Reindeer "Food"

I have been making/creating reindeer "food" for twelve years now. All you need is glitter and uncooked oatmeal. I usually use about two cups of uncooked oatmeal and a quarter cup of glitter. Mix it in a bowl and let the kids sprinkle it all over the driveway and street in front of our house. The oats are for the reindeer and the glitter is for guiding their landing. It takes about 2 minutes to make but the conversation amongst the kids is one to treasure. I assure you a tradition will be born!

Last minute

• Make sure you have serving ware clean, marked with a sticky note, and ready to go.
• Have club soda on hand for any sill hazards.
• Have at least 5 appetizer servings fore each guest.
• One side dish for every four guests.
• One serving of dessert for each guest.
• Two alcoholic drinks per guest.
• Three non alcoholic drinks per guest.
• Party favors wrapped and ready at the door for goodbyes! 

And don't forget cookies and milk for the big guy as well as a carrot or two for his reindeer. Merry Christmas.

Cocktail Glass Charms

I came across a GREAT idea for beverage glass charms for your parties to go along with your signature cocktails... We don't always have enough charms for those pretty glasses for the party, but this idea is way inexpensive and easy to pick up on your next errand run. Silly Bands! Get the littler ones to put on the stems of the glasses you're using. Match them to your party theme - they come in all kinds of styles! I assure you will have a conversation piece too. 

Homemade Christmas Keepsakes

I get crafty around the holidays. Don't misunderstand me, I don't have any more time than the next gal this time of year, I just can't help myself. Last year I found "jeweled" holiday words that you stick on "things". I bought a couple of each words thinking I would use them in the kids' scrapbooks. I got busy as most mommies do and forgot about them. I came across them the other day and was inspired! So I headed out to my local craft store and bought some wooden frames of various sizes along with a a few pre-cut mat boards. Once I got home, I stuck the jeweled holiday word on one of the outside edges of the frame, mounted our holiday picture of the family, and put it all in the frame. It cost about $3.50 all together and looks like a million bucks! It would make a great gift for family but I plan to use it as a holiday decoration for years to come.

Holiday Hostess Gifts

You never want to go to a party or get together without a gift for the host or hostess. A great bottle of wine is always appreciated by the hostess of a holiday get together, but think about a potted amaryllis or paper whites. A pot of rosemary for the kitchen is a wonderful gift for a hostess who is health conscience. Ornaments for tree trimming parties are great little gifts where if you get invited to more than one, you could purchase a boxed set to pull from. Think out of the box and I assure you will feel great about the gift of thanks you give.

PNP

Check out www.portablenorthpole.tv . I have been using this website for years. I send a personal email video to my kiddos to keep the magic alive.

Sugar Plum Treats

This simple treat - candy coated marshmallow on a stick - can be made for just about any holiday but I enjoy them most passed out to casts of Nutcracker productions! You will need:

• 14 oz. bag of candy melts (I like the Wilton brand and find it @ Michael's or Jo-Ann's)
• craft sticks or lollipop sticks
• 10 oz. bag of large marshmallows
• assorted decorating sprinkles, chopped nuts, flaked coconut, and candy
• aluminum foil
• non-stick spray

1. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray it with non-stick spray.
2. Melt the candy according to package directions. Be careful not to over heat it - the color will be cloudy or have bubbles once it hardens.
3. Insert a craft or lollipop stick into each marshmallow, dip into the candy melt then into the decoration of choice. I have small bowls of different decorations all out at once and rotate each time I dip a marshmallow to give me a variety of different looking "Sugar Plums".
4. Place each marshmallow on the lined cookie sheet to harden up.
5. Once they're all decorated, chill in the freezer for 15 minutes.

You could wrap them individually in candy sucker bags tied with ribbon or stick into a Styrofoam dome. These treats could also make great place setting markers for your Christmas Dinner Table or a "Saint Nick-ed" (similar neighborhood "event" to being Boo'd - see Halloween posts) treat to pass out to neighbors. I have even seen these at cookie exchanges. I assure you will be asked to make these treats for other events too.

Cloth Candy Canes

This is a craft that needs some drying time - maybe hours. But on a frigid day it sure keeps the kids busy making a cute decoration for the holidays. You will need:

• 3x12" strips of cotton fabric (3 per project - prints and differnt colors make the best choices)
• pipe cleaners (3 per project)
• waxed paper
• white glue
• small paint brushes

1. One at a time, lay each fabric strip - print side down - on waxed paper-covered surface and using the paint brush to coat with a thin layer of glue.
2. Place a pipe cleaner along one long edge and roll the fabric around it as tight as possible. Smooth down the outer edge.
3. Make three pipe cleaners like this for a single project.
4. Pinch together the tops of three wrapped pipe cleaners and tightly twist them into a spiral, bending the top over into a cane shape.
5. Set cane in a short drinking glass to dry ( could take several hours).
6. Neaten the ends of teh pipe cleaner canes with wire cutters.

