I used to go all out on cakes, decor, and nibbles. Wowing people was all part of the plan, and I used to do a pretty decent job of that.
Back when I only had one kid.
I threw a pretty fantastic princess party last year and it almost killed me. I went into hiding for about 10 months, and I’m finally reemerging from the depths of the princess party underworld. I thought I’d give my hand at throwing another really awesome Halloween inspired party for the Wake Forest Junior Women’s Club October Membership month meeting, but looking through Pinterest gave me an anxiety attack. Literally. I was having trouble breathing, my heart was racing, and I felt imminent doom shroud my head.
It was my own personal zombie apocalypse.
So I decided to throw a frazzled mom party. Know what’s great about a frazzled mom party? It doesn’t take much to make other frazzled moms happy. You slap some things together, you ask them to bring a little side of their own, you whip up some boiling blood punch, some Devilishly good Mocha Choca Latta Ya Ya Rice Krispie Treats , a batch of Mars Cookie Bites, (all recipes below) slap it all on a table with some paper straws and call it a day! This is the easiest Halloween baking you’ve ever seen.
My spooky celebration wasn’t about impressing anyone, it was more about getting to know the new and returning members of the club and just having a good time indulging in some good old fashioned adult conversation.
To prepare for this little fete, I employed my children to help me out with the goodie bags and baked goods.
The Muffin was asked to add two Fun Size Mars candies to each bag, and three Miniature Size Mars candies to each bag. It was a lesson in counting and addition, and she did a pretty darned good job. She enjoyed throwing the M&Ms , Twix, Snickers, and Three Musketeers into the little bags. She ate the Skittles and Starburst.
While The Muffin was working on her treat bags, I had The Nerd make peel & bake cookies so that we could put some of the Mars Miniatures on top of the cookies once they were baked. He, uh, did it the way only The Nerd knows how to do anything – hastily. The cookies ran all over one another into one huge cookie. After a momentary freak out, I cut the cookies into squares and topped each square with a little chocolate treat. They might have been scary ugly, but they were insane asylum delish.
I also made BBQ brain meatballs but burned the snot out of them, so they aren’t pictured. Apparently Burned BBQ Brain Meatballs are pretty tasty, because they didn’t last. Yeah, yeah. I took them to the party despite their crispy status.
I also mixed together some devilishly delicious caramel mocha brownie bites by using crumbled Twix and mocha powder in an otherwise standard rice krispie treat recipe.
I was, in true Summer-style, running late so I didn’t have time to set up the little crepe paper spiders I made for the celebration, or the crepe paper banners I wanted to hang from the ceiling. I did remember to wear my best red horned headband to the meeting so that I looked the part as I whipped up a dizzying delicious 7-Up and Hawaiian Punch concoction in my cauldron.
Each of our members brought another treat and we had quite the feast to snack on as we mingled and got to know one another.
We ended up having a really nice time. It was great to see some of my friends for the first time since our last meeting in April, and great to meet some potential members.
Plus, I didn’t have to be committed from the stress of a party. Throwing a few super easy things together, asking my guests to bring their own treats as well, and having the party at a location other than my house made things so much easier. I swear, for the frazzled mom, it’s the only way to throw a #SpookyCelebration.
Just don’t throw your celebration without first checking out this great coupon for your Halloween Celebration needs.
Outta This World Mars Cookie Bites
Prep time | 10 minutes |
Meal type | Snack |
Misc | Child Friendly , Freezable |
Occasion | Halloween |
Ingredients
- 2 tubes Pull & Bake Cookie Dough
- 1 bag Mars Mixed Miniatures Variety Pack (Unwrapped - Duh.)
Note
Easiest. Cookie bite Recipe. EVER.
Directions
Step 1 | |
Follow package instructions on cookies and bake according to directions on parchment lined baking sheet. | |
Step 2 | |
While cookies are baking, unwrap enough candy for each cookie to have one piece of candy on top of it. | |
Step 3 | |
When cookies come out of the oven, place one piece of candy on each cookie, then move cookies, still on parchment, to wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to refrigerator to solidify candy to cookie. |
Caramel Mocha Rice Krispie Treats
Prep time | 5 minutes |
Cook time | 15 minutes |
Total time | 20 minutes |
Dietary | Gluten Free |
Meal type | Dessert , Snack |
Misc | Child Friendly , Freezable , Pre-preparable , Serve Cold |
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 40 Large chocolate marshmallows (You can also use vanilla/chocolate swirl marshmallows or plain marshmallows.)
- 6 cups Rice Krispies
- 4 tablespoons Lake Champlain Chocolates' Mocha Hot Chocolate Powder (Or another brand mocha hot chocolate powder)
- 12 pieces Mars Twix Fun-Size Candies (Chopped fine in a blender or food processor)
Note
These can be made ahead and stored in the freezer for up to 6 weeks. Remove from freezer for 15 minutes before eating.
Directions
Boiling Blood Punch
Ingredients
- 2l 7-Up
- 2 quarts Hawaiian Punch, Original ((half gallon))
- 1 carton Raspberry Sherbert
- 1/2 cup Orange Juice
Directions
Step 1 | |
Mix Hawaiian Punch, 7-Up, an Orange Juice together then add raspberry sorbet. |
Jenny from Mommin' It Up says
You are TOO GOOD! Don’t try to pretend you’re not! I think I could handle the punch, anyway…
Summer says
You are OH so kind. I guess from one NOT “that mom” to another, that’s a super awesome compliment. 🙂
Beeb says
What yummy food you made! I know what you mean about parties, I love doing them but they are a ton of work.
McKinney Mommas says
Okay, I totally love the idea for this party. Some of the moms in our group are always throwing these gorgeous festivities….just for playgroup and I get overwhelmed at the idea of it. Your Frazzled Mom Party is totally doable, and when you’re not stressed out from baking for hours and well…days ahead of time, you have time to focus on the PEOPLE which is what really matters in my book. Kudos to you!
Summer says
Thanks! It makes it easier when you remember the purpose of a get together. I don’t strive to be the one of my friends who throws the most elaborate parties. I certainly don’t mind going to those parties, though!
Nicole says
This really is a great reminder of what a gathering should be- FUN! I need a reminder of that every once in a while! It’s ok to order pizza 😉 and just relax (or in your case, get others to bring the munchies!). Love these recipes, too!! Now I know what to do with some of this leftover candy! Outta this World Mars Cookie Bites are calling my name!