The holiday season is here, and at Coastal Inns, we believe there’s no better time to celebrate family, friends, and cherished traditions. Whether it’s whipping up a classic family recipe, sharing your favourite traditions, or hunting for unique gifts, the holidays are a time to spread warmth and joy. We’ve gathered a little inspiration to help you embrace the magic of the season, with heartfelt ideas from some of our very own team members.
Delicious Holiday Recipes to Try
The holiday season is made even more memorable when we gather around the table and share family recipes. Here are some tried-and-true dishes from the teams at Coastal Inns that are sure to become favourites in your household too.
Chocolate Chip Meringue Drops
Shared by the team at Coastal Inn Digby, these treats melt in your mouth and bring a sweet touch to your festivities!
Ingredients:
- 2 large egg whites
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 tbsp cocoa
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or substitute with white chocolate chips)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 250°F.
- Beat egg whites until frothy, gradually adding sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold in cocoa and chocolate chips.
- Drop small dollops onto a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour.
- Turn off the oven and leave the cookies inside to dry for an additional hour.
Cheese & Bacon Dip
This crowd-pleaser, shared by Randy at Coastal Inn Moncton, is perfect for entertaining or as a family snack.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup Miracle Whip
- ¾ cup crumbled cooked bacon
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- 3 cups grated cheese (marble or old cheddar)
Directions:
- Blend cream cheese and Miracle Whip until smooth in a small casserole dish.
- Stir in bacon crumbles, green onions, and 2 cups of grated cheese.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake at 350°F until edges are lightly browned.
- Serve warm or cool with chips, pita, crackers, or bread.
Cranberry Meatballs
From Paul at Coastal Inn Halifax, these tangy meatballs are a holiday classic.
Ingredients for Meatballs:
- 1¾ lbs ground beef
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup diced onion
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp ketchup, ½ tsp garlic powder
Ingredients for Cranberry Sauce:
- 1 14oz can cranberry sauce
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ cup chili sauce
Directions:
- Mix meatball ingredients, roll into small balls, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- Heat cranberry sauce ingredients until smooth and mix with meatballs in a casserole dish.
- Bake covered for 20-50 minutes.
Holiday Traditions to Warm the Heart
The holidays are all about slowing down and making meaningful memories with loved ones. At Coastal Inns, our team members treasure their own family traditions that bring comfort, joy, and connection during the holiday season. Here are some of the ones that topped their lists:
- Melissa (Coastal Inn Digby): For Melissa, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without a Christmas cookie decorating party with her children. The smell of freshly baked cookies filling the house, along with the fun (and sometimes messy!) creativity of decorating, is a cherished activity that brings laughter and joy to her family every year.
- Rhoda and Clifford (Coastal Inn Digby): Christmas Eve is always a special, intimate occasion for Rhoda, Clifford, and their three adult children. Their unique tradition involves ordering takeout from all of their favourite restaurants and spending the evening together watching Christmas movies. Their 22-year-old non-verbal autistic son especially delights in this tradition, enjoying the variety of foods and the cozy, family-focused atmosphere. It’s a heartwarming reminder that some of the best holiday moments are spent in a relaxed, loving environment with the people who matter most.
- Kimberly (Coastal Inn Halifax): For Kimberly, the holiday season isn’t complete without grabbing a peppermint white hot chocolate and driving around Halifax Regional Municipality to admire the spectacular Christmas light displays. Watching classic holiday movies and spending quality time with family and friends rounds out her favourite traditions, creating a festive mix of warmth and nostalgia.
- Dawn (Coastal Inn Halifax): Dawn treasures the art of giving during the holidays. She loves the excitement of finding the perfect gift for someone special, focusing on giving rather than receiving. Baking cookies and other holiday treats for friends and family is another tradition she holds dear—because sharing sweet treats is one of the simplest ways to show love and care.
Creative Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be stressful. This year, think outside the box with gifts that feel personal, meaningful, and unique:
- Support Local Artisans: Handmade crafts, stained glass, or woodwork from local artists can add a personal and heartfelt touch to your gifts. Check out holiday markets or small boutiques near you for one-of-a-kind finds.
- Experiences Over Things: Gift a family outing to a festive event, such as a holiday light festival or a performance at a local theatre. These create lasting memories and make for wonderful surprises.
- Homemade Treats: Baking up some of your favourite holiday goodies to gift in decorative tins is a thoughtful (and delicious) way to show you care.
- Self-Care Packages: Treat someone special to a relaxing gift, such as a cozy blanket, scented candles, or a gift card to their favourite café.
- Adventure-Inspired Gifts: Consider passes to local attractions or even a mini weekend getaway—because sometimes, the best gift is a little time away!
Seasonal Events to Enjoy
Celebrate the holidays with fun-filled events near Coastal Inns locations:
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- Wild Lights at Magnetic Hill Zoo (Moncton): Stroll through a sparkling wonderland from Nov. 29 to Jan. 4.
- Evergreen Festival (Halifax): Experience live music, markets, and festive light displays on the waterfront from Nov. 22 to Dec. 15.
- Festival of Trees (Digby): Sissiboo Landing transforms into a festive forest from Nov. 30 to Dec. 7.
- A Crossroads Christmas Jamboree Vol 3 (Antigonish): Take in an afternoon of music, comedy, and dance at Saint Joseph’s Lakeside Community Centre on Dec. 8th!
- Grandma & Eunice: The Christmas Bachelorettes (Sackville, NB): A brand new dinner theatre presented by Stage East! Running from Dec. 4-8
At Coastal Inns, we are honoured to be a part of your holiday celebrations, whether it’s through shared traditions, recipes, or cozy stays with your loved ones. Wishing you and your family a season filled with joy, warmth, and cherished memories.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Coastal Inns!