One wintery weekend several years ago, I had a whole Christmas tree full of these and popcorn garlands. It turned out great! I kept them and use them as centerpieces some years or place setting markers. The canes look like the fruity tootie variety of candy canes you buy at the grocery store. I assure you will enjoy spending the time on this craft.

Hot Chocolate Cones

I love making these to leave at neighbors who have shoveled my sidewalk, send to school for teachers on delayed start days, and even for the mailman! These treats are easy to make. You will need:

• 3/4 cups cocoa mix
• 2 - 6x12 inch cone shaped cellophane bags (Michael's or Jo-Ann's in the candymaking section)
• 2 clear rubber bands (hair accessories section @ Target or Walmart)
• 1/4 cup mini chocoate chips
• 3/4 cup mini marshmellows
• large red gumdrops

1. Pour cocoa mix into one cellophane bag and secure with rubberband.
2. Slide this into the second cellophane bag.
3. Layer the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows and top with one red gumdrop.
4. Secure the bag with a rubberband.

I tie off mine with some pretty satin ribbon and a homemade gift tag. Each bag you make should make 4 servings and keep the recipient warm and toasty! I have used this treat for party favors at holiday get togethers and open houses. I have also used them as place setting markers for big dinner parties and classroom party crafts. I assure you the folks you give this treat to will appreciate it. Although you may want to keep a stash for the neighborhood kiddos who will be begging to shovel your sidewalk on snowy mornings!

Food Network Cookie Recipes

Food Network is posting some amazing cookie recipes! So far I have whipped up Mexican Wedding Cookies, Candy Cane Meringues, Rugalach, Rum Balls, Oat Walnut Thins, and Parmesan Pepper Balls. Oh what fun it is to bake! Trying something different always puts me in a festive mood this time of year. Having something different at the cookie exchange is a personal goal for me. Most times I look for ethnic recipes to challenge myself. It makes good conversation at open houses or other holiday get togethers and with my kiddos too. Try something kookie for your cookies - I assure you it will make you feel great!

Kid Christmas Party Themes

Still searching for a theme for the class Christmas party? Remember what makes Christmas so magical: togetherness and tradition. The themed list below will bring everyone together for a fun event and create lasting memories for the little ones.

Gingerbread House Making

"Raise the roof" … with a gingerbread house-making party.
For young children, pre-build small houses out of graham crackers. The best “glue” to hold the walls together is royal icing, but I like to use pre-made frosting. If it's too warm, though, the house will fall apart.
Set out an array of candies and give each child a plastic sandwich bag filled with icing, tied off and with a small hole poked in one corner. Show them some basic for decorating the houses, i.e., using shredded coconut as snow, peppermint pathways or Lifesaver windows.
For favors, give aprons or gingerbread cookies in cellophane bags.
If you have teens and need to kick this theme up a notch, have the kids design and bake their house parts ahead of time and bring them to the party. Give everyone an hour to assemble and decorate their houses and invite some neighbor judges over to choose the best one. The teens’ creativity might surprise you.

Kids' Christmas Party Cookie Exchange

Cookie making is a fun Christmas tradition, but who has time to make more than two or three kinds? Cookie exchange to the rescue!
Ask guests to bring two dozen of the same type of cookie to the party, plus enough copies of the recipe for each attendee. Display the cookies on a table, with the recipe cards and the child’s name next to each tray.
Then, each child loads up an empty plate with two of each type of cookie. While making their way around the table, the children also should pick up a copy of each recipe. Set up a station where the kids can then decorate covers and bind the recipes into small cookbooks as a memento of the party.

Crafty Christmas

It wasn’t all that long ago that Christmas gifts were made, not purchased. Bring back the tradition by hosting a Christmas craft party.
You could focus your ornaments only and set up three different stations where the children can make different decorations for the tree. Or have them undertake other projects like calendars or decorating candles with sequins. The kids also could make wrapping paper or cards at the party.
The crafts should be enough of a favor, but you could also send these creative kids home with a blank artist’s notebook and a set of Crayons or drawing pencils.

