Today I'm adding a page of Christmas event ideas to my Christmas Notebook.
Here are a couple of ideas I wanted to try last year but never got around to.
1. Gingerbread house competition. Buy or prebake pieces so that everyone has the same basic frame to work within. Set up a table of icing, candies, etc. and let everyone go to work individually, in couples, or in teams. Everyone votes on the best one and you win a prize of some sort. Great photo op for everyone with their houses.
2. Pajama Christmas Movie Marathon. (Almost got this one organized last year but everyone got sick last minute :frown: ) Get a bunch of people together and have a Christmas movie marathon. Popular picks: National Lampoon's Christmas, A Christmas Story, Scrooged, or stick with the old claymation classics and Mickey Mouse's Christmas Carol. This works for just bout any age group. Make Christmas cookies, popcorn, and cocoa with candy canes. Depending on the group you could even have a goofiest pajama contest. (Could also leave the pj aspect out of it for unwilling adults, though I know a 32 year old who was excited to don her fluffy red footy pjs!)
3. Tree Trimming Party. Have everyone come over to help trim the tree. Depending on the group you could have people help make ornaments and each person personalize one for your tree. Play Christmas music, set up some snacks and have fun.
4. Christmas Kickoff. This one is stolen from a friend of mine. At his house on the 25th of November their house became an open house. If you dropped by you knew you would be entertained and well fed. They showcased their decorations, played Christmas music, and watched Christmas movies all day. Hot drinks and cookies and snacks were available. It was completely informal, kind of a "We'd love it if you stop by and we'll see you when we see you." kind of a day.
5. It's a Wrap. Get a bunch of wrapping paper together or ask everyone to bring a roll or two. Have bows, ribbons, and sister available. And tape! Everyone can listen to Christmas music or watch a Christmas movie, chat etc. while wrapping all their presents. This can be especially good for those with children who don't have to risk wrapping in their own home where a child might stumble upon them. Also allows for more variety in wrapping paper. A close friend can write the tags for Santa if you think your children might recognize your handwriting.
6. Boxing Day Brunch. Okay, let's face it, the 26th is always a bit of a let down. Wouldn't it be great if there was something to look forward to? What if everyone could go out for brunch (or someone could host it if they don't mind having to do the work that soon after Christmas) and talk about how their Christmases went. This would be a paired down, come as you are kind of gathering. No dressing up fancy or having to do your hair like you've had to for so many events that month. Maybe listen to "364 Days Left to Go" as part of the soundtrack. Instead of the kind of depressing day so many people report, it would be a chance to meet with a bunch of your friends and share your Christmas stories.
Please feel free to add to this list!
Here are a couple of ideas I wanted to try last year but never got around to.
1. Gingerbread house competition. Buy or prebake pieces so that everyone has the same basic frame to work within. Set up a table of icing, candies, etc. and let everyone go to work individually, in couples, or in teams. Everyone votes on the best one and you win a prize of some sort. Great photo op for everyone with their houses.
2. Pajama Christmas Movie Marathon. (Almost got this one organized last year but everyone got sick last minute :frown: ) Get a bunch of people together and have a Christmas movie marathon. Popular picks: National Lampoon's Christmas, A Christmas Story, Scrooged, or stick with the old claymation classics and Mickey Mouse's Christmas Carol. This works for just bout any age group. Make Christmas cookies, popcorn, and cocoa with candy canes. Depending on the group you could even have a goofiest pajama contest. (Could also leave the pj aspect out of it for unwilling adults, though I know a 32 year old who was excited to don her fluffy red footy pjs!)
3. Tree Trimming Party. Have everyone come over to help trim the tree. Depending on the group you could have people help make ornaments and each person personalize one for your tree. Play Christmas music, set up some snacks and have fun.
4. Christmas Kickoff. This one is stolen from a friend of mine. At his house on the 25th of November their house became an open house. If you dropped by you knew you would be entertained and well fed. They showcased their decorations, played Christmas music, and watched Christmas movies all day. Hot drinks and cookies and snacks were available. It was completely informal, kind of a "We'd love it if you stop by and we'll see you when we see you." kind of a day.
5. It's a Wrap. Get a bunch of wrapping paper together or ask everyone to bring a roll or two. Have bows, ribbons, and sister available. And tape! Everyone can listen to Christmas music or watch a Christmas movie, chat etc. while wrapping all their presents. This can be especially good for those with children who don't have to risk wrapping in their own home where a child might stumble upon them. Also allows for more variety in wrapping paper. A close friend can write the tags for Santa if you think your children might recognize your handwriting.
6. Boxing Day Brunch. Okay, let's face it, the 26th is always a bit of a let down. Wouldn't it be great if there was something to look forward to? What if everyone could go out for brunch (or someone could host it if they don't mind having to do the work that soon after Christmas) and talk about how their Christmases went. This would be a paired down, come as you are kind of gathering. No dressing up fancy or having to do your hair like you've had to for so many events that month. Maybe listen to "364 Days Left to Go" as part of the soundtrack. Instead of the kind of depressing day so many people report, it would be a chance to meet with a bunch of your friends and share your Christmas stories.
Please feel free to add to this list!
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