I can remember eagerly awaiting A Charlie Brown Christmas, It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving when I was a young child. I’d watch them nearly every year with my family, and now I watch them with my son. We’ve been anticipating the new Peanuts film so that several generations of our family can share our mutual love of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang.
I thought it would be fun to create a simple party surrounding the Peanuts classic, Merry Christmas Charlie Brown. The recipes are simple and fun, and what Peanuts party would be complete without Snoopy’s doghouse?
This party was easy to set up because I pulled lots of Christmas decor I had in storage and picked up a few extra elements, such as the airplanes, at a local craft store.
Snoopy's Dog House
Supplies:
Paper mache or cardboard box (available at craft stores)
Several sheets of 8 ½ x 11 and 12 x 12 dark red scrapbook or construction paper
A sheet of 8 ½ by 11 black scrapbook or construction paper
2- 12 x 12 cardboard or paper mache squares
Clear packing tape
Scissors
Craft glue
Black marker
Instructions:
1. Tape two of the 12 x 12 cardboard squares together along one edge to make a hinge; this will be the pitch of Snoopy’s roof. * Snoopy’s doghouse has an odd roof pitch and overhang. I placed the roof on the top of the cardboard box, and manipulated it until I found an angle and overhang that closely resembled the cartoon.
2. Cut several strips of packing tape the same length as the inside of the cardboard box and used them to secure the inside of the roof to the inside of the house. I used packing tape to make them easier to assemble. You can also use hot glue.
3. When you have the roof of the house secured with several pieces of tape on each side, cut the longer sheets of scrapbook or construction paper to fit on the front and back panels of Snoopy’s house. (A helper held the sheets up against the edge of the roof and traced the roof lines)
4. Cut the sheets on the inside of the lines, and the sheets fit securely to the roof.
5. Adhere sheets with packing tape on the front and sides.
6. Cut four squares of scrapbook/ construction paper to fit the sides of the box and adhere with glue.
7. Use the edge of the remaining paper to draw straight lines that resemble those on Snoopy’s doghouse.
8. Cut a shape resembling the door to Snoopy’s doghouse from black construction/scrapbook paper and glue to the front of the doghouse.
9. Using the black marker, write Snoopy’s name above the door.
Charlie Brown’s Christmas Ornament Cupcake
Supplies:
Cupcakes in preferred flavor baked and prepared according to package directions
Gold or red cupcake wrappers (for baking cupcakes)
2 cups frosting
½ cup red sprinkles
Gold-wrapped candies such as peanut butter cups or caramel cups
Directions:
1. Bake cupcakes in red or gold cupcake wrappers according to package or recipe directions.
2. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely, and apply frosting to the tops of each.
3. Roll the top of each cupcake in the red sprinkles.
4. Place the gold wrapped candy top-side down on the top of each cupcake. They should resemble a Christmas ornament.
Snoopy Chow
Supplies:
Assorted chopped up chocolate candy (great use of leftover Halloween candy)
8 cups rice square cereal
¼ cup peanut butter
¼ cup chocolate hazelnut spread
¾ cup chocolate chips
1 cups confectioner’s sugar
Directions:
Melt peanut butter, chocolate hazelnut spread and chocolate chips in a sauce pan over low heat.
1. Remove from heat and add cereal.
2. Mix until well coated.
3. Coat with confectioner’s sugar in a large plastic bag and add assorted chopped candy.
4. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Linus’ Pigs In Blankets
1 package of crescent rolls
1 package of premium hot dogs or smoked sausages
Optional: blue food coloring and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Wrap hot dogs or smoked sausages in crescent rolls.
3. If desired, mix a tablespoon of vegetable oil with blue food coloring and brush on crescent rolls to make them blue.
4. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Best served warm.
Pig Pen’s Snow Covered Dirt Cups
Ingredients:
1 large package of pudding mix prepared according to directions
Crushed sandwich cookies or graham crackers
Optional shredded coconut and whipped cream for snow
Directions:
1. Prepare pudding mix according to package directions and pour into serving cups/bowls.
2. Top with crushed sandwich cookies or graham crackers to create dirt.
3. Mix ½ cup shredded coconut with 1 cup whipped cream to create snow, and place a dollop on each serving.
I think the snow-covered dirt cups add a nice touch to the Christmas-themed party.
This party would be perfect for a birthday, Christmas, or even a cookie exchange. The recipes can be prepped in an afternoon and they’re ready to be served to guests when they arrive.
Are you ready for the new Peanuts movie?
Bonus: You’ll also be able to find the recipe for Peppermint Patty’s Cookie Sandwiches over on my blog, A Southern Mother.
