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Monkey Business

Banana Cupcakes

Check out the frosting on these banana cupcakes. Super smooth and creamy, cream cheese buttercream … so delicious and creamy. Did I mention creamy? I also used a little added yellow to tint the otherwise cream colored creamy cream cheese frosting … you know, just to enhance the senses. I’m tricky like that.

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Yield: 12 cupcakes

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

Banana Cupcakes

  • 1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 large ripe banana (or almost 1 cup)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature

Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 box (1lb) of confectioner's sugar
  • Buttercup yellow icing color (optional)

Instructions

  1. Banana Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line cupcake tray with 12 baking cups.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl with a wire whisk.
  3. Cream butter and sugar in a mixer for about four minutes. Add banana and mix until combined. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
  4. Add half the flour in three additions alternating with milk in two additions. Scrape down the sides with each addition.
  5. Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until done.
  6. Crean Cheese Frosting: Cream butter and cream cheese in mixer until thoroughly combined. Add vanilla. Then add sugar in small batches until combined and creamy. Add a small amount of buttercup yellow icing color to frosting and mix.
Now you can eat them just like this or …

Confetti Cupcakes

Party them up a little bit with small pastel colored confetti sprinkles … just because it’s that kind of day.

But, these banana cupcakes need something else… something to keep them company.

A little friend maybe?

IMG_3315

Yes definitely.

But my little monkey needs a friend, too.

Cupcake Toppers

So this little piggy and teddy joined in on the fun.

Cupcake Toppers

And so did my favorite martian, robot and bumblebee.

My head is actually going to explode from all this cuteness.

Bumblebee Cupcake Topper

Could these be any more adorable? Look at that bumblebee bottom.

Cupcake Towers from Lollipop Workshop

Why yes, yes they can! These cupcake toppers are also candleholders. I’m officially in love here.

Cupcake Toppers from Lollipop Workshop

And it gets even better. They want to be your friends, too. Not these, they’re mine. All mine.

Cupcake Toppers

But these could be all yours.

When I bought these cutie pies from the Lollipop Workshop on etsy (also be cheery on flickr), I bought enough for two more sets. And I want two of you to have one. Well I want all of you to have them, but I only have two sets to give away. (Martian and Robot colors may vary from above.)

All you have to do to enter is give me some advice.

You see, Lollipop Workshop also sent me something else … A surprise … when she mailed the cupcake toppers.

I’m 10000000% certain it will be crazy cute!

From Lollipop Workshop

It’s in this box and I haven’t opened it yet.

Why?

Lollipop Workshop Goodies

Because she also sent this box for my little helper. So sneaky and sweet of her.

So the question is…
Should I wait until my niece visits again so we can open them together?
Should I rip open mine now and show you what’s inside?
Should I open both of them? I could re-wrap ’em and no one would be the wiser.
But I do like surprises. Hmmmm… tortured by sweetness.

Okay, so you know I’m really gonna wait, right.

But, I’m just curious – what would you do?

  • Leave your answer in the comment section below and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a set of assorted cupcake toppers from Lollipop Workshop.
  • Make sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you win.
  • Deadline to enter is Tuesday, August 18th at 5 p.m. TIME’S UP!
  • Two winners* will be picked at random and announced sometime Tuesday evening on this post.

*Winners will be chosen using the random.org integer generator.

Good Luck!

And, here’s some more cuteness from Lollipop Workshop. Custom cake toppers, lollidolls and candleholders. The store sells out quickly when she adds new products, so just send her a message if you need a custom order.

Okay, Time’s up and here are the two winners

#1619 – Elle
#831 – The Pettit Family

Congrats! You’re getting some super cute cupcake toppers!

Comments are closed.

3,524 comments on “Monkey Business”

  1. Maybe make a teeny tenny hole and peek??

  2. So Tough! At first I thought you should go ahead and open one and then wrap it back up. But I think it will be worth the surprise to wait and open them up with your niece. But make sure and post a picture of what's inside! :)

    And those toppers are SO cute!!!