Party with a Purpose

It’s natural for kids to associate Christmas with receiving presents, but help them find the deeper meaning by reaching out to those who are less fortunate.
Throw a party with a purpose either by focusing on a charitable theme or simply asking guests to bring nonperishable food, winter coats or other donations to a regular Christmas bash. You could decorate the main table with a large stack of canned goods shaped like a tree, trim a tree with scarves as garland or hang strings of mittens above every doorway.

A Caroling We Go

A night of Christmas caroling can be cold, but it sure warms the heart. And using this theme as a classroom party offers an opportunity to share the holiday spirit with others.
Hand out songbooks you’ve made with copies of some favorite carols and gather everyone around the piano or stereo to practice. Stick to two or three short songs they can easily memorize. "Bundle up," hand everyone a candlestick or flashlight and then spread holiday cheer by singing door to door. Have the kids take turns presenting neighbors with a plate of cookies before moving onto the next classroom. Someone should stay back in the classroom to make hot cider, hot cocoa and other warm treats to await the carolers when they return.

Rock Around the Christmas Tree

Break from tradition with a Rock ‘n’ Roll kids' Christmas party.
Spray the kids’ hair with temporary red and green dye when they arrive (with parental permission, of course) and brand everyone with some holiday tatoos. Push aside the desks, hang a disco ball and let the kids dance to holiday songs by their favorite artists. If you’re up for it, rent a karaoke machine.
When it comes to food, what rock star doesn’t love pizza? Tie yours to Christmas by making mini pizzas in holiday shapes. To do this, cut the dough with cookie cutters before adding the toppings. For favors, send everyone home with a music-themed tree ornament, such as an electric guitar or drum set, or a CD burned with some of the Christmas songs.

Polar Express P.J. Party

Whether it’s the book by Chris Van Allsburg or the movie starring Tom Hanks, The Polar Express is a beloved Christmas story.
On invitations made to look like train tickets, invite kids to come to school dressed in pajamas. Serve hot chocolate (a nod to a particular scene from the story) and a train-shaped cake.
Read the book or show the movie, then send everyone home with a jingle bell, a reference to how the boy in The Polar Express finally believes Santa Claus is real.

Christmas Around the World

Give your kids’ Christmas party an international theme by hosting a Christmas-around-the-world party.
Assign a different country to each child, being sure to include Turkey, the homeland of Saint Nicholas, Germany, which is partially credited for the tradition of decorating a tree, and Mexico, where families hold neighborhood posadas. Research how other cultures celebrate Christmas, too.
Ask everyone to bring a side dish that represents the culture assigned to them, sing songs that tie to the countries, such as Stille Nacht (Silent Night) in German, and teach the kids to say, "Merry Christmas," in different languages.

Make sure you coordinate with the classroom teacher regarding "rules" for holiday parties at your child's school. I especially love the Party with a Purpose, but tend to host many Polar Express PJ parties myself. The holidays are magical especially with children involved. I assure you will have a merry heart planning any of these themes whether for classrooms or even in your home.

Holiday Games for Kids

When you plan the classroom holiday party, it's always a good idea to have a few games to play. The following is list of some that may work:

Gift Wrap Relay
You will need:

• An identical box for each team
• Pre-cut wrapping paper
• Tape
• Ribbon (optional)

Directions:

1. Wrap the packages before the party.
2. Divide the children into teams.
3. Each team will receive a wrapped gift box, wrapping paper sheet for each player tape and possibly ribbon.
4. Place these items on a table or the floor for a gift wrap station.
5. To play the game, a team member will leave their group, run to the gift station, unwrap the gift, rewrap the gift, and run back to tag the next team member. The first team to have each member wrap the gift wins.

Tip: An unopened box of macaroni and cheese works well for this game.


Find the Christmas Star Game

• Hide star ornaments before the party.
• Divide the children into teams and send them searching for an ornament.

Pass the Parcel Game

• Before the party, place enough Christmas treats (Candy canes, chocolate kisses, erasers) for all of the guests in a small box and wrap it.
• Then place the parcel into a bigger box and wrap that as well. Then again and again until there are several layers of wrapping.
• To play the game everyone sits in circle. Play Christmas music while passing the "parcel" around from player to player.
• When the music stops, the player holding the parcel unwraps one layer.
• Then, play the music and begin passing again.
• Continue to play until the last layer is unwrapped and the treats are handed out.

TIP: It may be easier to have the players only partially unwrap during their turn. That way every player is sure to get a turn. We also only use a few boxes but several layers of paper.


