Jackson's 1st Birthday Sneak Peek (& a $110 Gift Card GIVEAWAY!!)

My sweet little boy turns one two weeks from today.. *sigh*

..it's probably a good thing I've been planning his birthday party since he was one month old!

If you follow me on Pinterest, you may have seen my board chock full of ideas for Jackson's Winter Wonderland themed 1st birthday party--I'm so excited to see it coming to life and just have to share a sneak preview with you all today!

When I found this invite on Etsy, I knew it was "the one"--doesn't that little boy look like Jax?!

Treat boxes? Check. 1st Birthday Shirt? Check. Caffeine for Mom & Dad? Check.

It's no secret that I have a huge girl crush on Jenny Keller and her amazing dessert tables (particularly this Christmas themed one)--I know my table (and desserts) won't look nearly as amazing as Jennys do, but I'm going to give this dessert table fad the old college try for Jax's party! Wish me luck!

Speaking of desserts (and tables of dessert), I've already started baking and freezing different kinds of cookies and homemade treats for Jackson's guests to enjoy and take home with them! My original plan was to just serve sweets, hot chocolate, and adult beverages, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that not everyone likes snacking on sugar alone (hard to believe, I know!).

That's when I decided that it was time for Jackson and me to take a trip to our neighborhood Safeway to get ideas for other snacks to serve.

Yeah, yeah, I know this is still considered sweet but come. on. Peppermint flavored whipped cream?? PERFECT for our hot chocolate bar!

Cheese and crackers is such an easy, yet satisfying snack to serve.. only, which cheese(s) do we choose?!

It looks like our birthday boy has spoken.

You can't have a Christmas party without a little Eggnog!

These aren't for the party.. these are for me (come to mamma, Salted Caramel creamer..).

Since 1904, families have enjoyed rich, creamy dairy products from Lucerne^®. With so many choices like wholesome milk, tasty cheese and smooth butter, it's easy to see why it's been loved for generations.

Here are a few tasty recipes that I'll definitely be serving on my dessert table:

 Cheery Cheese Ball

Ingredients

• 2 cups Lucerne® shredded triple cheddar blend (yellow mild, yellow sharp and white Vermont cheddar)
• ¼ cup Lucerne Cream Cheese
• 2 roasted garlic cloves, smashed into a paste
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp chives, minced
• 2 tsp paprika
• Open Nature™ Flatbread Crackers
• Wine Syrup:
• 1 cup Headsnapper Radiant Red Wine
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar

Directions

1. To make Wine Syrup, add red wine and sugar to a medium saucepan and reduce slowly over medium heat until thick and syrupy, or it measures about a quarter of its original volume. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool to room temperature.
2. Combine cheeses, garlic, salt, pepper, and chives in a food processor. Pulse the ingredients until for 30 seconds or until softened and mixed, then form into a round ball using your hands.
3. To serve, sprinkle plate with paprika and drizzle with half of the Wine Syrup. Place “cheese ball” in center of plate, drizzle with remaining Wine Syrup and surround with crackers.

Zesty Holiday Dip

Ingredients

• 2 cups Lucerne Sour Cream
• 1 cup Safeway Kitchens Whole Green Chilies – Fire Roasted
• 2 cups waterfront BISTRO Fully Cooked Shrimp
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp chopped chives

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. In a medium bowl mix together sour cream, chilies, fully cooked shrimp, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour mixture into an oven-safe casserole dish and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until it begins to bubble around the edges.
4. Remove from oven and sprinkle with paprika and chives, then serve immediately with chips and flatbread crackers.

Cream Cheese Peppermint Dip

 Ingredients

• 8 oz Lucerne® Whipped Cream Cheese, softened
• ½ cup Lucerne Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
• ½ cup Safeway Kitchens Powdered Sugar
• ¼ tsp peppermint extract
• 6 Safeway Starlight Mints, crushed
• Suggestion: Chocolate-covered pretzels and graham crackers to serve with dip

Directions

1. Put cream cheese, ricotta, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract into a mixing bowl. Using a mixer, mix on high for 2 minutes.
2. Chill 30 minutes before serving.
3. Garnish with crushed peppermints and serve with chocolate-covered pretzels and graham crackers.

It all looks so yummy, huh?! For more fun holiday recipes (featuring Lucerne products) and ideas, be sure to follow Safeway on Pinterest! And to get your Christmas grocery shopping started, Safeway is generously giving away a $110 gift card to one of my readers!! To enter, just follow the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was compensated for this post with product and/or payment; however, opinions are 100% mine and as always, I would never recommend something to my readers that I wouldn't use myself.