1 25lb bag of confectioners sugar (10x)
3 cans of Wilton Meringue Powder
8 cups of water
Put all ingredients in a large mixer (we use the one in our kitchen at school). Mix at low speed until icing forms peaks. Scoop out in one cup increments and put in ziploc bags. This recipe makes about 50 cups.
The meringue powder is available at large craft stores like AC Moore, in the area where they have the Wilton Cake and Candy Making supplies. We found that using the wonder cup measuring cup from Pampered Chef is great for filling the bags with icing.
This is not done as a money maker-the $1 per bag of icing basically covers the cost of the icing, paper towels and a few decorations (we usually put colored paper that we get through our Art department on the table and have some balloon bouquets on the table) you dont want alot on the tables because the families will need the room to spread out to decorate.
We send out a letter/reservation form about 2-3 weeks in advance (we are limited on our seating)all icing must be prepaid, (many people purchase more than 1 bag-usually it is best to get at least 2 bags-we make extra bags to have available the night of the event) We make the icing the afternoon of the event-when handing the icing out cut a corner of the ziplock bag off to work like a cake decorating bag-make sure you make this a small cut to start-if you make it to big you will have blobs of icing coming out.
We also have light refreshments-like punch and maybe some cookies, or pretzels. We also have some seasonal music playing over the PA system. Last year we had Santa visit, in the past we have had volunteers walk around in a Christmas Tree custom handing out candy canes-it would be cute to have a gingerbread costume but we havent been able to find one.
make sure you have a clean up committee-the icing will dry like concrete on the tables and floor if left go-that is the only drawback to this event-it gets a little messy!
If you have any other questions let me know!
Good Luck!
HI! For the "winter holidays" we have a family fun night called Gingerbread House night. We do this at each of our elementary centers in our district. Our PTC charges $1
to purchase a bag of royal icing. The families come and the make "gingerbread houses" out of graham crackers and any kind of candy decoration you can think of. This event has been going on for atleast 6 years!
Between the 2 elementary centers we probably have atleast 800 people attend every year. If you want the icing recipe and more information let me know and I can email it to you. We sometimes have doorprizes donated by local business to give away, last year we had Santa visit and the Palmer Candy company donated candy for him to give to all the children! AT the end of the evening everyone takes there creation home to enjoy. Some people build simple small houses, while others build mansions, castles, trains etc. It is really neat to see everyones ideas. spaydylady
Mykidsmom,
I LOVE the idea of a gift wrapping "party" at school!! I would never have thought of something like that. However, I feel like I might be overwhelming my Exec. Board with all my ideas. I may have to hold off on this one for a little while.
We host a Skate party with an Hawiian theme!
Not a really big money maker ( we have a deal with the roller rink) but A LOT of fun for the families that do come and a break from the winter blahs!
I was thinking about offering a night at the school in which parents could come enjoy snacks etc and wrap their gifts! Have it open for maybe most of a Saturday afternoon supply tape, sissors, but they would need to bring paper or maybe even see what it would take to get one of those large rolls (like they use at the dept. stores) for parents to use!
We don't really do fundraising at this time as many members were...okay they HATED the idea and our school really stays away from anything holiday ie we have a winter break.
Hope this helps!
