAVORY OPTION)
#1: I LOVE HAVING APPETIZERS ON CHRISTMAS EVE! SAUSAGE BALLS, QUESO, PIGS IN A BLANKET. WE GREW UP DOING THIS AND I STILL LOVE IT.
ANDREW’S BOTTOM FIVE CHRISTMAS FOODS:
#5: GINGERBREAD
#4: FRUIT CAKE
#3: HAM
#2: CRANBERRY SAUCE
#1: JELLO SALAD (SORRY, SHERRY!)
Since today’s post is all about Christmas foods, I wanted to let you know that today, I am sharing my PEPPERMINT COCOA KRISPIES TREATS (because you know how I feel about that combo!). See that recipe HERE.
Bonus, if you are looking for holiday recipes that include EGG NOG (or even a really delicious egg nog recipe!), I have so many including EGG NOG BREAD PUDDING, EGG NOG CHEESECAKE, COCONUT EGG NOG PIE, and many, many more HERE!
I also have two different GINGERBREAD COOKIES RECIPES you can check out too.
Now, don’t forget to check out these other TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE blog posts:
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CONDIMENTS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HOLIDAY HOLIDAY THINGS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: STORE-BOUGHT COOKIES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THINGS ABOUT A FAIR/CARNIVAL
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: ICE CREAM FLAVORS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SPRING CLEANING
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: TRAVELING BY PLANE
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SKIING WITH YOUR FAMILY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS MOVIES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HALLOWEEN CANDY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CEREALS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HOUSEHOLD CHORES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS SONGS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THANKSGIVING FOODS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE ROAD TRIP SNACKS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: VEGETABLES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THINGS ABOUT FALL
I feel like you guys are going to have A LOT of thoughts and opinions too. I cannot wait to read the blog comments below!
Please comment and share!
Have the BEST day, friends! I’ll see you tomorrow. xx
Kara says
Ok, I agree on so many.. NO thank you on the TG food any other day than TG! And keep the ham too! But I will say, I LOVE little Debbie trees but the chocolate one is superior for me! My husband will argue all day white ones are better.. nope! So fun!!
Elspeth Mizner says
Jingle jangle is so good! I love any kind of Christmas cookie! Not a fan of other desserts besides cookies at Christmas haha!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Lisa N says
Could not stop laughing at the jello stories😂😂😂 And did you know that Walmart has a Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake candle? Saw on an Instagram ad so it mst be true. In such a cute jar too.
Mix and Match Mama says
Whaaaaaat?! No way?!
Sarah Nienhuis says
Did you know that the tree trunk of the little Debbie cake tastes like gingerbread? It’s like they flavored it separately from the rest of the tree! I love when you do these posts 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Mix and Match Mama says
WHAT?! STOP. NO. ARE YOU SURE?! I don’t have any at my house right now or else I would immediately go try it. What?! My mind is BLOWN!
Lorraine says
This is so fun!!! Your top 5/bottom 5s are always a favorite and are great conversation starters with my family.
My top 5.
5. Peppermint ice cream
4. Tamales (we eat them on Christmas Eve)
3. Homemade rolls
2. Iced sugar cookies made by Molly B. So so good.
1. We have themed Christmases with my in-laws, and it is for sure my top 1 food. This year we are having a Swiss Christmas, complete with fondue (three kinds), a stuffed pork loin, their version of Christmas potatoes, and their traditional desserts. It is so so fun and keeps Christmas exciting. We dress up, we learn about their Christmas traditions, listen to their Christmas music, and even decorate the house according to their traditions. My mother in law started it when my kids were little and it is our favorite every year!!
Bottom 5:
5. Ham (so boring)
4. Green bean casserole (so mushy)
3. Fake sweet potatoes with marshmallows. My husband and kids love this. Give me a real sweet potato casserole with candied pecans on top but the canned yams with bourbon and marshmallows is just gross to me.
2. Gingerbread cookies. I am never tempted to eat them.
1. Sweet breakfast. On Christmas, my kids love a straight sugar breakfast. I just don’t get it.
This was fun!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Your lists are SO MUCH FUN!!! Thank YOU so much for sharing them with us!
Kelly says
I love your top 5 and I may have to copy your MIL’s tradition next year. Such a neat idea!
Jennibell says
Trader Joe’s chocolate covered peppermint JoJo’s are my favorite-favorite-favorite!!! I wait all year for them, buy a dozen boxes, and they last me until about summer. Then I am sad until I can buy them again.
