It’s official – the Holidays are upon us! There is nothing better than the memories that are made around the family table this time of year. I am a big believer in a stress free Holiday season and love creating memories with ingredients that are simple, nutritious and delicious. One of my absolute favorite staples to have on hand during the Holidays is nuts.
Nuts are a fantastic because not only are they delicious, they pair so well with cheese, honey, fruit and of course wine. I love stocking my pantry during the Holidays to include a variety of nuts — it’s the perfect ingredient to keep on hand when family and friends pop in to say hey! You can put together an impressive nut platter, pop open a bottle of wine and look like you have it all together — or so I like to think.

My top 5 Tips for Easy Holiday Entertaining with Nuts:
1. Mix up your flavor of nuts and wow your guests! While our family favorites are traditional Planters Cashews and Planters Mixed Nuts, there are so many amazing flavors. Have you tried Planters Salted Caramel, Chipotle, Cocoa and Smoked Peanuts? Such great combination of flavors that your friends and family will love.
2. Planters Nuts and Cheese make for an tasty combination — it is the perfect appetizer. Try mixing up strong cheeses with sweet nuts and mild cheeses with salty nuts. The flavor combinations are part of the fun.
3. It truly is all about the simple things in life. Planters Nuts and apples are just fantastic — add some honey or fig jam and you have a gourmet creation without the work.
4. Is there anything better than chocolate and nuts? I say No Way! This tip will take your nuts platter to a whole new level. You can just add chunks of your favorite chocolate or make your own nutty chocolate bars. Place your favorite small chocolate bar in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds on a plate. remove and add the nuts on top. Press down to keep them in place. Try some of the salty combinations and keep your guest wondering how you made those delicious bars.
5. I love using nuts in between courses. They are nutritious and a perfect way to transition from course to course, keeping your guests busy while you prepare and plate the next course. Keep it simple and make a gorgeous Nut Platter and pass it around the table or you can give everyone their own little shot glass filled with nuts at each place setting.
I know I said 5 tips but #6 is the most important one — have fun and create memories around the family table that will last a lifetime. That’s what the Holidays are all about.

Don’t forget to put out the good stuff this holiday season! With their unique combination of good fats, dietary fiber, and vitamins and minerals, nuts make a deliciously powerful addition to any holiday festivity.
Check out more tips for Holiday Entertaining with Nuts here and make any party a little classier. Follow Planters Peanuts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube – Mr. Peanut is full of entertaining ideas and tips!
I am nuts over nuts and I am excited to write this post sponsored by Planters Peanuts. All opinions are my own.







