Easy Secret Santa or Gift Swap Idea

I LOVE a good holiday gift swap or secret santa party, but let's be honest - sometimes it is tough to come up with unique & budget friendly gift ideas.  It can be even more difficult when you're not very familiar with your secret santa or if the party is white elephant or pollyanna themed.


I was invited to my first holiday gift exchange of the season last week, and I needed 6 identical unwrapped gifts for the party (I believe the premise is that everyone goes home with six different gifts, after six different rounds of gift grabbing and exchanging). I needed cute-unique gifts without busting my budget, and I think I have come up with the perfect idea...

Holiday Tumblers + individual drink mix + a repurposed Christmas card = Great Idea!

I found these tumblers with attached straws for less than $5 at a local big-box store.

I purchased off-brand, one serving, lemonade drink mixes from a local dollar store.

I also grabbed a box of Christmas cards from the same dollar store, being sure to select a card with a single word on the front.

I dropped the drink mixes in the cups, and created holiday flags for the straws. I cut out the single-festive word from the holiday card, and then I just cut two small slits for the straw to be inserted (think old-school valentine cards that allowed for a sucker to be attached as this was my inspiration).

Total cost for this super cute and usable gift is roughly $5.  

These would make great teacher or neighbor gifts as well.  Not to mention, it never hurts to have a few random gifts on hand for a surprise vistor or just to spread spontaneous holiday cheer. These cups would be perfect to keep under the tree for just an occasion.

Kelly Anne 

Ramen Noodles Reinvented

I realize this isn't some crazy-innovative recipe, BUT I just had to share.  This recipe is quick, easy, cheap and perfect for potlucks and holiday parties.  Oh! and it is super yummy too!

Ramen Noodle Slaw:

Dressing

1/2 Cup Oil 
1/3 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Vinegar
Seasoning Packets from Ramen Noodle

Slaw

2 Pkg. Ramen Noodle (broken up)
1 Pkg. Broccoli Slaw
1 Cup Almonds (Sunflower Seeds are a great budget friendly alternative)

Broccoli Slaw was tough for me to find, but I got lucky at Harris Tetter.

Mix Ramen & Broccoli together
Add Dressing & Toss
Refrigerate overnight

Top with Almonds/Seeds just before serving

TaDa! A super easy, fairly inexpensive and delicious recipe that is perfect for an office or church holiday potluck. Enjoy!

Kelly Anne 

Granny's Pumpkin Cake

In an effort to be festive, I decided to attempt my Granny's pumpkin cake recipe. My Granny only ever cooked/baked from scratch, and I followed her recipe for the cake and icing to a tee. It turned out great and was absolutely delicious (if I say so myself)!  I still need some practice on my icing skills, but never judge a book by it's cover or a cake by it's icing.

 Ingredients for cake (flour and sugar not pictured)

 Eggs in one at a time

 Everything ends up in the mixer

 Pour into two 9 inch cake pans
Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes

Icing Ingredients 

 Melted Butter and Room Temp Cream Cheese

 Mix in Confectionary Sugar, a whole box!

 Completely cool cakes (wire racks work the best)

 Icing works best if refrigerated first

 I decided to not trim the cakes & they ended up fitting together just fine & fairly even

The beer is the foreground is a must, as icing a cake is not my forte

Ta-Da! Homemade - From Scratch Pumpkin Cake!

(practice will make perfect on icing skills, so I guess I'll just have to make another cake) 

Kelly Anne