Happy New Years Newsletter from ShowYourPizzazz.com

In this issue:

* New Year’s Traditions
* Decorations and Ideas
* USA Kids Christmas
* Last Minute BUT Thoughtful Gifts
* New Year’s Recipes
* Show Your Pizzazz News
 

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NEW YEAR’S TRADITIONS
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What are your families New Year’s traditions? Find out how families around the world celebrate the new year by visiting http://www.fathertimes.net/traditions.htm . Here is a preview of what you will learn.

German New Year
In Germany people would drop molten lead into cold water and try to tell the future from the shape it made. A heart or ring shape meant a wedding, a ship a journey, and a pig plenty of food in the year ahead.

People also would leave a bit of every food eaten on New Year's Eve on their plate until after Midnight as a way of ensuring a well-stocked larder. Carp was included as it was thought to bring wealth.

Austrian New Year
In Austria 1691 Pope Innocent XII declared January 1 to be New Year's Day.

In Austria, New Year's Eve is called Sylvesterabend which is the Eve of Saint Sylvester. They make a punch made of cinnamon, sugar, and red wine in honor of him. Taverns and inns are decorated with evergreen wreaths. Confetti, streamers, and champagne are also part of New Year's Eve. Evil spirits of the old year are chased away by the firing of morters called bцller. Midnight mass is attended and trumpets are blown from church towers at midnight. People exchange kisses…

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DECORATIONS AND IDEAS
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Visit our online party supply store at http://showyourpizzazz.makesparties.com  for all your New Year’s party supplies including total party kits, hats and tiaras, decorations, noisemakers, paper goods, glow products, novelties and party music.

Consider having a theme for your New Year’s Party. Some of the more popular themes include Luau, Fiesta, Casino (You can use those poker chips you got for Christmas!),20’s, 50’s – or any decade really, Hollywood, and Oriental. You can find all the decorations for these themes and more at www.showyourpizzazz.makesparties.com 

If you have opted to celebrate your New Years at home with your own party, don’t just make it kid friendly; make it kid exciting. Here are a few ideas to help.

• Turn the party lights on! Black light, disco light, neon signs, lava lamps, string lights, just be creative.

• Take the mood a step further with glow sticks, and necklaces, light up glasses, mugs, even ice cubes!

  • Keep the snacks stress free.

  • Apple slices (lightly dipped in lemon juice so they don’t turn brown) with caramel sauce.

  • Popcorn balls or a big tin of three flavored popcorn – Drug Stores have these for only $3.99 right now!
    Cheese squares or string cheese straws but these could get pricy.

  • Pizza Dip and French Bread – See the recipe below

  • Tortilla Chips and Chili Con Queso – Just mix Velveeta Cheese with mild Pace Picante Sauce or a can of Hormel Chili or both and warm in the microwave.

  • Lemon Lime Punch – Mix 7up or Sprite with lime sherbet. This is the best!

  • Sparkling apple cider for the midnight toast (set the time a little earlier if most of the children are younger)

  • Lil’ Smokies sausages warmed in BBQ sauce.

  • Finger Fruit like grapes, raisins, dried peaches, etc.

  • Squeeze some real food in where you can for substance. Try lumpia, mini burritos, bucket of chicken, etc.

• Dedicate a TV away from the music area to an all out video game challenge. Make sure the kids bring their controllers and rent some multi-player games from the video store.

• Include trivia games that are fun for adults and children like Disney.

• If you have other great ideas share them with us. Send us an email at TonyaRenay@ShowYourPizzazz.com

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USA KIDS CHRISTMAS 2004
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We are in the final days of our toy drive for needy military families. We have received generous donations from several companies and families.

We feel great about the donations and you should too. Some of the comments we have received from military families are below.

• …how kind you are to have thought of our daughter when you don't even know her. – Jennifer S.

• …"Thank You" for the gift that was provided for my son. May God Bless you and the organization always! – L.A. T.