  3. Oh, Surprises are so GREAT!!! I think you should wait for your niece, but let her know it's there, so the anticipation can be building for both of you! But you must take pictures of the "ripping off the paper celebrations" and make sure to share them with us!! Thanks so much, I absolutely LOVE,LOVE,LOVE your posts!!

  4. I would open mine and wait for her to open hers. That way you get to open your present and still get a surprise when your niece comes. That's just me and I looooove opening presents.

  5. I hate surprised, BUT you should wait for your little helper!

  6. Oh, that would be so hard. If its not going to be too long before your niece comes then I would wait.

    The toppers are so cute.

  7. I would find a way to sneak a peek =). Still exciting to open them together even if you had a peek.

  8. maybe this is evil of me, but i think you should rip into yours now! your niece won't care whether you've opened yours or not. ;)

  9. tear them open! the suspense is killing me! :)
    hayhaysmommy09@aol.com

  10. Oooh, that's a tough call! Ultimately, I'd have to agree with everyone else…wait for the niece. It'll be so much more fun to open them with her. :-)

  11. Wait! It will be so much fun to open them with her, since it's bound to be super cute!

    Katyirwin2@gmail.com

  12. You should leave them until you can both open them together. :D

    kaelva@gmail.com

  13. I don't know if I would be able to wait. That bow just begs to be pulled!

  14. I think you should wait… Although I cant say I'd have the self control to do the same! LOL! I would probably sneak a peek and re-wrap it! :o) Or I would just call her immediately and do it together asap! Good luck!
    lacistotts@gmail.com

  15. I would stop everything that I am doing and go pick up my niece with the packages in tow and open them together.

  16. Mail one to her and WEB CAM while you open them TOGETHER! You BOTH get it ALL that way!

  17. You know what they say… good things come to those who wait! It will be so exciting and more special to open them with your niece! Good luck and can't wait to see what's in them myself!
    Kim
    kim@pclosee.com

  18. Definitely wait for your niece. As much fun as it would be to just rip 'em open now, she would love if you waited for her, and it would make the surprise thousands of times better! Plus, she would love you even more for making her the special guest :)

    I'm pretty sure you can reach me through my Blogger account… if not, ill check back!

  19. I would open one. What if there's something bake-worthy in there? You could plan a fun bake-speriment and just "happen" to have all the supplies you need on hand. Of course, you probably already do, but what if?

  20. As much as my first thought was to open yours first and then the niece when arrives, I changed my mind. Maybe it is better to wait. It would be more fun to open them together. :D

    And oh my goodness. 1180 comments… :D

  21. I totally would have opened mine!

  22. Oh, wait! So much more fun to rip open together and be surprised!

  23. i think you should TOTALLY open yours and just leave your neice's nicely wrapped until she visits again. i mean, what if she gets really busy and doesnt visit for a long time!?!? are you really going to torment us with not knowing?!?!! they are probably the same thing anyways, so if you open yours you wont NEED to open hers and re-wrap it. and it could be something totally awesome and inspiring and possible be your muse for the most awesomest baked good in the history of bakerella. PLEASE dont torment us!! we NEED your awesome ideas to get us thru the week! OPEN IT OPEN IT OPEN IT!!!!!!
    Michelle
    slickmickey@cox.net

  24. Years ago I would have said open them and then re-wrap 'em! Now I say wait for your niece to visit – it will be much more fun that way!

  25. What pretty packages! I say wait to open yours until your niece comes so that you can open them together. That will make her feel special! The cupcake toppers are ADORABLE!!!
    maryhelen.johnson@gmail.com

  26. I say you open yours, that way when your niece comes she has her own surprise, just for her. They didn't say it was the same thing inside!

  27. Keep it in the wrappings!! Wait till the Little Helper visits, open it together and spontaneously make something with them using whatever you have at the moment!
    Carpe diem!

