This party has been a long, long time in coming. It was supposed to actually take place before Christmas last year, but a sudden snowstorm left me having to cancel and reschedule for early January 2011. Kind of missed the Christmas boat as a Candy Christmas party, but the spirit was still there, and I’m pretty sure the kids had a blast!
The inspiration for the party began the year before, Christmas 2009, when I saw this Candyland party by cupcake Julie on Bakerella’s site. Talk about dreamy! Even for someone without a blog named Sweetopia, I’m sure you can see why I fell in love. And so the quest for my own version of a sweet Christmas began. The ornaments on cupcake Julie’s tree were my favourite, so I started by checking eBay and leftover Christmas sales in local department stores etc., to find decorations. Let me tell you, planning a Christmas theme a year ahead is definitely better for the pocketbook! Post-Christmas sales are pretty good, and buying ornaments in February tends not to be the most popular time to buy them -who would have thunk! 😉 – so they go for a good price. I would normally never be that organized, but I was so inspired to do it right away, it worked out pretty well. I even bought the white tree on sale in January and have now begun the new tradition in our household of having one real tree (I just love the smell of fresh evergreens!), decorated in all white and silver, and one white tree decorated in a sweet, ‘candy’ theme. It ended up being quite magical, although no where near as beautiful as Cupcake Julie’s. If you’d like to plan a candy party b.t.w. also check out this fun post by Glory of Glorious Treats, who threw a fantastic candy-themed party for her daughter Grace.
Lionel our Lionhead bunny really took a liking to the tree as well. I’m not even going to tell you how long I kept it up so that he could happily hang out under there.
Ahem.
On to the party…
I was so fortunate to be able to work with Kim of The TomKat Studio, who designed these adorable Candy Christmas printables.
I love what she did with the theme! You can find a link to her Etsy shop here if you’d like to order your own.
I had the images printed onto frosting sheets using an edible ink printer with food colouring cartridges
and adhered them to sugar cookies coated in royal icing.
The backs of each cookie bag had a sweet image or message too.
I’m thinking they went over well.
For the party table, I used green and red polka dot and red material for the backdrop, red striped wrapping paper for the table top, shiny Christmas tree cones from Pier One and various cake stands and jars for the sweet displays.
Besides cupcake toppers and cookie tags, The TomKat’s Studio Candy Christmas collection includes customizable place card settings and banner.
The perfect complement to a Candy Christmas party, decorating gingerbread houses, was definitely the favourite activity for all the kids.
They really got so into the designs of their houses and of course the ‘sampling’ of candy. 😉
And Lionel – I think he was wondering when his next treat was coming.
Can you spot him?
All in all, it was a sweet, sweet day – and the effort it took to make it happen was worth it.
I’d love to see or hear how you celebrate the upcoming season if you’d like to share in the comment section below, on Facebook or twitter.
I hope you have fun this upcoming holiday season and may you enjoy love, peace and happiness.
xo,
Marian
p.s. Here are few more pics of the candy craziness in our home: 😉
OH YES HOW MUCH I LOVE IT, Marian.
I get totally in the mood for christmas 🙂
Thanks so much for this awesome and long post.
xoxo
niner
QUE HERMOSO TODO, ME ENCANTA TODO PARA TENER UNA HERMOSA FELICIDAD
Everything looks gorgeous!
so much fun! I have been thinking about doing a gingerbread decorating party, but we are moving, so it may have to wait. But it was fun to join this virtual one!
Marian…..I think I want you to adopt me!!! 😉
So so darling! I love everything! And your little girl is beyond precious!
It makes me want to celebrate Christmas! Beautiful! I love the decorations, the treats, the lights and music but believe it or not, France is just so boring at the holidays. I really miss being in the US at Christmas time!
<3
Makes me pine for a simpler, more slowed down holiday! Charming, every single detail was charming!
From the kids to the cookies, everything in this party is beautiful. Each child having their very own gingerbread house to decorate too! So much work to pull all of this together Marian but you can certainly tell from the smiles that it was all so very well worth it.
