Tag: bunco game

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Fall Bunco: Sweet Treats and Football

Salted Caramel Cake Pops

I asked our Facebook followers to let me know what their favorite fall themed Bunco ideas were.  There were some very creative ideas!  The most popular fall themes were Pink Ribbon and Halloween Bunco.  Some groups do a variation of Halloween theme, such a Howloween and Buncoween.  A group does Halloween with a Pink Twist.  That sounds so fun!  I think I will give that a try next year since I already have our Pink Ribbon Bunco planned for this month.

One Bunco player said that she hosts a Football Bunco each fall.  How fun!  I have seen some cute football themed plates, napkins, bowls, etc. at discount stores.  Guests can wear their favorite football jersey, t-shirt, hat or colors.  It would also be fun to have a game on in the background (perhaps your hometown team).  The best thing about Football themed Bunco is the food!  You can’t go wrong with dips kept warm in mini slow cookers along with some tortilla chips and crackers.  My favorite dips to make (and eat) are Spinach and Artichoke and Buffalo Chicken.  Both are really easy to make.  However, I have a sweet tooth and my favorite food at a Bunco game is usually dessert.  Salted Caramel Cake Pops would be a delicious addition to any fall Bunco theme (or any time of the year!).

Salted Caramel Cake Pops

1 Yellow Cake Mix baked in 13×9 pan according to package and cooled

1/3 cup canned vanilla frosting (or homemade)

1/2 cup salted caramel (I used Trader Joe’s brand)

1 bag chocolate melting wafers

1 cup white chocolate melting wafers

1 cup caramels (such as Kraft) unwrapped

1 tsp. water

Sea Salt for topping

32 lollipop sticks (available at craft stores)

styrofoam block (available at craft stores)

Shred the cooled caked and add frosting and salted caramel, mix well.  Shape mixture into balls.  Meanwhile, melt 1/2 cup of chocolate melting wafers in the microwave in 30 second increments until melted.  Dip a lollipop stick into the melted chocolate and then stick it into the cake ball.  Line small cookie sheet with parchment paper and put all 32 cake pops on the cookie sheet (use two if you need to).  Put cake pops into freezer for about an hour.  When you are ready to dip the cake pops, put the remainder of the chocolate melting wafers into a microwave safe bowl and microwave at 30 second increment until desired consistency is achieved.  Dip the cake pops one at a time into the chocolate mixture.  Stick the dipped cake pops into the styrofoam block and let dry.  Microwave white melting chocolate at 30 second increments until thin consistency.  Put a small dollop of white chocolate on each pop.  Next, put caramel and 1 tsp of water into microwave safe bowl and stir every 30 second until smooth.  Drizzle on top of the cake pops.  Finally, add a light pinch of sea salt onto each cake pop.  Enjoy!

Do you have a sweet tooth?  What is your favorite dessert to make (or eat) at a Bunco game? If you prefer savory food, what is your favorite? Please share your answer on our Facebook page.  Let me know if you make the cake pops!

Keep Calm and Play Bunco,

Bunco Betty

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Pink Ribbon Bunco

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

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

 

 

 

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Fall into Bunco: Fun Autumn Theme Ideas

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 green 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

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Bunco Theme Favorite: Birthday Bash Bunco

A Bunco Game Shop Facebook follower threw an amazing surprise 91st Birthday Bunco Bash and it got me thinking of one of my favorite Bunco themes: Birthday Bunco!  In February a friend of mine in my Bunco group turned 40.  So, we held a Gold Lamé Soirée Bunco which was a fun 1970s theme.  We took it seriously!  The ladies in my group all wore sparkly gold shirts and of course there was Disco music in the background.  I bought  everyone  a disco ball necklace and we rocked them!

