Sometimes there's just no predicting kids!
On Tuesday, I threw a little end-of-year party for the Big Sister and a few of her mates. Mum came up to help. We made party food and unbeknownst to the Big Sister, I hired a Frozen jumping castl at a ridiculously cheap rate - thank you Facebook!
I kept the party food simple (see, I'm learning!) and threw a few Christmas-sy numbers into the normal chips, popcorn, carrot stick arrangement.
watermelon Christmas trees
I've never seen watermelon disappear from a party table so quickly! These little watermelon Christmas trees look fiddly, but they take no time at all. Kids love stuff with a handle!
fairy bread Christmas tree
The fairy bread Christmas tree was another big hit. Fairy bread to the power of Christmas? It was bound to be popular! 
white chocolate Christmas crackles
I threw a few ingredients together and thought I'd make white chocolate Christmas crackles. No copha, just good old-fashioned chocolate. I made them in mini cupcake cases, because experience says if they're too big, half crackles will be popping up in unexpected places for weeks. This batch made about fifty.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups rice bubbles
- ½ cup desiccated coconut
- 180g mini m & ms
- 375g white chocolate, melted
Method:
Combine the rice bubbles, coconut and m & ms in a bowl. Pour over the melted white chocolate. Stir to combine, spoon into cupcake cases and chill.
You know the most surprising thing about the party? The kids had just as much fun with an enormous cardboard tube as they did with the jumping castle.
when do your kids finish for the year?
BOYEATSWORLD says
A frozen jumping castle??? Best mum ever! Great ideas for the festive platters too.. your little watermelon trees are so gorgeous. 🙂
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
I videoed her response as she saw it Aleney. I'll be keeping it for when she's full of teenage angst and complaining we don't love her enough! 🙂
Shelley@moneymummy says
Great clever ideas and simple enough that even I can make them!!! I love the idea of the watermelon Christmas trees - I never would have thought of that!! My daughter loves watermelon! Funny how the simplest ideas like the cardboard tube are often the most amusing!
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
I was stunned at how quickly the watermelon trees disappeared Shelley. I think it's the case for most fruit though right? A cut up apple is much more appealing than a whole one and a tub of rockmelon pieces in the fridge will disappear much faster than one that needs to be cut. 🙂
mummywifeme says
I'm attempting the watermelon xmas trees today for the daycare xmas party. I know you say it's simple, but I really hope I can pull it off. I'm renowned for messing up simple cooking related tasks - even though there is no cooking involved with these trees. Argh. The white chocolate christmas crackles look amazing too. You're such a clever cookie!
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
You'll manage no problems Renee. I'll keep an eye out for a photo of your completed masterpiece on Instagram! x
Lydia C. Lee says
I love the xmas tree styled foods! You're too clever!
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
I can't take the credit here Lydia. Watermelon Christmas trees have been doing the rounds so long that I hear there are cave paintings depicting them! 🙂
Lydia C. Lee says
So your 'rounds' are lovely xmas tree shaped food and my feed seems to be filled with hideous violent GTA graphics which I'd rather not see, even in protest of the hateful game...hmmm. How's that come about??? Anyway, you're xmas tree food looks lovely!
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad says
They turned out great! I've seen both the tree plates about the internet of late and have loved them so it's good to see that they're actually achievable! I think I might try the fairy bread tree this weekend!
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
Would you believe I stuffed up the fairy bread and cut the bread into pieces before I spread it with butter? Rookie fairy bread error! Someone on Instagram told me that she uses melted butter and a brush, but I'm yet to try it. Who knew there were different techniques for fairy bread?
Cindy@Your KidsOT says
Looks like great fun! I will have to try those white chocolate crackles. why did we ever use copha? That is an enormous cardboard tube! must print out your printable again too. Thanks
claireyhewitt01 says
If you have a christmas tree cake tin (doesn't everyone?) I have a super easy idea here too...http://claireyhewitt.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/imogen-turns-four-christmas-birthday.html
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
That sprinkle tree is fab and I might steal the watermelon idea for the kid's party in 10 days or so. I love your backyard/lawn, what I wouldn't give to be able to give my kids this sort of backyard! x
Malinda (@MBPaperPackages) says
I've tried the first two with great success so maybe I might give the third a go too. We have our last week next week so I can see that some of these will be coming out on plates very soon!
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
Oh you clever cookie mama! There must be invitation envy for parties at your place, Amanda x
sarah@Tomfo says
I love these ideas, so simple and clever, I'm going to use that fairy bread tree idea tonight when we go to a kids party, thank you. x
KirbyKerb says
You just saved me a trip to Woolies with 2 cranky kids b4 the daycare party tonight... and for that you a legend! Awesome ideas lady! Xx
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
Such fab ideas. I'm going to try the watermelon and White Chocolate Crackles have been top of my list to do for what seems like aeons. What a delicious end to the year. And Amanda, what a big backyard you have! (That last sentence was said in my best Little Red Riding Hood voice!)
MrsDplus3 says
Look at all that land - makes me want to just run across it!! Just because! How cute is that watermelon, I might just try that one. I have a bring a plate play group party next week and you've just sorted me out - thanks chic!! Mum of the year there with that frozen bouncy castle!! x
Dani from Sand Has No Home says
Looks fantastic. I am off to a mothers group family Xmas dinner tonight,so these are good ideas. Thank you.
mamagrace71 says
Watermelon Christmas trees! Sheer brilliance! Definitely going to do that for this year's Christmas lunch! x
NewLifeOnTheRoad (@NewLifeOnRoad) says
What a brilliant end of year Xmas party - Love the jumping castle, and the watermelon trees...gosh they look fantastic - you so should do a blog post on how to make them {for us Mums who have no e creative bones in our bodies!!!]
Love the White Chocolate Crackles. And yeah keep that video for when she going through those teenager years, it will be so good to remind her of this day 🙂
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
Maybe I'll do an illustration just for you Lisa! 🙂