P.S. Love your tree ornaments and your bunny 🙂
Gorgeous! I love it. I love that you printed out the designs on the frosting sheets – such a great idea.
everything in this party is beautiful, parabens!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting! xo
@ Jamie: Interesting – I thought it would be the opposite, for sure! At least you have the best macaroons at your fingertips 😉
Can I please move in with you? HOW FUN! Amazing photos, you are so creative! I will be checking out the Etsy shop to find these holiday labels!
How lovely it is to spent time with kids. They are adorable!
Oh what a perfect way to start my weekend!! Such a perfect and beautiful party Marian!! You can reallly see that everyone had a very special day!! Thanks so much for the link too =) XX
I want to come to the party this year! I have a great-niece that would love, love, love it!
Absolutely adorable!! I love this! So cute and Lionel is so precious!!
How happy do the lovely children look! I used to do this every year with the kids and their cousins. Your cookies are perfect of course and the TomKat designs look great.
I want each and every one of those ornaments!!! So cute. I love the idea of having a gingerbread decorating party. Forget the candy and cookies – lets get messy! 🙂
Marian, you are awesome!! Just loved it all!! 🙂
It looks amazing! I love that every child got to make their own gingerbread house. We are going to let my 3 year old do one this year – not the one year old (well maybe)!! Lionel is adorable!
Too beautiful! Love it 🙂
A candy party and a bunny…sounds just like my house. We have a cage free bunny who loves our tree as well.
I love everything!!!! and your bunny is so cute!!
Hi there, and thanks for visiting and leaving your comments – I’m so happy to read them! =)
so pretty and creative!
Where did you get the hard candy christmas trees that are behind the mini cupcakes in your photo?
@ Lisa: I got them at a home decorating store called Home Sense (in Canada).
Oh what a FUN party! Wow! Absolutely incredible. Can I also just say that your daughter (step? I think if I recall correctly) is so beyond gorgeous! I bet she and her friends really had a blast with the beautiful party! Fantastic job as always Marian!
wow what a great party! all of the treats looks so delicious & i love the decorations!
Wow—What a wonderful childhood for your children. You’ve just inspired me to make gingerbread house with my grandchildren this year! Hey, do you have a good (meaning reasonable!) source for those fabulous lollipops–They are exactly what I need!
@ Cristin (Pinkie) of Cristin’s Cookies, @ nicole {sweet peony}: Thank you! =) They did have fun (i think the theme alone is guaranteed success with kids, lol.)
@ Jean: There’s a store called Bulk Barn where I live – it’s a place where you can buy all kinds of dry goods in bulk, including candy. Some of the lollipops are from there (decent price), and the others were from the gift section of a book store (Chapters/Indigo), which were not an inexpensive price =( I’m sorry I can’t give you a reasonably priced on-line store, but maybe googling a few stores will bring up a good result. Have fun with your grandchildren – I’m sure they’ll be thrilled!
What sweet and fun party! Love it!
@ Maria: Thanks! =)
I only WISH I could think that far ahead!! So cute…
Wow, you’ve outdone yourself. Those are some fancy gingerbread houses! I do gingerbread house parties for my daughter and her friends too.
MEGA FUN!!!
Marian, This is So, Super, Fun! I love everything about it!
What a wonderful party! This makes me wish my son was old enough to have a gingerbread decorating party. Well, it can be a party for adults too, right? Thanks for the links and all the beautiful pictures.
How fun, I love the bunny and the kids look like they are having a blast!
Very sweet! Love the colors!
I love the gingerbread houses!!! di you purchase them or do you have a mold to make them? i think a gingerbread house decorating party would be so much fun.
Gorgeous pics! I love those cookies! Have to check out the etsy shop!
Hi Marian!
What a beautifully crafted post! I know that my comment (questions!) will be lengthy, so I understand if you cannot respond immediately. (After all, I imagine you’re swamped with cake-pop orders!)
I was at a Student Leadership conference in Niagara Falls last weekend with 2100 student leaders and teachers from across the province. I asked my “northern” colleagues if they knew Marian: “You know…that super-talented and creative Culinary Arts teacher who has a Blog called “Sweetopia”?!?!?” I received a number of blank looks, but I think I intrigued some of my colleagues to check out your beautiful labour of love!!!
