Christmas Party Ideas for Parents and Kids

My grandmother had a Christmas party on Christmas Eve every year when I was growing up. Each family brought some sort of appetizer or dessert, whatever she assigned and she supplied the meat for mini sandwiches. We as a group would sing Carols and such. The kids would pull names weeks before and exchange gifts with each other. Then we would wait for Santa to show up. Grandma would hire someone to play Santa each year and wouldn't allow us to look out the window to spoil the fun. Santa would hand out gifts that she picked out for each of the kids. All under $5. We never had anything extra to do. A couple of years we would watch a Christmas movie, but the feeling was that we needed to learn to entertain ourselves. Too many moms try to keep their kids occupied all the time and they don't learn to entertain themselves and when they go to these parties they get rambunctious and spoil the time for everyone with their unruly behavior. The traditions still holds in our family even though Grandma is gone and my Aunt doesn't do anything different than Grandma did. Not sure if this is what you wanted to hear, but I hope it helps. Good luck and God Bless.

I was going to say the same thing as Kristina. Set up little crafts stations. I was thinking FruitLoops on pipe cleaners for necklaces to make for moms. Also like the make your own ornaments and wrapping paper. Check out Oreintal Trading ot the craft section at walmart if you need ideas. You can also print out free Christmas coloring sheets online. Also have a safe place for small kids to play with a basket of toys. Maybe even play a Christmas movie for the kids to watch.

M.-

We're doing the same thing with our friends and their kids but the ages range from infant - 10 years old. I'm asking each family to bring a heavy dish and plate of cookies to share. I plan on having Christmas movies or cartoons playing in the living room. And we're going to have sugar cookies pre-baked and then all the stuff so the kids can ice and decorate them!! What about having the older kids make a chain to count down until Christmas? Have them make wintry pictures with construction paper, crayons or markers, glitter and cotton balls (for snow, clouds, etc). Honestly I think the kids will find something to do or something to play with so I wouldn't worry about structing too many things!!

How about setting up a crafts table for making:
Ornaments
Wrapping Paper
Gift Tags

You could wait to set up your Christmas Tree and have everyone help decorate it. There's always the standard making and decorating cookies, which is always fun.

We are kind of a game family. I have several board games & card or dice games that everyone plays...kids as well as adults...Parcheesi, Yahtzee, Farkel, There's a Moose in the House, Checkers, Phase 10, Uno, etc. The list just goes on & on. But there is also lots of fun games that don't take anything, like States (can send rules if you like), but it's hitting people (lightly- hopefully) w/ a rolled up newspaper, Charades- even young ones can play. You can also set up a duck pond of some sort for the little ones that they can go fishing for trinkets from the $ store...or just hang a blanket & let them fish over the sheet. Kids (& adults) always enjoy going to look at Christmas lights, you could take a walk around your neighborhood or drive to a well lit neighborhood & have everyone bundle up & walk around to see the lights so you are able to interact. Go caroling & come back for chili & hot chocolate, some homemade cookies. I would recommend that you don't overplan though. Make sure that the cousins have time to just play together & enjoy making/building strong friendships with each other..as well as giving the adults time to build on those relationships already in place. Just my thoughts... But above all, CHERISH the time together & have a BLAST!!! I LOVE Christmas because of this very reason. It's the season of building love within our families & friends because that's what the Savior taught in the giving of His life for us. Love it! Love it! Love it!

ok call me old fashioned, but our family get togethers are always a time to eat great food and run our mouths for hours on end! i don't think i have ever played one single game at any family function, either my own or my husband's family. except we did do a dirty santa one year at my inlaws', but we didn't have little kids, i don't think they'd enjoy it much. my point is, why the need for a game? with kids in the mix there's always something to talk about (they're natural little ice breakers!) and if this is your first time hosting it'll be different and new for everyone. maybe i'm missing your point, sorry! i say just get everyone together to celebrate and let the rest take care of itself!

I think the cookie exchange is a good thing...or even just any homemade exchange (jams, jellies, apple butter/sauce, etc.).

I'd have a table set up for a kids project. Here are some ideas:
* decorate their own sugar cookie/cupcake
* make their own ornament (use homemade playdough to cook)
* string popcorn, dried berries and dried apples for your "friends" in the trees outside.
* get some of the inexpensive foam projects from Michael's, Walmart, or Oriental Trading for the kids do to.

As for blending the entire family into the fun...why not print out some sheet music and you all go caroling? I mean when was the last time someone showed up on your doorstep singing? It's something that has really gone by the wayside but would be fun and thoughtful. If you make any money, donate it to a needy family.

Another idea would be for every family to also bring a wrapped present for a child (mark boy or girl) and everyone go over to a local hospital wing and take the presents to the children's ward. Nothing says Christmas like giving to those who have been overlooked. ;)

I'am wanting to do a cookie & ornament exchange.Have your guest bring baked cookies their receipe and as the hostess have coffee,hot cider,hot cocoa and let the kids have plain sugar cookies to decorate.Then have all the guest wrap an inexpensive ornament then draw a # for first pick.I would really like to do this it is a good way to get both the sides of the family together as holidays approach you try to strive to visit them all in a day but with 3 kids in tow & melt downs that is hard to do.