Hello Bunco Friends–
Mother’s Day is right around the corner. And we have the perfect drink to help celebrate your mom!
Click the link above to get the recipe that your mom will be wanting to have after she tries this peachy drink!
Happy Mother’s Day to all you lovely mothers!
-DeAnna
One of my Bunco group’s favorite theme is Pajama Party Bunco. What’s not to love? You get to show up in your pajamas, robe and fuzzy slippers and eat breakfast food (when it isn’t actually breakfast time!).
A Mimosa or Bloody Mary (either non-alcoholic or otherwise) would be a lovely way to start out. Breakfast favorites lend themselves perfectly to potluck. Muffins, croissants, casseroles, waffles, cinnamon rolls, sausage, bacon, the list could go on and on. I love all of those things! However, I wanted to shake it up a bit! Oatmeal in a slow cooker with a toppings bar is so much fun! Some ideas are dried cranberries, golden raisins, nuts, brown sugar, honey, chopped apples, cinnamon, you get the idea. This way there is a healthier option that people can customize. Another idea for a crowd is make your own breakfast burritos. Make some scrambled eggs and keep warm in a slow cooker. Have some warmed tortillas, cheese, meats, breakfast potatoes, salsa, sour cream, avocado, etc.so that each person can customize a burrito to her liking. Easy yet delicious and something most people will enjoy. If you prefer not to serve breakfast food, you could go the traditional route and make it a pizza party. That is fun too!
Now onto the actual Bunco game. Some prizes for this theme may include sleep masks, fuzzy socks, fleece throws,a Bunco apron even small packages of cinnamon rolls or muffins. Everyone can vote on who is the most festive and she could win a prize–fuzzy slippers maybe! There could be a fun movie such as, Girls Just Want To have Fun (one of my favs!) playing in the background. We always have a ton of fun with this theme. Some ladies wear pink rollers in their hair and are decked out from head to toe. It is a fun way to start the New Year off!
Has your group held a Pajama Party Bunco? If so, tell me what you did to make it fun on the Bunco Game Shop Facebook page.
Keep Calm and Play Bunco,
A fun Bunco theme this time of year is New Year’s. We celebrated New Year’s Bunco in January. Our Bunco ladies wore sparkly shirts and heels, like many people do when they go to a party on New Years’s eve. A DVR recording of the ball drop was playing in the background. When people arrived they were given a necklace with a noisemaker attached to it and a Happy New Year tiara. You have to have a noisemaker (and a tiara) when the ball drops! As you probably know, most Bunco ladies love making noise!
For drinks, we had sparkling cider and grape juice and Champagne for those who drink alcohol. Be sure to break out your champagne flutes or buy some plastic stemware at your local party store. These cute wine charms would be perfect to keep track of whose glass is whose. Bottles of sparkling juice and /or Champagne also make great Bunco prizes.
Everyone brought their favorite appetizer or dessert. There were many delicious savory offerings like spinach artichoke dip, chips and salsa, egg rolls and jalapeno popper dip. My all time favorite dessert on New Year’s Eve is chocolate covered strawberries. Unfortunately strawberries are not in season during the winter but usually my grocery store carries a long stem variety in January and February. These are great for dipping. Chocolate fondue with assorted dippers is another perfect dessert for a crowd. Chocolate cake with a cake sparkler on top would be festive as well.
What is your Bunco group’s favorite theme for games in January? Have you had a New Year’s theme Bunco? If so, let me know about it on The Bunco Game Shop Facebook page.
Happy New Year everyone!
Keep Calm and Play Bunco,
Bunco Betty
It’s the time of year to indulge. Many Bunco get togethers will center around good food and desserts (cookies!). A delicious seasonal beverage is a perfect accompaniment. My group has had three December Bunco games so far throughout the years, with a fourth coming up this Sunday! The first year we met at a Mexican restaurant, played Bunco and drank margaritas. The second and third years we met at a members home, who along with her best friend are awesome at entertaining. It is a not to miss event each year. They go all out with non-alcoholic punch, soda and delicious Champagne Punch. These wine charms would be great to keep track of whose cup is whose.
Hot beverages are popular during the winter season. Even in the Southwest we are in the mood for a warm beverage. One of my favorite ways to serve hot chocolate is in the slow cooker. Drinking hot cocoa can be even more fun with a toppings bar. The presentation can be beautiful and festive. I always get compliments and comments saying it looked like I worked so hard to put it together. The truth is it is so easy to do! You can let them think it is hard to do. Mini marshmallows, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, candy canes and mini chocolate chips make perfect fixings for hot chocolate. For those that enjoy a spirited beverage, Irish cream can be added as well.
Some other festive beverages for this time of year include Egg Nog, Spiced Cider and Mulled Wine. What is your favorite seasonal Bunco beverage? Is there a tried and true favorite your group loves? If so, please let me know on the Bunco Game Shop Facebook page. While you are there enter to win this month’s giveaway!
