Gather round the table, we’ll give you a treat. Spinning tops to play with and good things to eat. Cheer comes in all forms throughout the holiday season and for those of Jewish faith, it takes shape through the celebration of Hanukkah (aka The Festival of Lights).

Unlike other holidays within the Jewish calendar that require individuals to fast and abstain from work, such as Passover, Sukkot, and Yom Kippur, Hanukkah festivities are filled with games, gifts, and feasting. Beginning the evening of December 24, many families light menorahs, one candle each night and children receive gifts throughout, such as gelt or money. Games using small wooden tops called dreidels are also played. The dreidel is adorned with lettering across each of its sides that when read together translates to — a great miracle happened there.

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Twinkling lights, sleigh bells ringing, and a jolly man decked in a red suit and white beard are all familiar images of many who celebrate Christmas here in the United States. For others around the world however, the holiday can evoke thoughts of pinatas filled with candies and coins, goblins, and even a half-goat, half-demon called upon to punish naughty children. These global traditions may not always make it stateside, but there are certainly others with International origins.

People have celebrated Christmas in some way, shape, or form worldwide for 2,000 years. Starting in the fourth century as a remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ in Christianity, adoption spread from Egypt to England to Scandinavia and more by the end of the eighth century. The first ‘Christmas trees’ found roots in Germany with the decoration of evergreen trees having been a tradition previously in German celebrations of the winter solstice.

Another popular decorative plant—the poinsettia—was brought to North America by the American minister of Mexico in 1828. With its vibrant red and green flowers, poinsettias are often also referred to as the Christmas Star and Christmas Flower. It is said to symbolize good cheer and success, and can be found in homes throughout the holiday season.

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Forget boring cookies or cupcakes, our push pops are a far more fun and creative treat for any season and type of event. This time of year, our Gingerbread Jingle push pops are ideal to serve at a holiday party. Or, treat your family and friends to some delicious S’mores push pops while cozying up around the fireplace. Push pops are a great way to impress your guests, plus they’re easy to eat with zero mess.

With so many choose from, here is a list of our top 10 favorite push pops. Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE & BUTTERCREAM CUPCAKE PUSH POP

Layers of chocolate cake & buttercream, garnished with chocolate sprinkles.

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Thanks to the fast-approaching holiday season, many of you are preparing to entertain friends and family. Although it might seem like quite a production, preparing for the holidays doesn’t have to be extravagant. Even the simplest of decorations can be elegant when executed well.

Don’t let yourself get too stressed out and overwhelmed by the thought of welcoming guests into your home, and all the preparation that goes into entertaining them. Try to enjoy this special time of year with those closest to you.

Here are some simple tips that will help you entertain during the holidays with style.

Party Preparation

The most important factors when planning your party are these three critical elements:

• Food (the most critical, of course!)
• Drinks
• Conversation

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Thanksgiving is just around the corner and waiting till the last minute to plan can add unnecessary stress. Thanksgiving is the time to enjoy family and food, and give thanks for your good fortune. But, all of that can get undercut if you’re overwhelmed by all the prep that goes into hosting a big turkey dinner. This year, let us handle the stress and mess, so that you can maximize family time.

Catering by Michaels will deliver a delicious Thanksgiving feast right to your door. Enjoy a traditional homemade dinner without the workload. And choose from a variety of traditional or non-traditional sides and pies to customize your Thanksgiving meal.

Guests will definitely go back for seconds of Herb Roasted Turkey Breast, and our Butter Toffee Apple Pie always gets rave reviews. Add don’t forget to order our favorite White Cheddar Mac & Cheese for those picky eaters or just to up the comfort quotient.

View our entire Thanksgiving menu here.

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