Cindy Kerschner
November 29, 2014 at 11:48 amMy guy eats Planter’s unsalted or lightly salted peanuts every night and even packs a jar when he travels! Now I’m hungry for mixed nuts!
FamilyFoodie
December 3, 2014 at 7:52 amThey are the best!
Benjamin Sethcuro
December 5, 2014 at 12:29 pmI agree! I do not remember the last time that I had Planters, but it won’t be long now that I read this post! Thanks.
Nutmeg Nanny
December 2, 2014 at 8:03 amLove this nut display! If I made this at my holiday party it would disappear in seconds!
FamilyFoodie
December 3, 2014 at 7:51 amThat is exactly what happens over here.
Jesse T.
December 4, 2014 at 12:32 amI agree! Nuts are always going very quickly when I have the family over.
Deidra Breckridge
December 5, 2014 at 12:35 pmANYTIME there are nuts involved in the family functions, they are the hardest to keep replenished at our home! I see a couple of ideas here that I would like to try, thanks!
FamilyFoodie
December 7, 2014 at 11:50 amEnjoy and I hope I inspired you to try nuts in a new way.
heathersfp
December 2, 2014 at 11:41 amyou can never go wrong with nuts
FamilyFoodie
December 3, 2014 at 7:50 amI totally agree!
Charity Dilenger
December 4, 2014 at 12:47 amEspecially when you are talking about chocolate and nuts together! This is a great post!
Hamish Randapan
December 4, 2014 at 12:52 am…and you cannot go wrong with all the variety that you see on that page linked above! Wow. A peanut is a peanut to me, but now I am going to have to re-think that!
Fran N.
December 4, 2014 at 12:33 amPlanters salted caramel? I have never heard of those, but I will be keeping my eyes peeled next time I am at the store!
FamilyFoodie
December 4, 2014 at 10:24 amThey are amazing! You are going to love them.
Melissa Damporo
December 5, 2014 at 12:37 pmI am also going to look into these. I am not a sweet tooth type of person, but caramel gets me every single time!
FamilyFoodie
December 7, 2014 at 6:13 amYou are going to love the sweet and salty combo of the caramel nuts. Delish!
Nick Wilson
December 4, 2014 at 12:34 amI personally like tip #2. One of my favorite snacks right there!
John S.
December 4, 2014 at 12:36 amTip #6 is one that everyone should remember, especially around the holidays!
Regina Trenton
December 4, 2014 at 12:41 amJust to make things a little easier, I like to put my peanuts into small shot glass type holders. This way you do not have everyone reaching into the same bowl and things like that. Nice post!
Brenda Jones
December 4, 2014 at 12:43 amOhhhh, I want to try Apples and Peanuts now! I never thought of that combo before reading through your tips. Thanks a bunch!
Melanie D.
December 4, 2014 at 12:49 amI am so glad that I read this post. I thought that putting cheese and peanuts on the same plate was something nobody did. At least I am not alone!
Becca Davis
December 4, 2014 at 12:50 amThese are very good ideas for before dinner treats or after dinner treats 🙂 Plus, when you open the bottle of wine, everyone is having fun!
FamilyFoodie
December 4, 2014 at 10:23 amSo true!
Nicky gentry
December 5, 2014 at 12:27 pmI am thinking the same thing about the wine. As soon as that is flowing and the caramel nuts are in my mouth, the party could not get any better!
Kathy Fhore
December 5, 2014 at 12:40 pmYes! BEFORE dinner treats, that is a good idea! Thanks for posting these awesome resources. What other sites do you use for after dinner recipes?
FamilyFoodie
December 7, 2014 at 6:09 amKathy check out my friend Betsy at http://www.dessertsrequired.com you will love her desserts.
kudoskitchen
December 4, 2014 at 5:40 pmI can never get enough nuts. I’d eat them all day, every day if I had the chance!
FamilyFoodie
December 7, 2014 at 6:09 amMe too! Love them!!
Gene Jackson
December 5, 2014 at 12:26 pmi remember the days when Planters was just normal peanuts. I am GLAD those days are over, what cool treat ideas!
FamilyFoodie
December 7, 2014 at 6:12 amI agree. Me too!
Nancy Jones
December 5, 2014 at 12:30 pmIn all honesty, I like the fact that it is actually a healthy type of snack. The “good” fats are key to your diet and you can never have enough peanut options on the table 🙂
FamilyFoodie
December 7, 2014 at 5:06 pmI completely agree Nancy!
Neil H.
December 5, 2014 at 12:34 pmI like this post and I just checked out the Planter’s website as well. I cannot believe the number of recipes they have there. What a great resource for family gatherings.
FamilyFoodie
December 7, 2014 at 11:50 amI agree – great recipes on the Planter’s website.
Robert Lloyd
December 5, 2014 at 12:38 pmI like to take Planter’s nuts, grind them into a power and them put then on my toasted bread with jam. The taste is so much better than actual peanut butter and it is not that hard to make. Thanks for these tips!
FamilyFoodie
December 7, 2014 at 6:09 amWhat a fantastic idea. I must try it.
Helen Jenkins
December 5, 2014 at 12:42 pmWith the holidays coming up, these tips are going to be put to a good use. Thank you for posting. Also, are some of the nut “flavors” only around this time of year? I have not seen them sold any other time.
FamilyFoodie
December 7, 2014 at 6:07 amI believe they will be offered year round. Keep a lookout at your local grocer.