Keep Calm and Play Bunco,
Bunco Betty
Appetizer Surprise
14 ounces Can artichoke hearts
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Mayo
nnaise
1/2 cup Sour cream
8 ounces Cream cheese
Garlic salt — to taste
Dill weed — to taste
Paprika
Drain and chop artichoke hearts finely and set aside. Mix remainingingredients until smooth and creamy. Add artichoke hearts and mix well.Place in long shallow dish that has been greased or sprayed with non-stick spray. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 375 F. for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and brown. Serve with Ritz crackers, or dipping cracker of your choice. Keep warm while serving. A little dipper slow cooker would work perfectly!
Another book called, Dice with Spice would make a great gift or prize for a Bunco Babe. Each recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. It is a time saver and the recipes are delicious! Since the holidays are upon us, check out the video tutorials by The Bunco Game Shop for Winter Wonderland Cocktails and Chocolate Cherry Hot Fudge Cake.
What is your favorite snack or appetizer to make for Bunco games around the holiday season? Let me know on The Bunco Game Shop Facebook Page. While you’re there, enter our monthly GIVEAWAY!
Keep Calm and Play Bunco,
Bunco Betty
I started my Bunco group 3.5 years ago, I didn’t know anyone at that game. Now, quite a few of those players are friends of mine. Our very first game was a Hawaiian theme. It still comes up in conversation occasionally, it was really fun. Of course everyone needs to wear a lei, the hostess can provide one at the door or each person can wear their own. A Hawaiian shirt or grass skirt is a nice touch too. There is always the fun-loving Bunco Gal who will wear a coconut bra!
Food is also key for a successful Hawaiian Bunco. Think tropical: teriyaki, pineapple, coconut, macadamia nuts (chocolate covered please!), even SPAM. Drinks are important as well. The Blue Hawaiian, a frosty alcoholic concoction is festive and delicious. For those guests that do not drink alcohol, here are some recipes for some mocktail treats such as Pina Coladas, Mai Tais and Sunny Hawaiis. Don’t forget the mini umbrellas for the drinks! I made these Sweet Sandal cookies to our Flip Flop Bunco and they were a big hit!
Some fun variations of a sunny tropical Bunco theme include Flip Flop Bunco and Beach Blanket Bingo Bunco. For Flip Flop Bunco have guests wear their most blinged out Flip Flops, the most bedazzled pair wins a prize! We had some very creative ladies with mad glue gun skills at our Flip Flop Bunco night! For Beach Blanket Bingo Bunco we played Bingo along with our Bunco game. There were prizes for both games. Of course for any tropical theme Bunco, ladies can wear beach attire (floppy hat, shorts, tank top, etc.). To make this theme even more fun, you can switch things up and hold a tropical theme Bunco in the winter! I live in the desert, so winter is the best time of year here. In other parts of the country, ladies may need to wear a jacket over their shorts or wear boots and change into flip flops at the party. It is a great diversion from winter and a reminder of what’s to come in the future.
Has your Bunco group had a warm weather themed Bunco party? If so, let me know about it on The Bunco Game Shop’s Facebook Page.
Keep Calm and Play Bunco,
Bunco Betty
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
It is the perfect time of year to throw a Pink Ribbon Bunco party. A party such as this can be held as a fundraiser or as your monthly Bunco group’s theme. Your Bunco group could decide to forgo it’s winnings this month and donate.
I have been to both types of Pink Ribbon Bunco. Bunco for Breast Cancer is an annual event held in my city. It is held on the patio of a Mexican restaurant and there are hundreds of players. It is so much fun and great prizes are given away. I won an amazing Pampered Chef basket one year and another year set of neckties for my husband.
My Bunco group has also had a Pink Ribbon Bunco theme in the past and we are planning another one later this month. Everyone gets into the spirit and wears pink! I will be decorating my chandelier with these adorable pink ribbon lanterns. Our Bunco sheets will be printed on pink paper (of course!) and each player will have a cute Pink Ribbon pen on a rope. The head table will be playing with novelty pink ribbon dice . I can’t wait until the ladies see these! Also, a friend of mine who sells awesome organizational products will be at our Bunco game. There will be prizes such as pink key fobs and lanyards wrapped in mini Pink Ribbon bags. One lucky player will go home with a prize from a giveaway!
No Pink Ribbon Bunco party would be complete without some pink drinks like pink lemonade or a pink lady cocktail. Bowls of pink treats would be fun to snack on. Think pink candy coated chocolate pieces, pink malted milk balls, licorice, etc. Pink paper plates, napkins , cups and tablecloths are a must too. Pink Lemonade cupcakes would be a festive addition to the dessert table. I made these cupcakes for a baby girl shower and they were both pretty and delicious.
