Every year for the past 4 years, I've thrown a Halloween Craft Night for me and my friends. I mean a night with your friends, Halloween Snacks, drinking, and crafting? What could be more made with HAPPY? Not much my friends, not much.
Armed with a list of snacks and drink ideas, I headed down to the Walmart, and look what I see right as I walk in the door.
Orange Fanta! Yes please! The perfect orange beverage that is going to look great in our Jack-o-lantern crafted beverage container.
Setup for this party was a snap. Make it easy on yourself when it comes to throwing parties like this. Craft nights tend to have lots of moving pieces when it comes to organizing and planning the crafts themselves, so keep the food and drinks fairly simple.
Using some simple electric tape, I cut some fun triangles out and made our mason drinks jack-o-lanterns. Paired with a black striped straw, you have the cutest little drink cups. We also added some electric tape to the outside of the beverage container to create a fun little pumpkin.
Depending on our guest's preferences, there are a few different recipes for the jack-o-lantern punch. If your guest isn't opposed to an adult version of punch, I highly recommend adding a bottle of wine to the Fanta making a Fanta Sangria.
For each liter or Fanta, you can add one bottle of wine. Its is quick and simple and festive. Delicious.
You could also place a bottle of vodka to the side of your punch bowl, and let your guest add the alcohol if they are so inclined.
Last, for the family friendly version, you can never do wrong by scooping a half quart vanilla ice cream into the punch bowl (right before the guest get there) and it tastes just like a creamsicle.
Your guest will be going back for seconds and thirds for sure!I found some fun plastic eye balls at the dollar store and added for some fun. For the snacks, I once again like to keep it simple but festive. I created a delicious red pepper and pimento brie dip.
Ingredients:
- One round block of brie
- One sheet of puff pastry, thawed
- Red pepper and pimento spread/tapenade (found in the olive aisle)
- Wheat Thins
Directions:
Pre-heat oven at 375 degrees. It is a total preference thing, but I like to scrap most of the white casing of the brie off for this dish. You can certainly keep it on, there is no harm in eating it.
Once your puff pastry sheet is thawed, place your brie into the center of the sheet. Spread your pepper tapenade on the top and then fold the corners up over the cheese. Into the oven for approximately 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
Once you pull it out of the oven, then onto a plate and add more pepper spread to the top. Spread your wheat thins around the dip. So yummy. If you're looking for me, I'm the one with my face in the brie.
Lastly, I really wanted to add something sweet. In keeping it simple, I made some cute Oreo Frankenstein Pops that only take a few minutes to make and are always a hit. Who doesn't love oreos?
Plus, Walmart has the fun Halloween Oreos for the added Halloween fun! Simply add the green icing to the bottom ⅔rds of the cookie. Using the black icing, add your eyes, mouth, and hair line. Add a popsicle stick into the stuffing. Shazam, you have yourself the cutest little treats on this side of Transylvania.
Depending on the crowd, its also fun to serve the oreo pop in a small glass of milk.
This year, I opted for one larger craft, whereas in years past, we would work on a few different smaller crafts. We each made a "Bottle of Boos" lantern and can I just tell you, it is now one of my all-time favorites. Here's how we did it.
Supplies:
- An Empty Wine Bottle. I didn't have any at my house (surprising really:)), and had trouble finding new empty bottles, so I actually went and bought the cheapest bottle of wine I could find, and removed the labels using soap and hot water. Easy peezy.
- Yarn or Twine
- protective gloves (optional)
- Acetone
- Small Bowl to hold acetone
- Large bowl or bucket filled with ice water
- Lighter
- Sandpaper
- Markers
- Paints
- Paint brushes
- Tea lights
Directions:
Please note, that this project does require heating glass which is dangerous. If you chose to recreate this project, I claim no responsibility.
At the bottom of the bottle, wrap your yarn around the outside of the bottle approximately 3-5 times. Cut it allowing enough slack to tie a knot. In a small bowl, pour the bottle of acetone (nail polish remover) out.
Unwrap the yarn and then submerge it into the acetone allowing for the yarn to soak through. After a minute or two, remove the yarn from the liquid and again wrap it to the bottom portion of your bottle and tying it tight.
Using the lighter, light the yarn on fire and allow it to burn for a few minutes. One thing to consider is the thickness of the glass. Our bottles were a bit thicker, so it took a little longer.
After a minute or two, submerge the bottle into your bucket of ice water and you should hear a crack and the bottom of the bottle is removed. If it doesn't crack, then you most likely needed it to heat longer.
Once you've removed the bottom of the bottle, using the sandpaper, sand the bottom of the bottle to remove any sharp edges.
Then its time to decorate. Lots of giggling, stories and fun!
Add your tea light and you have yourself the coolest "Bottle of Boos"! Thank you #CollectiveBias and #SpookySnacks for another success Halloween Craft Night. Remember parties don't have to be elaborate. Keep it simple and festive and you and your guest will all have the best of times!
If you're looking for some other fun ideas using Fanta, Oreos and Wheat Thins, there are demos happening on October 25th at a Walmart Store nearest you. Here is the list of participating stores.