6 slices German rye bread or sunflower seed bread
2 large garlic cloves
halved
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 1/2 ounces soft German cheese
2 tomatoes diced
3 basil leaves sliced thinly
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut bread slices in half. Rub one side of each piece with the cut side of the garlic. Brush bread with oil and place on a baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Let bread cool, slightly. Spread bread with cheese. Gently combine tomato and basil and spoon on top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

“What?” you say.

“Yes!” I say.

“Why?” you say.

“Why not”, I say.

Okay,I’ll admit it. I don’t like beer. I have had a few ales that are okay but in general I just don’t care for beer. But that’s not going to stop me from celebrating and it shouldn’t stop you.

Let talk Color Themes and Decorations

There are two color themes to choose from: the color of the German flag and the Bavarian flag, the German state the Oktoberfest is held in.

German Flag – black, red, gold
Bavarian Flag – white and light blue

Table Decorations: layer two tablecloths, draping, for example, a red tablecloth over a black one. Accent with gold napkins and silverware. OR choose one large table cloth and add large colored confetti.

Add streamers and balloons.

floral foam
a beef stein
flowers – real or fake

Cut foam to fit into the stein, and then place it inside the stein. Add and arrange flowers sticking the ends into the foam.

1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 eggs
well beaten
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped maraschino cherries
1/2 chopped cup walnuts

icing ingredients
1/4 cup softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9×13 inch pan. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl; set aside. Melt butter. Stir in cocoa until smooth. Blend in eggs, sugar and extracts. Stir in flour mixture, cherries and nuts. Pour into pan. Bake 35 minutes.

Make icing: blend butter, vanilla, sugar, cocoa and milk in a bowl until smooth. Spread on hot brownies.Sprinkle with nuts. Cool.

Serves: 30

1/2 gallon orange sherbet
6 ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate
2 liter bottle ginger ale

Place sherbet and frozen orange juice concentrate in a punch bowl. Allow to thaw for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in ginger ale.

These a easy paper hats, often made from newspaper. Make this one from colored construction paper and decorate.

skill level: easy
cost: under $5
craft time: 15 minutes

large piece of construction paper (12×18-inches)
flower
feather

Fold large sheet of construction paper in half.
Fold both top corners in towards the middle evenly, leaving 2-3 inch border along the bottom.
Now, fold the bottom up on both sides each to their own side. This forms the brim.
Decorate with a flower and a feather.

skill level: medium*
cost: $5-$20
craft time: 60-90 minutes this includes drying time

This makes a wonder and unusual party favor, centerpiece or buffet decoration.

*This is really easy but since melting wax and whisking melted wax is involved we have classified is as medium.

for each candle you’ll need
wick and wick base (you can buy these already assembled)
beer glass or mug
pencil/tape
gel wax
candle dye, gold (or a combination of yellow and brown)
candle scent, optional
paraffin wax
whisk
spoon
non-stick spray or butter

Pour water into the beer glass leave room for the foam, then pour the water into a measuring cup. You will want to melt 1-1/2 to 2 times as much gel wax. Discard water and dry glass.
Measure and cut the wick about 2-inches longer than the glass.
Place the metal base down into the glass, tie the other end to a pencil and move to the edge of the glass.
Crumble the gel wax into your measuring cup.
Transfer wax into a metal pan or container.
Melt wax in a metal container over a low heat.
Do not microwave or leave unattended for any reason.
Once melted add dye to desired beer color and scent if using.
Carefully pour melted wax into glass.
Center the wick.
Let cool and harden.
Heat paraffin in a double boiler.
Pour hot wax into a deep bowl.
Whisk vigorously to form the fluffy froth and almost cool.
Grease a spoon, then spoon foam into your glass.
Cool completely and remove the pencil.

Bead Pattern

Create the Bavarian flag with beads and safety pins.

skill level: easiest
cost: under $5
craft time: 10 minutes

12, 7/8″ safety pins
1, 1-3/4 ” safety pin
for colors and amounts of beads please refer to the pattern

The How To:
Place beads on each of the smaller safety pins according to the pattern.
Arrange beaded safety pins on large pin according to the patterns shown in chart, pushing them around to the side of the safety pin that does not open.

Optional steps:
Use needle nose pliers to pinch closed the smaller safety pins to keep them from popping open. You may want to use a small flat head screwdriver to help open the end of the large safety pin.

Bead Pattern

Create the German flag with beads and safety pins.

skill level: easiest
cost: under $5
craft time: 10 minutes

12, 7/8″ safety pins
1, 1-3/4 ” safety pin
for colors and amounts of beads please refer to the pattern

The How To:
Place beads on each of the smaller safety pins according to the pattern.
Arrange beaded safety pins on large pin according to the patterns shown in chart, pushing them around to the side of the safety pin that does not open.

Optional steps:
Use needle nose pliers to pinch closed the smaller safety pins to keep them from popping open. You may want to use a small flat head screwdriver to help open the end of the large safety pin.

German Flag

skill level: easiest
cost: under $5
craft time: 5 minutes

3×5 index card
markers or paint
Popsicle stick
tape or glue

Paint or color the index card to look like the German flag.
Glue or tape the “flag” to the “pole”-the Popsicle stick..