CHRISTMAS PARTY IDEAS

CHRISTMAS PARTY INVITATION IDEAS:

• Use white cardstock and adhere die cuts of stockings to the front of the card and type “The stockings were hung by the chimney with cheer, in hopes that our loved ones will soon be here! Join us in celebrating the Spirit of the Season.”

• Use red cardstock and place little gingerbread men cutouts on the front and type - Please join us for a Cookie Decorating Party

CHRISTMAS PARTY DECORATION IDEAS:

• Set your table in winter white and accent with silver, red and green

• Use decorative Christmas fabrics to create table runners and tablecloths that coordinate with your theme and colors.

• Fill a tall glass vase with different colored Christmas balls and place on mantel or use as a centerpiece for your table

• Wrap twinkle lights in white tulle and drape over a window frame. Use white satin ribbon or an ornament to tie back the tulle.

• Place scented candles such as evergreen, cinnamon, apple cider and peppermint in votives and have scattered throughout your home

• Place cinnamon, cloves and orange peels on a baking sheet and place in the oven on low setting for about an hour.

• Fringe the walls with tinsel and little stockings

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITIES/GAMES:

• Shop ‘til you drop party - Plan a day for you and your girlfriends to go shopping. Make a list before hand of the gifts you want to buy. When you’ve “dropped," go back to the hostesses house and compare gifts purchased and then spend time wrapping your gifts together.

• Set up a day to decorate your own gift bags. Purchase different sizes of brown handled bags. Pick out decorative fabric from a craft store along with wonder-under. Have several irons and ironing boards available for you and your guests. Cut out the desired pieces of fabric and then iron on with wonder-under to the bag. Decorate handles with ribbons, small ornaments, and hand made gift tags.

• Gather friends and family together and share a day of baking cookies and decorating gingerbread houses. Be sure to have lots of frosting, sprinkles, gumdrops, and candies available. Have decorative cookie platters such as Santas, Snowman and Christmas Trees set around to display the yummy treats.

• Plan a party to give to those less fortunate - you and your guests can gather items for food baskets and distribute to a shelter. Collect toys, clothing, and blankets and drop off at an orphanage.

• Have a movie watching party. Buy or rent classic Christmas movies such as “Christmas Story” or “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Pop lots of popcorn and serve hot chocolate.

• Plan a “Secret Santa” for your co-workers.

• Make your party a themed ornament exchange. Ask guests to bring ornaments in specific colors such as gold, silver, red and white. Or ask them to bring ornaments in a specific theme such as Santa Claus, Angels, Hobbies, Toys, Glass, etc…

• Have a “Chinese Gift Exchange” where guests bring a gift and place in the center of the pile. Everyone draws numbers and when you’re number is called, you may either pick an unwrapped gift from the pile, or steal from someone that has already opened a gift that you want. The gift may be opened, then stolen twice, then it is frozen and can not be taken from you.

• Reindeer Antlers- Make a keepsake of your child’s hand by painting their hand brown with non-toxic paint, then pressing down on white cardstock. With a black ink pad, stamp each of their fingers and press down on the tips of the brown hand to create the hooves. Cut out reindeer. Tie a little ribbon, and add a little face by the thumb. These are cute to hand out as little gifts to grandparents.

• Have the kids prepare their own magic reindeer dust. Purchase red, green, and silver glitter and mix together. You will need oats, decorative ribbon, and small baggies. Have little spoons in each bowl of glitter and oats, and let the kids measure out their magic dust. Before the party, type this little saying for the kids to tie around their magic reindeer dust: Come December 24, as Santa flies from the North, here’s what you do- it isn’t hard. Just sprinkle this dust in your yard. The sparkles draw dear Santa near, the oat attracts his 8 reindeer. Then simply climb into your bed, and lay down your sleepy head. You can be sure they’re on the way, bringing gifts and celebration on Christmas Day.

CHRISTMAS PARTY FAVORS:

• Recipe card favor bag- Place recipe cards and a small whisk in a cellophane bag. Print “Thanks for “whisking” up some fun with us! Happy Holidays!” on brown cardstock and cutout to create a small tag.

• Handmade or photo ornaments

• Imprint company logo on stockings for a corporate party and stuff with Christmas Bonus or gift cards

• Decorative wine charms

• Santa and Snowmen push-toys

• Reindeer Antlers and light up red noses