• …thank you very much for helping my family out this season. It really means a lot to me and my wife. – Brian and Angela H.

• …Thank You so much for helping us this holiday season. – Joanna B.

• …Thank you very much for the gifts. My family is very blessed this year. May God bless you and have a very Merry Christmas! – James W.

• And one very special thank you card made by very special family is very much appreciated!
  
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  LAST MINUTE BUT THOUGHTFUL GIFTS
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  Tickets Printed Online – visit http://www.showyourpizzazz.com/GiftFinder/travelleasure.htmlfor tickets to sporting events, concerts, plays and more.
  
  Vacation package or just a weekend away at a local hotel. You can find and print both in time for Christmas at http://www.showyourpizzazz.com/GiftFinder/travelleasure.html

 
How about a limo ride to a nice dinner? Get FREE Quotes in your area at www.ShowYourPizzazz.com 

Spa Retreat Gift Certificates in all areas visit http://www.showyourpizzazz.com/GiftFinder/travelleasure.html 

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NEW YEAR’S RECIPES
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BLACK EYED PEAS - "Remember, black-eyed peas on New Year's Day brings good luck for the entire year!" Serves 8 (1/2 cup).

Ingredients:
1/2 pound dry black-eyed peas
water
1 cup chopped cooked ham
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 pinch garlic powder
1 onions, diced
1/2 (14.5 ounce) can whole tomatoes

Directions:
1. Place black-eyed peas in 8 quart pot. Add enough water to fill pot 3/4 full. Stir in ham and diced onions, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place tomatoes in a blender or food processor, and blend until the tomatoes are liquefied. Add tomatoes to pot. Bring all ingredients to boil. Cover the pot, and simmer on low heat for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the peas are tender.
 

SUGARLESS COOKIES - "A wholesome fruity cookie with no sugar." Serves 12

Ingredients:
1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon raisins
3 tablespoons and 1/2 teaspoon dates, pitted and chopped
1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon and 1-3/4 teaspoons vegetable oil
3/4 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/4 teaspoons aspartame sweetener
1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon rolled oats

Directions:
In a small pan mix together raisins, dates, and water. Bring to a boil for 3 minutes, then cool. In a medium bowl, stir together oil, eggs, vanilla, artificial sweetener, flour, baking soda, and oats. Add the boiled mixture to this, stir, and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Drop cookies from a teaspoon onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
 

PIZZA DIP - Enjoy. "Dip pieces of French bread or pita into this gooey hot dip. It's like an instant pizza!” Serves 30

Ingredients:
1-1/8 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup and 2 teaspoons pizza sauce
1/4 cup and 1 teaspoon sliced green onions
1/8 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup and 1 teaspoon shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup and 2 teaspoons shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup and 1 teaspoon chopped red bell pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium baking dish, mix the cream cheese, sour cream, oregano, red pepper flakes, pizza sauce, green onions, garlic, Cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese and red bell pepper.
Bake in the preheated oven 5 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly brown.

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SHOW YOUR PIZZAZZ NEWS
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Show Your Pizzazz did make the finals in The San Diego Business Journal’s Family Owned Business Award program but we did not win – this year. The winners were very much deserving and we congratulate them. We will keep our fingers crossed for next year though.

A final mention for USA Kids Christmas 2004 was included in the Rancho Magazine this month. Thank you Pomerado News Group!

ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY! That’s right; Show Your Pizzazz will have been in business one full year on January 1st! WOW. That went really fast. We are looking forward to having another wonderful year with all of you.

We want to hear from you! What do you like about the site and newsletter? What do you want to hear more about? What could you do without? Have a favorite recipe you would like to share? Or how about a unique party idea or party picture?

Send us an e-mail at TonyaRenay@ShowYourPizzazz.com

Tonya Sease
(858) 382-5825
TonyaRenay@ShowYourPizzazz.com
www.ShowYourPizzazz.com


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