Bonfire Bonanza

This bonfire bonanza has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareFunshine #CollectiveBias

The end of June marks a few things in the Schuplin home:

• Our big family trip to the cabin for my birthday.
• It’s crunch time for Michael’s birthday party.

Outside of Christmas, these are the two events I look forward to all year. Sure, we throw a ton of parties, but they all pale in comparison to Michael’s soiree.

Seriously. You should come.

Since time is a hot commodity during this time period, we tend to favor spontaneous shindigs whenever a window opens up. Spontaneous and typically outdoors so my guests don’t have to compete with the mess that comes with his party. It’s pretty intense, guys.

If you have 11 hours, you can plan this gorgeous burlap and pink bonfire bonanza. I’m so in love with it. Backyard wedding anyone?

Bonfire Bonanza Food:

I have been a lover of chicken hobo dinners since my days of rustic camping as a young lass. Pick whatever fillings you want and let your guests do the rest.

Party tip: I recommend tossing the potatoes with a bit of vegetable oil so everything is locked and loaded before people arrive. 

Ohh. Emm. Gee. I love these cupcakes!

I knew I was having a bonfire bonanza. I knew I was buying XXL bags of M&M’s®. What I wasn’t sure of was how I would incorporate the two.

Until I realized M&M’s® look like coals. And coals are in fires. And campfire cupcakes are perfect!

Party tip: Stay tuned for the campfire cupcake tutorial!

But the cupcakes were not meant to be the star of the show. Not even sort of. The real dessert was another ‘cook in the fire’ type of dish.

A cook in the fire dish that utilized more of the humongous bags of M&M’s® I purchased.

Campfire Banana Boats:

• Use a knife to cut a banana down the middle.
• Stuff the banana with different types of M&M’s® and marshmallows.
• Wrap the banana with a foil sheet and place it in the fire for about 15 minutes. (I turned mine halfway through because I like an even cook.)
• Carefully remove the foil wrapped banana and set it on something to cool down.

Now, if you were camping, you would use something a little more primitive as a cooling area. Rocks work well.

I have a collection of pitchers and glass bottles ready to be filled at all times to keep branded drink bottles from appearing on my tables. I’m not a fan of tarnishing a party theme, but that’s just me. If you are slightly less OCD, please go on with your bad self!

In addition to the drink of the soda variety, I set out waters wrapped with a pink burlap duct tape.

Bonfire Bonanza Decorations:

I dressed up my main table with the most beautiful burlap flowers, accented with a pink twine filler.

I set out blankets for the guests.

And I embellished the boxes of banana boat ingredients with tiny burlap flowers. You know me and my details!

Finally, I added another flower to my favor stand for cohesion.

Trail Mix Party Favors:

• 1/3 cup Peanuts
• 1/3 cup M&M’s® Peanut
• 1/3 cup M&M’s® Original
• 3.5 oz Granola
• 16oz Canning jar (Dollar Tree is the cheapest.)
• 6″ Burlap circle

These trail mix party favors are so stinkin’ affordable and tasty to boot! Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl before putting everything in the jar unless you are going for the layered look. Next, center the burlap circle with the lid and call it a day. That’s it!

I know, right? So easy.

In case you want to pick up some XXL bags of M&M’s® for your own summer parties, Sam’s Club carries M&M’s® Original, M&M’s® Crispy, and M&M’s® Peanut. I like to keep them on hand because bowls of treats are always a hit when guests are looking for something to snack on. You just never know when a reason to party will pop up!

What other summer themes do you think will benefit from the XXL big bag of M&M’s®?

Do a girl a favor and pin this bonfire bonanza!