I purposely scheduled the party at a 'non-eating' time so I didn't have to throw serving a meal on top of everything else I was doing. I did everything, but baking the cake, and the cake pops myself.
One of my favorite items from the party was the sucker tree. The kids (and adults!) LOVED it. I got the candle holder from Hobby Lobby (8.99 on sale), and I used a 6" styrofoam ball and cut one end off so it sit flat on the candle holder. From there I filled it with Dum-Dum suckers. It took A LOT of suckers to fill this thing. But, it's still in the kitchen, I keep refilling it. It's such a colorful cute decoration.
The cookies. I was VERY specific on the cookie cutters I wanted. I searched multiple stores (and had my in-laws looking) for a wrapped candy shaped cookie cutter. I FINALLY found it at Joanne Fabrics. The cookies themselves I just used Pillsbury sugar cookie dough out of the tube. I know, I know..cheater. But I put a lot of time and effort into decorating that I really didn't want to put that much effort into baking. I made a lot of cookies, so I used two of the large tubes. I honestly don't even know if they sell them when it's not Christmas time. For the icing/glaze I mixed powdered sugar and a tiny bit of milk until I got the consistency I wanted. I then added the coloring gel (Wilton brand that comes in a little jar..around $1.75/color at Walmart) and transferred it to the piping bags. They do sell white coloring as well, which I did use. I believe I got that at Joanne's too. Not going to lie. I was decorating for around 4 hours. I got about two and a hlaf episodes of the Following (on Netflix) into it and was asking myself what was I thinking!? I have to say the time and effort were worth it though. Those snowmen rocked.
The cake. Oh this cake was specific. I thought it was going to be super easy. White round cake, red polka dots and red trim. I mean, how hard? Right? Apparently it was very confusing for the poor girl at Sam's Club. Twenty minutes later I felt moderately sure that she understood what I wanted. I was greatly relieved when I picked it up and it was perfect. All I had to do when I got home was add the cookies and suckers (got those at Party City).
Now for the candy. Oh..lots and lots of candy. We had Dum-Dums obviously, Starbursts, M&M's, blue and red Sixlets (color specific from Meijer 2/$5), Hershey's Kisses (chocolate and candy cane flavor), red candy coated marshmellows on a stick, Sourpatch kids, and Candy Canes. I got these cute red and blue scoops from Party City as well. The candy was used as the goodie bag. I bought red and blue small gift bags and red and blue tissue paper. Each bag had the opposite color tissue paper, and before the kids left they got to pick out some candy and cookies to take home. The parents loved that idea.
All in all it turned out just as I had planned. The kids LOVED it. I'm still the favorite aunt..my niece wants to have a Candy Land birthday party for her next birthday.
And here's the happy Birthday Boy!
