Christmas Tree Lunch

Year 2, Week 18: Christmas Tree Lunch.  I wanted to do something simple, yet fun this week.  Like many of you, the holidays are so busy in our family and sometimes a simple lunch is best.  We had our first Christmas party this weekend and did a FROZEN movie weekend the week before.  Here is a link if you want to check out some ideas that I posted for Sven Sandwiches and Olaf Banana Snowmen. We have been loving Cutie mandarin oranges in our house this month and I wanted to make a lunch with one of those also.  I love December because these oranges are in season and available everywhere.  Cuties are healthy and taste so good.  

So if you are busy like us, here is an easy Christmas lunch to make for your kids!  I made it in an Easy Lunch Boxes container with a Christmas themed Lunchbox Love note.  

Ingredients:

--1 Cutie orange

--Blackberries, dried blueberries, or both

--A few white sprinkles

--2 pieces whole wheat bread

--1 slice lunch meat

--1 slice of cheese

--Handful of shredded lettuce

--Plain or vanilla yogurt

--A few green sprinkles

--3 raspberries

--1 granola bar

--green food coloring

Directions:

1.  Cut one slice of bread in the shape of a tree.  It doesn't need to be perfect, just the general shape of a Christmas tree.  Use the first tree to cut a second tree out of another slice of bread.  Put the lunch meat and cheese between the two slices and arrange the shredded lettuce on top.  It helps if you use some sort of spread between the bread and the lettuce to keep the lettuce on top.  I used pesto on this sandwich.  Place the sandwich in the main container but make sure there is enough room for the Cutie above it.

2.  Using a sharp knife, make shallow cuts on the Cutie to create the star.  It is much easier than it sounds.  Just cut one triangle at a time.  Slice only two sides of the triangle and then bend the orange peel up, working your way around the orange.  Be careful not to pull the peel all the way off.  Repeat for each side of the star.  When done, place the Cutie above the tree sandwich.

3.  Surround the tree and Cutie with blackberries or dried blueberries.  I actually used both in this lunch for some variety.  When done, spread a few white sprinkles on top to look like snow.

4.  In one side container use non-fat plain or vanilla yogurt.  Arrange a few raspberries on top of the yogurt and then spread some green sprinkles over both the yogurt and the berries. 

5.  Cut your granola bar into two pieces.  In this lunch is a sweet and salty almond granola bar.  Use a toothpick and draw lines on the bar with green food coloring so that it looks like a present.  You only need to do this on one piece.  Place both pieces in second side dish with the one that looks like a present on top.

6.  Finish by placing a Christmas themed Lunchbox Love note on top for a little lunchtime fun!

I hope you have an amazing Christmas!  Remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to get even more great tips and reviews.  

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