With the holidays right around the corner, you may be planning or thinking about planning a holiday party for your little ones. Planning a party during the holidays might seem overwhelming, but a little pre-planning will go a long way in eliminating that dreaded party stress.
Let’s look at a few holiday party ideas and break down the planning into simple steps.
Cookie Exchange Party
What could be more fun than a room filled with children and cookies?
To do:
- Send out invitations by mail or via email at least three weeks in advance.
- Ask for guests to RSVP so that you have an accurate head count.
- Ask guests to let you know what type of cookies they plan to bring. Knowing that in advance will keep you from having duplicate cookies at the exchange.
- Decide how many cookies everyone needs to bring. Suggestion: ask each guest to bring six dozen cookies from a single recipe or ask each guest to package their cookies in groups of six for the exchange.
- Ask each guest to print a copy of their cookie recipe to pass out to the guests.
- Remind the guests to bring an extra container to bring their cookies home in, or you can provide your guests with take-out containers.
Now that you have your invitations sent, the number of cookies per guest decided, and the other details figured out, it is time to think about the supplies you might need for the party.
Party preparation:
- Decide how you would like to display the cookies. You can decorate the area with a pretty tablecloth, fabric, holiday dishes, and decor. You may ask your guests to bring their cookies on their own holiday tray or provide one for them.
- You will want to provide a few snacks and drinks for the party, as well. A milk station where guests could choose from chocolate, strawberry, or plain milk would be cute! Since there will be lots of sweets at the exchange, kid-friendly appetizers would be a nice addition.
- You will need napkins, cups, plates, and silverware for the guests.
- Because you will know in advance what type of cookies each guest is bringing, provide labels for the cookies.
- If you plan to provide containers for the guests so that they can take their cookies home, have an area set up for packaging cookies. Don’t forget to add a cute gift tag to each container thanking your guests for coming.
Party extras:
Cookie exchange printables make a nice addition to your party!
Cookie-Decorating Party
I find that a cookie-decorating party is so much fun and simple to plan.
Party preparation:
- Send out invitations by mail or via email at least three weeks in advance, and ask for guests to RSVP so that you have a head count for the number of cookies you need to provide.
- You will need to provide plain sugar cookies for the children to decorate. You can make your own and use cookie cutters to create holiday shapes or ask your local bakery for plain sugar cookies for decorating.
- Set out bowls of colored frosting, sprinkles, candies, and other cookie toppers. Use plastic knives or wooden Popsicle sticks for spreading the frosting. You can even create Christmas trees using sugar cones, green frosting, and M&M’s for lights.
- You will want to provide a few snacks and drinks for the party, as well. Similar to the Cookie Exchange party suggestions, set up a milk station where guests can choose from chocolate, strawberry, or plain milk. Since there will be lots of sweets, salty snacks such as pretzels, Goldfish crackers, or Chex Mix would be a nice addition.
- You will need napkins, cups, and plates for the guests. Place a festive plastic tablecloth on the table for the cookie decorating that can be thrown away or easily cleaned after the party is over.
- If you plan on providing containers for the guests so they can take home their cookies, have an area set up for packaging cookies. Don’t forget to add a cute gift tag to each container thanking your guests for coming.
Gingerbread House-Decorating Party
Hosting a gingerbread house-decorating party is so much fun!
Party preparation:
- Send out invitations by mail or via email at least three weeks in advance, and ask for guests to RSVP so that you have a head count for the number of gingerbread houses you need to provide.
- You will need to provide gingerbread houses for decorating. You can make your own or purchase them in the store. The kits available for purchase come with everything needed for decorating.
- Set out bowls of frosting, candies, and other gingerbread house toppers. Use plastic knives or wooden Popsicle sticks for spreading the frosting.
- You will want to provide a few snacks and drinks for the party, as well. The milk station will also work well during this party! You will need napkins, cups, plates, and a festive disposable tablecloth for the guests.
As you plan your holiday party, remember this. Have fun! Enjoy the day and the children. You are making memories and that is truly all that matters!