I will be hosting a cookie decorating party in honour of National Cookie Day on December 4th. I have a number of questions (when you get a chance) about a number of your latest posts.
Question: Vis-à-vis Antonia74 icing–have you ever prepared it in double batches? Does the same science hold true for royal icing as it does for baking? (It looked like you had to make a bathtub-sized batch for the Gingerbread Party).
Question: Regarding your beautiful cake pops in Food & Drink–Did you make them à la Bakarella (Cake & Icing), or did you use one of those swishy new cake pop makers? (you made them so perfectly round!)
Question: Considering the printable graphics on your cookies: Do you have a Canadian supplier of computer edible ink you would recommend? (The initial starter kit from the big “G” in Mississauga is EXTREMELY pricey (I already have the printer, but $90.00 for 4 cartridges to me seems steep). Do you find that the cartridges last? (Multi-tank ink).
FINAL Question: (:o)Which edible paper do you prefer? There seems to be a variety available(wooden “woven” paper at the lower price point (and I imagine quality) to the paper that apparently “melts” into the icing). Which paper do you use/prefer? Does the transfer compromise the taste of the cookie at all?
I couldn’t help but notice the matching gorgeous dresses on your step daughter (she is too precious) and her dolly. Do you sew too!?!
I don’t know where you find the time to do all you do: baking, decorating, teaching, parenting etc. etc. etc.–AND do it so seamlessly.
You REALLY need a feature on Food Network, or a Lifestyle Show on Slice to showcase your incredible talents. I may have to petition them to hire you!!!!
Thanks again for the incredible inspiration!
Take good care,
–Jennifer
@ sandie: Lol. It was a rare thing for me. 😉 Normally, I’m just barely getting posts out. That sweet party by Cupcake Julie was just so amazing, it really got me going.
@ Laura @ GotChocolate: Completely! Isn’t it amazing how the kids get right into it and plan all kinds of designs. Loved seeing that!
@ Bediels & Co. (Jen): Thank you!
@ Holly: Yes, absolutely! I think this would be an amazing party for a group of adult friends!
@ sue: I think Lionel was wondering where his treats were in all the commotion. 😉
@ Crystal Nelson: thanks so much!
@ johnna: I purchased them at a store called Bulk Barn. They were cheaper than the kits, as the BB sold them as the bare minimum. Pieces of the houses shrink wrapped on cardboard and nothing else. Great for the kids and a nice size for me to put together (Oh yes, I put them together ahead of time as most of the kids were pretty young).
@ Jodie: I’m sure you’ll find lots more to like in TomKat’s Etsy shop. Have fun!
@ Jennifer Clark: Wow! What a great response! I’m thrilled to hear from ‘local’ people as well! What subject(s) do you teach? What was the conference called? I hadn’t heard of it. Do you remember the names of the northern colleagues (you can email me if you’d prefer)? Thanks for sharing my blog with them! I’m not surprised they hadn’t heard of it, I don’t say a whole lot about it actually, and many of the staff at school don’t know; I really only talk about it if someone shows an interest in ‘sugar’ stuff – for fear I’ll bore them to tears! I can get pretty passionate about the subject, so LOVE to talk about it with people on-line, or the students interested in it at school, and a few of my colleagues at school who are into it too. I finally put my blog link in the school newsletter going out in a few weeks, as I’d like parents to come visit their children at our annual Christmas Cabaret, and shared a link in the newsletter to previous events.
That’s SO great that you’re hosting a National Cookie Party! (and thanks for the heads-up on that date LOL).
LOVE Antonia74’s recipe (as you know), and it’s not as finicky as baking cookies for example. Yes you can double the recipe. I’ve doubled, tripled, quadrupled etc. the recipe here and there, and it works just fine. (For the larger batches we used a large Hobart machine at school though. You might only be able to double in your mixer). Your bathtub sized comment made me smile btw.