Usually we have a potluck but I decided to make the food since the theme was so fun! I immediately thought of the quintessential 1970s food: fondue. But after talking with the birthday girl, came up with doing a salad bar and soup.  I found an inflatable salad bar online and filled it with ice so that it kept all of the salad fixings cold.  I had everyone’s favorite toppings, lettuce, pasta salad and a variety of dressings.  I also made one of my favorite soups, Fire Roasted Tomato (see recipe below).  It is easy to make the day before and then warm in the slow cooker a few hours before the party starts.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon  olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 cans (14.5 oz each) fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can can (14 oz) reduced-sodium chicken broth

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

1/2 cup whipping cream

In saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, broth, 1 tablespoon of the basil, the sugar and pepper flakes. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes.  I use an immersion blender and blend the soup directly in the pot. If you are using a regular blender, let soup cool before blending, about 15 minutes.  After blending, add soup back to pot, stir in cream and remaining 1 tablespoon basil.  It tastes great with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top!

After playing two rounds of Bunco in which the birthday girl wore this cute tiara, we took a dessert break. We had the birthday girl’s favorite cupcake, homemade German Chocolate.  One of our players brought some gourmet ice cream to go with it.  Delicious!  As a nod to our 70s theme we had punch, both spiked and not, with sherbet floating on top.  Classic!

My 40th is coming up in a few weeks and I am throwing myself (with some help from friends) a Bunco Birthday Bash!  It is a fun Neon Tea Party theme.  I am having fun planning this event!  I found some cute neon pink, orange and yellow water bottles.  I will be tying neon balloons on some and making flower arrangements in the others.  I also plan on using these dice for some extra fun! I am really looking forward to it.  I will post pictures and let you know how it went!

A Bunco Game Shop Facebook follower, Charlyn, sent me some awesome food pictures from one of her bunco parties.  I am posting them here.  I am sure they will provide inspiration for many.  I think I may make the cupcakes for my Bunco Birthday (using carrot cake–my fave!).  The cream cheese appetizer with adorable spreaders looks amazing too!

What is your favorite Bunco theme?  Do you have any ideas for a Birthday Bunco Bash?  If so, I’d love to hear from you.  Leave a comment below.

Keep Calm and Play Bunco,

Bunco Betty

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Get Crafty:Simple Bunco Decor Ideas

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

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Bunco Game Food Style

The Bunco group that I belong to is one where we have a potluck meal before we play.  We basically have it down to a science: we eat for 45 minutes and then play two rounds of Bunco. Next, we eat dessert for ten minutes, play one round of Bunco, pass out the prizes and then play LCR (which is optional).  Whew!  We have ladies who love to chat and some who just want to get the show on the road. After three years of playing with mostly the same people we have figured out what works best for us as a group.

We are a large group and typically play with 18 to 24 people.  One time we had ten people bring dessert.  I was hosting and was left with way too many cakes and pies for a family of four to eat!  Now we limit it to four people bringing desserts, this way we don’t have an overabundance.  I have heard of groups who take turns being the hostess and she provides the food for her assigned Bunco game.  This sounds like fun and a great way to host for smaller groups.

Our potlucks do not include main dishes.  Our games are usually held at 2pm on Sunday afternoons so we prefer appetizers and snack foods. We have some really good cooks who play with us!  One of my favorite snacks to bring (I get requests for them!) are Cinnamon Candied Cashews.  They are easy to make and delicious.

Cinnamon Candied Cashews
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups raw cashews
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

Line a baking sheet with a silicon mat.  Put the nuts, sugar, water, and salt into a large skillet over high heat.  Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently, and cook until the water is nearly evaporated and the liquid becomes syrupy, about 10 minutes.    After 10 minutes, sprinkle the cinnamon over the nuts and stir well.  Continue stirring constantly while the water evaporates completely, about 5 minutes.  When there is no longer any sugar syrup left in the bottom of the pan, turn off the heat and stir the nuts vigorously but carefully in the pan until the sugar seizes up and the nuts are evenly coated with crystallized sugar.  Turn the nuts out onto the silicon mat and spread evenly.  Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

If you put treats on the Bunco tables these nuts would be a great addition to your routine snacks.  They would look so cute on these Dice Plates. We used to have a lot of chocolate and hard candies on the Bunco tables.  The ladies in my Bunco group do not have much willpower when it comes to snacks being at their fingertips, so we have done away with anything too sweet on the tables.  Now we  have nuts or dried fruit to munch on and occasionally the candied nuts above for a treat.