  28. How sweet! It would definitely be hard, but I think you should wait and open them together. Now I on the other hand…..

  29. Obviously wait until your neice comes, but maybe a little shake wouldn't be too bad :-)

    karen 110480 @ comcast.net

  30. open them. survey the booty and then carefully rewrap them.

    not that I've ever done anything like that…because…no that would be just wrong…

    but I'm just saying…. oh don't forget to feign surprise later…

    feigning…its key.

  31. I couldn't wait…..I think I'd have to open mine and leave hers wrapped and just not tell her what mine is…how fun!

  32. It's tempting to open them now, but I would try to be patient and wait. These toppers are adorable!

    bmlang76 at hotmail

  33. Personally every time I would see that box I would want to rip it open, but you should wait until your niece comes! All your excitement is building and just think how great it will be to share that with your niece!! It's tough but it'll be worth it in the end. Just hide the box so it's not in sight. Outta sight outta mind! rbflaherty@gmail.com

  34. It all depends on when you niece is coming.

    If soon – I'd wait.
    If it's going to be awhile – I wouldn't have the patience to wait. I'd unwrap and rewrap!

  35. I think you should wait for your neice to open the presents. I'm fairly new to your site and to baking and I love the email updates. There's always a smile on my face when I see one in my inbox. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your creative ideas with us.
    Danielle Bierlein

  36. Definitely wait, it will make it all the better when you do open it with your niece.

  37. Absolutely wait for your neice. It'll be more fun for both of you. Thanks for another great giveaway.

  38. I would totally WANT to wait until my neice came – but I would end up opening mine because I couldn't wait.

  39. Wait for your niece! She will feel so special! I love etsy!

    angieshupe@aol.com

    Thanks!

    Angie

  40. I say wait…you'll both be surprised then :)

  41. I think I would wait, but I might cave and open/rewrap them :)

    Mandy
    mandydecola@comcast.net

  42. I am the worst at waiting when my kids get something from their Nana, but you should wait. She will enjoy opening hers while you open yours and you can both be suprised.

  43. I guess I must be selfish because I'd have already opened the gift intended for me. I would, however, wait for my niece to visit so she could open hers. Can't wait to see what's inside!

  44. You should wait .. your niece will love the special surprise for just the two of you!
    knh391 [at] gmail.com

  45. "Carefully" rip open both presents. Check out the goods. Re wrap. Practice "surprised look" to fool your little helper.

  46. HI! You should probably not open it then you can look at the pretty box and get more and more excited when your neice actually comes to open it and be excited with her. Family thing. Its like Christmas!

    -Katie

  47. You must wait for your niece! How exciting for both of you!
    msoma97@yahoo.com

  48. I think it would be extra special, to your niece, if you open them together. Sounds like fun to me!

  49. I'd rip into both of them, but I'm just nosy like that. :)

  50. I have no patience and would rip right into it! But, I know the proper answer is to wait for your niece…

  51. I just can't stand it, those are the cutest darn things I've ever seen! I think you should wait and open the fun box with your niece. Yes, it would be fun for you to see it now but just think of the look on her face if she were to get to open it!

  52. So, the politically correct answer is to wait for your neice. But, I would carefully open it, take a little peek now and then re-wrap it! (I pretty much do this every Christmas!)

  53. I would definitely wait until your niece visits again and open them together! Can't wait to see what you got!

    kariannm@clientsecure.net

  54. I would wait and open them together – so much fun to experience the surprise together!!!

    lovetoread60@yahoo.com

    http://www.miraclesbelieveinthem.blogspot.com/

  55. I don't think I'd have the self control to wait to open mine. And I'm sure Lil' helper will feel special opening her own package no matter what.

