Charlie Brown Christmas Lunch

Year 2, Week 16: Charlie Brown Christmas.  My kids watched A Charlie Brown Christmas after Thanksgiving last week.  I had forgotten how good of a movie that is.  Its one of those shows that the kids love, but the humor is great for adults.  Anyway, its turning into a family tradition for us.  I am a BIG fan of Christmas anyway, so my whole family is hyped up for all the fun that surrounds it.  

My favorite part of the movie (and this lunch) is the Christmas tree.  I also used a Planetbox Lunchbox along with a Christmas theme Lunchbox Love Note.  It brings back good memories of past Christmas celebrations.  I hope that you can celebrate this year with some fun traditions of your own.  Its always great for kids to have something like that to look forward to!

Ingredients:

--2 slices whole wheat bread
--Peanut Butter and Smuckers Jam
--Fresh Rosemary
--Green and Red Apples
--Handful of raspberries (or other red fruit)
--BabyBel cheese round
--Black food coloring
--Snowflake shaped pretzels or cookies
--1/2 avocado
--4 grape tomatoes
--Handful shredded white cheese
--1 red M&M
--Lunchbox Love Note

Directions:

1.  Using a sharp knife cut a piece of bread into the shape of Charlie Brown's head.  Its pretty easy since its a basic shape.  You can also cut out a hat for him if you want.  I used a scrap from a heel piece of bread.  Repeat with a second piece and use Peanut Butter and Smuckers Jam to make a sandwich.  Use black food coloring to draw the facial details.
2.  Slice up green and red apples and place into background of container.  Place Charlie Brown on top and garnish with Rosemary and Snowflake pretzels if desired.
3.  In second side dish place a handful of shredded cheese.  Bend a piece of Rosemary in the shape of the tree.  It will snap a little and stay in that shape.  Place on top of cheese along with a red M&M for the ornament.  Put an "X" of bread scraps on the bottom for the tree stand.
4.  In another side dish, put more slices of green apples.  Cut a round of Babybel cheese to look like Snoopy's doghouse.  Just cut off the top and bottom and take a notch out of each side.  Leave the red wax on the outside.  Use the cheese scraps to make Snoopy.  Draw the details with black food coloring.  I used a tiny piece of nori for his ear.
5.  Place Snoopy in container and put red fruit in as accents.  Garnish with another pretzel snowflake.
6.  If you need a little more food, put some sliced avocado and grape tomatoes in another side dish.  
7.  For a finishing Christmas touch, put in a Christmas Theme Lunchbox Love note.  

Have a great Christmas and remember that in all of the hustle and business of the holidays, they are a ton more important things than presents and making sure everything is perfect.  Spend some time with your family this month and think about the real reason we celebrate Christmas!
#lbdbento