Snowball Race
You will need:

• Styrofoam balls or balls of white yarn
• Spoons and mittens for each team

Directions:

• Play this game as you would any relay race: divide into teams.
• Each player takes turns putting on mittens and balancing a "snowball" on a spoon while racing to the other side of the room.
• Drop the snowball into a bucket, return to the team, pass the mittens and go to the back of the line.
• First team to complete the race wins!

Santa Trip

• Players sit in a circle.
• The first player says,"On Christmas Eve I'm traveling with Santa and I'm going to take (something starting with A )".
• The next player repeats the first object and adds an object beginning with B continue the game through the alphabet.
• If there are more players than 26 letters...start again at "A".

Christmas Tree Trimming Party

A festive and casual Christmas Tree Trimming Party is a great holiday season party theme. It can be planned as an Open House where your guests arrive to find a naked tree and a house that is not quite ready for holidays. If you're lucky, at the party's end, your tree will be fully dressed and ready to welcome Father Christmas. So before your guests arrive, purchase your tree and set it up in its stand - and make sure have a plan for food!

The party can be held any time of the day. For a weekend afternoon gathering, the simplest food option is to have plates of cookies and sweets with festive holiday drinks. Or invite guests to come after dinner for wine and cheese. A weekend brunch is a relaxing option or early supper buffets are an heartier option. It will all depend on how much cooking you will want to do, but serve your food buffet style, since this will be an active party with your guests moving around decorating, or at least admiring, your tree. 

Have ornaments and decorations available for guests to hang on nearby tables in decorative bowls or baskets. Leave the most precious ones for later for safety. If you have a fireplace, light a fire in the hearth and play Christmas carols as background music. If you have a piano, place Christmas sheet music on it in case any of your guests feel inspired to play. Set up a table for guests to make their own ornaments to take home as a party favor. Jo-Ann's and Michael's have kits available. You could set up bowls of popcorn and cranberries in cozy corners of your home for guests to string as decorations for your tree or ribbon scraps and staplers. It's a great way for guests who don't know one another well to interact.

If nothing else you will have helped your friends to forget, at least momentarily, their seasonal chores, and to remember the fun of the holiday season. I assure you will be left with holiday cheer and a little less decorating to do yourself.

Cookie Exchange

'Tis the season of eating! Many holiday traditions includes baking Christmas cookies. It can be time consuming if you're anything like me where you plan to bring a variety for an attractive cookie tray for holiday parties. But the Cookie Exchange Party is the solution to keep the fun in the baking and minimize the time pressure.

To host a cookie exchange party, invite friends who also enjoy holiday baking to bring a large batch of one type of cookie to your home. You could expand the definition of the party to include other treats - home made candy, chocolate covered pretzels, or other festive sweets. During the party, everyone shares the treats, giving everyone a variety, but only requires baking one recipe. Ask everyone bring an extra dozen for the party table, and the you have instant refreshments to serve to guests!

10 Tips for a Great Cookie Exchange

1. Ask each guest to bring either a dozen cookies for each attendee, plus a dozen for the party.
2. Have plastic storage bags, holiday themed tins or paper plates and foil just in case guests forget to bring a container for transporting their cookies home. * Reminder: store each cookie variety in separate containers until serving. Mixed cookie varieties lose their flavor and texture.
3. Ask guests to bring copies of their recipe to share. 
4. Have a large table for guests to set out their cookies with a festive cloth. have baskets, trays or plates on the table for each guest to place their contributions.
5. Place an extra platter on the table for the cookies that will be enjoyed during the party.
6. Play Christmas music throughout the gathering.
7. Have some festive decorations in the party room.
8. A cookie exchange can be held any time of the day.
9. Serve refreshments that can be prepared in advance and reheated at the party.
10. Serve at least one holiday beverage such as egg nog or hot mulled cider along with coffee, tea, juices and, of course, milk!

Family Circle magazine November issue has a variety of recipes perfect for a cookie exchange party. Although, I recommend a cookie recipe that is a family tradition to share. In any case, I assure  you will have some great looking trays and recipes to take to other holiday parties.