  56. I'm horrible at waiting! But I do think that you should wait and be able to enjoy it with your little helper! blairpote(gmail)

  57. as much as i want to know what's in the boxes, i would wait for my niece – it will be doubly fun opening them together. maybe get a friend to hide the boxes or keep them in a safe location so you aren't tempted as much??

    karenjhuang AT gmail DOT com

  58. You could always carefully open it to see what's in it then close it up until your helper gets there.

  59. I'm horrible and can't stand waiting so I would open mine. I'm amazed you have chosen to wait. I would, however, let my helper open hers (I wouldn't do it and then re-wrap it). :) Those toppers are just adorable!

    heathermandell@yahoo.com

  60. Ohhhhh….you should wait for your niece so you can open them together! Think how fun that would be for her to know you waited on her and thought she was special enough to wait for her!! :-) You can do it!!!

  61. I would wait and open them together. There is just something more special about that. Your niece will love sharing that moment with you.

  62. Are you sure you haven't ALREADY opened them both…I know I would have!!! How fun! lkielt@msn.com

  63. I'd wait, too! It'll be more fun and special for the both of you!
    forever_soprano@hotmail.com

  64. Oh – you have to wait…what a treat it would be for you all to be able to open them together and be equally as surprised!

  65. I'd definitely be tempted to open one and then re-wrap, but it would be more special if you waited and opened them together!

    dulceangelita239@aol.com

  66. You should wait for your neice…It will be sooooo much more fun for both of you!

  67. Open them now. You can always re-wrap! ;)

    whitebn@tribe.ulm.edu

  68. Why, you should wait-surprises are better shared.

  69. If it were ME, I'd go over to my niece's house with the gifts ASAP so we could open them together! Be sure to set up the camera to take pics of the two of you opening them! They're beautiful!

  70. How long do you have to wait?!?!?!
    wait…I would wait. I hate waiting.

    Summer
    swidhalm@yahoo.com

  71. Don't wait on yours, unless your niece is coming this week. Don't open hers since technically it belongs to her. But really, there's no reason to wait on your surprise!

  72. Open it! Open it! Open it!Open it!Open it!Open it!Open it!Open it!Open it! Pleassse?!

  73. Wait until your neice come! It´ll be worth it!
    kara_k4@yahoo.com

  74. I would open them very carefully and then re-wrap them. I have no patience!

  75. Waiting would be the right thing to do even though that little devil on the shoulder is saying open open open.
    sanfordalma@yahoo.com

  76. I think you should wait for your niece! She'll feel special that you waited for her and be excited to see what it is! You'll build up anticipation and there's no chance you'll be disappointed!

    jlsemon at gmail dot com

  77. You know I would want to rip that sucker open..but I'd be good…and wait.

  78. WAIT!

  79. I would probably open one of them because I could not wait and then end up wrapping it back :) Just ack surprised!

  80. in light of your question it made me think of an e-greeting i came across some time ago ..

    http://www.icq.com/greetings/cards/172/

    when you see it you will completly understand why you should go ahead and wait for your little visiters, cause you will definitly reap the rewards with the excitment that is to come. (p.s make sure to choose the short fella)

    talierose@hotmail.com

  81. WAIT!

  82. Super cute! and those cupcakes sound super yummy! i'm going to make them for my daughters bday and send them along to school with her. i can't wait! i LOVE banana anything and topped with cream cheese? well thats just heaven. anyway about the presents, i'm impatient lol but it would be more fun to open them together! the look on a child's face opening a present is a gift in itself! =)

    erindavis_23@hotmail.com

  83. Totally rip yours open!! I'm sure your surprise is different than your niece's. So that way you can have the enjoyment of knowing what your gift is while having the anticipation of not knowing what your niece is getting.

    rdtussey(at)gmail(dot)com

  84. Resistance is futile. You know you have to open yours or you will burst.
    Your niece will understand.

  85. I would totally rip mine open and try desperately to wait for your little helper come to open hers. But I'm so nosey I'm not sure I could wait!

  86. I would wait, but it drives my family nuts that I do it. But I think your niece would love to open them together with you.