Does your Bunco group have potlucks or rotate hostesses who provide a meal?  Do you have snacks on the Bunco tables?  Let me know, I’d love to hear from you!

Keep Calm and Play Bunco,

Bunco Betty
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Favorite Bunco Themes–Dirty Dancing Bunco

I was thinking about the (many) Bunco games I have played in the last eight years.  One of my most favorite Bunco games that I planned was Dirty Dancing Bunco.  It was the 25th anniversary of the beloved movie and I thought it would be fun to throw a Bunco party with a  Dirty Dancing theme.

Of course we had, you guessed it, the Dirty Dancing DVD on in the background.  We had the sound turned down and the movie soundtrack CD playing.  Everyone loved it and sang along!  I also gave Dirty Dancing DVDs and CDs away as prizes for Snake Eyes as well as  first and last Bunco.  Our group gives the first person to get a Bunco her $5 back as well as a prize.  They get to wear a fun themed necklace until we hand out prizes at the end.  If you roll triple ones when you aren’t rolling for ones, it is called Snake Eyes.  Whoever rolled it loses all of  her points in that round and must yell Snake Eyes. Whoever rolled the last Snake Eyes throws the plush fuzzy die (like this awesome one from Bunco Game Shop) to her and the person who has the die at the end wins a prize.

I brought watermelon cake pops for dessert (remember when Baby carried the watermelon into the dance hall?) They were so cute and a big hit.  Here is the (easy) recipe:

1 box white cake mix (or your favorite recipe)
Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box
1/4 teaspoon pink paste food color
3/4 cup vanilla frosting (ready made or your favorite recipe)
3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
32  Lollipop sticks
1 bag (16 oz) green candy melts or coating wafers, melted
1 bag (16oz) white candy melts, melted
block of foam or cakepop holder

  • Heat oven to 350°F.
  • Spray 13×9-inch pan with cooking spray.
  • Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 13×9-inch pan, using water, oil and egg whites and adding pink paste food color.
  • Cool completely.
  • Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. I like to use two small cookie sheets from the dollar store. They fit nicely in my small freezer.
  • Crumble cake into large bowl.
  • Add frosting and mini chocolate chips; mix well.
  • Shape into 32 oblong balls to look like watermelon; place on cookie sheets.
  • Freeze until firm, at least an hour.
  • When cake balls are firm, transfer to refrigerator.
  • Remove several cake balls from refrigerator at a time.
  • Dip tip of 1 lollipop stick 1/2 inch into melted white candy and insert stick into 1 cake ball no more than halfway.
  • Dip each cake ball into melted candy to cover; tap off excess.
  • Poke opposite end of stick into foam block.
  • Let stand until set.
  • Dip each cake ball into melted green candy to cover; tap off excess.
  • Return sticks to foam block. Let stand until set.

What is your favorite Bunco theme? Do you use  Snake Eyes in your Bunco game?  What are some of your favorite Bunco rules? Let us know.  We would love to hear from you.
Keep Calm and Play Bunco,
Bunco Betty

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Bunco theme ideas

Hi there!  So I asked our Facebook fans to give me some bunco ideas and they were so cute!  Here’s what I got.  🙂

  • The Big Bunco Theory (like the big bang theory)
  • Pajama Bunco
  • Mardi Gras Bunco
  • Easter Bunco (bunny ears for the current bunco winner)
  • St. Patrick’s Day
  • Vampire Theme for the Black Dagger Brotherhood books
  • Alice in Wonderland meets Sex and the City Theme (fun hats and Cosmo’s)
  • Candy Land
  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Best dress
  • Long Beach Housewives
  • Fabulous 50’s
  • Naughty bunco (bachelorette party bunco)
  • Ugly bridesmaid dress bunco
  • March margarita madness
  • Hunger Games Theme

The ideas were so cute!

I also wanted to share a picture of some cupcakes that someone made for an American Cancer Society fundraiser.  She did a fab job and they raised almost $500.00!

