Kids' Christmas Party Ideas

Throw a Christmas party and invite your little friends over to celebrate.

Kids will be excited about spending time at your house engaging in quick crafts, silly games and eating the merriest snacks!

Resources:

Invitations

Make your invitations look like a Christmas tree. First, cut angled shapes from tissue paper, construction paper, leftover wrapping paper, or your child's recycled artwork. Then glue them onto a picture of a tree on another piece of paper. Write your Christmas party details on the inside in green ink. You can either color-copy the invitation or handcraft one for each family.

As a variation, make your Christmas party invitations in a shape of gingerbread men that could become great tree ornaments. To make these, you'll need sandpaper (finer grits are easier to cut), glue, brown construction paper, cinnamon stick and whole nutmeg, gingerbread person cookie cutter, cardboard, puffy paint, ribbon (1/8 inch wide), 2 1/2- by 8-inch strip of paper (one per invitation) and envelopes.

Decorations

For outdoor decorations, use lights, garlands, ornaments and other theme-related items. Create sidewalk signs (using lights) that say "Santa, Stop Here!", "Reindeer Xing" and "North Pole." Put this cool snow globe in front of your house to make it stand out in the neighborhood.

In addition to the Christmas tree (which is a must), you can deck the halls, walls and stairways with sprigs of holly and mistletoe, Christmas lights, and jingle bells. For a sweet wreath, tie an assortment of hard candies in their wrappers and small pair of scissors to a ready-made wreath. As your guests arrive, they can snip off the sweets one at a time.

Cover your party table with a theme tablecloth. Decorate it with holiday paper plates, napkins, and confetti.

Here are some more Christmas decoration items that you can use to spruce up your house...

Guest Arrival and Introductory Activities

*Full of Beans: Pique your guests' curiosity with this Christmas party puzzler: How many jelly beans are in the jar? Before the party fill a candy jar with green and red jelly beans. At arrival time, each child must write his or her name and best estimate on a slip of paper and drop it into a box with everyone else's guesses.

At the end of the party, read off each estimate and record it on a large sheet of paper. Then, with great flourish, pull out a sealed envelope with the answer in it and announce the correct number. The winner is the person whose guess comes the closest. He or she takes home the candy jar and its contents.

*Cardboard Gingerbread People: For a clever ornament, invite your Christmas party guests to decorate cardboard "cookies." To make one, trace a holiday cookie cutter on corrugated cardboard and cut with an X-Acto knife (a parent's job). Then invite the kids to decorate the cookies with puffy paint.

*Holiday Garlands: Set out bowls of stringables - popcorn, beads, pinecones, buttons, or anything else that can be poked with a needle. Offer your Christmas party guests heavy-duty thread and let them dig into the bowls and string garlands.

*Magical Snow Globe: Wash and dry a baby food jar. Glue Christmas figurine to the inside of the jar lid. Fill the jar almost to the top with half glycerin and half water. Sprinkle glitter on top of the water mixture.

Screw the lid on the jar, making sure it's tight. Then glue around the outside edge of the lid. Shake the globe to mix the glycerine and water, then shake to watch the falling snow. (Optional: Use silicone glue around the outside edge of the lid.)

Favors

Fill tote bags (see below) with such items as candy canes, colored pencils, stickers, bright erasers, coloring books, posters, lollipops, yo-yos, snow globes, ribbon candy, homemade ornaments, garlands, and so on.

You'll find many more ideas for Christmas favors HERE.

Kids Christmas Party Games

*Handy Totes: Let your Christmas party guests create a tote bag for hauling home all their party loot, from favors to holiday crafts. For best results, plan this activity early in the party before things get rollicking, and have kids work one at a time.

Near a sink, cover your work surface with newspaper. Pour tempera paints in pie plates and have enough small paper bags with handles to go around. Offer each child a smock, then let them customize the front and back of a folded bag. Once dry, stuff the bag with Christmas party favors.

*Pin the Nose on Rudolph: Sketch an outline of a reindeer on construction paper, cut it out, and glue it to the poster board (or your child can use a marker to draw Rudolph directly on the poster board). To play, hang the picture on a wall, blindfold the kids one at a time, hand each a red dot sticker, and have them stick Rudy's shiny "noses" where they belong.

*Stocking Stuffer Relay: Divide the players into 2 equal teams. Hang a stocking (per each team) on a hook or chair at least 10 feet away from the teams. Place the same amount and identical stocking stuffers on the floor next to the teams.

On command "Go," the first player in each team will choose any item from his team's pile, run over to his team's stocking, and stuff the item in the stocking. He then runs back and tags the next player on his team, who chooses any item from the pile and stuffs it in the stocking, and so on.

First team to fill its stocking with all the items wins. Let each team divide its stocking stuffers among itself to keep. (Variation: As an obstacle course, place a couple of pillows between each team and its stocking. The players have to jump over the pillows both ways.)