  87. If it was me I would wait and try my hardest not to rip em open.
    Debbi
    debthayn at yahoo dot com

  88. You'd better open yours right NOW. That was you can be prepared with any extra things you might need to have ready when she is there to open hers too.

  89. whoops forgot my emai adress:
    nina@hoffer.cx

    "my advise is to wait and unpack together with your niece

    … but i know i wouldn't be able to resist in your place and would open my present (but not the other one – what if there's not the same in it? i could get envious and try something silly)"

  90. 100% wait. She will love sharing the surprise with you!! :)

  91. wait and open it up with her! ur little helper deserves priority! Jus imagine hearts dancing all around u two when u open it with her!

  92. definately wait…take lots of pictures

    abercrombiejen76@aol.com

  93. Anticipation………..it's making me wait. Yes, definately wait

  94. i know your anxious to open it but i think it would be nice to wait and open it together.

    jr8419@aol.com

  95. my advise is to wait and unpack together with your niece

    … but i know i wouldn't be able to resist in your place and would open my present (but not the other one – what if there's not the same in it? i could get envious and try something silly)

  96. You've got to do it together, it will be such a blast! You should be sure to take photos so we can see the excitement too!

  97. I think u should wait for your little helper, it would be more special for the both of u to open them together and see the suprise on each other's faces. :-)

  98. You should probably wait. To help, you should put those beautiful gifts in the back of your closet. Somewhere far far away, so you're not tempted!

  99. I would wait for your niece. Don't know if she reads your blog or not but if she does, she already knows. Just hide them somewhere you won't see them everyday until she comes over. =)

  100. I think you should wait… but if it were me I would totally rip them both open and then re-wrap them before your neice came. I try hard, but I just have no dicipline when it comes to things like this.
    eberling2@msn.com

  101. I would unwrap them immediately and share the secret with us but you should probably wait for your neice. Right thing to do, blah, blah,blah.

    marinelle@mindspring.com

  102. I would open mine right now!! But then guilt would kick in and I'd have to wait until my niece came to see me.

  103. Send hers to her and open yours! You can even open them together over a webcam or phone if you like! Cute cupcakes!

  104. yep – open them together and take pictures of all of the goods! Thanks for pointing us to another great etsy seller!
    Um… but I would probably rip into them… I'm not very patient… be a better person than me…
    prophetboys(at)yahoo.com

  105. I know you are just dying to rip right into them or even cautiously unwrap them and rewrap them. But think about how much more excited you will be when you tear into them with your niece. You both can share in the excitement and it will be genuine. WAIT!!! :)

  106. It would be tough, but I would wait!

  107. So cute! If it were me- I would have to open mine right away (it will be a surprise no matter when you open it) and leave the other one for your neice.

  108. I say take alittle peek at yours then tape it back up and open them together. That way you can just relax until she gets there!

  109. Wait and open them together, but hide them for now so you won't be so tempted!

  110. I would hide them so I didn't have to look at them all the time and wait for your helper to return.

  111. You will enjoy it so much more if you wait. The suspense is half the fun!

    Katherine

    kpbaldwin@consolidated.net

  112. Open them together!! Not only would your niece love the excitement, but you will get to savor the anticipation just that much longer!

  113. Definitely wait! It'll be so worth it.

  114. I would definitely wait, just to see the face of your niece & completely enjoy the moment together! Though I definitely understand the temptation to just take a little peek :-)

  115. I would wait, but I would HATE waiting!!!

  116. I would wait, it's always nice to share those sweet little surprise moments with someone you love!

  117. The right thing to do is to wait, but i could never wait, so if I was being completely honest, I'd probably have to see my niece right away or I'd rip into both of them like crazy :( this lollipop workshop place should sell these suprise boxes- I'd buy one! Not having any clue what I was purchasing.

  118. I love surprises, but the suspense kills me too. I say open both of them? Re-wrap 'em and no one would be the wiser.

