Festive plans every night of the week. Parties that start in early December and continued until the day I finally made the trek south down 95 on Christmas Eve. More tartan outfits than I care to admit. This is what my holiday season looked like for years.
There was tradition, yes, but it was more in the doing and attending than the creating memories closer to home. Perhaps it was moving into a neighborhood that felt more adult, but, recently, I’d gotten the itch to make my holiday season more about the quiet traditions of making and nesting than ticking off event after event (though, trust me, I’ll be back to my favorite annual parties next year when the idea of finding a babysitter doesn’t seem quite so insurmountable).
Growing up, one of the traditions that I loved was the person known for making a signature treat. Each year, there was that neighbor who you expected would swing by with the saltine toffee or the puppy chow. There’s such a charming nostalgia in those small cellophane bags filled with something that tastes familiar (and delicious!) year-after-year.
And I made an intentional decision in recent years that I would join the ranks of those who have a holiday treat that friends and neighbors look forward to annually.
The Nostalgic Flavor of the Season
Last year, I debuted my oyster cracker recipe at a small new year’s gathering. This year, I made large batches of oyster crackers to give out to guests (we did more entertaining at home than going out this year!), as well as fire crackers and sugar cookies to distribute to neighbors. With holiday music playing and the nostalgic smells wafting through the house, the production of all these goodies was as festive as any party. These are the flavors that only come around once a year, and that’s how it should be. Sure, you could make oyster crackers in the spring, but they wouldn’t taste the same as when they’re sitting in a little red bowl at a gathering.
My hope is that friends will begin to look forward to these little treats each year, knowing they’ll have them at my house during the holidays or dropped off on a front stoop just a few days before Christmas.
Ranch Oyster Cracker Recipe
These seasoned oyster crackers are one of the easiest things you’ll make all holiday season. I made no fewer than six batches during the month of December. I doubled the recipe each time just to make sure I had enough on hand…and you could say I was generously heavy-handed with the spices. You can never have too much, right?
- 32 oz. oyster crackers
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 packets of ranch mix (yes, I usually make my own, but the goal is efficiency here!)
- 3 teaspoons dill
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Mix all ingredients in a one-gallon ziploc bag. Toss until all crackers are coated in oil and seasoning. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 250 degrees. Cool. Enjoy!
