Family Holiday Traditions and Recipes you Don’t Want to Miss

This post is sponsored by McCormick® but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

The holiday season is upon us! Family holiday traditions and recipes are at the core of what this season is about to families across the globe. Today I want to take the time to reflect AND inspire you with ideas and recipes you want to INCLUDE for your family this holiday season.

I have been blogging for 5 years now. I started as someone not very skilled in cooking, but through the years of cooking and falling in love with food, recipes and creating delicious things for my family to eat (as I was blogging) I have become well versed in using one of my favorite products – McCormick® seasonings and spices.

For decades upon decades, McCormick® has been passionate about flavor, and has been striving to create flavor experiences that make every meal and moment more delicious and enjoyable! If you look in your cupboard now I will bet with certainty you have some of their spices- whether it’s as simple as sage or as delicious as apple pie spice – you have something.

Holiday time is on the way and these spices and seasonings make it into our homes, traditions and memories and serve as a great reminder to the family traditions and recipes we hold dear to our hearts.

Before I get into all the fun family tradition and deliciousness I must give a shout out to Walmart! It has been a go-to place for our groceries for years – especially with my blogging through the years BUT even more so because it serves as an amazing ONE STOP SHOP. I am able to find the spices I need simply every time!

Here are 6 family traditions we love to do this time of year:

1. Intentional gratitude: We try to make gratitude a main focus starting in November. It is a great time to focus on thankfulness. We do this with fun activities with the kids like going on a scavenger hunt and also by reflecting on gratitude with the kids as we start our day.
2. Giving to others: Donations and finding a family in need feels SO good and it models and reminds our kids what this season is especially about-loving others.
3. Thanksgiving: The turkey, stuffing, cranberries and all the fixings; the cozy nights watching movies as a family; my mom’s pumpkin pie – the list goes on. The nostalgia and memories around what is familiar is a beautiful tradition we look forward to year after year. The slowing down and being restful, thankful and present with the ones we love.
4. Making Gingerbread houses as a family: I have been making these since I can remember with my family and now my kids enjoy the same fun. We enjoy the outing of going and picking out the candy then an evening of getting creative while nibbling our masterpieces.
5. Sight seeing lights: We love driving around town in the Winter listening to our favorite music while looking at all the beautiful lights voting on which ones we like best.
6. Baking: The simple act of baking together, listening to music and singing while burning our favorite pine smelling candles is another simple yet special tradition we do every year.

Ok, ok…on to the delicious recipes you don’t want to miss! Pumpkin pie is something, once November starts it may be breakfast, a snack or the perfect bedtime treat. We love pumpkin pie as a family. This season with out it would feel ALL wrong. I want to share a Pumpkin Pie recipe we love and also a delicious Caramel Apple Pice Spiced Cider recipe!

Caramel Apple Pie Spiced Cider Ingredients:

• 4 cups of apple cider
• 1/4 cup caramel syrup
• 1 tsp McCormick® Apple Pie Spice
• 2 tsp McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 tsp McCormick® Whole Cloves
• whipping cream

How to make Caramel Apple Pie Spiced Cider:

1. Simmer on low for 15-30 minutes all of your ingredients minus the whipping cream.
2. Pour into cups and top with whipping cream and caramel drizzle.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp McCormick® Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 can pumpkin (15 oz)
• 1 1/4 cups of evaporated milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 ready made pie crust

How to make delicious Pumpkin Pie:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F
2. In a bowl mix all the ingredients until smooth.
3. Pour mixture into a pie crust.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 425 then decrease down to 350 and bake another 40-50 minutes. You will know its done when you can pull a fork out clean when you prick the pie.
5. Let cool at least 2 hours.
6. Serve or place in refrigerator until you are ready to serve it.

There you have it – a delicious dessert and beverage to enjoy along with a few ideas to inspire you as you lean into the traditions you enjoy this time of year. If you love pumpkin pie you may also love these Pumpkin Cinnamon rolls .

If you love warm delicious beverages you may also like my Homemade Cocoa recipe.

We wish you a very memorable and special holiday season with you and yours. Dovidenia. XO

DON’T FORGET : Visit YOUR local Walmart store to purchase a wide variety of McCormick® Extract, Herbs & Spices, or Gravy products for yourself to fit all of your flavor needs this holiday season!