DIY Apple Place Cards {Fall Party Ideas} October 1, 2012

Using apples as place card holders is an inexpensive and simple way to add some fall to your table.  They’re perfect for any autumnal party, whether it’s a fall bridal showers, engagement party, dinner party or Thanksgiving.  They also make great party favors for guests to take home and enjoy.

To make these DIY apple place cards, you’ll need:

Apples with stems intact (I used Macintosh but any variety will do)
Card stock (craft stores sell single sheets)
A printer
Twine or ribbon
Single-hole punch

Here’s how to put them together:  Using a Word document, printed all of the names on the card stock (leave several lines between each name, and make two columns by tabbing over so you don’t waste any space/ paper).  Make a rubber leaf template by printing it on a sheet of regular paper using this leaf template (you need Abobe Reader to download the template), or copying the shape onto a piece of paper with a pencil like I did for the place cards pictured (the rubber leaf shape is very simple to draw/ cut and they don’t need to be perfect).  Cut the template out and trace it around each of the printed names, centering the names inside the leaf (you will be able to see the printed names through your template if it is made of regular paper).  Cut the leaves out and punched a hole to the left of each name, near the end of the leaf using a single-hole punch.  Used some inexpensive twine to tie the leaves to the apple stems.  Happy fall!

Printable DIY Party Favor Labels + GIVEAWAY September 7, 2012

I so enjoy making DIY party favors.  What I don’t enjoy is fighting with my printer to format the labels, which I have done too many time just minutes before my guests are about to arrive.  It makes for some last-minute stress, which I am always looking for ways to eliminate.  So I was excited to try Avery’s new line of customizable labels with templates to see if they made the task any easier.  They come in various shapes and sizes, and I received a sample package including the printable bag toppers with bags, oval labels and arched labels.

The timing for the sample pack was perfect since I had a fiesta theme dinner party planned and needed some favors for the occasion.  I used the printable bag toppers with bags as packaging for homemade spiced pepitas (I made a double batch for 6 favors).  I found an image of a Mexican blanket pattern by searching google images, and was able to easily save it to my computer and then upload to Avery’s template for the labels and used it as a background.  My friends thought they were store-bought (good thing I printed The Hip Hostess blog address on the back to prove I actually made them!).  The labels were fairly easy to print.  I did have some adjusting to do, which Avery’s site allows for (you print a sample page on regular paper – I used greyscale to save on ink for the test pages – and hold it up in front of the labels to make sure they will be centered).  After 3 test pages and a few adjustments I was able to get the alignment just right.  The labels had a pre-applied adhesive that made assembly quick (they’re sticky enough to stay put but were easy enough to remove a few times while I tried to center the bags on the adhesive).  These bags would be perfect for a small business owner looking to sell a food product like cookies, or a small handmade item like soap.  The Avery templates online allow you to add a barcode, have several clip-art, pictures and patterns to choose from and the labels even have perforated holes that can be removed to accommodate display hooks (not ideal for party favors though).  The printable bag toppers with bags are $20/ package (40 bags and 40 toppers per package).

The next labels I tried were the oval labels, which I have to say are my favorite and are going to be my new go-to labels for party favors.  They’re the perfect shape – easy to put on any size package or container, and the glossy texture makes the labels look professionally printed (I was worried that the glossy finish would make the ink smudge, as I had happen with other labels in the past, but there was no smudging with these). The package includes 180 labels, meaning I can buy one pack and have them last for many events – especially given the versatile oval shape.  I used these labels to make tags for honey favors for Rosh Hashanah.  I bought a large jar of local honey from the Finger Lakes and poured it into “upcycled” glass yogurt jars (baby food jars would also work well).  I made the labels using one of Avery’s template designs and am really happy with how they turned out.  Again, they were simple to print (even more so than the printable bag toppers), and only took 1 test page before the alignment was perfectly centered.  The oval labels are $20/ package (180 labels).

The last package of labels – the arched labels – will be great for printing custom wine labels or adding a sophisticated label shape to a larger favor jar or package.  They’re matte with a really nice textured  (linen-like) feel, and are water-resistant.  I plan to use them to make homemade bloody mary mixes for holiday gifts.  I haven’t printed anything on them yet, but I assume the template usage will be similar to the others.

WIN IT!!!

Avery has generously offered to give a set of these three labels (3 packages total to one lucky Hip Hostess reader – a $60 value!  Simply leave a comment and you’ve entered.

