December 2010 entries

December 27, 2010

It’s a new year, it’s a new you, it’s a new me!  Fresh start here we come.  It’s time to make some New Year’s resolutions and stick to them.  And I wish you all good luck!  The Party Girl, me, thinks that maybe I’ll have a chance this time because it’s not only a new year, but a new decade.  Or was last year a new decade?  Don’t care.  Don’t want to know.  Don’t want anything to rain on my resolution parade. 

My list this year will not be set up for failure.  Too many times I have been resolute to do this and that and by mid-January, I am forced to admit defeat. 

In the past, weight loss resolutions alone filled a page.  This year, no promises to only order what I can eat, to eat less carbs, to eat more vegetables, to eat nothing fried, to eat before 7, to read all food labels and if sugar is in the first 10 items or sodium is through the roof to put it back nor will I promise to walk off dinners with more than 500 calories or to never eat anything with eyes. 

There will be no resolutions/commitments to put my dirty laundry in the hamper so the dog doesn’t eat it, to pick something up off the floor when I drop it, to not wait until the needle is on empty and gas is at its highest to fill up nor will I once again make a resolution to slather Vitamin E cream on every square inch of my body to prevent that ghastly winter skin.  There will also be no pledges to write thank you notes to every single person that does something nice for me.  No commitment to return every phone call within 24 hours.  And no pact to use coupons, whether 10¢ off or $10 off (except when I get fuel perks). 

That’s right.  Is there anything left?  I guess not.  So I guess I don’t need any resolutions this year. 

December 21, 2010

I am a big fan of ice cream, and candy bars.  And my enjoyment of these two does not change when the cold weather blows into Cleveland (woo hoo Ohio weather!).  This delicious Snickers Milkshake is a change from the cookies and other desserts on the docket this holiday season, but I wanted to share it because it is a great holiday (and anytime) dessert. 

Ingredients:

At least 3 Snickers candy bars

French Vanilla Ice Cream

Hershey’s chocolate syrup

Creamy Peanut Butter

Milk

Blender

Directions:

Scoop ice cream into the blender. 

Chop up your Snickers candy bars.  I found that keeping them in the freezer and pulling them out 10 minutes before you are ready to start makes them much easier to chop. 

Now you’ll notice I didn’t give any amounts for the Snickers, syrup or peanut butter.  This is because it’s up to you.  When I made them, it was a spoonful of peanut butter and 4 seconds of chocolate syrup.  It’s not scientific, but it is delicious. 

Now pour in your milk.  Again, the amount of milk will determine the consistency of your milk shake, and it’s your call. 

Blend till you are satisfied. 

I really enjoy this milkshake because it is super yummy.  You can also change it to make it more to your liking.  So if you really like peanut butter, add more peanut butter.  The power is yours!  I hope you enjoy this holiday milkshake as much as I do.  Happy Holidays! 

December 20, 2010

Did you realize it’s almost Christmas?  Seriously, check your calendar, it’s almost the 25th.  Which is all fine and dandy, but I’m not done with my shopping. ( Check that, haven’t started.)  So how do I cope with this last minute stress? 

Give a group present.  I have brothers and we’re giving each of our parents a group gift.  This way I’m going to push the responsibility onto them.  Fa la la la la...

Have a plan. Hope is not a plan.  Make a list and check it twice.  I haven’t purchased any gifts yet, but I know what I’m going to get everyone.  You know why?  Because I asked everyone point blank what they wanted.  See how sneaky that was?  Now I really just need to motivate myself to get to the stores. 

Speaking of getting to the stores, I plan on giving myself copious amounts of time at each store.  Don’t expect the stores to be empty, or slightly busy.  You’re not the only one who is last minute shopping. They are packed with crazy people just like you and me. 

Keep your cool in line.  Seriously, take a deep breath.  The line isn’t going to move any faster with you huffing and puffing.  Plop down and wait, patiently.  And if that’s not going to work, focus on all of the joy your gifts will bring. 

Take advantage of free gift wrapping.  Or donate to the local Girl Scout Troop that is offering to wrap your gifts.  I am not a good wrapper of gifts.  This way, people get nice packages, I save time, and I get the opportunity to help out a local kids group. 

Look out for yourself.  This is a stressful time of the year.  So make sure you take some time for yourself.  Need to get to the gym?  Get to the gym.  Want some Christmas cookies?  Eat some Christmas cookies.  Need a nap?  Take a nap.  Need a Christmas Ale?  Drink a Christmas Ale.  I know it sounds simple but it’s ok to look out for yourself. 

The internet is your friend.  And so is over night shipping.  Take advantage of the internet.  If you know going to a store is going to stress you out, don't go!  You also know right away if something is in stock. 

Did I leave any helpful tips out?  Leave a comment and let us know!  Happy Holidays and good luck shopping! 

December 13, 2010

Here are some fun crafty party games to keep the kids active during the holiday season. 

Santa in the LineupIngredients:

Picture of Santa

Pencils

Paper

Get a picture of Santa Claus that is not in the norm and keep it hidden from the children.  Until game time that is.  Give the children pencil and paper and have them write down every detail they remember about the Santa picture.  After three minutes, call time.  The winner is the one who had the most details correct.  Encourage the continuation of play by letting the children draw their own picture of Santa. 

Christmas BingoIngredients:

Colored paper

Markers

Ruler

Holiday Stickers sheets (sheets of 25 unique stickers are best!) 

