Annual Christmas Craft Party

This weekend was our annual Christmas Craft Party. In years past, this has involved inviting everyone that we know and love, and turning our small house into a crazy den of glitter and scissors and glue guns and felt and so on. This year, I just didn't have it in me. I'm not sure why. So we toned it way down. Just had a few close friends and family over for a mellow afternoon of treats and holiday crafts. We honed in on a few specific crafts: painting on blank mugs from the goodwill, glass etching on blank glassware from goodwill, paper snowflakes (my personal all time favorite), and the ever-popular Make-A-Plate.

I didn't feel like getting stressed out or anxious over the party, so I kept it super simple with easy-to-make food offerings, but there were still delicious and fun.

As it turns out, I made enough food as though I had still invited my entire address book, and there was way too much food. But at least it was GOOD food! These are the Samosa Baked Potatoes from "Veganomicon," which I hadn't ever made before. Very easy & very delicious. I'll definitely make these again. Next time I might kick up the spices a little, or make a tamarind chutney to go with them, but really, I have no complaints about this recipe. It is a genius idea to put samosa filling in a twice baked potato.

A big batch of "Creamy Hummus" from "Vive le Vegan!" This has become my go-to recipe for hummus: fast, easy, low on oil, high on flavor. Love it!

And a gigantic bowl of popcorn. I used the awesome air popper that my mom scored for me at the thrift store. I love it. The popcorn is so easy, and it was a big hit. Especially with the kiddos. I had to make another giant bowl, which was gone by the end of the party.

My dear friend Sandy brought along a delicious batch of roasted asparagus. Isn't that a nice idea for something to bring to a party? She is really awesome, and so was her asparagus. Very tender and tasty.

Of course, you simply must have sweeties, or it's just not a party, is it? This is a batch of the "Low Fat Gingerbread Men" from "Joy of Cooking." As I did last year, I had a "decorate your own gingerbread man" station - 3 colors of frosting, silver balls, and red hots. It's so fun.

A double batch of "Maple Walnut Cookies" from "Vive le Vegan".... one of the best recipes of all time. These cookies are freaky good and worth the pricey 1/2 cup of maple syrup. To me, maple-y flavors are Christmas-y... and everyone loved these, as I would have expected!


And lastly, a double batch of "Chocolate Mint Melties" from the "Everyday Dish DVD." It was Vicki who first introduced me to these cookies when I met her at her house for lunch last year. I love them so much, and of course, the chocolate-mint combo is very seasonal indeed. Lucky for us, there are still about 5-6 of these in the freezer, awaiting their demise!

Now that the craft party has come and gone, I feel that I have fully committed to the holiday season. Time to start designing a card and getting my annual cookbook together!

ho ho ho!