Fun Holiday Party Trays

Well, we made it through Thanksgiving and now it is time to get our head wrapped around the upcoming holiday and the parties that go along with it.   Let's start planning.  What party tray will you take to the work party?  Or the kids school party?  Or what would be a good item to take to the neighbors as a little gift that everybody would love to get? 

Let's take a look at a few ideas -

This fun little wreath is so festive looking.  I found the photo but no explanation of what the tomatoes are filled with.  I think that I would use goat cheese or a combination of a soft white cheese and cream cheese.  This would be beautiful with spinach leaves also.  Think - home party or for the office.

I think this is so darn cute.  I do believe I would make this all year round, no matter the season or the weather outside.  I also believe I would use a combo of many fruits. But not so many that it takes away from the visual effects.  The kids in my family are going to love this.

Are you saying - Wants with all the fruit ?!  Well, with all the sweets that you will be offered during this time of the year, then offering some pretty and fun fruit alternative is a super idea. 

Just a little suggestion - you could add a couple little bowls of caramel to go with this arrangement.  I would use a combination of red and green apples just for the accent colors. It would sure be cute.

Enough with being healthy - let's do some sweet stuff.  The kids will love making these.  You can make your usual pan of rice crispy treat, cut them into tree shapes and decorate with any fun goodies you have.  Be sure to make the treats thick enough to press the candy canes into them.  I made one batch a bit different, and I think I really liked them.  I made them like the photo above, then I made a second pan of treats.  I cut those out, and added the second layer to the back.  I even put a little layer of peanut butter between some of them.  With the double layer, the candy cane is very secure. 
Tip - if adding the second layer, do it while they are a bit warm so you can press them together and smooth the edges. 

Check back for more ideas in the near future and get ready to party on!

Fun to Look At Sweet Treats

The big entertaining days are just around the corner and there is still time for deciding on some really neat and sweet treats to show off to the family and friends.  Let's take a look at a few.

 Everybody loves the holiday cookies.  From the kids school parties to the office party, who doesn't like to grab a little goody to munch.  This first one is my favorite of the year.  This reindeer are made for the basic gingerbread man cookie cutter.  Just turn it upside down and decorate as shown.  Fun and easy!

 And again with the reindeer.   Chocolate dipped peanut butter sandwich cookies with a few trims added.  I love that there is a use for the broken pretzels pieces that I have left over, in the bottom of the bag, after dipping.  Optional is adding the stick to make it into a sucker.  I suggest doing just that if you want to bag them up for gifting or adding as a gift topper.  The little cello bags are available on line or at some party stores.  I believe the ones designed for pretzels will be the perfect size.

 There is no explanation for these.  You can see how simple they are to make.  Again, perfect for the grab and go treat at any party or gathering. 

 Kids favorite - Frosty the Snowman.  He may be a little melted here but cute as can be.  You could do the snow a couple of different ways.  Using vanilla frosting and adding the marshmallow is simple.  Then trim from there.  Or - since I like the vanilla almond bark, I add a little melted bark to the cooking and stick the marshmallow in place before it cools.  The bark also makes for a much richer cookie and travels well.  Even 'almost' stackable.

 Simple for the chocolate lover.  This brownie bites are topped with simple swirls of red and green frosting, and a nice little peppermint kick.

 A couple of ideas that would be fun for the kids to wake up to.  Stack the mini donuts in a tree shape, sprinkle with a bit of powder sugar, add some fresh raspberries and a little mint, and you have an appealing breakfast center piece.  You could also use powder sugar sugar donettes and add green sprinkles for a wintery tree look.

Again for a cute breakfast surprise - the donette reindeer, utilizing the pretzel pieces, a dot of frosting for the eyes (or you could get a little more creative with that; I like a raisin cut in half and shaped a little), and a half cherry for the nose.

 Last but not least, this looks so neat.  I have yet to try it but will in the near future.  This is a beautiful treat that will take some time to put together, but what a center piece it will make.  And the possibilities are endless as far as the extras you can add at the base. 

Good luck with you holiday treat making and please feel free to share your favorites.