Simple and Spooky Halloween Party Drinks

 Bring these simple and fun drinks to your next Halloween or Pumpkin Carving Party!  Instructions and a printable download follow. First check out this inexpensive and kid friendly hostess gift!  Peel the label from an orange soda 2 liter bottle and add a simple pumpkin face with Contact paper.

 They sell some that has a blackboard finish, but I didn't have any and I'm super impatient, so I spray painted some that I had.  Just be careful when working with it, because the paint can fall off.

  I Googled B&W pumpkin faces on my phone and drew on the back of the paper. (I also cut a portion of the label I had peeled off and stuck it to the portion of the bottle where I couldn't get the sticky gunk off.  That will be the back and if they are curious about whether it was Sunkist or generic, they can check the back.  Generic is usually how I roll ;)

Last, I added a punched out leaf shape and some green curling ribbon.  This looks so cute and it only cost me about $1!

Next I did a project for the big people (but you could get orange or grape soda in the cartons for kids.  Just don't bring cartons of both to the same party.  Once they have labels, it's real easy to liquor up the kid down the street when he accidentally gets a Mike's Margarita instead of the lemon lime soda he was expecting.  TRUE STORY! {Sorry Ryan!}

  Add fun labels to the bottles.  (My favorites are "Truth Serum" and "Wart Tonic")

When the bottles are gone, you can use the carton as a utensil dispenser. (And it folds flat to store until next year. BRILLIANT!)

Here are some awesome places to get labels:

Spook Show's Creepy Labels

Kristine McKay' Spooky Labels

Or print your own drink carton label right here:
Carton Label on Scribd

If you are loving the drink carton idea, check out my summer version:

http://paperjewels.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-snack-pack.html

Boo Basket (and Cute Boo Poem)

Do you BOO?  Neighbors in my area give these anonymous, fun gifts during the Halloween season.  I found this "cute" version of the Boo Poem (scroll down) to add some variety to my gift (and throw off those neighbors who were attempting to figure out who left their gift based on the poem version I have used in past years!)

 Here is a closeup of Mabelle's adorable pumpkin girl.  (See her stamps and digi designs here.)

And here is a peek inside the basket.  Isn't this a fun time of year?  Of course, our favorite part is to get dressed in dark clothes, leave this at a neighbor's door, ring and RUN!

Here is the poem:

Boo!

Since this is the time for goblins and bats

Halloween spirits and ghosts and cats

Happenings are weird and witches make brew

The following are the things I wish for you.

May the only spirit you chance to meet

Be the spirit of love and friends that are sweet.

May the only goblin that comes your way

Be the neighborhood phantom, the breeze takes away.

So by tomorrow, pick a friend down the street

And give to them a Halloween treat.

Fill a basket with goodies galore,

Then leave it at their front door.

You only have one day to do this, so hurry

Leave your gifts and run in a flurry

As this boo moves along from friend to friend,

All good wishes go on and never end

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Easy Halloween Treat: Peanut Butter Pumpkins

These are as delicious to eat as they are fun for you and your kids to make!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange gel icing color
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• mini pretzels or pretzel sticks

Instructions:

Creme together peanut butter, butter, vanilla and gel icing color with a mixer.  (You can use regular food coloring by combining red and yellow, but the gel coloring is very concentrated and yields the best consistency.)

Add the confectioner's sugar a small amount at a time.  The mixture will become very stiff and difficult to mix.  Use a rubber spatula to combine any of the mix that clings to the side of the bowl.

Roll 1 tablespoon at a time into a ball and make creases with the back of a butter knife.

 Kids love helping make these!  I usually give them a small amount so they can make their very own plate. {wink}

The finishing touch is to add a pretzel stem.  Mini pretzels or stick pretzels both look darling. Refrigerate  pumpkins until ready to serve. Have fun and leave me a note if you enjoyed making these!