Heartwarming Party

Share your heart this Valentine’s Day by throwing a party with a purpose!  Extend an invitation to friends and family to help you do good deeds by giving to charity.  Have everyone bring new or gently used winter items such as hats, mittens, and coats as their ticket into your party.  Then, donate the items to charity.  Choose the charity that means the most to you; a few other great charities are your local animal shelter or pantry.

Invitations - This party will make everyone feel warm and fuzzy – and so will the card!  Cut a heart shape from a piece of fun, fuzzy fabric and glue to a blank card.  Let dry and write the party details inside the card.

Décor – Don’t go overboard with too much pink, but have fun and string some cut out hearts in various colors around your party area.  Welcome guests with a fun party favor... a red carnation for the ladies is always nice.  Or hand out something fun, like heart shaped glasses, a red or pink plastic lei, or wax lips.  Decorate with red and white heart shaped doilies. They would look very cute on the walls with a photo of your charity in the center. Add a few balloons for the perfect touch.

Ambience –  For extra atmosphere,  buy several packs of those cheesy Valentines that kids swap in class.  Use a hole punch and some red ribbon to make a garland. It will look festive hanging over the party entrance or above the buffet.  Make sure to have a decorated donation box as your centerpiece so that partygoers can sporadically donate during the event.

Menu – Hearts will melt with this simple and easy dessert.  Warm up your guests with a Hug in a Mug – this delicious chocolate cake is served in a mug (recipe below). Serve with ice cream and red cocoa.

Favors – Normally favors are a great way to send guests home remembering your get together.  After this gathering, guests will already feel wonderful that they had a delightful time and did something to help out others in need.

This heart warming party is sure to make hearts swell.  Have an ever-so-sweet Valentine’s Day!

Hug in a Mug

Ingredients:

·         ½ cup flour

·         ½ cup sugar

·         ¼ cup baking cocoa

·         2 eggs

·         ¼ cup milk

·         ¼ cup oil

·         1 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)

·         Whipped cream

·         4 microwavable coffee mugs

Directions:

1.       Mix flour, sugar, and baking cocoa in a bowl.  Stir together.

2.       Add eggs.  Stir well.

3.       Add the milk, oil, and peppermint.  Stir again. 

4.       Spoon mixture into 4 microwave safe mugs.  Fill halfway. 

5.       Microwave individually for 2 minutes or until firm.

6.       Top with whipped cream.  Enjoy!

Double recipe for 8 mugs.