{"id":1553,"date":"2015-11-10T23:25:22","date_gmt":"2015-11-10T10:25:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/asyouwish.co.nz\/blog\/?p=1553"},"modified":"2016-01-13T14:01:32","modified_gmt":"2016-01-13T01:01:32","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-creating-stunning-lolly-buffets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asyouwish.co.nz\/blog\/the-ultimate-guide-to-creating-stunning-lolly-buffets\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Creating Stunning Lolly Buffets"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/div>\n

Who doesn’t enjoy a sweet treat every now and then?\u00a0To be honest, I probably enjoy them way more than ‘every now and then’, and when I’m faced with a stunningly put together Lolly Buffet (or Candy Buffet – depending on where you are from) the likelihood of me resisting is even smaller. But I love Lolly Buffets for more than just the sweet treats – when put together well they add to the d\u00e9cor of the occasion; if you’re only serving a light dessert option they help add to this part of the menu; they make for a fun and interactive party favour option; and lastly, they create an awe and wonder that brings out the inner child from even the oldest of guests.<\/p>\n

\"Lolly<\/div>\n

But what does it mean to put a Lolly Buffet together well? What is it that makes the difference between throwing some bowls full of lollies on a table, and creating that space which inspires awe and wonder in your guests? Really it comes down to following certain steps. Steps which I’m sharing with you here today.<\/p>\n

Before you do anything else you need to ask yourself a few questions. How many guests are you catering for? This will determine the quantity of sweets you will need. What is your colour scheme? This will help guide your sweet selection and overall design. What style are you going for? Rustic, Boho Chic, Classic, Elegant, Modern etc. And\u00a0do\u00a0you wish to add any design elements? These are things like glitter, crystals, and specific patterns etc. This will also help guide your overall design.<\/p>\n

Once you have this sorted, it’s time to go sweet shopping. I suggest breaking your sweet search down into 3 categories.<\/p>\n

Bulk Lollies:<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

These are the\u00a0kinds that are usually sold by the packet\u00a0e.g. M&Ms, Jellybeans, Milk Bottles, Liquorice Allsorts, Marshmallows, Chocolate \u00c9clairs, Fruit Bursts etc.\u00a0Quantity wise, I would recommend\u00a0buying around 100g – 150g per person of this type of lollies.<\/p>\n

\"Lolly<\/div>\n
\"Lolly<\/div>\n
Designer Sweets<\/strong>:<\/span><\/h5>\n

These are more likely to be sold individually or in smaller amounts. They tend to cost a little more and look rather fancy. Examples of these are Ferrero Rocher, truffles,\u00a0handmade fudges etc.\u00a0Of course, if you are keen, you can always have a go at making some of these yourself. Quantity wise, aim for one piece per person – give or take a few.<\/p>\n

\"Lolly<\/div>\n
\"Lolly<\/div>\n
Display Sweets:<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

These can be anything you like really –\u00a0it is all in the way they are packaged to match the theme. Some examples are cake-pops,\u00a0Hershey’s chocolate bars, and\u00a0mini bags of candyfloss. I would also be inclined to include those swirly lollipops and rock candy-pops in this category. Quantity wise, whatever you like. These are mostly used\u00a0to fill in spaces\u00a0on the buffet table and make it look more\u00a0decorative.<\/p>\n

\"Lolly<\/div>\n
\"Lolly<\/div>\n
More Shopping Hints:<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

Whatever sweets you choose make sure they fit in with your colour scheme – this contributes to your overall design. Also if you have favourite lollies that don’t work in with the scheme, don’t despair,\u00a0consider packaging them so\u00a0they do match.<\/p>\n

\"Lolly<\/div>\n

Lastly, shopping at your local supermarket or at the nearest Warehouse can be a little frustrating when you are looking for specific colours – so I recommend shopping with online lolly shops such as Crazy Candies<\/a>, LollyShop<\/a> and Hey Hey Candy<\/a>. These companies are all based in New Zealand and they organise most of their lollies by colour.<\/p>\n

\"Lolly<\/div>\n
\"Lolly<\/div>\n

Now that you have purchased all the sweets it is time to design the layout of the buffet table. Let’s break this down into 3 parts also.<\/p>\n

The Vessels:<\/strong> <\/span><\/h5>\n

While the fancy apothecary jars with their curvy lids look lovely, you certainly can still achieve great results without them. Hunt around to find a selection of jars, vases, glasses, trays etc. that will work with your selection of sweets and overall design. Mason jars and jam jars would work perfectly for an occasion with rustic design elements.\u00a0Crystal bowls, cake stands and cut glass vases from Nana’s china cabinet or the second-hand store would work beautifully for a more elegant, classic\u00a0themed. These day most hire companies stock a variety of lolly vessels too. You will also need to find scoops, spoons or tongs for the handling of the lollies. And last but not least the little lolly bags or favour boxes for\u00a0your guests to fill.<\/p>\n

\"Lolly<\/div>\n
Here’s\u00a0a few extra tips for\u00a0filling your vessels:<\/span><\/h6>\n