My group uses two Bunco necklaces during our games. The necklaces change depending on the theme. For October Bunco we will be using these fun Pink Ribbon Bunco necklaces. They are sturdy and will be fine being tossed across the room. They can be used again at next year’s Pink Ribbon Bunco game! If you get the first Bunco you get to wear a necklace throughout the game and you get your money back. The other necklace we pass around each time someone gets a Bunco and the person with the last Bunco wins a prize.
Are you going to have a Pink Ribbon Bunco this month? Have you had one in the past? Let me know about it on our Facebook page.
Keep Calm and Play Bunco,
Bunco Betty
Fall is officially here. Pumpkin flavored beverages and desserts are already everywhere. Even though I live in the desert and the weather is still quite warm, thoughts of fall bring hope of cooler weather and fun get-togethers with family and friends like Halloween and Thanksgiving.
This will be the fourth fall that my Bunco group has been together. We have played Harvest Bunco, Halloween Bunco (twice) and had an Apple themed Bunco. I always coordinate the color of our Bunco sheets according to the monthly theme. For Halloween Bunco I use orange and green paper, for Apple themed Bunco, red and gr
een and for Harvest Bunco, gold, light brown and green. This time of year there are cute fall paper products available: plates, cups, napkins, etc. which add to the festive atmosphere.
Another fun thing about fall themes are the endless food and beverage possibilities. For Harvest Bunco we had mulled wine (check out these cute wine charms), for Apple Bunco we had hot spiced cider and for Halloween Bunco the hostess put dry ice in the punch and it looked like witches brew. We have potlucks at our games and the ladies are very creative! One of my favorite recipes for fall is a pumpkin dip I found on Allrecipes.com. I made it for my Brownie Troop last week and one of the girls asked if she could lick the bowl! Best of all it is inexpensive and easy to put together. It tastes great served with apple slices, ginger snaps and/or Nilla Wafers.
Pumpkin Dip
Ingredients:
1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
1/4 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
In a large bowl, mix together instant vanilla pudding mix, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Fold in the thawed frozen whipped topping. Chill in the refrigerator until serving.
Prizes for Fall Bunco are fun to coordinate with the theme. Some of my favorite prizes are seasonal dish towels, candles, welcome signs and aprons. This Halloween Dice Bracelet would be a perfect Bunco prize!
What Fall Bunco Themes (Halloween, Harvest, etc.)have you done with your Bunco group? What are your favorite prizes and recipes for Fall Bunco themes?
We have been having technical issues with leaving comments on the blog, so please let me know your thoughts on The Bunco Game Shop Facebook Page
Keep Calm and Play Bunco,
Bunco Betty
I love party planning and playing Bunco. My group has themed Bunco parties which are so much fun to plan. However, I am not naturally a crafty person. I need things that are simple to execute and not time consuming. The picture that I have posted here shows a few easy touches that will take your Bunco decor to another level.
First, notice the cute chalkboard sign that says, Strawberry Lemonade. Nice touch, right? Well, it is super easy and inexpensive to make. I use mine all the time for things other than Bunco: Girl Scout functions, church hospitality, etc. At a craft store pick out some wooden shapes that you like. There are many shapes and sizes, pick the ones that work for you. They range in price from about 79 cents to $2.00 or so. Next you will need a can of chalkboard paint. You can get it at the craft store but it is much cheaper at the hardware store. You will also be using masking tape. Place tape around the outside of the wooden shape. The next step is best done outside on newspaper: spray with chalkboard paint and let dry according to directions on can. Easy! I place them on small easels that I purchased at a discount store. Now you have cute chalkboards that can be used to label your Bunco food items!
Next, notice the table runner. I made that myself! All you need is about a yard and a half of fabric, fusible web (stitch witchery), scissors and an iron. Decide how wide you want your runner to be and then add an inch on each side to allow for the seam. Once your fabric is cut, it’s time to iron. You will need a hot iron which is on the steam setting. Fold an inch of fabric along the long edge of the runner and press with iron to make a crease. The fusible web will go inside this crease. Fusible web is a fiber which melts when heated (so you don’t have to sew!). It usually comes in a roll and can be purchased at craft stores. Press according to the instructions on the package and be sure to do it on both sides of the runner. It will look like the runners you buy in the store only much cheaper! You will love telling everyone that you made it yourself!
As you may have noticed the picture is of a drink table. It was a Bunco Baby Shower so we had non-alcoholic beverages that night. The strawberry lemonade was a hit, especially when served in Mason jars with cute pink straws (It was a Girl!). I added flags with each person’s name to the pink-striped straws so that everyone knew which drink belonged to them. It’s simple touches like these that take Bunco decor up a notch. This drink idea would be super cute for a Pink Ribbon (Breast Cancer) Bunco theme. Check out these great products that would be perfect for a Pink Ribbon Bunco Party. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and my group will be having a Pink themed Bunco. I can’t wait!
How have you been crafty with decor at your Bunco parties? Let me know!
Keep Calm and Play Bunco,
Bunco Betty
