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Ideas for Crafting Your New Years Eve Party Favors

December 29, 2009 By The Recipe Mom 1 Comment
partyfavors

partyfavors2What makes New Year’s Eve special? The food, the fun and the party favors. For the fun and party favors create your own crafts to enjoy. It’s a great way families can celebrate together.

Instead of buying a lot of party favors and noisemakers this year, let the family make their own. When you decide to make crafts, it’s best to get everything you need ahead of time to avoid last minute runs to the store. They close early on New Year’s Eve so others get a chance to celebrate in their way.

Noisemakers

You probably have items around the house that can help you with this project. If you have any paper towel or toilet paper rolls they would make the perfect beginnings for noisemakers. Empty plastic eggs (if you can find them or have some left over from Easter) are the right size for noisemakers.

Stuff one end with a piece of tissue paper and cover it with tape. Fill your roll with rice, corn kernels or dried beans. Seal the other end the same way. You can decorate the outside with glitter, streamers, and stickers. The Easter eggs can be filled with rice or dried beans and covered with glittery paints.

Party Hats

No celebration is quite complete without a gorgeous hat. It isn’t too hard to create one. Start with construction paper and fold it into a conical shape. Keep it closed with tape or staples. This is your basic hat design. From there, the rest is up to you. Decorate the hats with glitter, garland, colored foil, lettering and any number of other accents to make your hat stand out.

Celebration Masks

If you plan on celebrating with a theme party later that evening create a decorative mask for your New Year’s celebration. Take a piece of construction paper and have someone trace your face, eyes, nose and mouth. Cut away the excess paper. You are now ready to decorate. Use a Popsicle stick to hold your mask up to your face.

Face Painting

Here, you are the basic design that gets decorated. Using paints that are safe for the skin, let each family member make up someone else’s face. Make it festive for the night. Take pictures of everyone’s finely crafted face.

As the final countdown sounds, be ready to celebrate with all your treasured crafts. Crafting is a great way to help get into the spirit of the evening.

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Cheesy Pizza Dog

December 28, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
hotdogs

hotdogsWhat You Need:

8 all beef hot dogs
2 (8 oz.) cans of pizza sauce
8 hot dog buns
1 C of pizza cheese blend, shredded

How to Make It:

The hot dogs are cut into strips and put in a saucepan.
Over the hot dogs pour the pizza sauce and gently stir to coat.
Stir often while cooking over medium heat 5 minutes.
The hot dog buns are opened.
Evenly spoon the hot dog mixture onto each bun.
The cheese is sprinkled evenly over the buns.
The buns are closed and cut into 4 equal size pieces.
Each of the pieces is secured with a toothpick.

Makes 32

These are a great party appetizer for kids of all ages. If you like your pizza cheese a little gooey put the above on a cookie sheet under the broiler for 2 minutes, watching very carefully so they don’t burn.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 5 minutes
Total Time: approximately 20 minutes

Nutritional Information per 4 bites: (approximate values)
Calories 350; fat 22 g; sodium 1,240 mg; carbohydrates 28 g;
sugar 8 g; protein 13 g

Filed Under: Appetizers, Kid Friendly, Party Foods, Recipes, Snacks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Ranch Dressing Chicken Wraps

December 27, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
chickenwraps

chickenwrapsWhat You Need:

1 C of sour cream
1 C of mayonnaise
2 (1 oz.) envelopes of dry ranch dressing mix
4 T of vegetable oil
2 (16.2 oz.) cans refrigerated flaky biscuits
2 (6 oz.) pkg. cooked chicken strips
4 T of butter, melted

How to Cook It:

Set the oven to preheat to 350 degrees F.
Generously spray a cookie sheet with a non stick cooking spray.
In a medium size mixing bowl mix together the sour cream and mayonnaise.
Blend in the ranch dressing mix and blend well.
On the prepared cookie sheet put the biscuits.
Press each biscuit into an oval using the tip of your fingers.
Over each biscuit spread 1 t of the dressing mixture.
Crosswise in the center of each biscuit put 3 chicken strips.
Bring the sides of the biscuit over the chicken and press to seal.
The melted butter is brushed over the top of each chicken wrap.
Put in the preheated oven and bake 20 minutes or until a golden brown.

Makes 16 wraps

These will be the hit of any party. Ranch dressing may be served on the side for dipping. If you would like a little more spicy taste use taco seasoning mix instead of the ranch dressing mix and serve salsa for dipping.

Preparation Time: approximately 25 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 20 minutes
Total Time: approximately 45 minutes

Nutritional Information per wrap: (approximate values)
Calories 430; fat 29 g; sodium 1,140 mg; carbohydrates 30 g;
sugar 10 g; protein 12 g

Filed Under: Appetizers, Kid Friendly, Party Foods, Recipes, Snacks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Make Ahead Ham & Cheese Roll Ups

December 26, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
hamcheeserollups

hamcheeserollupsWhat You Need:

8 slices of white bread
2 (2.5 oz) pkg. cooked ham sliced thin
8 (1 oz.) sticks of string cheese
1 C of honey mustard salad dressing

How to Make It:

The crust is removed from each slice of bread.
Roll each slice of bread with a rolling pin until about 1/4 inch thick.
Between the 8 slices of bread divide the ham.
On each slice of bread place a stick of string cheese on the edge. The bread is rolled over the cheese and ham.
Into the roll put 4 toothpicks about 1 inch apart.
Cut each roll with a serrated knife into 4 sections.
The honey mustard is served for dipping.

