December 6, 2010

Santa Party Mix

 This past weekend my husband and I got together with some friends and had a game night.
Game nights are fun, aren't they?
Aren't they?
Well, they are supposed to be fun.
Until...
Men vs. Women.
Apparently as a married adult it gets all kindergarten on game nights.
When you are in elementary school it's always boys vs. girls.
The sexes seem to come together in the mid teens through your twenties when you are wearing love goggles and you play "couples".
After you have been married for a while, you squeegee the steam off the goggles and it's all boys vs. girls again.
It all seems like good fun when the games start.
Then, slowly but surely, the tide starts to turn.
It would be remiss of me not to mention that I was on the losing side of the tide.
Sometimes it happens like that.
It would also be remiss of me not to tell you that this was a rematch.
We have lost before.
Losing is not so much fun.
Especially when you were the ones that called for the rematch.
We just knew that the first loss was a...fluke, if you will.
An isolated incident.
Apparently not.
We lost again...at the rematch.
*hangs head in shame*
There has been fist pumping, high fiving, booyah yelling, boastful texting, congratulatory emailing, and smack talking that we, as women, have been fairly gracious about.
I am waiting for the T-shirts to get printed up.
Ok, I'm a little bitter.
I have surmised that we need to choose another game.
Next week it's on!

So, if you're having your own game night or going to some friends...even if you lose, you will be a winner if you bring this fun Party mix!
See, I try to look on the bright side ;)

What makes this mix fun is the addition of the Santa hats.
So, let's start there.
I found these yummy Bugles at the store.  They called Caramel Bugles and they boast the sweet and salty.
You could certainly use the regular Bugles, though.
What I found was so great about the caramel bugles, besides being incredible delicious and addictive was that they are coated in a sweet glaze which makes them a bit thicker and less fragile than regular Bugles...so keep that in mind.
Here's what you'll need...
Bugles
Red Melting disks
Mini marshmallows
White sprinkles (I used nonpareils)

Melt the candy melts, along with a tablespoon of shortening (to help thin the melted candy), in 30 second intervals on half power in your microwave until melted.
Immediately start dipping.
 
 Let them set up for 10 minutes or so on parchment or wax paper.
When they are set, remelt the red candy disk (if necessary) and dip just the bottoms (the large part of the Bugle) into the white sprinkles.
Then flip it over and dip the top in the melted candy and press a mini marshmallow on top.
And voila...
If you want to use the hats as an addition to a mix here's an idea for a sweet and salty mix that's easy and yummy.
Feel free to play around with the additions and make it your own!
3 cups mini pretzels
1/2 cup craisins
1 cup salted dry roasted peanuts
2 cups Rice Chex
2 cups holiday colored M&M's
8 oz. white chocolate for melting

Spread all your ingredients, EXCEPT M&M's, out on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper.
Melt your white chocolate according to package directions and drizzle over the pretzel mix.
Transfer into a large bowl and coat mix with chocolate.
Return to baking sheet to allow to dry.
When chocolate is set, sprinkle M&M's and Santa Hats over the mix.
Transfer to big bowl to serve.
or put in jars to give to your friends...
...or use as a peace offering when your game night doesn't go as planned ;)
Hope your December is off to a great start!

67 comments:

Diane Schmidt said...

So cute, I love the Santa Hats! Looks like a snack we'd enjoy.

The Invisible Seductress said...

This is too cute!!!!!!!

Sue said...

Oh my gosh, I LOVE these Santa hats! Off to the store to buy some bugles!

Kate H.(www.sprinkletherapy.blogspot.com) said...

Those Santa hats are too cute!

Lisa said...

That is a really cute idea. I can't believe you dipped and decorated every single bugle. That's dedication. By the way, I'm holding a giveaway on my blog for Orglamix Organic makeup and you're welcome to come by and enter. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2010/12/orglamix-organic-mineral-makeup-review.html

Cookbook Queen said...

I LOVE this....so dang creative!!

