It's been said that
there are only two certainties: death and taxes. Whether you are stuck paying out or are getting a nice, sweet refund, the
completion of your taxes is an accomplishment to be celebrated. So gather your nearest and dearest for a celebration designed
to decrease the stress brought on by all of these complex calculations. Just because you sent the stuff off to H&R Block
and didn't sweat it out yourself, that doesn't mean that you don't still deserve a party!
Menu: The tax man is
a scary, scary dude indeed, so retreat into comfort food. And what's more comfortable than dessert? This take on an Oreo cookie
will remind you of the safety of childhood while chasing thoughts of that mean old auditor away.
Setting the mood: This
party is all about atmosphere, so rather than decorations or menu, your centerpiece will be your activities and party favors.
First, the contest.
Set out a fishbowl, a stack of index cards (at least one per guest) and several pens. Ask each guest to write down his or
her most outrageous, but completely legitimate, deduction. At the end of the night, award prizes, such as a copy of the book
"Lower Your Taxes -- Big Time! Wealth-Building, Tax Reduction Secrets From an IRS Insider," by Sandy Botkin, C.P.A., J.D.
Assemble your stress-reducer
party favors. Place one travel-size Pepto-Bismol, one roll of Rolaids and a stress-reducing squeeze ball in a cellophane gift
bag. Tie with a metallic ribbon or a green ribbon with dollar signs printed on it.
Grand Oreo Surprise
Serves 10
1 box standard chocolate
cake mix
1 Oreo cookie crumb
pre-made pie crust
1 box Jell-O Pudding,
cookies and cream flavor
2 cups fat-free milk
1 12-ounce tub of fat-free
whipped topping
Two 9-inch round cake
pans
Mix chocolate cake
according to the directions on the package. Grease and prepare your cake pans. Open pie crust. Carefully cut the center bottom
away from the edges and transfer the circle to the bottom center of one of the cake pans. Take leftover edges and crumble.
Fill in the space between the edge of the pan and the solid center with an even layer of the crumbled edges. Fill cake pans
and bake according to the directions on the package. Let cakes cool thoroughly.
In a large mixing bowl,
whisk together pudding mix and fat-free milk. Place pudding in refrigerator to set. Once set, remove from refrigerator and
slowly add the fat-free whipped topping. Mix thoroughly.
Once the layers of
cake have cooled, remove from the pans and place the layer with the Oreo crust on the bottom. "Ice" the bottom layer with
the pudding/topping mixture, place the second layer on top of the first and ice it as well, leaving a nice thick pudding layer
on the top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
The Society of Recovering
Sorority Girls is an organization devoted to a life less ordinary. Check out other easy entertaining ideas at www.recoveringsororitygirls.com
or in "The Recovering Sorority Girls' Guide to a Year's Worth of Perfect Parties"
(Andrews McMeel Universal, 2005).