Mix and Match Mama says
They are CRAZY CRAZY good!
Abby Larson says
Have you seen the gingerbread ice cream sandwiches at Trader Joe’s? We picked them up on our last run, and oh my, DELICIOUS!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m going to TJ today! I am going to look for them! Thank YOU!
Sara Alexander says
Your bottom 5 was a bullseye for me. I wouldn’t change any of them.
My top:
1. Christmas Eve apps
2. Buckeyes
3. Popcorn balls
4. Cinnamon Rolls
5. A Christmas dinner buttered roll with ham and gravy on it. 😬
Susan says
Peppermint chocolate is my #1 too!!! want it in everything now – food, candles, lotion, bodywash – I want to smell like a candy cane while eating drinking chocolate candy cane everything!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yessssssss!
Kristin says
I’m glad I didn’t have anything in my mouth when I read “It’s Christmas, eat some Jingle Jangle.” It just really hit my funny bone. I also had to pause when you asked who who wants chocolate in their oj, because: yuck!, BUT we make chocolate orange pinwheel cookies, and you do put oj in the chocolate filling!!! And it’s one of our favorite cookies, and everyone (but Shay) seems to love them as well. I do agree with you about the jello salads. Just no. Jello is saved for when you are having or have just had a medical procedure. And my mother-in-law makes jello salads with CELERY in them. Just NO. My faves have to be molasses cookies, Danish Raspberry cookies, chewy pecan diamonds, and the chocolate orange pinwheels. Bottom five include the jello salad and stollen. I don’t know if it’s the candied fruit, but there is just a nasty taste even in homemade stollen.
Chasity Reeves says
We have been doing appetizer Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember!! It’s the best!:) Merry Christmas 🎄
Marianne Dunaway says
Jingle Jangle is addicting!
MBeth says
You would love Iowa girl Eats chocolate peppermint puppy chow!! It is a favorite at our house- it is SO good!!
Kacey says
I’m cracking up at the Jello “salad”! I’ve NEVER seen this in real life and would absolutely have had the same reaction as Andrew & Catherine. Also a lover of your favorites, especially gingerbread! There was gingerbread everywhere at the Christmas markets I went to in Europe last year and I was in heaven!
Krista Steenbergen says
This made me chuckle, especially the jello! It’s a southern thing! We must share the same palette. I will say, I have never understood why anyone would eat fruitcake or drink egg nog.
Emilee says
I LOVE a breakfast casserole and cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning! Every year I make your Monte cristo breakfast casserole, and it is such a favorite!
Susan P Fitzpatrick says
I think you need to have chestnuts fixed properly and they are good! I love the smell of gingerbread but not really a fan of eating it. I also don’t understand Thanksgiving food for Christmas. We usually do ham and tamales as the main dish for Christmas with a potato side dish and maybe a spinach salad. I love a jello salad because my grandmother used to always bring one. It was typically strawberry with cool whip mixed in and fruit. Now I need to go buy some Little Debbie Christmas cakes!!
Katie Hahn says
These posts make me giggle! My family has always done appetizers on Christmas Eve too! I love hearing about everyone’s family traditions. Maybe that would be a fun post of certain holidays and some of the traditions your family does!
Frances Ryals says
Loved this so much! I was laughing so hard about the jello even though it is always on MY holiday table with the meat and casseroles. 🤣
Beth Valenta says
My favorite posts!
Top 5: 1. appetiezers and I am so with you on DIP or cheese board as my dinner. 2. fried oysters for Christmas Eve 3. some type of festive drink like bourbon apple cider in crockpot 4. Chex Mix homemade 5. sausage breakfast casserole
Bottom 5: 1. fruitcake 2. cookies (I would much rather have a sausage ball) 3. sweet desserts and danishes 4. Ferrero Rocher YUK . 5. sweet popcorns
So basically I am eating dip and some shrimp over the holidays..with a fun beverage…like a candy cane hanging on the side of my prosecco. They did this at the Rockettes and I have done it ever since to bring me joy.
Mix and Match Mama says
I would rather have a sausage ball too!
Amy says
I absolutely love the top/bottom 5 post! I love to see the difference in your picks and Andrew’s picks. I love reading the comments on what other people like and dislike as well as the traditions they do. May start doing the appetizers on Christmas Eve, love a good appetizer. I am with you on the Thanksgiving meal, once a year is definitely enough for me! Hope you have a verry blessed Christmas with your family!
