The Ultimate Tacky Christmas Sweater Party (Ugly Christmas Sweater Party)

This party was a huge hit!

There are lots of photos, please enjoy...for other Christmas ideas see side bar under Christmas Ideas!

This is our annual Family Christmas party where all the cousins get together for a gift exchange, (We all like to have Christmas at our own houses Christmas Morning).

Last year everyone was instructed to find the perfect Christmas sweater...
The "Tacky" family photo!

Please note, Grandma and Grandpa shared 3rd Place!

Grandma's sweater lights up! (QVC!!!), and Grandpa found his on Ebay!






Zoie and Thomas won First and Second Place!!!!!





These were the Gifts for the Tacky Christmas Sweater Contest:
Singing, Vacationing Santa, he sings "It's 5 o'clock somewhere...."
2nd place...
3rd place
Decorations made by my daughter at school!

How cute is this milk jug Snoopy!


Cheese Whiz...a must!
Crock Pot Drinks, recipe on next post
Little Debbie Snack cakes where a huge hit!


Pigs in a blanket...nothing says party like these!
Two color jello (so "Tacky"!)
Deviled eggs...

We did have other foods but these were some of the highlights!

This party was so easy to pull together, I used my best Tupperware, and finest paper plates!
We had our Kids gift exchange first...


note the extra cute Martha Stewart kids cooking set...Thanks Aunt Jenny!

Now let the real party begin!

First we had a contest of how "guess how many M&M's in a jar" (I forgot to get a photo)

Next was the "Dirty Santa" Gift exchange.
click here for rules and ideas
We had silly gifts...




The Elvis Popcorn was a big hit!

Elvis Popcorn stolen by Ron!
Next game was fun..

We took a prize (we used a small box of candy), wrap it good, then wrap it in another box, then another, another , another...make it hard to unwrap. Use lots of tape...

You need one dice and oven mitts.

Start rolling the dice, when someone lands a six they have to put on the gloves and open the present, in the meanwhile, everyone else keeps rolling the dice...the next person who gets a six steals the oven mitts and unwraps...winner is the one to finally reach the prize




oven mitts make great gifts!
Tupperware jello mold was another special gift!
This was the yummy leftovers, cheese whiz, cocktail weenies, and ding dongs!

Til next Christmas...

Get those sweaters ready.

Angel Wing Cookies

These are usually called "Viennese Crescents" or "Mexican Wedding Cookies.."

We decided to name them "Angel Wing Cookies"
My Angel making cookies....
I make these Cookies every Christmas!

Enjoy this recipe:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Confectioner's Sugar

2 cup flour

1 cup butter (softened)

1 cup blanched slivered almonds (chop finely or ground them)

2 tsp almond extract

1/2 tsp salt

Heat oven to 325. Grease cookie sheets.

In large bowl mix by hand all ingredients.

Shape into "angel wings" (crescents).

Bake 15 minutes

Cool cookies completely, then sprinkle with confectioner's sugar

Candy Cane Chocolate Hearts

I love these Candy Cane Hearts!

They were so easy...
Need: mini candy canes, chocolate melts, sprinkles or non-pareils

(I have a Wilton Chocolate melter...I highly recommend using a 50% off coupon at Jo-Anns's), and a squeeze bottle to fill the centers
lay unwrapped candy canes on wax paper, melt chocolate and fill *make sure to fill the edges well, so the chocolate keeps the candy canes together*
I used a squeeze bottle, easier than a spoon, sprinkle non-pareils while chocolate is melted
let cool and enjoy!

This would make a cute gift for teachers or friends!

Thanks Sharnell at mylife-myloves.blogspot.com (in Australia) for this great idea!

Peppermint Tree

My Little helper...
A peppermint tree.

You need a styrofoam tree, mints, and straight pins (and a little helper!)

Countdown to Christmas Advent Book Idea (Countdown to Christmas with Books)

Countdown to Christmas With Books!

Through the years, I have saved children's Christmas books.

This year, I wrapped each one and put a label on them to open each night before Christmas



I used Christmas labels and labeled each one"Open Decmber __", etc.
Getting to open a present a night is fun!

If you do not have enough books saved, borrow them from the library!

This is a great treat for the whole family....enjoy a Christmas story every night together.

Can you guess what book is saved for December 24th?