Tips & Ideas – Christmas in July – Traditions and an Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

Christmas in July – Traditions and an Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

A New Tradition

After seeing several friends have family Christmas “Pajama” parties, I decided we would try it ourselves last year.  I wasn’t sure if the men in the family would participate, but I bought the pajamas anyway.  I have to say that we had the best time creating this new family tradition, and we even included four of the dogs.

Besides wearing matching pajamas, we ate finger foods and my mom’s famous chocolate cake, made a charcuterie board and kid-friendly crafts, played games, watched a Christmas movie, and made lots of memories.  I can’t wait to do it again!  This year I plan on getting a much needed head start, and I will probably get pajamas that are not so warm this time. Early December in Texas is still pretty warm; we had to turn the air conditioner down. LOL!

Tips to a Great Christmas Pajama Party:

• Get matching pajamas early – they sell out quickly.  I bought ours at Old Navy last year, but I found these “cooler ones” in a variety of patterns on Amazon. Some of these have matching bandanas for the dogs – See the link to the Family Pajama Sets.
• Decide on an easy menu with easy clean-up.
• Plan appropriately-aged activities
  • Crafts (We found several at the dollar store for the girls.)
  • Charcuterie Boards (Kristy and I did this beforehand – lots of fun!) Click here to see my post on Charcuterie ideas.
  • Movies 
  • Games
• Take lots of pictures!

If your family or friends have done this and you have other ideas, please share in the comments.  Christmas will be here before we know it, and I want to be prepared.

An Old Tradition

My grandmother, Grace, always made Peanut Butter Fudge for Christmas.  She also made lots of other types of candy, but the Peanut Butter Fudge was my favorite!  I have her recipe, but I do not know how she did it; she had a much stronger back than I do. Several years ago, I found a quick and easy chocolate/peanut butter fudge recipe and tweaked it a bit to make it just peanut butter.  It is pretty close to Granny’s, so that is what I use each year – the tradition continues.

Quick and Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

Ingredients:

1 ½ Cups Smooth or Crunchy Peanut Butter
1 Bag Peanut Butter Chips (Reese’s – on the baking aisle)
1 Can (14 oz.) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 t. Vanilla

Directions:

In a microwave safe bowl, combine the peanut butter and the peanut butter chips and melt by cooking in the microwave on high for 3 minutes.  Remove and stir.  Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla, stirring until well blended.  Pour into a 9X13 baking dish and refrigerate for 1 hour.  Cut into small squares and serve. 

I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do.  I usually keep the ingredients on hand so when an unexpected event comes up, I can throw it together quickly.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, ideas, and traditions now, so I will be prepared in a few months! 

Happy Christmas in July!

Have a Grace & Joy-filled day!

Susan

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“When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.” Psalms 94:19