DIY Teacher Gift Ideas

When you shop for your school supplies this year, think outside the backpack, and be inspired by them for future favors and gifts. Some very talented people came up with some very adorable DIY ideas…

Gumball Pencil, Paisley Petal Events

Hi-Liter Teacher Gift, One Charming Party

Crayon Favors, One Charming Party

Milk and Cookies Recipe Card {Report Card}, The Sweetest Occasion
{free printable here}

Crayon Art, Apartment Therapy


Pencil Vase
{a lovely teacher gift filled with fresh flowers}, Love of Family and Home

{images via Paisley Petal Events, One Charming Party, The Sweetest Occasion, Apartment TherapyLove of Family and Home}

bake sale

I LOVE to bake…and I LOVE to eat baked goods. I could easily be extremely overweight I love them so much. Thankfully, I have some self-control. So, knowing all that, it’s no surprise I love BAKE SALES.

I remember baking cookies and cupcakes with my mom to raise money for my school and sports teams…and now the tables have turned and just this summer, I was baking for my son’s school fundraiser {the first of many, I’m sure}.

With these delicious treats, you will be the queen of the bake sale…and rake in the big bucks!!

Pencil Push Pops, Bakerella

Apple Cupcakes, Martha Stewart


Cupcake Cones
, Taste of Home


Rice Krispies Dipper Treats
, Rice Krispies


Glazed Doughnut Muffins
, My Baking Addiction


Slutty Brownies
…definitely RENAME before arriving at school, The Londoner


Mini Berry Pie
, Martha Stewart

Once you’ve made your delicious treats, don’t forget to spend the time on presentation! View these tips from the super talented Amy Atlas and if your making cupcakes {not on a cone}, and want cute and easy packaging, be sure to visit Lisa Storms site here.

{images via BakerellaMartha Stewart, Taste of Home, Rice Krispies, My Baking Addiction, The Londoner}

lucky charm

St. Patrick’s Day is a celebrated holiday in my house ~ after all, I have an Irish hubby, a son named Jameson and a little Irish blood running through my mostly Italian veins.

This year, I created DIY treats to spread luck and cheer to our family and friends. All they need to enjoy it is a cold cup of milk and a spoon. I admit, it’s not the healthiest breakfast or snack, but kids love it, and it’s justifiable at least once a year to celebrate the luck of the Irish.

Jenna at Fleur de Lis, a paperie, created these adorable “lucky charm’ custom tags to attach to my treat bags.

Click here for the free printable.

All You Need Is:

  • 1 box of Lucky Charms cereal
  • Green pipe cleaners or ribbon
  • Clear Party Bags {I used Wilton Clear Party Bags, 4×9.5 inches}
  • Scissors to cut the tags and bags
  • Custom tags

How To:

  • Fill the bag with a cup or so of Lucky Charms.
  • Cut each tag, and punch a hole through each one to attach to favor.
  • Wrap or tie the green pipe cleaner around the bag tight, add the custom tag and make either a bow or a 3-leaf clover to complete the look.
  • Gather the excess bag on top, and cut to your preferred length.

{images via Tutto Bella}

snowman fun

It’s been a snowy couple weeks in the mountains, and my kids are loving the wet, snowy playdates outside. Followed, of course, by some hot chocolate in our favorite snowman cups inside. It could be double or triple the fun with friends. So, if I get my act together, I’m going to host a Snowman Party for my kids friends…and mine too.

ACTIVITIES

Be sure to tell everyone coming to the party to dress warm. Bring their gloves, hats, mittens, etc for playing outside. Form groups of 3-4 people {depends on the total number of rsvp’s} to compete in a Build the Best Snowman competition. Have plenty of carrots, scarves, oreo cookies, tree branches, buttons hats, clothes, etc available so the kids can get creative. The winning team {judged by the party hostess} gets a cute new winter hat/beanie.

Sleds make for a fun playdate in the snow too.

A fun indoor activity {and snack} is Snowman on a Stick. This was the activity at our local library’s story hour this week and the kids loved it.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU

Serve 2-3 different kinds of soups and grilled cheese for the kiddos too. Easy to prepare ahead of time and warming to the soul and belly. Don’t forget the fresh baguette.
Lasagna Soup
Winter Lentil Soup
Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Bites

Have a hot chocolate bar ready for when the kids come in from playing in the snow for dessert, served of course with snowman donuts {simply place a candy corn down in a mini powdered sugar donut, and use black icing or chocolate for creating eyes and mouth}. For the hot chocolate bar, fill bowls with all the yummy fillings…marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, candy canes, whipping cream, sprinkles, chocolate syrup, cherries and Bailey’s Irish Cream {for the moms of course}.  To make this easy on yourself, prepare the hot chocolate ahead of time, and keep in a large thermos. Set as many cups as you need on the bar, along with all the toppings, so when everyone comes in from the cold, they can go straight to the hot chocolate bar.

Serve irresistable Milk Men from Bakerella too for a cold glass of milk. You MUST check it out here.

FAVORS

I was smitten when I saw this Snowman Soup party and printable on Celebrations at Home awhile back, and Snowman Soup served in little mason jars would be an adorable favor for all the kids. Visit here for photos of the party and a link to FREE printable for the soup label. You will need hot cocoa powder, marshmallows, chocolate chips and peppermints to fill the mason jars.

{images via Giggles Galore, Celebrations at HomeFête Fanatic, Disney Family Fun and Bakerella}

halloween treats

IMG_1150

Caramel Popcorn
{family recipe}

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup popcorn

 Directions:
Before making the caramel sauce, pop the popcorn {air-popping is best} and put into a large mixing bowl. Leave off to the side.
Cover an area on your counter with wax paper {I use about 4-5 wax sheets}.

Heat the butter, sugar and corn syrup on medium heat until it boils.
When boiling, keep on medium heat for approximately 3 minutes. Consistency should be thick and gooey.
Turn heat off and add vanilla. Add food coloring {use 1 drop red and 2 drops yellow to make orange}. Mix well.
Drizzle caramel sauce over popcorn, and mix evenly. Immediately, pour the popcorn on top of the wax paper to keep it from drying into a large clump.
Let cool for 2-3 minutes and enjoy! Makes 2 quarts.

Pumpkin Cookies
{recipe by Becky}

pumpkin cookies and milk

My fabulous boss, Becky, brought homemade pumpkin cookies to work last week and they were to die for! So, we made them for our Halloween bash tonight for our family to enjoy.
{Shh…don’t tell – Jess made them three nights ago too and ate them all!}
Thanks, Becky, for sharing your delicious pumpkin cookie recipe with us!

Ingredients:
1 can pumpkin {pie filling}
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups flour
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 egg
1 cup butter {softened}
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 ounces chocolate chips {Becky said she puts in more. we put in 8 ounces}

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream the butter and sugars together. Mix in vanilla extract and egg.
In a separate bowl, combine and mix flour, oats, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
Alternate adding the flour mixture and the pumpkin to the creamed sugars and butter bowl. Beat until all is added and mixed well.
Stir in chocolate chips. Drop dough in tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 10-13 minutes or until golden brown. {it usually takes more time, about 15 minutes, or make the cookies a bit smaller than tablespoons}
Let cool and enjoy! Makes 4 dozen.