You are too cool for school!!

*Angela* said...

This is ridiculously cute! I'm going to make some to give as office gifts this weekend, thank you!

staci @ lizard n ladybug said...

what a great idea! So flippin cute!

Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} said...

Girl,
You are a genius. How in the world did you think about that? Amazing.

Suburban prep said...

This is beyond adorable.
What a great party mix.

Avril said...

Goodness! I must find me some of those fabulous caramel buggles just so that I can make this Santa Mix! LOVE it!!!

Jocelyn said...

what a super cute idea for the bugles...you rock!!!!

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

So stinkin' cute I can hardly stand it!

Great job!

Judy@cutest-little-things

Danielle said...

I love the santa hats, they're so cute! I never would of thought of that, that's so creative!

Heather Baird said...

Snack mix can be cute! Who knew?!

Joanne said...

It's amazing how the girl/boy interaction dynamics change. I'm in medical school and whenever we go to med school parties, the girls are standing on one side of the room and the boys on the other. And no one is dancing. We're all just kind of bobbing around awkwardly (until the alcohol kicks in, that is. Then all hell breaks loose.) I'm so happy because I have a party to go to on Friday and I can so totally bring this!

Anonymous said...

So creative. Love it! The Santa hats are an inspired touch.

Kewl Granny of Eight said...

I love reading your Blog......it brings a smile to my face on an otherwise dreary Monday. Good luck next week I know you are destined to be a winner. Your Party Mix already is.

Anonymous said...

the santa hats are adorable!

CDC said...

The Santa hats were the first thing I noticed - what an idea! Love it! And love game nights - what are your faves to play? We like 9/5 (like pitch), cribbage, Apples to Apples, etc!

I'll definitely be doing this recipe soon...like this weekend!

Molly said...

I love this! Such a cute idea!

Pink Little Cake said...

So cute, this is a wonderful idea.I love the little hats!

Holly said...

I love the little santa hats!! Soo cute!

erica said...

oh my goodness! How cute is this? I will definitely be making Santa Party Mix!

xo

Anonymous said...

So cute and creative!

the decorated cookie said...

Cute. Genius. I had to post on ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com immediately.

And a tale of commiseration: Our former neighbors still speak of the infamous Monopoly Game Night of '05. My husband and I, um, did not present ourselves well.

Mimi said...

Fun idea.
Mimi

Erin said...

Oh my gosh! This is so absolutely adorable! I love it!!!!

oneordinaryday said...

Couldn't be any cuter. Very clever!!

Mindy said...

What a great use of Bugles.....will have to try!

Patti said...

OMGosh! I don't think that could be any cuter! I'm definitely making some of those cute hats to mix in with my usual caramel corn!

Kristie Maynard said...

oh yeah, good ole game night! We have a rematch ever year around Christmas and I'll tell ya, we win as many as we lose.
That snack mix looks really yummy and those hats are just adorable. I may just have to try making some of those.

Lori R. said...

what an excellent idea!!! thanks for sharing

Lorraine said...

This is great! My kids will love it. You are so smart:)

Taylor said...

Those Santa hats are too stinkin' cute!! Men vs. Women neverrrr ends well...haha

Linda Vandermeer McCubbin said...

Oh that is the cutest Santa mix, we don't have bugles here darn it.

Anne said...

Can't wait for the next Holiday party!!! I'm so going to be bringing this!

Sandra :) said...

This is so fun and so cute! I have hubby's family coming over for pizza on Sunday so I'll be making this for the snack table - thanks for the idea and the fun tutorial! (And better luck at your next game night - the women can't let the men win again, tho - they'll never let you forget it!)

Shannon said...

Ok, this could be the cutest thing I've ever seen! I usually make "party mix" by just melting p.nut butter chips and then coating the cereal in powdered sugar, but this looks just too cute to pass up. A definite on my Christmas Sweet Treats table this year! Thanks for sharing!

Sonia Monagheddu said...

