My grandmother was a food nazi before being a food nazi was in vogue.  She was replacing oil with applesauce in recipes back in the 70’s and 80’s.  She ordered fish when we ate out (and always asked “Is it fresh fish?” “Fresh frozen ma’am.”)  She took vitamin supplements and sprinkled wheat germ on our cereal.  Obviously, she wasn’t the cookie and candy toting grandmother.  Perhaps that is partially why a box full of Hickory Farms goodness brings back such a rush of memories.  There was always one at my grandparents’ home during the holidays.  I have no idea where it came from.  It could have been a gift or something they bought themselves.  But I remember digging through the fake grass to find the little strawberry candies.  I don’t recall eating much of the meats or cheeses but those little strawberry candies were like gold in her candy-less house at the holidays.  (Well not entirely candy-less…there was always a hidden box of turtles but those were only for the grownups.)

As an adult, I’ve received boxes of Hickory Farms goodness at the holidays as a gift and I’ve given it as a gift.  I always enjoy the meats (summer sausage – yum!) and cheeses (always something smoked which I adore but never buy) but there is just something about the mustards.  I love me an interesting mustard.

My box was the party planner box ($40). It included 2 beef summer sausages, 1 turkey summer sausage, a smoked cheddar blend, mission jack blend, creamy swiss blend, big barn cheddar, cheese ball (drool), sweet hot mustard, cranberry mustard, and sesame, caraway, and sea salt crackers.  And of course, the little strawberry candies (which as an adult – really not something I love).  I wasn’t a fan of the crackers but that is my own personal preference – caraway seeds are blechy to me.  But everyone else liked them.  And the rest of it was YUM!  I especially enjoyed the smoked cheddar with the turkey summer sausage and a little cranberry mustard all perched on a club cracker.  Sigh…a little bit of heavenly indulgence at the holidays is good.  We haven’t eaten it all yet because did you see of the stuff in there?  We have at least 2 more football games worth of goodies to try.

Hickory Farms would also like you to know that for every Party Planner box sold:

you’ll be joining Share Our Strength®, the leading non-profit organization working to end childhood hunger in America. This holiday, we’ll donate $5 to their No Kid Hungry Campaign for every Party Planner you order. Visit nokidhungry.org to learn more.

Personally, I think a Hickory Farms box is a thoughtful gift to send to folks you won’t get to see at the holidays – they can put it out for their guests over the holidays and think of you.  Or it is a great general office gift.  Put it in the kitchen area and watch how quickly it disappears.  It also makes a nice thank you to someone you don’t know well personally – a teacher, a doorman, a dog sitter, etc.  Small samplers start under $20. I’ve recently learned that many teachers won’t eat food gifts made by the parents of students for fear their home isn’t clean or the kids helped and didn’t wash their hands (I think this is sad…but not my point today).  This would allow a thoughtful food gift that is all sealed up so they could enjoy it without worries.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a signature gift box from Hickory Farms to thank me for taking the time to participate.”