Monster Party

Guests enjoy an array of monstrous munchies -- including a DIY-decked monster cookie -- before heading off with their special new monster.

To set a table even a monster would love, buy or make a paper pom pom out of tissue paper. Cut a piece of 12"x12" light blue cardstock paper to fit a 6"x6" vase. Glue eye balls to the bottom of the paper (see photo). Add the cut card stock paper to all four sides of the vase and then place the pom pom inside. Fluff the pom pom to perfection!

To make the placemats: Trim a roll of wrapping paper to size. Easy Peasy.

Everything else: Glue big plastic eyes onto oranges and tie green polka-dot balloons to chairs.

This fun food doubles as a party activity. Instead of icing bags, try using squeeze bottles. Mix food coloring gels in white frosting until you achieve the desired color-we matched ours to the party colors. Fill each bottle with a different colored frosting for party guests to use for decorating. Let them use leftover nonpareils and sprinkle eyes as decorations.

Download, print and cut out the monster pattern. Fold the felt material in half (so there are two sides) and pin the pattern to the felt fabric. Carefully cut around the pattern and cut a white and black circle for the eye and a thin strip for the mouth. By hand, sew the eye and mouth onto the felt before sewing the pattern pieces together. Once the face in completely sewed on, place your two pattern pieces together, face down. Sew around the edges leaving a small hole to turn the monster inside out. Add the stuffing using a skewer to get into the hard to reach areas. Once the monster is stuffed, sew the hole together.

Dip pretzels into melted blue candy melts. Sprinkle with purple nonpareils. Let pretzels cool on parchment or wax paper in the freezer. For candy coated popcorn, place freshly popped popcorn in a large mixing bowl. Using the leftover melted blue candy melts, drizzle over the popcorn and mix together with a rubber scraper until all of the popcorn is coated. Serve in a paper cone for a special little treat that all monsters like to eat!

A local bakery made these green macarons and mini vanilla cupcakes with green frosting. Just add sprinkle eyes (available at Michael's craft store) with white frosting "glue."

For a refreshing and healthy drink, serve fresh squeezed orange juice with frozen blueberries. To embellish the cups, add an orange slice and a striped paper straw.

Copyright © 2013 Meredith Corporation.