  119. You should open them together with your "Little Helper". She will be so happy that you waited to share the joy with her. You'll get to see the thrill on her face, and she will be there to see the joy on your face, as well. !!!

  120. I would wait and open them together. I love surprises! The anticipation makes it even better.
    Ashley
    ashbakkegard@hotmail.com

  121. Oh goodness, the temptation. Hope you have more strength than I, that pretty package would already be ripped into. I say wait until your niece comes, lets just hope she comes soon, cause we all want to see too!!

    jpollan121104@hotmail.com

  122. You should definitely wait for your helper!
    sweettothecorecookies@yahoo.com

  123. i've never been very good at waiting for surprises so i say open it and rewrap it. ;)

  124. I think you should wait to open them together. Double the fun! You have one very lucky little niece. It'll be fun to see if she grows up to carry on your beautiful work.

    I bet they're both one of those awesome cake toppers. You both of you!

    http://www.jenniferandersen.typepad.com

  125. You should wait for your niece. So get on the phone and demand she come over right now! :)

  126. How wonderful, and cute! I'd wait, too, but it'd be soooo hard I'd have to distract myself by making something terribly cute and then eating it. and posting pictures.

  127. Wait for her! The best part will be seeing her reaction :)

    -Adee, adeepin@hotmail.com

  128. Patient I am not, but I say wait and let both of you have a paper ripping party. Be sure to get a picture of her cute face when she sees the box and opens it. You always have such fun ideas.
    coombs.holmes@gmail.com

  129. I would wait to open. Mostly because she could be reading this and if she is then she knows that there is a gift waiting for her.

  130. Personally, I'd rip into it but then I don't have a little niece. So I guess you should save your surprise packages for when she come over.

    Let us know what you got please.

  131. Open yours NOW!!! Hurry up, I cant wait!!!

    love_my_dodge@yahoo.com

  132. Aw, wait for your niece – it'll be more fun for you both!

  133. I think you should wait. What fun when your niece gets to share in the excitement and suprise with you.

    salymsmom(@)aol(dot)com

  134. Ooooh that is a tough one…if you open both and re-wrap one you would not be able to resist posting what you got on here and then your niece could see it…teaching deception is never a good thing….soooooo I say wait and open them together and it will be a wonderful moment for both of you!

  135. Bakerella, you should wait for your niece and open the boxes together, it will be so much fun. What a great idea those toppers, I have to to to the Etsy shop right now.

  136. oh, i would so wait. it'll make it even more fun if you're both surprised together! these are so cute.

  137. If it were me, I would do everything I could to see my niece sooner! And go visit her if getting her to me wasn't an option. Of course you should open the gifts together, but it is entirely in your power to see her sooner rather than later!

  138. I would put the gift in a place that I wouldn't see it all the time because everytime that I saw it I would be tempted to open it!

    rachhorst@comcast.net

  139. Definately wait!! Maybe make some more muffins or cake pops to pass the time?!?
    drdurell@gmail.com

  140. I would definately wait, even though it would kill me. I'm sure there would be some shaking and guessing of the contents, but it's much more magical to have a true surprise with a little kid!

  141. wait, wait, wait!!!

  142. I never wait to open gifts. I scour the house before Christmas comes to figure out what my present is. If it was sitting right there in front of me, no way would I wait.

  143. It'll be so much more fun if you wait for her, and the anticipation will make it that much more fun!
    hetobeto @ yahoo . com

  144. you should tell your niece that you have a surprise for her. that way you can ensure a visit real soon. if i had to wait more than two days i think the suspense would get to me and i would open the package addressed to me!
    mdmquinn@gmail.com

  145. I think you should wait and open both when your niece visits next. Of course that is COMPLETELY hypocritical of me because I would have ripped them both open by now… I can hardly stand to pause and take pictures when I get surprises in my Etsy packages.