*Snowblowers: To set up this Christmas party game, tape large paper cups to one side of a table so that the cup openings are level with the table's surface. Fill each cup halfway with small prizes and clear away any chairs so players have an open pathway at both sides of the table.

Give the first two players paper towel tubes and explain that when you place a ping-pong ball in front of each of them, they must blow through the tubes like a snowblower. (Point out that a gentle breath is all it takes to get the "snowball" rolling.)

Each contestant will have 15 seconds to direct the ball across the table and into one of the paper cups. If the ball goes over the edge first, that player's turn is over. Each winner gets to pick one prize from the cup - and the play continues until each cup is empty.

*Stuff the Santa: This Christmas party game pits teams against one another in a race to create the stoutest Saint Nick of them all. To play, you and your child will need to inflate an ample supply of balloons and borrow or buy a red, one-piece union suit in Santa's size - extra large.

Contestants are divided into teams of four to six players. Draw candy canes to determine which player will don the suit over his or her clothes - the player selecting the shortest candy cane is "Santa." Teammates are given the task of stuffing the suit with balloons. Remind the players that a gentle touch is essential for keeping balloons intact.

Set a timer for 2 minutes and see how many balloons the team can stuff into the suit before the time is up. The next team of Santa stuffers must try to top the previous record, but first give old Santa a chance to show off his lumpy physique.

*Miniature Stocking Hunt: For this Christmas party game you'll need miniature Christmas stockings (average five per player), Christmas candy, money, numbered pieces of paper (one per stocking) and presents.

Fill each miniature stocking with candy, money, and a numbered piece of paper. Hide the stockings (count how many) just like you would the Easter eggs, easy for the young kids and harder for the older ones to discover.

On the word "Go," let the children find the stockings. When all the stockings have been found, have everyone empty their stockings (they get to keep everything) while you set the presents in a row. The child with the first number chooses a present. Then the child with the second number chooses a present and so on.

*Pass the Santa's Hat: Divide the players into teams and give the first player on each team a Santa bag. Put one set of gloves, one Santa hat, and a Wrigley's 10 PAK of gum inside each pillowcase (one per team) for Santa's toy bag.

On the word "Go," the first player takes out the Santa hat, puts it on, puts on the gloves, then unwraps the gum package to get one stick out for himself and places it in his mouth. He throws the trash inside the bag. He then takes the gloves and hat off, places them with the gum (not the chewed piece!) back in the bag, and passes everything to the next player on his team.

The game continues until all the players have had a turn. First team to finish wins.

*Merry Mice Race: To make each mouse, fold in half small felt circles for "ears." Glue together the lower portion of each ear, leaving the back open. Glue the ears, a felt tail, and whiskers of thread onto a walnut shell half. Lastly, use a colored marker to draw on eyes and a nose.

To play, place a marble under the walnut shell bodies, set them on a smooth, inclined surface, and watch the mice race each other to the finish.

*Sandy Candy Activity: Here is a fun "candy creation" craft the kids will enjoy. Have them create colorful candy concoctions that they can eat after dinner.

*Marshmallow Snowball Toss: Divide the kids into pairs. Have the partners stand a few feet away from each other. Provide each pair with 10 marshmallows. Each player tries to toss a marshmallow into his or her partner's mouth. The team to "hit the most targets," - wins.

*Secret Santa Activity: Print each guest's name on a slip of paper and tuck one name into each invitation. The secret Santa should anonymously bring an unsigned gift to your Christmas party where the intended recipient will open it - and try to guess who gave him the present.

Christmas Cakes:

*Snowman Cake: For the following Christmas party cake recipe, you'll need 1 3/4 cups cake flour, 1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa, 1 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 butter (softened), 1 1/2 cups sugar, 3 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup milk, 1 1/2 cups vanilla frosting, candy decorations and shredded coconut.

Heat the oven to 325�F. Grease and flour two ovenproof glass bowls, one slightly larger than the other (6- and 7-inch diameter bowls work well). Mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large mixing bowl.

In a separate large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract. Alternately add the flour mixture and the milk to the batter in thirds, mixing well after each addition.

Fill the bowls about two thirds full. Bake the smaller cake for about 50 minutes and the larger cake for about 65 minutes. When done, a toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean. Cool in the bowls for 10 minutes. Then invert onto a large, rectangular platter so the cakes resemble a snowman. Cool completely.

Frost the cakes, then sprinkle with shredded coconut. Add licorice drop eyes, an orange gumdrop nose, a shoestring licorice smile, fruit leather scarf, starlight mints topped with gumdrops, and chocolate licorice arms.

*Christmas Tree Cake: To make the following Christmas party cake, you'll need 2 1/2 cups all-purpose floor, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 tsp salt, 3 tsp baking powder, 1 1/4 cups milk, 2/3 cup safflower oil, 2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks and 2 tsp vanilla extract.

