Once they get the hang of it, they will be able to finish a few bags in no time at all.

Once the favour bags are made, they can get creative with decorating it to suit the theme [...]]]>

Let your child or children share in the excitement of an upcoming theme party by making the favour bags.

Once they get the hang of it, they will be able to finish a few bags in no time at all.

Once the favour bags are made, they can get creative with decorating it to suit the theme of the party.

Here is a step by step tutorial on how to make your own favour bags or even gift bags (why buy when you can make it yourself?)

First off you will need some empty cardboxes like cereal boxes, biscuit boxes, etc.  (the size of the box will depend on the size of the bag you want to make – if there is no empty boxes on hand, try using a soft-cover book)

Other things you will need:

Scissors
Coloured card or heavy wrapping paper
Double-sided tape or glue
Cardboard
Hole punch
Ribbon, string or cord to match or compliment the paper

Lay box flat on long side of paper, ensuring paper will fold up to cover three-quarters of base.

Wrap paper around box to take circumference measurement, adding 2cm for overlap at side join. Mark dimensions with pencil, remove box and cut out.

Wrap paper around box to measure overlap, remove and open up again. Fold 3-4 cm over to inside at top edge of paper, glue in place.

Idea: Strengthen the places where the holes for the string or cord will be by cutting two pieces of firm cardboard about 3.5 cm wide and just a little shorter than the front and back width of the bag. Put glue on either side of the cardboard and position the pieces of the cardboard along the inside of the bag before gluing  the top edges in place.

Wrap paper around box and secure the overlap at the side with double-sided tape or glue.

While the box is still in the bag, fold the bottom edges over.

Secure with double-sided tape or glue

Tip:

For extra strength or a neater finish, you can cut a piece of paper just a little smaller than the base of the bag and glue in place.

Slide box out of bag

Another tip: You can also cut a piece of cardboard the same size as the base  and insert it into the bag on the bottom.

Pinch edges of bag together with fingers and crease down sides carefully.

Flatten bag, fold bottom and flatten. Fold bottom back and open bag.

Punch two holes in each side at top, measure the string or cord to the length that you want the handles and add about 5 cm.

Thread the string or cord through the holes and knot the ends. Make sure that the knots are big enough so that the handles don’t come off.

Have fun planning your kid’s theme party!

Marshmallows can be used for so many party foods that I cannot think of any party theme where it cannot be [...]]]>

I love marshmallows! It does not matter what size, colour or flavour they are, it’s good, good, good. When it comes to kids theme parties, marshmallows definitely deserve an honorary place.

Marshmallows can be used for so many party foods that I cannot think of any party theme where it cannot be used. Off the top of my head, here are a few things that you can use marshmallows for:

• Animals and people

• Bugs and monsters

• Snowmen

• Faces for “cone people”

• Legs and shoes

• Flowers to decorate the birthday cake

• To sandwich biscuits together

• To make Rice Krispie and popcorn treats

• As toppers for filled ice cream cones

• Mini marshmallows can be strung together for necklaces and bangles

• Dainty hats for a tea party

• Dipped in chocolate…

In a next post I will share my recipes for marshmallow popcorn balls and filled marshmallow cones.

It is also quite easy to make your own marshmallows at home.

Here is my favourite marshmallow recipe that I have been using for more years than I can remember. Enjoy!

You will need:

50 g (80 ml ) gelatin
125 ml cold water
375 ml boiling water
4 x 250 ml white sugar
2 egg whites
pinch of salt
5 ml vanilla essence or flavor of choice
Food coloring (optional)

Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer and allow to soften. Add the boiling water and stir until the gelatin has dissolved. Add the white sugar, egg whites, salt and beat with the whisk attachment of electric mixer for 15 to 20 minutes until the mixture thickens. Pour into a prepared glass dish and leave in the refrigerator until it has set. Dip a sharp knife into boiling water and cut the marshmallows into squares. Roll each square in icing sugar or toasted coconut.

Spoon the mixture into ice cream cones. Sprinkle thousand and ones, chocolate vermicelli or chopped nuts over the mixture.

Read the full post on my edible gifts blog to see how to make chocolate covered and toasted coconut covered marshmallows for your teenager’s theme party.

Have fun planning your kid’s next theme party!