Putting on a Children's Christmas Party

Planning
We booked the local hall from 6pm–9pm at a cost of £24 (£8 an hour) and although we left before 9pm we could have had the hall from 5.30 – 9.30pm. We made a list of our closest friends and in November asked around who would be interested. After we had a list, we then allocated foodstuffs to attendee’s i.e. Becci – Pringles, Crisps; Jo – Tea, Coffee, Sugar, milk etc. Kerry, Becci and I also took some napkins, paper plates, plastic glasses and tablecloths. I think the food that was brought was just about right. We opened it all up as soon as we got there and just had a ‘running’ buffet’. However, we had to keep an eye on some of the children as they were eating far too much cake and chocolate!

Apparently we got into a little bit of trouble, as we left on some lights in the hall and didn’t take our rubbish home. As it turned out there wasn’t actually that much rubbish. There was also a door that was apparently left open. We think this was in the toilets, so next time we need to do a sweep of the building to make sure we have turned off lights and closed doors. And also to check we have not left anyone in!!

Decorations
Although the church hall was decorated we took along some more tinsel and some fibre optic Christmas trees to put on tables. We also took a lighting box to put disco lights on the wall and some extra Christmas lights. Don’t forget pins, sellotape, and string for the balloons, bluetac and scissors!

Father Christmas
SANTA came!! Once again, it’s not what you know, but who you know and Nanna knows Santa (she used to work with Mrs Claus). We knew he was coming about 7pm so Nanna and Santa's Little Helper (Becci in her costume) waited for him at the door. I wandered out just as he was walking down the street. As daddy said, it probably looks better than him getting out of a car! We did think about getting Auntie Hannah to lead the children in some Christmas songs while we were waiting for Santa, but it all happened so quick we did not have enough time! I got Paul to turn the music off and told all the children to sit on the mats as a special visitor was about to arrive. Santa knocked loudly on the door and came in ringing his bell! The smiles on the children’s faces were a delight. He had brought his own large sack and Becci did a quick sleight of hand putting all our presents with his sack; hence looking like he had brought them with him!

Santa’s only request was a chair without arms so that the children could sit on his knee if they wanted. We decorated his chair with tinsel and put Christmas lights all around the window he sat in front of. We sat him at the front of the mats so that all the children could sit in front of him. As Santa read out each label with the help of Becci, each child went to the front and sat with Santa for a quiet chat. He asked them whether they had been good and what they wanted for Christmas. The looks on their faces were amazing. A few of the younger children were a bit scared and Jamie took a bit of convincing to sit on his knee but all in all it went very well.

After all the children had received their presents and they were all hyper and running around, I got my chance to have my photo taken with Santa and sit down and have a chat. He was saying some of the children he meets break your heart. Some ask for 42” TVs and others just ask for a Chocolate Orange. One child just wanted ‘a cuddle from his mummy’.

When I initially rang Santa he stated that he would like a charity donation. Therefore, I made a ‘Collection Box’ and Santa’s Little Helper took it round for donations while Santa was having his cup of tea. I bought him a bottle of whisky myself and sent him a thank you card. Mrs Claus sent me a nice email saying that the collection had raised £31.33 and this would be going to the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.

Presents
Prior to the party we asked each parent to wrap a present for their own children. This was chiefly because the youngest was 3 months and the oldest 14, so a secret Santa would not really have worked. A few people had dropped off their presents at mine prior to the party so there were only a few presents that needed sneaking into the bag in the kitchen!

Games
Kerry did a wonderful ‘Pin the Nose on Rudolph’ and Jodie and her friend Lucy were brilliant in their organisation of the younger children for this and a few other games such as musical statues etc. I had wrapped a number of ‘prizes’ to give winners and I also had a few extra bags of sweets. We decided against Pass the Parcel as it could have gone on too long (or upset everyone as it did at the baby signing party when the same baby got to open most of the wrappers). To be honest we did not need many games as the children kept themselves amused running around after each other.

Music and Lights
Paul brought his IPod and docking and so there was music. I think next year we need to do a dedicated ‘Christmas mix’ as I felt there was not enough Christmas Music. However, I don’t think there were any complaints!

Lessons Learnt
Party poppers and blowers; like bubble mixture, need to be supervised!
Children need to be encouraged to clean up their own mess. This includes food, drink and wrapping paper! At the end it was ‘all hands on deck’ with the clearing away and washing up. Thank you Nanna!

Total Cost
In total the whole night cost me personally only about £25. This includes hall hire of £12 (other £12 paid by Kerry) bottle of whiskey for Santa (£10), Milk and a random selection of chocolates, sweets, poppers, and balloons. We took a bottle of wine, some lager and lemonade for us plus a bottle of squash for Jamie which we shared with others who wanted some. We also took a bag of sugar and a box of tea that we had in the cupboard, and Kerry brought along a large jar of coffee left over from Elliot’s’ Christening. Everyone else brought their own food and drink and I think not only was it cheaper than a night out at The Bentley (where we used to go before children) but it was a better night all around!

In total we had 20 children and, including Santa; 22 adults. I had initially panicked that we had too many children coming. Looking back 20 children was just right. Lucy Clark was the last one to have her present from Santa and she waited quite a long time. You could see Little Tilley was beginning to panic that Santa had forgot her.....

Next Party: Jamie’s 3rd Birthday!