toddler under 5's Christmas party ,Am I mad ?

jopsey

I have had an idea, ( most of my family run when they hear me say them words LOL)
My little boy recieved lot's of gifts from his playgroup/family children,
Instead of buying Christmas gifts for DS'S friend and little relatives next year I am thinking of organising a Christmas party where all friends and family can choose to bring a said item eg cakes,sandwiches ect.

What would I need to get sorted before I actually mentioned it too people

Venue.. I have access to a community cafe which I held my son's first birthday in and it was fab or failing that I can hold it at home my house is big enough and i have a playroom to lock them in (joke)

entertainment ..the usual party things but with a Christmas theme

santa visit ...can be arranged no prob I know the local Father Christmas well:rotfl:

I bought a load of kiddie crackers ,party bags ,blowers in the sale

Any other ideas?

morganb

Hiya, we do this every year! And parents think it's brilliant and the kids have a great time too.
However, we always host it at home, but then we only have a maximum of 9 children and the parents don't stay but bring a plate. So it's a slightly different situation to you.
This is what we did this year ...
make paper chains / decorate biscuits already baked into Christmas shapes / shrinkles for the tree / make snowmen out of card and cotton wool / pin the nose on Rudolph / treasure hunt in the garden / pass the Christmas parcel (to Christmas carols of course!!) / decorate a plate with what you are going to leave out for Father Christmas, etc., etc.
The children all then took home a little box with everything that they had made and a little gift bag from me with a bag of reindeer food and the reindeer poem ... i can pm this to you if you like.
Hope this helps! Hard work (but halved if people are bringing food) but well worth it, because it's so unusual!!

pjs_3

We do this too with all my friends from antenatal group when my daughter was born. Make sure you have a hall you dont want all that mess at home. We all chipped in one year and got a santa suit from woolworths which is being used every year instead of hiring one. Usually rope in a grandad to be santa. Each parent brings a wrapped present for their child up to value of 5.00 and Santa gives in to them. Just make sure someone is in charge of delegating so everyone knows what they are expected to bring. One parent makes pass the parcel, One parent organises a craft table and everyone brings big toys eg ride on trikes. Dont forget drinks for the adults!! Have fun planning for next year.

inkie

What an excellent idea - I wish I had some under 5's - mine are a bitolder and having a room full just doesn't bear thinking about!

BargainJunky

For the last two years one of my friends at mother and toddler has done a little xmas party at her house for her little boy and his friends (2 to 3 year olds). I was doing one as well this year but unfortunately got that dreaded stomach bug and had to cancel.

What I was thinking of suggesting to everyone for next year was we saved 50p or £1.00 per week per family to have a really good Xmas party for the children in 2007 (at this time they will all have started nursery school and wont see each other every day). Was thinking along the lines of hiring a hall, getting in an entertainer etc etc. There would be around 10 of us saving plus others who wanted to join in so we should have quite a kitty if it takes off. Just have to suggest it to them now!

jellyang

When my kids were little we use to have a boxing day party.

We would buy little cheapy presents etc but the kids had to do something to get their present.
Sing a song/nursery rhyme, do a dance, that type of thing.

The kids would quickly abandon their expensive xmas presents & play for hours with their 50p pressies.

Now they are all grown up & I am waiting for grandchildren



Jelly

jopsey

some fab ideas thanks ,not as mad as I first thought then

alison6692

Hello

I know this is an old thread but bumping as I need some inspiration. Cheap and cheerful ideas for our Christmas Party to celebrate my sons 1st Birthday - Lots of crazy toddlers in our house.