Way to go!!  They look yummy!!

Here’s another online recipe I thought sounded good…baked, not fried!  Yay!

BAKED MOZZARELLA STICKS!!

8 ounces mozzarella cheese

  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 cup dry breadcrumbs
  • 2 teaspoons italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 teaspoons melted butter

Directions:

  1. Cut cheese in 1/2″ x 1/2″ x 3″ sticks.
  2. Toss with flour and set aside.
  3. In small bowl, beat together eggs and water and set aside.
  4. In separate bowl, combine bread crumbs, italian seasoning and garlic powder.
  5. Dip sticks in egg mixture, then coat with crumbs.
  6. Repeat this process.
  7. Place on a plate in a single layer, cover with foil and chill for 2 hours.
  8. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  9. Place cheese sticks on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet and drizzle with melted butter.
  10. Bake until crisp, about 8 to 10 minutes.Flip after 5 minutes.
  11. Heat a little spaghetti sauce to use for dipping.
I’m thinking of making the tonight for dinner!  LOL
Until next time Bunco Babes!!
Bunco Betty!
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Casino Bunco and Principal’s Pride!

Oh my goodness!  I just wanted to share with you ladies the email I got today from my Son’s Teacher!

“I’m so excited to let you know I’ve decided to nominate Bradley as Principal’s Pride for February!  He has done so well in spelling the past few weeks, and has shown so much progress with fluency, I am proud of him, and he deserves it! ”

Principal’s pride!  Yay!  I’m so proud of him!  He’s come so far and this year has been rough on him.

So, we are getting our bunco group together for a special LCR night this weekend.  We love getting together “just because” too!

Looks like we’re going to a Mexican restaurant downtown!  OH YEAH!

Not sure if I told you but my friend gave me his iPhone for free when he upgraded the the 4, so I have an iPhone!!  Anyway, since learning of my trip to Wendover, NV with my friend, I’ve been using this slot machine app on my phone.  It’s pretty pathetic but I’m addicted!  You just play with fake money OR you can purchase money on your iPhone to play with….I’m not that brave.

So, having casinos on my mind….has anyone ever had a “Casino Night” themed Bunco?  If so, I would love to hear how that went and what did you do for it?  I came across a poker chip collection the last time I was in Goodwill and thought about decorating for Casino Bunco Night.  Maybe everyone could be wearing the blinking bunco dice pin!

Bunco Blinking Dice – 1 Dozen Bunco Prize

Bunco Blinking Dice Pin / Necklace - 1 Dozen

Let me know what you think!

Hugs!!

Bunco Betty!

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Bunco gifts galore!

Ok, so I’m going to do a “My favorite bunco things” post!

First, I shall share with you some of the great sales we are having currently and I promise you will love them!  All under $10.00!!

Regular price: $12.99
Sale price: $5.99
Crystal Dice Wine Bottle Stopper - Gift Boxed

Regular price: $12.99
Sale price: $6.99
Bunco Center Piece Dice Candle - 5" x 5"

Regular price: $9.99
Sale price: $8.99
Large Acrylic Dice Keychains 1 Dozen

Regular price: $12.99
Sale price: $6.99
I could keep going, but I will fill up the entire page with just sales!  Check it out at Bunco Game Shop!
Things have been going pretty well.  My daughter loves her Gymnastics class and I love watching her!  When I was a little girl that’s all I ever dreamed of but my parents couldn’t afford it.
Work has been going good too!  And guess what?? My dear friend won an all expense paid trip to Wendover Nevada for 3 nights on a radio station and she’s taking me!  WhooHoo!  Mommies weekend getaway here we come!  The trip included the round trip flights for 2 and 3 nights at a casino.  It’s going to be so much fun!  3 nights without kids!  Sounds like a great getaway!  It’s the first weekend of March, so I’m saving my money!  Anyone been there?  I haven’t been to Wendover Nevada…I guess it’s on the border of Nevada and Utah.
Until next time my bunco divas!
Bunco Betty