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Peppermint and jingle tree trimming

Pool noodle peppermint ornaments

I love trimming our tree, and often we love to do it with friends and family around. Something about hanging ornaments and drinking frilly drinks makes the season extra sweet. It doesn’t take a lot to plan a tree trimming party, whether your tree is huge or very small, it comes down to the people, the drinks, and something extra sweet to eat for creating a special night. I’m teaming up with COFFEE-MATE today to share these favorite ideas for hosting a peppermint and jingle tree trimming party.

Party lantern jingle bells

First the jingle! Party lanterns have quickly become one of my favored party pieces. They are easy to find in pretty colors and fun designs, and they are affordable and can make a fantastic design statement with ease. To turn my recent collection into a holiday display we added large jingles, creating a festive version of a bell, but so much more fun!

Party lantern bells

Paper lantern party bells

party lantern jingle bells

Turn any party lantern into a holiday bell by threading a string through the lantern from the top down, allowing it to stick out 5-10 inches. Add on beads and large holiday jingles, then thread together for a fun and fabulous party update.

Chocolate peppermint nut cookies.

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The next important element is a sweet treat. These chocolate cookies that have been infused with COFFEE-MATE Peppermint Mocha flavored creamer and COFFEE-MATE Toll House Snickerdoodle flavored creamer. The extra cream gives them a soft texture and sweet taste that friends will love. Serve the cookies and have a small stack wrapped up for each guest to take home.

Chocolate peppermint nut cookies

To make the peppermint chocolate macadamia nut cookies you will need; 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar,1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup honey, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 tbsp each of COFFEE-MATE Peppermint Mocha flavored creamer and COFFEE-MATE Toll House Snickerdoodle flavored creamer, 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 candy cane crushed, 1 cup chopped macadamia nuts.

Mix the butter, sugars and cocoa powder in a bowl. Beat in the honey, eggs, vanilla and creamers.

Mix the flour baking soda and salt in a bowl. Then add the dry ingredients to the wet ones until well combined. Hand mix in the candy cane and nuts. Chill the dough for a couple hours before baking.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, roll out dough into 1 inch balls on a parchment paper lined baking tray and allow to cool fully before stacking or serving.

Pool noodle peppermint ornaments

When it comes to decorating any tree, our huge family room display or one of the smaller trees I place around the house every year – I try to craft a unique and fun party display. Ornaments are so expensive in the stores and they are one of the easiest crafts to make. This year, we cut up a couple pool noodles to create a pile of festive peppermint ornaments.

To make these, use a left over pool noodle and slice into 1 inch pieces – you can fill most of a tree with just one noodle!

Cut a small section of white tissue, or crepe paper (about 2 inches long by 1 inch wide) and glue to the back of the noodle. Do this on each side. Paint white lines along the front… and BAM! A peppermint. A hundred peppermints to top your tree in no time.

Peppermint ornaments made with pool noodles

Pappermint hot cocoa

pepp-tree-4

Lastly, every tree trimming is better with great drinks. My favorite hot drink this season is Peppermint hot cocoa made with COFFEE-MATE Peppermint Mocha flavored creamer. Mix the cocoa, add the creamer along with a peppermint ball and top with whip cream. No one can resist sipping on this yummy hot holiday drink.

Peppermint party drinks

Frothy peppermint-tini

With every party we serve I like to pick one specific cocktail to include. This year it is a Peppermint-tini made using COFFEE-MATE Butter Toffee flavored creamer, peppermint and champagne. To try the drink at home you’ll need to make a peppermint simple syrup (this can be done a couple days before the party). On a stove top stir 1/2 cup honey with 6 smashed candy canes (just put them in a paper bag and smash with a wooden spoon), 1 cup water, and in 2 drops peppermint extract. Stir continuously until melted and combined. Pull off the stove and store in an airtight container until you need to use it.

To mix the drink, add 1 teaspoon peppermint simple syrup to a glass of champagne. Top with the Butter Toffee creamer for a frothy top that gives a perfect nutty accent to this festive drink.

Add in peppermint drink toppers by gluing peppermint balls to the ends of lollipop sticks and get ready for festive peppermint revelry!

I have teamed up with my friends at COFFEE-MATE to share these party ideas and my love for their seasonal creamers. All projects, recipes and opinions are my own. 

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