Natasha says
This is why Americans need to move Thanksgiving to October like Canadians do. By the time Christmas comes around, we’re ready for turkey again! Hahaha!
Also, I really dislike peppermint (unless it’s a candy cane) so orange chocolate is a win for me.
And yes, give me ALL the dip!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a solid argument 😉 .
Megan Greene says
But have you had the orange jello with crushed pineapple and CARROTS? I. CANNOT. Every time I have to make this for my Grandmother I question her sanity 😂. But, then, I happily make it because it’s not Thanksgiving without it!
Lisa D says
Oh my! Yes I remember that orange and carrot jello “salad” ugh! Mom makes a cranberry, nut and marshmallow jello salad and I can tell you that no one likes it but everyone takes a small serving to not hurt her feelings.
What are your thoughts about mincemeat? BTW it’s awful!
Kristy says
The jello salad. I cannot get over it either. Also, no thank you to turkey, even for Thanksgiving. Life’s too short!
Dawn Scheurich says
Agree with most of your top 5, especially any peppermint/chocolate situation! I wholeheartedly agree with the bottom 5! No turkey meal except Thanksgiving, and for the love, NEVER jello salads!!
Bridget K Wright says
Such a fun list, Shay! I have to tell you that I come from a jello on holidays family as well. We live in the Chicago area and I grew
Up with Both sides of my family serving jello. Whipped jello, plain jello, jello with fruit, etc…funny enough there were always two jello choices to choose from! I’ve never been a big fan, but my mom continues to serve it up!
Mix and Match Mama says
Mine does too! It’s not a salad…it’s dessert!
Kelsey W says
I’m so curious – what does a typical Christmas Day meal entail for you if it’s not “Thanksgiving food” items?? Maybe because I live in Canada and we celebrate Thanksgiving mid-October that our Christmas Day meals are very similar foods to what we had on Thanksgiving (totally the norm).
Mix and Match Mama says
I just planned the menu with the ladies in my family yesterday! We now do Andrew’s parents’ tradition and have hearty appetizers (sliders, dips, meatballs, charcuterie…things like that).
kristen says
YES to so many of these!!! Orange and chocolate – gross! Peppermint and chocolate – amazing! I love the Little Debbie Tree’s too, but the #1 item that resonates with me – Thanksgiving food on Christmas! NO!! I love Thanksgiving food. I love to plan my menu and prepare, host, even heat up the leftovers while I watch football on Friday, but then I’m DONE with it until the next year. DONE. Thankfully my family does prime rib or a tenderloin for Christmas.
I always love these lists, but this one might have echoed my own list most closely on both ends!
Adriana says
Agree on the chocolate and peppermint combo!
My current CP craving is a box of ghirardelli double or triple chocolate brownie mix. Half of the batter in baking pan, 2 Ghirardelli peppermint bark bars (fit perfectly in an 8×8 pan), other half of brownie mix. Dollop of peppermint whip cream when serving. Yum!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes. Please.
Marla says
I am dying over the jello salad. This was always a staple every holiday meal growing up which I thought was so strange but never said a word until now ! It is not only weird but so gross when the hot food next to it starts to melt the jello resulting in green or red ruining all the good stuff . It makes no sense!! I have not carried on this tradition but oddly enough on Thanksgiving I always feel a bit of guilt that is not on our table . Starting right now I am giving myself permission to let the guilt go.
Favorites include peppermint ice cream with peppermint fudge topping.
Debbie K. says
Peppermint chocolate everything is the star of the show!! Chocolate Little Debbie trees over the white ones every day! We have always done a ham, polish sausage and the traditional sides for Christmas. I don’t love the TG meal. This year, I'[m changing it up and serving Italian! Now that’s a yummy food group to me… Lasagna, zucchini fettuccine alfredo, homemade garlic bread and a huge tossed salad with homemade dressing. Top 5: Black bottom cupcakes, MIL’s Kieflies, dips, Mom’s Almond Christmas cookies, Chex Mix (probably because my mom calls it “Check” mix and it’s the sweetest!) Bottom 5: eggnog (Blech!!) TG food, Polish sausage, Thumbprint cookies, jello salads
Kim says
We call appetizers on Christmas Eve ‘party supper!’ It’s a tradition!
