Hellooooooooooooo Gift Presentation and Party

I moved over to the Gift Presentation and Party area at work recently. I am no longer a greeting card designer:(. It has been a new adventure for me and I am the process of working on my first big project. Wish me luck! I saw this vimeo yesterday and couldn't resist sharing:

TV1: Celebration from sixty40 on Vimeo.

#5 in my list of all time favorite candy is...

CADBURY CREME EGGS!

While some people find them utterly disgusting, they are always something I look forward to when Easter candy hits the stores. My favorite thing to do with them is suck the yolk out. The technique is pretty similar to how you blow out a regular egg. I have also tried making a tiny hole in the egg and then inserting a straw to try to get the insides out but the "yolk" is too thick. As as kid I could down 3 of these in one sitting but now 1 at a time is enough.

I soooooo wish this giant egg would come drop a trunk-load of creme eggs in my driveway.

Here are a few fun/weird/gross things to do with Cadbury Creme Eggs:

How to Make a Giant Cadbury Creme Egg

How to Make Cadbury Creme Egg Muffins

#6 in my list of all time favorite candy is...

CHICK-O-STICKS!

Shake that chick o stick ohh that chick o stick ohh shake that chick o stick ohh that chick o stick boy shake that chick o stick yea that chick o stick yea that chick o stick yea.

Usually when I am eating a Chick-O-Stick, I have someone ask, "What IS that?" It shocks me how many people out there have never tasted one! The only thing I can ever think to compare the taste to is the center of a Butterfinger. The outside is covered with toasted coconut. Mmmm. When they were originally introduced back in the day, they were called "Chicken Bones". The name changed to Chick-o-Sticks in 1955 because another company already owned the name. Good thing because I can't say I ever would have fathomed trying candy by that name.

Here is a delightful little quote I found on the Atkinson's candy website when researching for this post:

"Your candy takes me back to one of the happiest times in my life. Chick-O-Sticks remind me of thunder storms, black walnut trees, a cozy porch swing, Mom beautiful as a movie star in her poodle skirt and sweater, WoolWorth's chocolate sodas, KHOG radio station, chicken after Sunday church, making mud pies. Life was beautiful back then. Life was simple and a joy to live."

Thanks for that "Peggy from Illinois."

If I had a nickel for every memory I have of my mom as a movie star in her poodle skirt I'd be rich!

#7 in my list of all time favorite candy is...

Vanilla Charleston Chews!

They are delicious! And yes, you should try them frozen. Here's the back story on these delectable little slices of heaven:

-consists of flavored nougat covered in chocolate

-created in 1922 by the Fox-Cross Candy Company

-named for the Charleston, a popular dance at that time.

-available in vanilla, chocolate, blueberry, and strawberry flavors. At one time there was a fifth flavor, banana. **I have never tried any of the other flavors and can only vouch for the vanilla.**

-Mini Charleston Chews are a bite-sized, similarly-shaped version of the candy bar, introduced in 1998.

-Squirrels love them  

#8 in my list of all time favorite candy is...

Buttered Popcorn Flavored Jelly Belly Jelly Beans!

They are so delicious. Mmm. I am amazed at how much popcorn flavor they fit into those little suckers! Having recently discovered my body has developed a weird allergy to real popcorn, I guess popcorn jelly beans will have to substitute. Buckets and buckets of popcorn jelly beans. Extra butter please!

Despite my love of them, there are quite a few people out there that hate popcorn flavored Jelly Bellies. I mean HATE them! Check it out:

-"Honestly, if I had to choose between buttered popcorn and rotten egg I'm not sure which I'd pick. I HATE buttered popcorn jelly beans."

-"Buttered Popcorn Jelly Beans are the grossest, sickest excuse for a candy I know."

-"I've tried [Jelly Belly] buttered popcorn jelly bean. I still get sick just thinking about it.

There is even an official Facebook Page of "I hate the Buttered Popcorn Jelly Belly."

Whoa. Calm down people. 

#9 in my list of all time favorite candy is...

NECCO Sweetheart Conversation Hearts!

 I love them. I like to eat them until my mouth rebels and refuses to let me taste them. They are especially good after the bag has been open for a day or so and they are a little softer and not as crunchy. The smell of them has been described as, "a blend of Love’s Baby Soft and strawberry candles." Mmmmmm.

While doing research for this report, however, I am now thinking they won't be one of my favorites for much longer. You see, my favorite ones in the whole bag are the yellow ones. Previously they were banana flavored but starting this year they will be lemon flavored. Boo. 

Bye banana! I'll miss you. 

Other changes starting this year are as follows:

-Updated packaging

-Candy will be brighter colors- including sparkly ones which sounds fun!

-New flavors such as strawberry, green apple and blue raspberry

-Tech-savvy terms of endearment like "text me" and Tweet Me"

-There are plans to release the hearts year round with red, white and blue on Memorial Day.

-The white ones are gone completely.

I heart Sweethearts.

Check out the video I found from searching "Necco Sweethearts" on YouTube. Apparently not everyone is a fan.

Gotta love those adorable college kids.

It's National Candy Month! Hooooo-ray!

According to American Food Holidays, January is National Candy Month! So, in honor of this special month, I will spend the next 10 days making a top ten list of my favorite candy. If any one else would like to submit a list of their own, please do so in the comments section. 

#10 in my list of all time favorite candy is...

Brach's Candy Corn. It is America's #1 brand of candy corn and my favorite. Some brands taste just simply taste too waxy. Yuck. As I was writing this, I sat here wondering exactly how candy corn is made. I have had my theories for a while now on how they makes the bands of color and after watching this video, I feel like a genius because I was correct! Stayed tuned for #9 tomorrow.

Even The Onion agrees that Brach's is the best. They even have "research" to prove it.

Say it, SAY it...

VAMPIRE COOKIES!
Anyone who knows me is aware that I have become one of the many, many women out there that have fallen prey to the Twilight phenomenon. Yes, I am guilty as charged. A friend sent me a link to these cookies and I am pretty excited about making them. It will be hard to top the Lion and Lamb cookies I made for the Twilight DVD release party last year but I will give it a shot for the New Moon DVD release party- if not sooner. Click here if you want the recipe. Thanks for sharing Amanda!

Cookie Party Update

The cookie party was a huge success! Everyone brought the most delicious cookies. Some of my faves were Lauren's Lemon Drop Cookies, Nina's Chocolate Ganache Sandwich Cookies and Amanda's Hello Dollies. I had small tins for people to pack cookies into as well as supplies like cello bags, tags, and ribbon for people to use to package up cookies for gifts. I made home made hot chocolate for the party. It was delicious and so easy! I am already looking forward to next year's party:)

Here are some shots of my Gingerbread People/Houses/Dogs. They are always a labor of love but so delicious and worth it.

Cookie tins for party-goers.

Swappin' cookies.

I had a tiny tree filled with gingerbread scented cookie ornaments (no, I did not make them) for people to take home with them.

2009 Holiday Tea and Cookie Exchange

This Saturday I am hosting the First Annual Ladies Holiday Tea and Cookie Exchange at my house. I have been busy getting the guest list finalized and it looks like I'm going to be hosting a group of ten gal pals! Every one is bringing 2 dozen cookies to trade so we will all end up with a good selection of Christmas cookies when all is said and done. I have purchased an array of packaging supplies so people can make some of their "trades" into gifts and transport everything home safely (and in style, of course). I will post pictures of the party next week. Above you can see the "logos" I created for the party. I will use these on some of the packaging supplies and on the take-away gifts for the guests. I am attaching a link to the gift tags I created for the party. Feel free to download them and use them for your own holiday treat gifts! Download the gift tags here