Makes 32 roll ups

Make these rolls the night before a big party. Cover tightly and put in refrigerator until time to serve. You may use any type of thinly sliced meats.

Preparation Time: approximately 25 minutes
Total Time: approximately 25 minutes

Nutritional Information per 4 roll ups: (approximately values)
Calories 280; fat 17 g; sodium 740 mg; carbohydrates 16 g; sugar 4 g;
protein 14 g

Filed Under: Appetizers, Kid Friendly, Party Foods, Recipe Cards, Recipes, Snacks, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Experience a First Night Celebration

December 26, 2009 By The Recipe Mom 1 Comment
2010

2010When it comes to family fun on New Year’s Eve it’s hard to pass up a First Night celebration. It’s a great way for the community and families to celebrate the beginning of a new year.

This idea began in Boston, Massachusetts. While celebrating the bicentennial in 1976, the inaugural First Night was a part of that celebration. Since, then it has caught on as a way for communities to reach a common ground and have fun at the same time.

First Night is celebrated in cities all across the United States along with three other countries. One place to celebrate is the birth place of First Night, Boston. It’s definitely a celebration of the arts.

From painters to dancers, artists to sculptors, the night is filled with fun for the entire family. It wouldn’t be a celebration if the night didn’t end with fireworks and Boston has their fair share. There are two fireworks displays for those who knock off early and those who can see the night through.

If you live out west, think about First Night in Spokane, Washington. Here the artistry of the cultures in the area is celebrated. Depending on your tastes you might get into the rhythm of gospel, rock or Salsa. View ice sculptures and other artistic displays.

If you live down south, think about taking in First Night in Austin Texas. Like the other locations, families can enjoy music, food and participate in various activities. Here, kids can join in a chalk drawing presentation. For the person who likes games, try your hand at chess or checkers.

Try a First Night at the Penn State community for a First Night celebration. The streets are filled with ice that sculptors will turn into art as well as parades, music, interactive activities and food.

Down in the southeast, Florida offers a First Night celebration in St. Petersburg. Feel the beat with bluegrass music, drum presentations, Caribbean music and other tunes. Families can visit local museums and other attractions set up for the event.

Why not create your own First Night in your city? Talk it over with the local legislature and the artistic community. Bring a new unity at the end of the year and also a new tradition.

Are you trying to decide what to do for New Year’s Eve? Support a community and have a good time at a First Night function.

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Fruity Trix Smoothies

December 25, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
smoothies

smoothiesWhat You Need:

6 (8 oz.) containers of vanilla yogurt
3/4 C of orange juice
3 bananas
3 C of frozen whole strawberries
Trix cereal, crushed

How to Make It:

In a blender put the yogurt and orange juice and stir just to incorporate into the yogurt.
Break each banana into chunks and put in the blender.
The strawberries are added to the blender.
Cover the blender and blend the mixture until smooth and creamy.
The mixture is poured into glasses and the crushed cereal is put on top.

Makes 10 servings

Kids will love this healthy drink at their New Years Eve party. It not as time consuming as making punch or as cold as a milk shake. Top these drinks with miniature chocolate chips or cut up fruit for a different taste.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Total Time: approximately 15 minutes

Nutritional Information per 1 C serving: (approximate values)
Calories 230; fat 2 g; sodium 90 mg; carbohydrates 47 g; sugar 38 g; protein 8 g

Filed Under: Drinks and Smoothies, Kid Friendly, Party Foods, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Mini Ice Cream Tacos

December 24, 2009 By The Recipe Mom 1 Comment
tacoshells

tacoshellsWhat You Need:

8 mini corn taco shells
1/3 C of milk chocolate chips, divided
1 pint vanilla ice cream
2 T peanuts, chopped

How to Make It:

Set the oven to preheat to 350 degrees F.
In a loaf pan put the taco shells open side up.
Place foil balls at each end to keep the shells upright.
Put in oven for 5 minutes or until the shell are crispy.
Cool shells for 10 minutes.
With 1 t of the chocolate chips fill the bottom of the shells.
Put 1/4 C of ice cream in each taco shell.
The filled shells are put into the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
In a microwave safe bowl put the remaining chocolate chips.
The chips are microwave on high for 1 minute then stirred.
Melt until smooth using 30 second intervals stirring after each interval.
Remove the shells from the freezer and drizzle with the chocolate.
The chopped peanuts are quickly sprinkled over the tacos.
Put back in freezer at least 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 ice cream tacos

You may use any flavor of ice cream in the tacos to make a big hit at your New Years Eve party. Any flavor of ice cream topping can be drizzled over the top. Choose the ice cream and topping to suit your child’s taste.

