Tonight Bob and I will be running the Christmas Party for the children who came to our Easter Club - plus a few extra. The party will happen in the Chapel, and parents and carers can stay in the church hall and drink coffee and eat cake. There will be activities in there for younger siblings too. My tips for such an event
- Get as many helpers as you can! And ask somebody else to be responsible for all the catering [thank you Wendy] They will eat less than you think. And they don't like sandwiches.
- Plan your timings very carefully. We have two hours, 3.30-5.30 - and there will be registering at the beginning, and at the end, parents can come through for a couple of carols etc. At 5pm, I will check how it is going - if behind schedule, we will cut one thing out, if running ahead, I'll throw in a Christmassy quiz. We are having four teams
- Vary the activities- we have some crazy songs, some games, and a few short videos, as well as sitting on the floor in circles for refreshment time, and a brief craft activity [an angel spinner using old CDs]
- Choose age appropriate games - for our 4½ - 11 year olds we have Pass the Parcel Plus, Musical Islands, and Balloon Battle.
- PPP means every layer has a small pack of Haribo PLUS a little challenge. Make sure every child gets a chance to unwrap - and if there are more than 12 children have teams, and two or more parcels to speed things up. Use different paper for each layer, and including brown paper salvaged from internet packaging [to save money.]
- Musical Islands- make sure your newspaper has enough pages. My Eastern Daily Press was alarmingly short of sheets, my neighbour's Daily Mail had plenty[ I had to prune out those with unsuitable pictures!]
- BB blow up the balloons beforehand, take them in a large bin bag. You'll get a headache if you try to inflate 20 balloons by mouth too quickly [use a balloon pump if you can find it]
- Relax, enjoy yourself and the children will too.
- Best tip - find someone else to do it!
Love your last tip!
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DeleteIs getting someone else to do it next year's plan? Best start working on it now! Praying you all will have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteExcellent tips! I haven't helped with a party for ages. I should do but church do theirs from 4.30-6 and it's rare I can get home earlier than 6 from school! Kx
ReplyDeleteKezzie, you do enough for the children at work, without taking on the church kids too!
DeleteAt least the Cub Scout Christmas party night only had boys aged 8 - 11 - much easier ages.
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
It will be quite a mixed bunch. Grateful for all the helpers [ ratio of 1;3 which is brilliant!]
DeleteI, too, like the last tip!
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DeleteI'm volunteering at an 'older people' tea party today! No balloons, but lots of sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteOAPs can be just as excitable and rowdy, in my experience. Have fun
DeleteYou deserve a medal for doing stuff like this! I would have to lie down in a darkened room for days afterwards if I even tried!
ReplyDeleteAh, but you [like my friend Wendy] could provide the splendid cakes
DeleteYes-all this party tips sound very familiar although I have never managed the last one🤣 Catriona
ReplyDeleteI will keep trying...
DeleteMy beloved MIL who was director of a child care center from chilren 6 weeks to 5 years and she would say AMEN to your good duggestions!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
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DeleteLots of good tips so that neither organizers or children get too tired out! Great that you had Wendy to look after catering.
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