Dolce e salato mi piace da matti, e l'idea di travestire le patatine è geniale ^_* brava!

Lilianna Grace said...

Love it! I was literally just tryingto think of a colorful holiday snack mix I could make.Thanks!

Anonymous said...

What a delightful festive mix you have created. Who cares about playing games, I just want to curl up with a bowl of Santa Party mix!

Unknown said...

That is too cute. I love the santa hats. I have to try this for christmas this year.

Jenn said...

My younger son saw these as I was looking at them and said "Mom, you HAVE to make these for our family Christmas dinner".... too cute!

Sara Tea said...

You are seriously the cutest most creative lady ever. I'm obsessed.

Abby said...

This is the most genius Christmas treat I've seen this year. I LOVE IT.

Monet said...

You are so creative! When I saw the first photograph, I thought to myself "Now where does one get those adorable santa hats?" I am loving how you put those together! And I have been involved in quite a few men vs. women game nights. I know you will reclaim victory soon! Thank you so much for sharing. I hope the rest of your week is full of joy!

grace said...

i'm competitive. i'm so competitive that my friends hesitate to invite me to game nights--i get ferocious. :)
meanwhile, those santa hats are extremely clever and altogether adorable. bravo.

Caroline said...

The Santa hats are just to die for. I love the idea! I haven't seen a santa mix before that incorporated bugles as the salty snack, so it's really nice to see a different mix than I'm used to!

SweetSugarBelle said...

Mom and I will be making this one! :)

lkjasbrf said...

Oh my gosh.. I love this! I make holiday white trash... that takes just about all the same stuff but I love the santa hats! I think I will be making this for the girls at work!

Anita said...

I am SO making this for our church social hour this coming Sunday!

White Toast with Butter said...

Those Santa hats are great!

Cupcake Crazy Gem said...

What a fun idea, those santa hats are awesome!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

lol, HA! It's cut throat for us, too. We played games on Thanksgiving and the GIRLS won! Rock on. There was 16 of us. Best Thanksgiving ever. I got to whip up on my twin boys, two of my brothers, my honey, my nephew, AND my Dad all in one night. JOY!
~ingrid

The Santa hats are super cute.

Alisha said...

Well, my Santa hats are setting up, and I wanted to tell you how I dipped them. The fork method was becoming too messy for me, so I decided to just use my fingers. I held the bottom (wide end) by the very corners and dipped as far as I could. I figured I had to re-dip the bottoms anyway for the white sprinkles to stick. So far, they're turning out SO cute! Thanks for this recipe! I've passed it along to a bunch of people so far!
Alisha

Alisha said...

Oh, and those Caramel Bugles are DANGEROUS!!! I'm not a huge Bugle fan, but those are DELICIOUS!!!

bridget {bake at 350} said...

You are SO, SO clever! Love this!

Megan said...

I saw those bugles and they also had a chocolate peanut butter version. That was the flavor I bought. I ate the whole bag. :(
This is so cute and what a fun snack. Wonder if I could find the time...

Cyndi said...

Wicked Cute!!

Anonymous said...

This is adorable. I love the santa hats you made!

Ali said...

I made this for my co-workers! They loved it. I've already send 6 people to your blog for the recipe. Great idea!

Valerie said...

Cute! Cute! I wish I woulda seen these before Christmas.

A Little Bit of Everything! said...

I used just the plain Bugles and they worked good also. Here is the link to mine if you're interested in checking them out. Not as cute as yours but pretty cute. :) http://tanya-alittlebitofeverything.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-candies.html

Kori said...

Oh my gosh, too cute! I love the addition of those Santa hats! I'll definitely have to save this for next year ;)

Angie said...

I made this minus the Santa hats. Did not have time to make them and this dessert was the biggest hit at the party I went to over New Years. This will be a definite next year for Christmas gifts.

Angie - Big Bears Wife said...

I thought I hvae commented on this before, but I don't see my post. :( we made these last year for christmas and they were a huge hit! EVERYONE loved them!

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