Christmas Party 2012

Booked the large church hall (and use of the kitchen) this year from 5pm – 8pm with half an hour either way for setting up and clearing away.  Myself and Kerry contacted all those who attended last year – plus a few others - via text and an ‘invite only’ event on Facebook a few days after our Halloween party.  Although we obviously could not invite all our (joint) friends, we did try to invite children of similar ages who would have at least a few friends there on the night.

Because of the expense of the hall hire and the bouncy castle (total of £96.50), in the original text and Facebook invitation we asked for a donation of £5 from each family. To break even we worked out we needed 19 families to contribute.

Of the initial invites, we had only one family that was unable to attend.  Nearer to the date, Jamie invited two of his friends from Nursery, and Kerry invited three other families; whose children were close in age to her daughters. 

FOOD AND DRINK
Everyone was asked to bring some food and their own drink . After we had a list, we then allocated foodstuffs to attendee’s i.e. Jo – Tea, Coffee, Sugar, milk, Becci – Pringles, Crisps.  As per last years party, 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’.  I had asked for contributions of paper plates, napkins etc and, although they weren't necessarily matching, it saved on the washing up!

















BOUNCY CASTLE
Once again we asked www.bendysbouncers.com/ to bring their ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ castle.

COLOURING TABLE
I got some super Christmas pictures from www.netmums.com  which I was then able to photocopy, and took along Jamie's box of felt tips.

DECORATIONS
Although the church hall was decorated, we took along some more tinsel, some fibre optic Christmas trees to put on tables, and a couple of strings of Christmas lights. We also took a lighting box to put disco lights on the wall.  And don't forget the balloons.  Unfortunately, Noah didn't like them and go very upset everytime one burst!!

MUSIC AND LIGHTS
Prior to the party I put together a dedicated ‘Christmas mix’ with lots of party tunes and a few Christmas songs onto my phone.  I plugged my phone into one of daddy’s amps and so there was music for us to dance to.   It didn't matter that not everyone danced - me and Auntie Chrissie had a good boogie!!

GOODIE BAGS
A big Thank You to Vicki who did some fantastic goodie bags for all the children.  They were wonderful.  She included Christmas crackers, pencils, rubbers, balloons, a bouncy ball, Reindeer food, Christmas tattoos, lots of chocolate, and even a hand written Christmas card from Santa.

COST
We did not have the 'break even' total of 19 families, but I feel that may have been too many. In total we had 19 children and 27 adults who turned up on the night.  We had four families who cancelled on the night due to illness, but it was nice that these still sent along their £5 contribution. Kerry and Becci contributed £10 and I didn't mind putting up the short fall which was about £30.

WILL WE DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR?

Not sure.  Jamie (and a lot of his pals) will have started school by then and may have a fuller social life and a completely different set of pals.  Watch this space....