Thanksgiving Blessings Mix

Today was Lily’s Special Day at school so she got to bring treats. This time of year, our go-to snack is the Thanksgiving Blessings mix. We first came across it when Andrew was in preschool with Mrs. King—at the same school his great-grandmother attended years before. I loved Mrs. King because she told me that she, too, often felt like backing quietly out of the room during “free-play” time. As a new mother, it made me feel better to know that even those who have chosen to spend their lives with toddlers sometimes want to avoid them.

Lily also had to write a few sentences about what she was thankful for to share with the class. Her list had all the classic elements: family, friends, food, toys, and water. She didn’t specifically name Pillow Pets and nachos, but I know those are what she’s most thankful for.

I doubled the recipe and had more than enough 1/2-cup servings to fill 20 snack-sized baggies. You could use much nicer bags and ribbons if you wanted to (brown paper or cellophane), but this simple version works fine, too.

Thanksgiving Blessings Mix Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups Bugles brand corn snacks
2 cups small pretzels
1 cup candy corn
1 cup dried fruit bits or raisins
1 cup peanuts or sunflower seeds
1 cup M&Ms-brand chocolate candy
16 Hershey’s-brand chocolate kisses
4 copies printable Blessings Mix gift tags or bag toppers.

Directions:

In a large bowl, gently mix all the ingredients except the Hershey’s Kisses. Scoop 1/3 to 1/2 cup of Thanksgiving Blessing Mix into small treat bags. Add one Hershey’s Kiss to each bag. Seal the bag or close it with a chenille twist tie, twine, or a ribbon. Print four copies of the Thanksgiving Blessings Mix gift-tags or create your own tags with the wording below. Cut out the tags, and attach one to each bag. Makes about 16 Blessings Mix gift bags.