Candies, no matter what form, are really fun. They bring back childhood memories for adults and create many more memories for children. There are now hundreds of candy variations available the world over. Whether chewy, hard, with nougat or with sugar coating, candies are almost always a part of special occasions, especially weddings. Couples give out candy wedding favors as a reminder to their guests of the sweet occasion. Candy is easy to love and appreciate. Just take a treat out of its wrapper, pop it into your mouth, and enjoy.
During Easter, a lot of Easter baskets are filled with candies. While you can place only candies in your gift baskets, why not be a little more creative and add some other fun stuff? Your basket will look more colorful and be a huge hit with recipients once you fill it with any or maybe all of the suggested items below.
To balance out the sweetness, pop in a few healthy but yummy snacks such as pretzels or cookies. You can also add chocolate-covered fruits like bananas or strawberries (just be sure to inform the receiver to eat the fruit or store it in the refrigerator so it doesn’t spoil). These yummy treats are as delightful as candies but are packed with vitamins and great for your health.
You can also place marbles, small car toys, or even beaded necklaces in the basket. These are fun items that will be appreciated by older children. School items as well, such as erasers, crayons, or bookmarks, can be offered, too. Seed packets and trading cards are also options you can give. Many of these items can be bought in bulk, whittling away at the budget and making your Easter even better!
Make the baskets really colorful and the items inside as colorful as well to maintain the Easter celebratory spirit. There is really no limit to what you can put in your basket. You can give traditional candies, but have other offerings as well to surprise your children in a fun, lasting way with all the options. No matter what gifts you offer, remember that the most important gift is to join in the spirit of Easter with your family.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Homemade Candies Make Delightful Wedding Favors
No event is sweeter than your wedding day. Surrounded with beauty, love, and thoughts of forever, your wedding day is special as no other. It can be very expensive, too. There are many items on your wedding needs list that you can make on your own to decrease costs. The invitations, flower bouquets, centerpieces, and even your wedding gown can be homemade yet still be as beautiful and special as store-bought items. A great way to cut costs is by making homemade candies and giving them as wedding favors. Your guests will always remember the sentiment of your time and effort in making the homemade sweets. Here is a simple peanut toffee recipe that can be made days in advance.
In a medium saucepan, heat 1 cup of sugar and a half-pound of butter on high while stirring constantly. In making candies, it is important that the heat remain constant, because any change in temperature can affect the end result. To make this toffee, keep the heat high as you reach 300° F. You may want to use a candy thermometer to ensure you reach the correct temperature. During the heating process, the sugar will break down and then reform into lumps that are stronger and crunchier.
When the mixture reaches a light brown color (this should occur when the proper temperature is reached), add 1 cup of peanuts. Immediately remove the pan from the heat while constantly stirring. This becomes the ideal temperature, as the added nuts will lower the temperature of the mixture and stop the cooking process.
When well mixed, transfer the toffee to another pan, smooth the top, and let cool 5 minutes. Next, sprinkle at least 7 ounces of crumbled chocolate on top. The remaining heat will eventually melt the chocolate. Let it rest for about 5 minutes then cool in refrigerator for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. This recipe yields 5 to 6 servings.
You can give your wedding guests candy wedding favors or candy-themed favors from wedding shops or online favor stores. As sweet as your wedding, these candies will truly complement your special event. Or, you can make batches of the above recipe and personalize them in gift bags. Print gift tags with details of the wedding such as the bride and groom’s names and the date. This special candy favor is inexpensive to make, and your time and effort in providing them for your guests will make them more special and appreciated.
In a medium saucepan, heat 1 cup of sugar and a half-pound of butter on high while stirring constantly. In making candies, it is important that the heat remain constant, because any change in temperature can affect the end result. To make this toffee, keep the heat high as you reach 300° F. You may want to use a candy thermometer to ensure you reach the correct temperature. During the heating process, the sugar will break down and then reform into lumps that are stronger and crunchier.
When the mixture reaches a light brown color (this should occur when the proper temperature is reached), add 1 cup of peanuts. Immediately remove the pan from the heat while constantly stirring. This becomes the ideal temperature, as the added nuts will lower the temperature of the mixture and stop the cooking process.
When well mixed, transfer the toffee to another pan, smooth the top, and let cool 5 minutes. Next, sprinkle at least 7 ounces of crumbled chocolate on top. The remaining heat will eventually melt the chocolate. Let it rest for about 5 minutes then cool in refrigerator for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. This recipe yields 5 to 6 servings.
You can give your wedding guests candy wedding favors or candy-themed favors from wedding shops or online favor stores. As sweet as your wedding, these candies will truly complement your special event. Or, you can make batches of the above recipe and personalize them in gift bags. Print gift tags with details of the wedding such as the bride and groom’s names and the date. This special candy favor is inexpensive to make, and your time and effort in providing them for your guests will make them more special and appreciated.
Your Guide to a Candy-themed Bridal Shower
Every bride deserves a fun, memorable bridal shower. It should be a time when all her closest friends and family gather to have fun, celebrate who she is, and relieve the stress that usually accompanies planning a wedding. This is her last hurrah as a single gal, and a fun, whimsical way to send her off into wedded bliss is with a candy-themed bridal shower. Set the mood of the event with candy invitations and candy wedding favors. Here are some more ideas to make this candy-themed shower really sweet.
For centerpieces that will inspire delight, place colorful lollipops of different heights, colors, and sizes in flowerpots or similar containers. Line the pots with fake grass or crumpled colorful tissue paper for a full “garden” look. These make great centerpieces and look like you’re actually growing candy. Ring Pops can be used for napkin holders or just for guests to sport enormous fake engagement rings of tasty fun. Another great decorating idea is old-fashioned candy necklaces. Guests can wear and nibble on them, or they can serve as decor on your banquet tables or gift area.
For linens, use printed or striped designs in bold colors to complete the visual effect. You can also purchase small candy machines or rent large candy dispensers to add more fun in choosing candies, rather than just setting bowls of them on the tables. Alternatively, you can fill clear vases with colored candies and make each table a bit of candied delight. Add a bit of coordinating ribbon or festive paper, and you’ve got a great photo op.
While many items mentioned in these ideas can be purchased at stores, you can also do a lot of the work on your own and save money, too, by planning ahead and visiting craft stores. You can even make your own candy to serve. What is most important is that the bridal shower will be made sweeter with the efforts of the host(s) and the love of the bride’s friends and family. Have fun!
For centerpieces that will inspire delight, place colorful lollipops of different heights, colors, and sizes in flowerpots or similar containers. Line the pots with fake grass or crumpled colorful tissue paper for a full “garden” look. These make great centerpieces and look like you’re actually growing candy. Ring Pops can be used for napkin holders or just for guests to sport enormous fake engagement rings of tasty fun. Another great decorating idea is old-fashioned candy necklaces. Guests can wear and nibble on them, or they can serve as decor on your banquet tables or gift area.
For linens, use printed or striped designs in bold colors to complete the visual effect. You can also purchase small candy machines or rent large candy dispensers to add more fun in choosing candies, rather than just setting bowls of them on the tables. Alternatively, you can fill clear vases with colored candies and make each table a bit of candied delight. Add a bit of coordinating ribbon or festive paper, and you’ve got a great photo op.
While many items mentioned in these ideas can be purchased at stores, you can also do a lot of the work on your own and save money, too, by planning ahead and visiting craft stores. You can even make your own candy to serve. What is most important is that the bridal shower will be made sweeter with the efforts of the host(s) and the love of the bride’s friends and family. Have fun!
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