Hickory Farms brings the Holidays to our Troops and a Give-away!

When I received the e-mail from Hickory Farms asking me to help

promote their FREE military shipping and Operation Gratitude, which

helps send delicious Hickory Farms gifts to our Troops and families in need, I

almost did not open it. Afterall, I'd just finished placing a huge order to ship to

the Ranger and his buddies so I assumed the e-mail was just confirmation of my

order. It's like Hickory Farms and their marketing department are psychic! I mean,

who doesn't love Hickory Farms? I can't imagine celebrating the holidays without it!

Hickory Farms and I go waaaaay back! My first memory of them is from

the summer of 1976... I was ten years old and it was the first time I could

remember being in the states. Prior to that, (and again shortly thereafter)

our family lived in Germany where the Captain was stationed for nearly

all of his twenty years of service to the US Army. Don't misunderstand me,

because there is nothing in this world I'd trade for being born and raised

in Germany... It was the best life! However, there were no malls and there

was no Hickory Farms. So imagine the wonder of being dropped into the

middle of White Lakes Mall in Topeka and seeing mile-long ribbons of

savory Hickory Farms sausage wrapped around the very first Icee machine

you have ever seen. It was wild. And, tasty! And... I loved every minute of it!

Of course, Hickory Farms has evolved and no longer offers beef rope by the

yard... But even better, today Hickory Farms offers high-quality gifts packed

full of sweet nibbles and classic savory meats and cheeses that everyone can

be proud to include in their holiday feasting celebrations. Hickory Farms has

long been a part of our holiday traditions and, ever since the Ranger began

deploying around the holidays, I always ensure Hickory Farms makes it into the

packages we send him to share with his battle brothers. So what about you...?

What goodies always make your holidays more special? Is it Hickory Farms

or something else that confirms the holiday season is finally here?

How we spend and celebrate the holidays changes over the years... When your

children are little and you're trying to keep them from filling up on cheese and

crackers so they'll have room for the turkey you got up at five o'clock in the

morning to prepare, you wish for the day they're all grown up. Then, when

they're all grown up and your child spends the last four holidays in Afghanistan,

you realize you would give anything to have cheese and cracker problems again...

Nevertheless, while the way we celebrate our holidays and who we celebrate with may change, memories of our past holidays and hopes for future holidays spent together again is what keep me moving long... And, I'm thankful again this year that traditional American companies like Hickory Farms is not only still around after sixty-one years, but also that they continue to innovate their products and take the lead to support our men and women in uniform.

 

By offering FREE oversease shipping and by donating products to our troops, Hickory Farms ensures that every solider can have a little bit of home for the holidays no matter where in the world their job takes them. So if you're a military mom or dad, brother or sister, aunt, uncle, grandma or grandpa or just love someone in the military, send them Hickory Farms! And, if you're just ordering for your own holiday, be sure to consider one of the many Hickory Farms gift packages partnered with Operation Gratitude that come with the promise from Hickory Farms to donate back to our troops!

 

Heck! You don't have to buy anything to help send delicious Hickory Farms to our troops... Simply Like Hickory Farms on Facebook and for every 1,000 likes, Hickory Farms will donate $100 to Operation Gratitude!

 

Now, about that Give-away I promised...

 

Simply leave a comment telling me about your favorite holiday tradition, food-related or not and you'll be entered to win a Home for the Holidays gift box valued at $55.50 and so generously provided by the good people at Hickory Farms. Be sure to include your e-mail address along with your city and state. 

 

In consideration for my mention, Hickory Farms sent me the same, which I promptly turned around to Afghanistan just yesterday!

 

For extra entries, Tweet, mention my give-away on your own blog or Facebook page and tell me you did it! Winner will be selected at random and announced on Tuesday December 4th!

 

Although it's been a terribly sad week for our family and the holidays certainly won't be the same, (again) without our Ranger here to celebrate with us, there is still so much we have to be thankful for. I am comforted by amazing parents, the love of a good man, two fine sons and more friends than I deserve. I delight in the joys of your holidays and wish you the best life has to offer, with love.