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave a comment for every extra entry you complete

1. Blog about this Giveaway (4 entries)

2. Subscribe to The Hip Hostess blog (use text box on bottom right panel – 2 entries)

3. Follow us on Twitter (@hiphostessilana) (2 entries)

4. Like The Hip Hostess Blog on Facebook (2 entries)

5. Link this Giveaway in Facebook (2 entries)

Contest ends September 14, 2012 at Midnight PST.  Winner will be chosen by Random.org and emailed.

USA only please

Featured on Sweeps Advantage

Special thanks to Avery for providing samples for review purposes.

Monkey Mix {party favors} February 27, 2012

Here’s a super simple party favor idea for a monkey theme party.  Buy or make a great trail mix (mini peanut butter cups from Trader Joe’s make this mix special), fill glass jars with the mix, then add a label and some ribbon or yarn (or a combo like I did here).  A lovely party favor created in just minutes!

Frog Favors January 10, 2012

I was looking for a vessel for frog gummies for a Frogs, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails theme baby shower.  Cello bags are generally my standard and I always have them on hand, but I had a lot of empty condiment jars that I had just cleaned out so I decided to use those instead.  Here’s how I made the favors:

Throughly wash “upcycled” jars with vinegar, soap and hot water to eliminate any lingering flavors.  Fill with gummy frogs, placing several of the frogs with their backs against the glass so the fill looks neat.  Cut squares of scrapbook paper (the dot pattern shown is from Michael’s single sheet section) slightly larger than the lid.  Fold paper over the lid and tie with ribbon or yarn (I used brown yarn and doubled it to make the bow look more substantial).  Buy printable labels, such as those from Gartner (also sold at Michael’s), and print a quote or name on the tags, and add a frog sticker.  Center the tags on top of the jars and you’re done!

Fun Party Favors: Peep S’mores April 12, 2011

Here’s an idea for a fun, simple and inexpensive party favor: Peep s’mores!  Give them as favors at Easter or a baby shower (particularly one with a duck or bunny theme).  Place 2 squares of graham crackers, half of a chocolate bar and 1 peep in a cello bag and tie with a ribbon.  S’mores can be made in seconds in the microwave.

Hip Tip: Simple Baby Shower Favors January 22, 2011

Place anything in simple glass baby bottles to make a cute baby shower favor.  Use a jelly bean mixture that compliments your color theme, or the mom-to-be’s favorite candy.  Pictured is a Dragee mix (chocolate covered sunflower seeds, dried apricot, etc.) from The Cocoa Room.  Their chocolate mixes come in beautiful color and flavor combinations.  Check out their selection online at www.thecocoaroom.com (all varieties can be ordered in bulk for $15 per lb).

Hip Tip – Halloween Favors October 15, 2010

Candy is traditional for Halloween, but nothing beats a fresh-baked treat when it comes to party favors.  Wrap pumpkin muffins in plastic wrap to keep moisture in, then place muffins in inexpensive Halloween favor bags.  This is one Halloween favor that will not be traded.

Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons April 19, 2010

Don’t save coconut macaroons for a once-a-year treat during Passover.  Coconut macaroons are a delicious gluten-free, dairy-free dessert that’s quick and portable.  These macaroons taste nothing like the bland, dry canned varieties available at the store.  A home-made version will make a convert of anyone who generally likes coconut, but doesn’t care for canned macaroons.

This recipe is a variation on a recipe from Cooks Illustrated.

Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons

14 oz sweetened coconut flakes

1 ½ C. granulated sugar

1/3 cup + 1 Tbs. egg whites (use pourable egg whites or about 3 large eggs)

½ tps. almond extract (you can substitute vanilla but almond really makes these special)

½ C. dark chocolate chips or chunks (or more as needed, for dipping bottoms)

1. Place oven racks in upper-middle and lower-middle of oven; preheat 325 degrees.  Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or silpats (reusable nonstick mats).

2. Chop coconut in food processor for 1 minute.  Add sugar and process for an additional 20 seconds. Add egg whites and extract; process for 1 additional minute, until the mixture resembles a paste, like slushy snow.  Scrape down sides of work bowl with a rubber spatula and process again, until stiff but malleable paste forms, about 5 seconds longer.  If mixture is crumbly or dry, turn machine back on and add water by drops through feeder tube until mixture forms a paste.

3. Using a 1” spring-loaded scoop or 2 tablespoons, drop mounts of paste onto prepared cookies sheets, forming 12 mounts on each sheet (24 total), spacing the mounds about 1 ½ inches papart.