Kelli Pierce says
Love your list of favorites and least favorites!! I’m on board with you!! My family did jello with fruit, cool whip and pecans or or a frozen salad with cherries,and pecans!! Ours was always in a Christmas tree mold that is so funny your family did this too (as well as many others it seems like). We haven’t had jello in a long time though, because me and my sisters made fun of it every holiday so Mom stopped making it when we were grown and out of the house!! 😊
Faith Kapp says
Top 5 in no particular order:
-Little Debbie Christmas Trees (yes we hoard them)
-my moms Christmas punch
-my mom’s iced and decorated sugar cookies that my daughter now makes
-Thanksgiving food again on Christmas,
-my dad’s collards that I no longer get since he passed
Bottom 5:
– fruit cake (why???)
-green bean casserole
I’m sure there are others 🤣
Kristen says
OMG! Here in New England jello molds are a common side dish. My aunt just brought one to Thanksgiving.. ew!!!
Cris says
Shay, you get 100% on this one! Andrew gets about 76%. The Jello is so weird, and I would just blame it on the previous generation, but my sister and my SIL (who is 10 years younger than us) participate in this travesty.
When my kids were little, we used to bake and decorate a birthday cake for Jesus, but one year I got smart and circled up those Christmas Tree Cakes on a cute green plate from Goodwill, and a (much easier) new tradition was born! They look so cute and everyone gets their own candle to blow out 🙂
Jill Myers says
Love the Little Debbie Christmas tree cake birthday cake for Jesus idea!
Julianne says
We make a cranberry jello salad that my kids request for their birthdays because they love it so much! So funny!
Erika Slaughter says
Give me ALL the dips this time of year! You can have the peppermint flavored anything!
K.K. says
I love the little Debbie dating story!!! Awwwww!!
And totally with Andrew on the HAM. Ick.
Jill Myers says
***Here’s an easy and popular dip recipe for you. I get asked for the recipe every time I make it for a gathering:
24 oz. Cottage Cheese (4%)
16 oz. Sour Cream
Hidden Valley Ranch Dip packet
Mix well.
Add 4-6 oz. of finely shredded medium cheddar cheese.
Best if refrigerated for a couple of hours or overnight.
Top 5
1) Peanut Butter Balls (Crushed Rice Krispies, creamy peanut butter, butter, & powdered sugar. Roll and dip in chocolate.)
2) I never liked sugar cookies AT ALL until I tasted an amazing version. These sugar cookies with buttercream frosting have cream of tartar and a hint of almond extract as the secret ingredients. They are soft and delicious and are in high demand! Truly, I understand and share your disdain for every other sugar cookie, but these are phenomenal!
3) Volcano Bread made in a bundt pan for breakfast on Christmas morning. (Similar to monkey bread.)
4) Appetizers for Christmas Eve.
5) Prime RIb or Turkey for Christmas dinner.
Bottom 5
1) Fruitcake
2) Sweet Potatoes with marshmallows
3) Pumpkin Pie
4) Cranberry Sauce
5) Jello “Salad”
Mix and Match Mama says
Your list is epic plus I love this recipe too!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU for sharing! xx
S says
That dip sounds great. What do you like to serve with it, chips or veggies?
I’m really into mint right now too – my Christmas baking creation this year is Andes Mint Blondies. Recommend.
My mom often made a jello salad back in the day that was tasty and the only way I’ll eat jello (besides Pretzel Salad). Two layers of strawberry jello with strawberries, bananas, and pineapple – and then a creamy layer in the center.
Lisa D says
Here’s my Top 5:
5. Peppermint ribbon ice cream
4. Dark chocolate almond toffee brittle
3. Dips yum!
2. Gingerbread
1. My Mom’s homemade caramels
Bottom 5:
5. Canned peas (tied with canned cranberry sauce) yuck
4. Ham
3. Pate’ ugh!
2. Snails in garlic butter — so so so gross! My in-laws were French and this was a “delicacy” for Christmas but they are chewy like a rubber band
1. That awful green bean mush casserole that everyone has. I truly gag!
Mix and Match Mama says
This is a GREAT list!!!! I love toffee brittle too!
AliJ. says
I agree with so many and disagree on only one!
I have been hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas for 11 years. I do not like any Thanksgiving food so on Christmas we change it up. We have done Italian, Mexican, German, brunch, and this year we are doing appetizer and desserts. My husband wants the same Thanksgiving food on Christmas Day, nope. If he wants it, he knows he can take himself to the local truck stop to get that food because it is not happening at our house.
