Christmas Mug Swap

Tired of the same old Christmas Cookie Swaps? Why not switch it up this year by having a Christmas Mug Swap! What's a Mug Swap you ask? Well everyone brings a wrapped mug, doesn't necessarily have to be a Christmas mug, and then you Yankee Swap them! This puts a lot less pressure on everyone; instead of having to make dozens and dozens of cookies they can just bring a mug! Invite your family and friends to get in the Christmas spirit at your mug swap!

First off, here are the official rules to a Yankee Swap provided by YankeeSwap.com:

The minimum number of participants should be at least six or else the game is not much fun. Each participant is asked to bring along a gift worth no more than a pre-agreed amount or item.

Participants draw numbers from a hat to determine their swap order from one up to the total number of participants.

Each person gets a crack at choosing a gift. The person who picks the first gift opens it and shows it to the rest of the company. Then the number two participant picks a gift and chooses to either unwrap it or swap it for an unwrapped gift. If the gift is swapped, the person who had their gift taken from them gets to unwrap the chosen gift and the turn passes.

When all the gifts have been opened, the game is over. Afterward, some trading should be expected and is perfectly acceptable so that, as much as possible, everyone goes home with a gift they are happy with.

Next, here are some fun mug ideas for the occasion:

A Santa Mug

 

http://www.potterybarn.com/

A Santa Boot Mug

 

http://www.orientaltrading.com/santa-boot-mugs-a2-13615717.fltr?cm_mmc=social-_-product-_-pinterest-_-pinterest

Something for the New Year, a Cheers Mug

http://accordingtokali.com/2013/12/16/diy-hot-chocolate-bar/

Maybe give a mug with a koozie

 

http://pixforpinterest.blogspot.com.au/

A Not-A-Morning-Person Mug

www.etsy.com

Disney Princess illustrated Mugs

 

http://www.pinterest.com/sjosiek/

Paisley Mugs

http://stilesstyles.com/2012/12/27/sip-in-style-with-the-akaya-mug-from-anthropologie/

You might be wondering how exactly you can turn this Christmas Mug Swap into a party? Well, just add a hot cocoa bar and it will all come together!

After your swap, have all your guests use their mugs to fill up on some hot cocoa and treats. You can't go wrong with an assortment of toppings, so let your kid at heart shine through, and add an extra marshmallows or two! For adults, you can even add some Bailey's to get extra warm.

http://itsy-bits-and-pieces.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-bachmans-2013-holiday-ideas-house.html

http://welcometosandyland.wordpress.com/tag/the-walking-dead/

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/my-winter-survival-list-for-winter-2014/

Tell your guests they can bring a dessert if they'd like but keep a couple of tricks up your sleeve. They will be impressed when they see what you can do with some candy canes and rice krispie treats!

Chocolate Covered Candy Canes

Ingredients
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips or white vanilla baking chips
2 teaspoons shortening
16 candy canes or peppermint sticks, about 6 inches long
Crushed hard peppermint candies, miniature chocolate chips, candy decorations, colored glitter sugars or coarse sugar crystals (decorating sugar), if desired

Directions
Line jelly roll pan, 15 1/2x10 1/2x1 inch, with waxed paper. In 1-quart saucepan, heat 1/2 cup chocolate chips and the shortening over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted.
Tip saucepan so chocolate runs to one side. Dip 1 candy cane at a time into chocolate, coating about half of each cane. Place on waxed paper in pan. Let stand about 2 minutes or until chocolate is partially dry.
Roll chocolate-dipped ends in candies. Place on waxed paper in pan. Let stand about 10 minutes or until chocolate is dry. Store loosely covered at room temperature up to 2 weeks.

Peppermint Bark Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients
One 10.5 ounce bag peppermint mini marshmallows*
4 tablespoons real butter, plus extra to butter pan
5-6 cups rice krispie style cereal (I like mine a little more marshmallowy)
3 tablespoons semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
3 tablespoons white chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil, divided
a few drops (about 1/8 teaspoon) peppermint extract
2-3 medium sized candycanes, crushed
*If interested, inn place of the peppermint marshmallows, use regular marshmallows and add about 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract to melted marshmallow mixture.

Directions
Line a 9×13 pan with foil and lightly butter bottom and about 1 inch up sides.
Melt butter in a very large bowl in the microwave or stove-top.
Add marshmallows and stir to coat. Heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
Add rice krispie cereal and stir to evenly combine.
With buttered hands, press mixture into prepared pan.
Place white chocolate chips and 1/4 teaspoon oil in a small bowl.
Heat in microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
Repeat same process with semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips and add a few drops of peppermint extract.
Drizzle both chocolates on top of rice krispie treats and sprinkle candy canes on top.
Let sit until chocolate is set, place pan in fridge to speed process along.
Cut into squares and eat up.

This will be a night everyone can enjoy! Just one of the great ways to devour the details of the holidays!