  146. I think you should wait! It's kind of like Christmas…it's hard to wait but always worth it!! She would love to have you open with at the same time with her!

  147. As much as I think you should tear into them, I think you should wait to open them. Your "little helper" will feel so special. Hope you can resist the urge…..Kristin

    Jadegrl99@yahoo.com

    Heres to hopping I win!!!

  148. definitely wait. think of how fun it would be to open them and be surprised together! i would hide them to lessen the temptation of wanting to open them prematurely though.

    ps. i love your blog!

  149. Get that kid over for some baking and present opening!!!

  150. As much as I would want to open them both and rewrap them….I would have to wait on my little helper. But I would call her and tell her that you had it so she would bug her parents to come over asap :)

    Thanks for the amazing stuff you do!!

  151. HOW LONG would you have to wait???

  152. As much as I think ripping it open would be awesome waiting until your little helper is there would be much better.
    Karyn

    karynt89@aol.com

  153. You should wait until your niece visits again so you can open them together. The surprise only gets better the longer you wait. :o)

    cassielsnow@hotmail.com

  154. Wait for your niece!

  155. The little Angel inside says….wait for your sweet little niece. The devil inside says….open, open, open! I think I'm feeling a little devilish today!

  156. I love, love, love surprises…but I would definitely wait to open it until your niece comes! I'm excited for you to open it–I can't wait to see what they sent you!
    shootingstars75@hotmail.com

  157. I vote wait!! these cupcakes are adorable!!
    celesteortiz@hotmail.com

  158. You should wait til she comes to visit! It will be worth the wait. Love the pig candle holder. My DS collects pigs…I think he now has 43 stuffed pigs!

  159. Definitely wait! It will be so much more fun and special for both of you. Of course, that means we have to sacrifice and wait as well.

  160. Oh I would wait….I know it is hard, but it will be more fun to open them together!!

    shaningans@gmail.com

  161. I definetly believe that you should wait on your niece.It would probably make her feel valued to know that you waited on her……after all she is the next Bakerella!

    mrdthbenjamin@yahoo.com

  162. I would shake the package for a while, seriously consider opening it, then put it away until we could open them together.

    And the cupcake toppers are so cute!

  163. I would wait but I would be thinking of reasons to get your niece over sooner!! They are so darn cute!

    ellis102278@yahoo.com

  164. 1st instict- open it!… then my manners kick in and I say "wait until your niece is there"… such a dilemma! :-D

  165. tempting to open now, but since there is a kid involved, better wait until your niece arrives.

  166. Open them with your little helper – a double surprise! :)

  167. The kid in me says OPEN IT NOW! But the grown up says, wait and share the surprise – unless it's going to be too long ;) Then open and re-wrap – what can I say, I can't handle suspense!

  168. You HAVE to wait for your little helper. What I do when I have to wait to open something is put the gift somewhere I won't see it taunting me every day. Maybe you could put it in a closet or something.

  169. I can't believe so many people want you wait! Open yours right now! Your niece will be happy just to get a present of her own. You don't have to open them together!

  170. I would say I was going to wait. I would actually believe I was going to wait, but I would actually open them and then re-wrap them. Just me.

  171. Definitely wait and open them together-twice the excitement!

    Jen

    JenPen006@hotmail.com

  172. Wait and the anticipation will make it more fun!

  173. Omg, those cupcake toppers are too adorable!

    I'd say wait for your little helper if at all possible, but, if the anticipation gets to you, there's always tape to conceal the evidence! lol.

  174. While, I too would so want to open them, I think you should wait.

    babelshelton@hotmail.com

  175. I'm dying to know myself, but I think you should wait for your niece! Just get her here sooner, like now. :)

    Sarah8914 at gmail dot com

  176. As much you want to open the present, you should wait. First of all, you will be very excited to open it later on. Also, your neice will feel so special just because you waited for her!