Preparation Time: approximately 30 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 5 minutes
Freezing Time: approximately 25 minutes
Total Time: approximately 1 hour

Nutritional Information per taco: (approximate values)
Calories 140; fat 8 g; sodium 60 mg; carbohydrates 15 g; sugars 10 g; protein 3 g

Filed Under: Appetizers, Ice Cream, Kid Friendly, Party Foods, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Bacon and Turkey Sandwich Kabobs

December 23, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
baconturkeysand

baconturkeysandWhat You Need:

12 slices of bacon
18 slices of sandwich bread
1/2 C of mayonnaise
4 T of Thousand Island dressing
12 lettuce leaves
12 slices of cooked deli turkey
2 tomatoes, sliced into 6 slices each
8 cherry tomatoes
8 sweet pickle slices

How to Make It:

In a skillet over medium high heat cook the bacon 10 minutes or until crisp, turning once.
The bacon is drained well using paper towels.
In a toaster toast the bread.
In a small mixing bowl put the mayonnaise stir in the Thousand Island dressing until well blended.
Over one side of each toasted slice of bread spread the mayonnaise mixture.
On the counter put 6 slices of bread mayo side up.
On each piece of bread put one lettuce leaf and 2 slices of turkey.
Over the turkey put 6 slices of bread mayo side down.
To the sandwich add 6 more lettuce leaves.
Over the lettuce put 2 slices of tomatoes.
On each sandwich put 2 slices of bacon.
The remaining toast mayo side down is put on top of the bacon.
Cut each sandwich into 4 pieces diagonally using a sharp knife.
On a wooden skewer put 1 sandwich piece and then a cherry tomato.
Another sandwich piece is added to the skewer.
One sweet pickle slice is added.
Another sandwich piece is added to finish the skewer.

Makes 8 kabobs

Preparation Time: approximately 40 minutes
Total Time: approximately 40 minutes

Nutritional Information per kabob: (approximately values)
Calories 420; fat 24 g; sodium 740 mg; carbohydrates 32 g; sugar 5 g;
protein 21 g

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Strawberry Apple Bagel Spread

December 22, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
bagel

bagelWhat You Need:

1/2 C of strawberry cream cheese, softened
1 large red apple, cored and chopped small
2 bananas, chopped small
4 cinnamon flavored bagels

How to Make It:

In a mixing bowl put the cream cheese and stir until smooth and creamy.
Coat the apples and bananas with the cream cheese.
Toast each half of a split bagel in the toaster until slightly crispy.
The toasted bagels are cut into bite size pieces.
The bagel pieces are served with the spread on the side.

Makes 8 servings

You may use any flavor bagels in this recipe. You can also toast the bagels in a 375 degree oven for about 10 minutes. Cut the bagels into bite size pieces before toasting. Coat them with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon. Put in the oven and turn often during baking time. Be sure to cool before serving.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Toasting Time: approximately 10 minutes
Total Time: approximately 30 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values)
Calories 160; Fat 6 g; sodium 200 mg; carbohydrates 24 g; sugars 6 g;
protein 4g

Filed Under: Appetizers, Kid Friendly, Party Foods, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Try a Theme Party this New Years Eve

December 22, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
dragonlights

dragonlightsIt’s New Years Eve and it’s time to celebrate the going of the old and the coming of the new. Everyone is in great spirits for the party. This year why not try something new and host a theme party.

Defining a Theme Party

A theme party is one that is based around a certain idea. It can be something related to the holiday or something totally different. It is all up to you.

Theme parties are fun because everyone gets to participate. All of your guests can wear a costume and come ready to have fun.

Ideas for a Theme Party

Well, there are a million ideas that would be appropriate for a party. Now, some stick with a traditional theme for New Year. How about the Roaring Twenties? Your guests can dress as Dapper Dan or a sultry flapper.

What about a 60s party? You’d be surrounded by flower power and long hair all evening but to each his own. The idea is to make the party one that your guests won’t want to miss.

Decorating for the Theme

When you choose your theme, you will want the guests to feel like they have walked into that time. If your theme is “disco boogie,” be sure that there is at least one disco ball hanging from your ceiling. You can forgo the lit dance floor if you don’t have room, but it would be a conversation piece!

Kids and a Theme Party

Don’t forget the younger set that is joining you for the party. They may not appreciate the 60s or the disco era, so give them the opportunity to have their own theme represented at the party. Your kids can come up with ideas for their generation. It doesn’t have to match the adults since they will be celebrating in a different space.

Have a Contest

Everyone will be dressed in their best to try and become the belle and beau of the ball. Come up with contest categories: Best Dressed, Most Authentic, Funniest Costume, and etcetera. So everyone can participate, type out ballots with the contest categories and let the guests vote for their choices. And yes, they can vote for themselves. There is one stipulation: Kids vote for kids and adults for adults.

The prizes can also be themed. Choose something appropriate for each group like a lava lamp for a 60s or a disco ball for a disco party and a pair of binoculars for a Dora and Diego kid’s party.

Who says that a New Year’s Eve party has to be just dresses and suits? A theme party adds a new dimension to the affair. Both kids and adults will want to get in on the fun that goes along with wearing costumes.

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