I first saw a donut tree at my friend’s Halloween party almost 10 years ago (hi Emily!) But I think it works great for a party any time of the year. It is a simple concept but makes a really great surprise or visual when you are having an outdoor party. Am I the only one that would like to live in a world where donuts grow on trees? Right before the party starts tie a bunch of donuts to a tree at varying heights (depending on the heights of your guests.) We pre-tied ours in the box so set up went extra quick. You can either make it a “bobbing for donuts” type game where guests can’t use their hands or it can be just a funny way to serve donuts. And now, on to the pictures of backlit donuts.
Photos by Paul Ferney for Oh Happy Day
laure
October 17, 2012
Oh quelle bonne idée ! C’est extra !!!!!!
anna
October 17, 2012
haha so fun!! I imagine the moment you had to set up the “tree”.. I guess it was kind of sticky!!!
Helen
October 17, 2012
It’s very funny!!!
http://www.thebeautyandbrains.com/
Chrissi Holt
October 17, 2012
Hahahaha great one … how imaginative a real new take on the apples … lol maybe I should make some edible shaped spoons, knives and fork for my Alice in Wonderland Halloween Party ?! Thing is will the adults love this as much as the children ?! I am sure the girls I look after would like this !!!
Love Chrissi xo
http://www.christianaholt.blogspot.com
heidi
October 17, 2012
This looks like so much fun, but I’m thinking my friends probably won’t go for it. But you can’t keep me away from doughnuts.
Caddy
October 17, 2012
This is brilliant! I love doughnuts!
Tina from A Few Pretty Things
October 17, 2012
Never heard of them, such a lovely idea! How cute are the kiddos trying to eat them.
Corrie Anne
October 17, 2012
Cute! I should do that for my husbands birthday.
rachel swartley
October 17, 2012
This is always hilarious to watch, and it’s especially fun if they’re powdered doughnuts. 🙂
I’ve also seen it done with apples. Hang forks from the strings (you can drill a hole in a plastic fork) and then stick the tines down into the apple. Since the apples are so much harder to bite into than doughnuts, it requires teamwork — so the apple version works best for teenagers or adults.
caitlin
October 17, 2012
donut tree!!! i live in vermont, and i have a very clear memory of taking the ferry over to new york state when i was really young. there were donuts strung in the trees, and i believed for the longest time that new yorkers just always had donuts in their trees. it seemed magical to me… like something out of willy wonka or the land of oz. 🙂
christin
October 17, 2012
this literally just made my whole day. i have never seen this before and i imagine its what heaven looks like!
Erika ~TiptoeButterfly~
October 17, 2012
OMG – best idea i ever seen!!!!!
Everyone welcome to enter:
~Plush Velvet Pumpkins Giveaway ~ it’s perfect for this time of year!
helentea
October 17, 2012
This so cute and fun for the kids.. now i know another function of trees 🙂
Yelle
October 17, 2012
This is so cute! Makes me crave a donut though…
april
October 17, 2012
My grandmother always did a candy tree off a cottonwood in her Texas backyard. It was magical 🙂
Peaches
October 17, 2012
This is amazing. How have I gone all these years without a doughnut tree in my life?
emily
October 17, 2012
Jordan! Fun fact: but I met Mark at the donut tree party– he claims that it was my donut eating that attracted him. And now we’re married.
Sarah
October 17, 2012
I saw this in a Martha Stewart magazine years ago, but totally forgot about it. The photos turned out so fun. What fun activity. My daughter will be 3 next year so maybe I’ll have a toddler costume/painting pumpkin/bobbing for apples/donut tree kind of fall party. Your son looks so adorable trying to eat the donut with no hands =)
– Sarah
agirlintransit.blogspot.com
Jordana @ White Cabana
October 17, 2012
Forget the kiddos – I want to do this on my next birthday! Looks like so much fun!