Funny that you ask about the cake pops and their roundness. I was worried about how round they would be (and some really aren’t – i.e. the chocolate ones with the gold flakes), and hadn’t heard about that cake pop maker at the time – otherwise I probably would have bought it. I searched for other options – such as two half-sphere moulds, but in the end rejected the mould idea, as I figured the two halves would never stay intact well enough to withstand sticking the lollipop stick in, and then dipping in the candy coating.
To help make them round I measured out every pop… I hope i’m remembering correctly but I believe they were an ounce each. Then I just rolled them like Bakerealla advised to.
Regarding the edible ink cartridges, I’ve ordered from KopyKake and from Edible Images, never from G, BUT I’m lucky enough to have a sis-in-law with a P.O. Box in the States, so shipping cost isn’t an issue. They aren’t cheap, regardless. How do I find they last? That’s a tough one… it depends how much you use it. I do find that you need to use the printer at least a little about once per week, otherwise the printer heads can clog. (Even if you print images you know you’ll need in the future, ahead, and then just seal the printed frosting sheets to keep them fresh). Not an issue for usage for me for the latter reason, and the school printer also routinely gets used. Kopykake and Icing I. both sell cartridge cleaner though, but they still can get finicky. You know your local Sobey’s can print them for you too? $10.00 per page.
Do you mean wafer paper as opposed to frosting sheets? Otherwise I don’t know about the different papers you referred to. If you mean those two, I’d have to say frosting sheets because they seem to break a wee bit less, and have a sweeter taste than wafer paper. For both you can tell they are on the cookie you’re eating, but it’s not bad. (In my humble opinion).
You noticed the dresses. =) That was fun. -Bought at Sears or the Bay – can’t remember, they sell dresses with matching dresses for dollies! I couldn’t resist buying! We lucked out that the dress fit her doll too. (I most certainly can NOT sew – besides buttons hahaha. Quite funny considering my mother is a seamstress. -The Family Studies teacher in gr. 7 and 8 was so disappointed in my lack of sewing skills! Lol. She had high hopes for me, as my Mom volunteered at school and the teacher knew she sewed for school plays etc. I remember her look of disappointment when she first watched me sew. Hee hee).
Time. Oh time! Hardly a day goes by without me wishing I didn’t have more of it. I barely squeeze it all in, trust me, it’s a challenge. Most of the time I don’t get half of what I want to do, done! It can be frustrating for me too, as I have so many ideas that I want to make happen, but can’t. I’m sure you feel the same way! Thank you for your compliment, but I’m not sure it’s as seamless as it could be 😉 Blogging here does truly make me feel happy though, and I think that’s what makes me try to always fit some in… Really, would never have guessed as a child that this would be what I’d spend my time working on!
Thank YOU for visiting me and leaving me your kind comments. It’s people like you who are the reason why blogging is fun, and I truly enjoy communicating with you!
Hope to ‘chat’ again soon!
xo,
Marian
Just gorgeous! I love the gingerbread houses 🙂
Greetings from London Gorgeous Marian love it xo
What an awesome party! I love everything about it, especially the family involvement. 🙂 So glad I found your inspiring website. 🙂
I found you on YouTube. Love, love, love your site!! You have the prettiest cookies I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen a bunch)!!! I have a question…I would like to do an Angel cookie. I’ve bought a nice size cutter ’bout 6 inches I guess with beautiful wings. I’m going to try my hand at the icing embroidery for the wings but I’m in desperate need of help for the face!!! I’m not an artist by any means and I just can’t figure out how to do it. Can you help me pretty please ??? The family pictures are absolutely precious!! Thanks for sharing them 🙂 Merry Christmas!!! Thanks, Angel
@ Laura, @ Rowaida Flayhan, @ Julia: Many thanks!
@ Angel Chabot: Aw, I’m so glad it’s helpful for you Angel! How appropriate that you’ll be making angel cookies. =)
I’m not great at faces either, but how about something like this:
https://sweetopia.net/2009/06/bridal-shower-cookies/
Maybe blond hair instead and a halo with disco dust or sanding sugar on them or something. (That might be fun for the wings too). I would looove to see them when you’re done if you’d like to share on my Facebook page.
Have fun!