Christmas eve MUST have pizza! It is a long standing tradition from when I was a teenager and it was just me and my parents on Christmas Eve. We can have other foods, but I will be eating the pizza as my main dish.
I agree with Andrew on the fruit cake – YUCK!
I do not like gingerbread as it is too spicy for me (weird, I know).
I do make cut-out cookies every year but they get iced and decorated. I only make them for the holidays as well as peanut butter blossoms, chocolate covered peanuts, and Buckeyes. I have to have those things at Christmas. Rest of the year, I am OK not having it.
Love seeing your lists every year!
Arika says
OK, if you need a gift for Andrew, Topsy’s popcorn is amazing! They are a Kansas City company and they make the best tubs as gifts! We always got the carmel/cheddar/cinnamon combo. It’s the classic, but you can mix and match any types. If you were my neigbors I’d bring you one!
Mix and Match Mama says
That sounds delicious!!!
Rachel says
I’ve never had Jingle Jangle, but it sounds good! Replace that with some plain chocolate fudge, and your list is great!
Mary says
Three points:
– Wegmans (Northeast grocery chain) usually has gingerbread ice cream sandwiches too.
– I feel I must defend orange chocolate. It’s quite popular in the Western New York area. In the chocolate shops you can find orange chocolate Easter candy, miniatures and sponge candy. Delicious!
– Lastly my mother’s jello mold resides in one of my kitchen cabinets. Haven’t used it but the fond memories of family dinners past prevent me from removing it. Sigh
Brianne Cole says
Oh my.. I couldn’t agree more with Jello salad. It takes me back to being at my grandma’s house every year. I love EVERYTHING that woman made, other than Jello salad!
Do you have a good gluten free gingerbread cookie recipe?
Bren says
Are you ready for this, Shay…I have never had a Little Debbie Christmas tree!! I see all the memes, now I read about you and your family’s love of them, read through the comments above and I keep thinking “maybe I should try one of those”, but here it is nearly Christmas again and I have not! I will add to my list of things to try! I’m going to have to ask my adult children if I ever bought them for them growing up or did I deprive them of this Christmas joy-filled snack?!
Oh, the jello salad. I’m from Iowa. Lots of jello salad going on here. All the time, not just at the holidays. I’ve never been a fan and we’ve never had it during our holidays (so I assume my mom and MIL are not fans either), but it’s everywhere. It was nice to read the support above of the “why” on this particular salad.
A huge thank you to you for the introduction of Jingle Jangle! Huge hit here!! I saw that in early November and stocked up, so excited to share the love this holiday season!
Have a great weekend, Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
BUY YOU A BOX! They are delicious!
Jessica Belanger says
For the fun of it, you should make a jello salad recipe and post it. 🙂 lol!
Mix and Match Mama says
Bahahaha! I should!
Nicole Wilder says
I’m so glad to see that someone else has a tradition of Carpenter’s Christmas! My mom and dad played it every year when we decorated the tree and again while opening presents. Now, I do it with my kids(along with Kenny and Dolly, which was my husband’s family tradition 😂). It’s just ingrained in me and makes me think of the happiest memories. 🤩
Mix and Match Mama says
I have told my husband and children that when I die, I want that album played at my funeral. I don’t care if it’s June. That album is the album of my entire childhood. I love it so much!
Amy Miller says
I completely agree with your lists. Have you tried the white chocolate peppermint kit kats?
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t! Are the wafers the same or are they chocolatey?
Amy Miller says
They are the same but with white chocolate!
Courtney says
For the majority of my life, Christmas dinner was ALWAYS ham + the traditional thanksgiving sides. From childhood Christmases at home through my husband and I starting to host Christmas. Three years ago, while we ALL sat around the table eating said ham, we realized – no one really enjoys ham. We eat it because we always have. It just felt “right.” So, we decided to switch it up thereafter and now do steaks, asparagus and a baked potato bar for Christmas dinner. Everyone loves it and no one misses the ham. HA! Funny how some traditions can hold on by the mere thread of nostalgia. (Sorry ham! Sorry Jello salad! :-p)
Mix and Match Mama says
So many by mere nostalgia. That is a very accurate statement. My dad always says “tradition is a dumb reason to keep doing something you don’t enjoy over and over again”. Enjoy your steak dinner 😉 .