Jordana
Jamie
October 17, 2012
omg there is a farm near where i live that does this (or at least used to) every fall! it’s a historical farm, everyone working there wears colonial clothing, makes cider and apple butter, etc. “bobbing” for donuts is one of my favorite memories from that place when i was a kid! i haven’t been in many many years, probably 20 years or so, so i am not sure if they still do this.
erinmalia
October 17, 2012
awesome. i need to incorporate this into my donut dash party!
Rox
October 17, 2012
LOVE THIS. I just want a donut tree 24/7.
LARY@ Inspiration Nook
October 17, 2012
Too funny! Will have to “plant” that tree somewhere soon!
Jen
October 17, 2012
It was quite magical to happen upon this donut tree in the middle of the playground (my son is the one in the plaid shirt)! Thanks again, Jordan, and it was nice to meet you!
kat
October 17, 2012
this is such a fun idea! although all i can picture is a little one running around licking all of the donuts!! 😉
Mona
October 17, 2012
I want to be your daughter in my next life.
Briana
October 17, 2012
Awesome! When I have kids I will keep this ingenious idea in mind! I love it.
This girl loves to talk
October 17, 2012
this is a type of game from my childhood in australia… I didnt know other people didnt know about it. I did it about 10 years ago at my daughters 3rd birthday party. It is a fun and realitively cheap game to play. However it has been a long time since I’ve done it or seen it done… maybe its lost popularity over the years? anyway yay for bringing it back jordan!!
Connie
October 17, 2012
Love this idea, can’t wait to try it next summer. Thanks!
gabs
October 17, 2012
they do this at my daughter’s school halloween party each year. sheer brilliance.
faye
October 18, 2012
that is really creative and cute
Madre Primeriza
October 18, 2012
Fun! I’ll try it next birthsday!!! Than you!!!
Gina_AcuteDesigns
October 19, 2012
oh, YUM!
Kristin A.
October 19, 2012
When I was in elementary school, I had a halloween party and my mom did this in our kitchen. The donuts were all powdered but some had jelly filling (remember those boxed powdered jelly donuts) and the object was to “bob” for the donuts and the one who found the donuts with the jelly won a prize. it was so fun. But my goodness a huge mess. I don’t know what she was thinking doing this in our kitchen. lol
Melissa@Julia's Bookbag
October 19, 2012
A DOUGHNUT TREE!!!! oh the love I have for this….lovely pix!
spudart
October 19, 2012
I’d go after the chocolate-glazed donuts.
Marieke
October 20, 2012
In the Netherlands we have an old tradition called: koekhappen!
I remember doing this on birthday parties in the garden and always having a lot of fun.
Check this out See this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyie4utpuPQ
or maybe you prefer this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phHEL33IUE8
MICHELLE
October 20, 2012
We have did this numerous times for our Company Trunk n Treat Event. Last year we did it outside and it was sunny and warmer and we had bought glazed donuts…..so much fun…….the kids love this we had about 40 donuts all in a line that we had tied up but, with it being warmer the bees were are biggest nightmare but, the kids didn’t care they wanted to win…….This is loved by all ages…we even had some young adults join in on the fun. The Pictures are so fun to look back at….recommend this to any age group.
Maria @ Cheeky Pink Tulip
October 21, 2012
What a genius idea!!!!
Maria xx
http://www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com
Damaris
October 23, 2012
My dream tree!!!
lizzie
October 24, 2012
Love this! And love the pictures. Thanks sharing the idea!
Jayme
October 25, 2012
This is amazing! I could never do this though….my family would look at me like I’m crazy and probably assume they aren’t edible. =) More for me!
Rachel
October 25, 2012
oooh memories! My mum used to do this for our parties when we were little kids… so I am talking about 25 years ago now!! Great idea!
Jesse
October 27, 2012
looks like a variety of Quercus Donutus, or in plain english, Donut Oak?
Freya
October 30, 2012
What a great idea!!! I love it!! I bet you have to be careful, however, or all the birdies will be on them! I know I would be 😉