4. Bake macaroons for about 20-25 minutes or until slightly golden brown, switching cookie sheet positions midway through baking.  Be careful not to overbake the macaroons or they will become dry when stored.  Cool macaroons completely on cookies sheets (removing them when warm will cause them to break).  Regular macaroons (without chocolate dipping) can be store in an airtight container for 5 days.

5.  When macaroons are completely cool, carefully remove them from the sheets.  Melt chocolate in a bowl in the microwave, at 30 second intervals, stirring rigorously between each interval to melt the chocolate.  It will likely require 1 minute in the microwave total.  Once melted chocolate is shiny and smooth, carefully hold each macaroon by its top and dip the bottom into the chocolate.  Twist to cover the entire bottom of the macaroon and to get a bit of the chocolate up the sides.  Place dipped macaroon on waxed paper and allow chocolate to harden.  Chocolate-dipped macaroons can be store in an air-tight container for up to 2 days (after that the chocolate will look dry).

Granola Bites March 22, 2010

I love granola – as a cereal, as a snack, as a bar….  Which gave me the idea to play around and come up with a recipe for bite-size granola balls that I could set out as an “appetizer” for brunch.  These granola bites are packed with flavor and natural goodness.  They are sturdy enough to be eaten without a spoon, but remain moist and chewy.  The granola bites are best made a few days in advance so the oats have time to soften and the flavors have a chance to merry.  Leftovers (if there are any) make a great breakfast on-the-go or a pre-workout snack.

Granola Bites

1 ½ cup rolled oats
1 cup dried apricots, chopped
¼ cup dried blueberries or currants
¼ cup raw sunflower seeds, chopped
¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
¼ cup sliced almonds, chopped
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ cup natural peanut butter (smooth)
¼ cup agave nectar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Combine ground oats, chopped apricots, blueberries, sunflower seeds, coconut, almonds and cinnamon in a large bowl until well mixed.

2. Add peanut butter, agave nectar and vanilla to oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until mixture is slightly moist and sticky.

3. Using a 1” spring-loaded scoop or a melon baller, scoop out a small amount of mixture and form into round balls. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to give oats time to absorb moisture and soften.

* These can be made gluten-free by making them with certified GF oats.

Haute Chocolate Giveaway February 7, 2010

This giveaway features exquisite handcrafted truffles from Haute Chocolate NC, located in North Carolina.  Haute Chocolates uses quality chocolate and infuses it with really delicious and interesting flavors.  HC’s truffle are free of added sugar and butter – just delicious chocolate and natural flavors in these decadent treats.

There will be two winners for this giveaway:  One winner will receive a 6-piece Love is in the Air Collection; the other will receive a 6-piece box of Wine Infused Truffles (flavors in each collection listed below).  You can choose to have the cookies shipped to you or to your Valentine – just be sure to provide the shipping address of where you want them shipped on the giveaway entry form.

Enter this giveaway by completing the form at the link below.  The winner will be randomly selected at 10pm EST on February 9, 2010, and will be notified via e-mail.  One entry per person and shipment must be made to a US address.  Good luck!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFlBaE9ERFhmWE5TVHdnTVhvZFh3Smc6MA

Love is in the Air Collection features the following flavors:

* Champagne and Strawberries (Dark chocolate over white chocolate infused with REAL champagne (no flavoring here!) and strawberries)
* Bellini (Dark chocolate over white infused with REAL peaches and champagne)
* Mimosa (Dark Chocolate infused with orange zest and champagne)
* Mojito (Dark chocolate over white infused with lime zest, rum and fresh spearmint leaves)
* Creme Brulee (White chocolate with the signature creme brulee flavor profile and topped with caramelized sugar)
* Hazelnut (Dark chocolate with freshly ground hazelnuts)

Wine Infused Truffles features the following flavors:

* Rooster Red – A Chianti style wine with a hint of cranberries (dark chocolate)
* Sweet Mountain Bliss – A sweet Blush with a hint of Raspberries (white chocolate)
* Grand Vieux Chateau du Roi – Made in the style of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a deep red with hints of cherry and berry (dark chocolate)
* Blue Norther – Blueberry (dark chocolate over white chocolate)

For a complete list of flavors offered, check out Haute Chocolate’s website at www.hautechocolatenc.com.

HC’s individually wrapped truffles are perfect party favors for any time of year.