  177. document the surprise of opening both! though i may have caved and opened mine first.

    ohirene (at) gmail.com

  178. Can't wait to see what the surprise is, but wait, it will be worth it!!

  179. Be sneaky. Steam releases the tape. Take a peek. Then you can seal them up and no one is the wiser. That's how I ruined my christmas suprises as a kid

  180. Oh, those are so darling!

    I would have a super hard time waiting, but I think that is a great idea. Your niece will feel so special!

  181. I would open mine but, think it be nice to wait and open them together.

  182. Oh, you should wait and do it together. The moment will mean so much more.

  183. I would totally wait–I'm all about delayed gratification. Plus, your niece will be so excited; you have to be there to see it!

    abbywaldrip@gmail.com

  184. My heart would tell me to rip it open ferociously and parade it around town, but my conscious would say that the right thing to do is wait for your very helpful niece and share the joy of opening the gifts together :)

    rocioemartinez@gmail.com

  185. Definitely wait for your niece! The anticipation will make it even sweeter and it will be more fun for you to share the surprise together. I love surprises!

    http://brusselsproutsblog.blogspot.com/

  186. As pretty as the packages are, maybe put them behind a cupboard door so you don't have to look at them and be tortured by waiting to open with your niece. She will love that you waited! Thank you for sharing your goodies with us too! :) Reinke333@gmail.com

  187. I think that you should wait. That being said I would never be able to do that! I'm sure I would find myself tying to get a peek under the corner of the wrapping paper. It would be sort of like when you are just going to have a "bite" of a cookie and before you know it the cookie is ALL gone!

  188. Well when children are involved I like to be prepared. So I would open one gift so I am ready and prepared. Kids like to open gifts more than they like to watch an adult open their gift. :) bergeron dot family at shaw dot ca

  189. Definitely wait!! What fun opening gifts together! So impressed with the wrapping!

    rebeccajmccord@gmail.com
    http://www.allriledupblog.com

  190. How about you email Lollipop Workshop and ask in general what they are so you can make sure and everything on hand that you'll need to use them when she arrives?

  191. I would wait…it would probably just about kill me…but I would wait! Think of how much fun it will be to open them together!!

  192. I love surprising my niece. It is so fun to see her face when she comes over and has a new baking tool all her own. I would wait, well at least with her part of the surprise. If you open your first you'll be able to watch her face and take joy in that :)
    Kelley
    kjgreening@gmail.com

  193. Wow, the anticipation is killing me. I would love to know what's inside, but you should wait. Your niece is going to squell with excitement when she realizes that she has a surprise and you actually waited for her to open them. have fun and enjoy. You deserve it.

    norfred@aol.com

  194. No question I would open the one for myself. But I would leave the one for your "little helper" until she visits – maybe give it a good shake or two b/c I'm curious. :)

  195. This is what I would do: I would shake them carefully to see if that gave me a hint. Then I would open mine only (NOT hers!!), find out what it was and re-pack it again. That way you will know, but your niece will be surprised by the content of BOTH packages (even better!!).
    :-) erica
    ericasvane@hotmail.com

  196. I would so open them and then rewrap to open again when your helper comes. But that's just me. I have no self control either. ;o)

  197. I say wait for your neice and then you both can jump up and down at the same time when you open them! Be surprised together..

    laurensmitty1982@msn.com

  198. I would wait until she comes over. Even though I learned a great skill from my mom about finding exact or near matching Christmas paper to re-wrap gifts….uh I'll just leave it at that.
    Aimee
    aimeemarble@gmail.com

  199. I would end up opening mine. I'm not very good at waiting for surprises like that when it's sitting right in front of me. In order for me not to open it I would have to tell someone else in my house to hide it from me and hope they remember where the gifts are hidden when it's actually time to open them.

  200. If I were you, I wouldn't be able to keep my paws off of them, but I think I'd wait for that beautiful neice of yours. She'll never forget it!
    Alisha
    orders@dalishas.com