Holiday Greetings

Whether you send photo cards, store bought cards, letters or homemade cards, you better get going if you want them to arrive by the holidays. Although I have friends that send them on purpose to arrive in time for New Year's Day along with that theme. In years past I have done store bought cards and I then graduated into hand-made cards to send a little bit of me. That got harder each year as we had children and the list of friends continued to grow. I branched off into "the holiday letter" - a tricky piece of territory in my family. I have heard for many, many years how some letters are so boring or "braggy" or simply just have ages and dates changed from my mother I knew I would have to come up with something good. I searched the Internet to see what ideas were out there and come up with a short multiple choice quiz - the teacher in me was shining through! I wrote 10 questions two about each individual family member and two about big news from the year. It was just enough to share about our past year and brag about my kids. The next year I found a story where you could fill in the blanks to personalize it for your family. It turned out brilliantly and quite entertaining if I say so myself. Another year I came up with a crossword puzzle - I used I web site I had in the past for a classroom project for social studies - you just can't get the teacher out of me. last year had to be the most fun for me. My son decided he wanted to celebrate Hanukkah - we're not Jewish by the way. I came up with a newspaper themed letter. The headline was about Hanukkah because I knew it would flip a few people out. In the lead article I explained what was going on with holiday celebrations at our house including my 7 year old son's fascination with Hanukkah. I included articles about sports the kids were involved in - my favorite was the piece I wrote about my son's fencing lessons and him feeling like a pincushion - "money matters" because of my husband's job, and education because my daughter had started middle school that year.I had fun with it and couldn't stop laughing as I was writing it. The best part of these letters is the kudos - if you will - we get after the holidays. People really do call to catch up and nurture relationships. The downside is that I have to come with and even better idea the next year! How ever you send your holiday cards this year, do it with cheer in your heart. I assure you will enjoy the task even more.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties are gaining ground on traditional holiday party themes. Not just for friends and family hosting in their homes but sometimes these parties occur at work places too! I found a website http://www.uglychristmassweaterparty.com/ for you to check out. Most of these raise money for local charities - great idea in my opinion. The three men who started the website have a book Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book as well. The part I loved was,

"When choosing an Ugly Christmas sweater, your main goal should be to stimulate as many of the five senses as possible. You will want to pick a sweater that is so retina-burning colorful that the only way people will be able to look at you is through one of those foil-covered boxes students make so they can look at a solar eclipse."

I laughed until I cried. This is the perfect party theme for men to enjoy! Instead of fighting with them to get ready to leave for a holiday get together; they will have been planning and combing Goodwill stores for a sweater to do just what is quoted above!

On a bit of a side note...the latest uncommon goods catalog has reclaimed Christmas sweater scarves that are pretty fun to wear. After a few Ugly Christmas Sweater parties you could have a reclaimed Christmas Sweater Scarf Making party!

I believe in bringing cheer into the holiday season full throttle. What a great way to do that with a party theme like Ugly Christmas Sweater Party! I assure you everyone (men included) will have a great time.

Leftovers and More Leftovers

Go to www.Allrecipes.com for some amazing Thanksgiving leftover recipes. You can even add your own! I have found some great turkey chili, soup, and other creative recipes that my family enjoys. It's tough when your eating the same thing every day this weekend but I assure you will feel great after putting together recipes from this site.

Easy Oreo Truffles

Happy Thanksgiving! Get that turkey in the oven!

Found this recipe @ http://www.fabulousfoods.com/ and I tried them out -they're FANTASTIC and SO easy! You will need:

• 1 package Oreo cookies
• 1 - 8 oz. package cream cheese
• 2 packages semi sweet chocolate chips

1. Grind up cookies in a food processor (I use my blender) until they're in fine crumbs.
2. Add cream cheese to the cookie crumbs and blend until combined.
3. Place the mixture in the freezer for 10 minutes.
4. Roll combined mixture into 1 - 1/2 inch balls and place on parchment-lined cookie sheet.
5. Put back into freezer (may be made 1 week ahead of time at this point).
6. Melt chocolate chips in microwave on low or double boiler.
7. Dip frozen balls into chocolate and put back on parchment.
8. Decorate with chopped nuts,sprinkles, coconut, Heath bar bits, or extra cookie crumbs before the chocolate dries.
9. Freeze until ready to serve.

The kids loved them, my in-laws loved them, the neighbors loved them. I assure you will have the same success as I.

24 hours and counting

I plan to bake and prepare all the desserts today. The turkey will be thoroughy thawed by tomorrow as I took it out of the freezer Monday morning and transferred to the refrigerator. My 12 year old daughter will be setting the table inbetween dessert projects; so I found a great picture guide in Family Circle magazine this month. It's on page 78. I hope you enjoy your day of preparations as much as I will!

Easy Snack Food for the Holiday

I found some red pistachios and green pepitas (pumpkin seeds) to make some festive snack bowls to pass around with drinks. Use a white bowl and fill one side with the red and the other green. I use a piece of paper to divide the bowl and it looks GREAT!