Scissors

Candy pieces: Hershey’s kisses, peppermints, etc. 

Make the five by five bingo boards with the colored paper, ruler and markers.  Randomly place stickers on the bingo boards, avoid duplicates, and leave the center open for the free space!  Create the ‘bingo numbers’ by sticking the stickers on colored construction paper and cutting them out.  Pass out the bingo sheets and candy pieces.  Put all the ‘bingo numbers’ in a bowl.  To play, pick bingo numbers from the bowl and have the kids place a candy piece on the selected ‘bingo number’ on their board. 

Santa’s Scavenger HuntIngredients:

Holiday items: santa hats, reindeer, ornaments, cookies, scarves

A list of these items

Pens

Hide holiday items around the house or party area.  It’s best to hide these items in multiples, so that everyone has a chance to find that item.  Depending on the ages and size of the party, send the kids out individually or in teams of three, giving each a pen and list of the holiday items to find.  The first to find the most items on the list wins. 

Candy Cane ConnectionIngredients:

Candy Canes

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Buy a collection of candy canes and break them in half.  Mix out the halves and hand them out to the children.  When everyone has arrived, have them find the other half of their candy canes!  You can also play this game with sugar cookies. 

December 10, 2010

I love Christmas, especially the appetizers.  I like to pick and mingle when I’m out and about at a Christmas party. ( Don’t worry; I consider Christmas cookies as appetizers too.)  There is always such an array of treats that it’s almost overwhelming.  For this Christmas I would like to share a red white and green appetizer. 

Antipasto Appetizer RecipeIngredients:

Green Olives

Cherry Tomatoes

Your favorite white cheese, cubed

Toothpicks

Italian dressing

Directions:

Place the Olives, Cherry Tomatoes and Cubed cheese onto toothpicks

Drizzle with Italian Dressing

This is a simple, easy and delicious recipe that will be great to take over to any Christmas Party this holiday season. 

December 09, 2010

While you’re enjoying your spiced egg nog and Christmas cookies, mix in some Christmas party games at your next holiday party! 

Wrap RaceWhat you’ll need:

Boxes and objects of different sizes and shapes, two of each

Wrapping paper

Ribbon

Tape

Scissors

For this race competition, two players go against each other wrapping similar objects for each round.  You can choose to have 1 round for two opponents or best of three matches.  Fastest wins! 

Crazy White ElephantWhat you’ll need:

Before the party, tell your guests to wrap and bring one crazy item from their house

Two dice

Have your guests put their presents under the tree and when everyone’s ready, tell everyone to grab a present of their choice.  Let the guests sit in a circle and unwrap their gifts.  Now grab the dice, have them roll the dice one at a time in the circle.  Once someone rolls a snake eyes, they have the option of keeping their gift or swapping with someone else.  Once a person makes their choice they are then out of the game.  The game continues until the last person has picked their gift. 

Decorate that Christmas Tree!What you’ll need:

Two mini Christmas trees

Two small strings of popcorn

Six small ornaments

Tinsel

Two tree toppers

Another race competition, two players compete by decorating the Christmas tree the fastest.  Divide up the decorations and the player who has all the decorations on the tree first wins; don’t miss any of that tinsel! 

Stocking SurpriseWhat you’ll need:

Stockings, in different colors or uniquely labeled

Random prize: ornaments, candy, holiday items, etc

Paper and pens

In each stocking, place a random prize.  Have your guests try to guess the items by touching and shaking the stockings, writing their guesses on the paper.  The guests can feel inside the stocking but cannot look inside.  The person with the most correct guesses wins. 

December 08, 2010

Love Christmas?  Think you know every Christmas movie and song ever made?  We’ve compiled a couple trivia games just for you! 

Christmas Movie Trivia

Divide your guests into two teams and ask these questions to one team.  For an incorrect answer, the opposing team can steal. 

Question

Answer

What is the name of the rabbit in the magic hat in Frosty the Snowman? 

Hocus Pocus

What’s the reason The Grinch hates Christmas? 

His heart was two sizes too small

In the Christmas Classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, what happened every time a bell rang? 

An angel got his wings

In Polar Express, what word does the conductor punch into the ticket of the ‘young man with all the questions’? 

Believe

What 1983 movie is about a boy who wanted a Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas? 

A Christmas Story

Ernest made a Christmas movie, in 1988, where he helped Santa find a successor.  What is that movie called? 

Ernest Saves Christmas

This 1990 Christmas movie is about a boy named Kevin who is left behind when his family goes on vacation. 

Home Alone

In 2000, Jim Carrey starred in a live action film, which was first a cartoon made in 1966.  What is this movie? 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

In this movie, Buddy was raised by elves at the North Pole, and doesn’t realize he is a human and not an elf. 

Elf

This movie, made in 1947 and 1994, is about a girl named Susan who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus. 

Miracle on 34th Street

Name that Holiday tune

This game can be played two ways.  Below are lyric snippets from popular Holiday songs and also the song title; you can read the snippet out loud for the opposite team to guess the name.  Or you can also grab audio snippets to play for the whole group, and the team that correctly guesses wins. 

December 01, 2010

We are now offering personalized party favor bags!  These personalized party favor bags work for any kind of party; sweet 16, baby shower, anniversary, graduation, wedding or birthday party these are perfect.  Fill them with your favorite sweets, treats or toys for a truly special party favor.