PARTY THEME: HOST A SANTA'S COOKIE WORKSHOP PARTY

I remember baking holiday cookies with my mom. I'd drag up a kitchen stool and stand on it while she mixed up the batter then she would let me spoon them onto the baking sheets. Baking cookies and cookie decorating is a timeless holiday tradition and creates wonderful memories for the kids in your family. Make this cookie workshop an annual party the week before Christmas. It’s a perfect holiday party theme for schools, churches, and neighborhoods, too.

A Santa's Cookie Workshop party is so easy to host and each child gets to take home his/her own special cookies for Santa.

Easy party decorations include cookie cutters and small kitchen tools as tree decorations.

Let the kids create their own cookie masterpiece for Santa.

 This is the perfect last minute party for kids hanging around the house waiting for Santa to arrive. They can make their own cookies to leave for Old St. Nick and all you need to throw the party is listed below.

Send an email or even call in your invitation since it is last minute during the busy holiday season. Do ask for an RSVP... you need to know how many guests are coming so you don't overbuy supplies.

Bake plenty of plain cookies for the kids to decorate before party time.

I usually bake all of the cookies in advance so the party doesn't take all day. I'll let each child cut out a few cookies when they arrive in their favorite holiday shape so there is that delicious smell of cookies baking as the party progresses. I like to make vanilla sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies and let the kids decorate them especially for Santa.

Clear off or pop up a large table and cover it with white or brown Kraft paper you can get at the craft store.

Put brown paper over your table to protect it. Place all of the decorating supplies in low plates or shallow bowls to make it easy for little hands.

Line the center of the table with supplies like tubes of icing, sprinkles, candies, gum drops, etc.

Make a work station for each child and write their name above it in crayon so they know where they are to create their cookies.

Design a few simple cookies in advance so the children can have an example.

Food and beverages should be simple. I like to offer bite size treats with a hot chocolate bar for this party. Keep it simple and self-serve so your hosting duties are easy.

Set up a pretty buffet of cookies and candy plus coffee, hot tea, hot cocoa, and other holiday favorites.

A few party games, caroling, a holiday movie, or a visit from Santa can keep the kids occupied while their creations dry. Make sure to have some paper bags, tin containers, Asian take-out boxes, or foil wrap available so guests can pack up their cookies to take home after the party.

Have plenty of supplies available for guests to take their cookies home after the party.

Your little angel will love leaving his personal cookie creation for Santa, sure to become a holiday tradition at your house!

MYRECIPES.COM has a cookie collection with over 1,000 recipes for all kinds of cookies including drop cookies, bar cookies, slice-and-bake, shaped, and rolled!  http://www.myrecipes.com/cookie-recipes/

RECIPE: ZIPPY TWO CHEDDAR PIMENTO CHEESE

My mom would make Pimento Cheese for sandwiches, to stuff in celery for special occasions or to snack on with saltines… it was her go to for easy entertaining and it is still one of my favorites to this day. I've added a little extra zip with some Sriracha but if you don't have any, don't buy it just for this recipe. 

ZIPPY TWO CHEDDAR PIMENTO CHEESE

Difficulty: Easy   Prep Time: 15 minutes plus 1 hour

Cook Time: No cook recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 pound extra sharp cheddar cheese

½ pound sharp white cheddar cheese

½ cup mayonnaise plus more as desired

½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon white pepper

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1- 4 ounce jar pimento or roasted red peppers, drained and diced small

3-4 drops Tabasco

1/8 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon Sriracha

Chill the cheese in the freezer for 15 minutes to make it easy to grate. You can do this all in the food processor but I prefer the texture when I grate the cheese with a box grater and mix it all by hand because that is the way my mom did it. Grate the cheeses and place in a large mixing bowl. Drain and dice the pimento. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly. If you prefer a smooth mixture, you can add more mayonnaise. Cover and refrigerate. Remove from the refrigerator for a bit prior to serving to allow it to soften so it is easy to spread.

RECIPE: CLASSIC OR POMEGRANATE MARGARITAS FOR A CROWD

When you are planning for a crowd, think about serving the drinks in a big dispenser. This certainly makes entertaining easier. No bartender duties for anyone! I will make up large containers of my party beverages beforehand and put them in the freezer to get them slushy... this cuts down on the need for as much ice and the drinks don't become so diluted.

CLASSIC MARGARITA

Makes one cocktail

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine…

1.5 ounces tequila (use any good quality tequila, I prefer blanco or white instead of anjeo, reposado or other)

1.5 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice

1 ounce orange liqueur (Grand Marnier)

½ teaspoon agave nectar (or you can use 1 teaspoon. Confectioner’s sugar)

*To make into Pomegranate Margaritas, add 1 ounce Pama Liqueur and reduce the orange liqueur to a splash. Add a splash of club soda to make it really fresh and light.

Shake until well chilled. Pour in a glass rimmed with kosher salt.

FOR A CROWD: 20 people

In a large dispenser or pitcher, mix together

4 cups tequila

4 cups fresh squeezed lime juice

2 ½ cups orange liqueur

¼ cup agave nectar (or ¼ cup Confectioner’s sugar)

3-5 cups club soda or to your taste to lighten a bit if you like; the melting ice will also dilute slightly

Ice

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POMEGRANATE MARGARITAS

To make into Pomegranate Margaritas, add 2 cups Pama Liqueur and reduce the orange liqueur to ½ cup. Lighten with a little club soda, if desired.

Note: A good quality tequila is important because this drink is all about the tequila. I always add the ice at the last moment before guests arrive. The melting ice will slightly dilute the drinks or you can add the club soda to your taste to also dilute them slightly if the party will be going on for hours.