Preheat the oven to 350�F. Grease and flour a 9-by-13-inch or and 11-by-15-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. In a food processor blend the milk and oil. Add the flour mixture and blend well for about 2 minutes. Now add the eggs and vanilla, and blend again until the batter is very smooth, about 2 minutes.

Pour the batter into the baking pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Let it cool for at least 1 hour before frosting.

When cool, cut with a sharp knife into the shape of a Christmas tree. Frost with green buttercream frosting. Place a candle at the tip of each tree "branch."

Christmas Party Food Ideas:

*Holiday Pizza: For this Christmas party recipe, you'll need 1 package of frozen (chopped) spinach; yellow, red, and orange bell peppers; olive oil; cornmeal; pizza dough for one 12-inch round pie; 1 cup tomato sauce; 1/4 to 1/3 cup grated Romano cheese, and feta cheese.

Heat the oven to 450�F. Cook the spinach, drain and press it to squeeze out excess liquid. Set aside. Use tiny cookie cutters to shape circles and stars from the peppers. Set aside. Coat a 12-inch pizza pan with olive oil, then sprinkle on the cornmeal. Roll the dough into a circle and place on the pan, pushing the edges to the rim.

Spread the tomato sauce on the dough and sprinkle on the grated Romano cheese. Top with the chopped spinach, and then drizzle olive oil over the spinach. Sprinkle the crumbled feta over the spinach and arrange the pepper circles.

Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the bottom of the crust is browned. Cut the pizza into triangular slices and then trim the crust to form a trunk. Finally, top each slice with a yellow star.

*Corn Chowder: You'll need 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 cup peeled and diced potato, 1 1/2 gloves minced garlic, 1 cup chopped onion, 1 cup chopped celery, 4 cups fresh raw corn (or two 10-ounce packages frozen), 4 cups chicken stock, 4 cups milk, 3/4 cup chopped parsley, 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.

Melt the butter in a saucepan and saut� the potato, garlic, onion, and celery until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add the corn and cook another 6 minutes. Add the chicken stock, milk, parsley, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve piping hot.

*Waldorf Salad: For this Christmas party recipe, you'll need 2 cups peeled and diced tart apples, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp lemon juice, dash of salt, 1 cup 1-inch julienne celery sticks, 1/4 cup broken walnuts, 1/4 cup mayonnaise and 1/2 cup whipped cream.

Sprinkle the apple cubes with the sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Add the celery and nuts. Fold the mayonnaise into the whipped cream. Gently fold into the apple mixture. Chill. Serve in a lettuce-lined bowl. (You can add 1 cup halved seedless grapes to the above.)

*Pigs in a Blanket: Slice hotdogs lengthwise about halfway through without cutting them apart. Cut cheese into strips. Insert cheese into hotdog cuts. Unroll refrigerated crescent rolls into individual triangles. Place hotdogs onto rolls. Roll up crescent and bake on cookie sheet at 375�F for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.

*Smoked Turkey on a Stick: Spread about 25 slices of smoked turkey with margarine, mustard, and mayonnaise. Roll one slice around each breadstick and dab with a little margarine to seal the edges. Arrange on a platter and serve.

*Tree-Sicles: Make a forest of these tree treats using pints of ice cream. Set a pint, still in the carton, on its side and cut it in half. Cut or peel the container away from the disk of ice cream. Insert a Popsicle stick halfway in one side.

With a warm butter knife, trim the disk into a tree shape with the stick as the trunk. Drizzle on thin lines of melted chocolate "garlands," then press on M&M's Minis for lights.

*Ice-Cream Pies with Crushed Peppermint: Pack softened vanilla ice cream into individual tinfoil pie pans and freeze. When ready to serve, let stand at room temperature for a few minutes, then unfold. Crush candy canes in a food processor and sprinkle over the ice-cream pies.

*Lollipops
*Gingerbread Cookies
*Candy Canes
*Creative Sugar Cookies (decorate them to look like Christmas trees, faces, etc.)

Christmas Party Drink Ideas:

*Egg-cellent Nog: Whisk 6 egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg in a large bowl. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat 2 cups of milk until it steams. Pour some of the hot milk over the egg mixture and whisk (this keeps the eggs from scrambling), then scrape this egg mixture into the saucepan with the rest of the milk. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens a bit, about 10 minutes (or 165 to 175�F).

Remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup of half and half and 1 tbsp of vanilla extract. Pour through a strainer into a clean bowl. Add 1 pint of vanilla ice cream, and stir until melted. Chill at least 1 hour, then stir before serving. Garnish with nutmeg.

*Hot Apple Cider
*Hot Chocolate
*Christmas Blend Tea

*Source for Content & Photos: Courtesy of Family Fun Magazine