Let's focus our Christmas party planning on the kids this year.
Since the season is really geared toward them, I came up with an idea that should get any kid excited for the holiday.
I call it the 24 Days of Christmas Movies, and it is based on the Advent calendar.
As you probably already know, an Advent calendar is a countdown to Christmas, with the numbers 1 through 24 listed on it.
Each Advent calendar is different; some have little drawers you open each day, some have little windows you open, and some have decorations you put on a tree.
Each day, a child opens the drawer and gets a little present that is stored inside.
In the case of the tree, each day a new decoration goes on it until the 24th when the star (or angel) is put on top.
This can be a lot of fun for kids because it builds the anticipation of the upcoming holiday.
It also gives them a reference to see how long it is until Christmas is here.
This idea involves replacing the little toy or candy a child might have received when opening the drawer with the name of a Christmas movie.
Here is what you will need in order to create this party: Christmas movies It is helpful if you have at least 24 of them.
If you have less, you can make due with starting the movie part of the Advent calendar later than the 1st of December.
By the time you read this article, this may be something you'll have to consider anyway.
An Advent calendar You can either use an existing one or create your own.
An existing one with drawers or windows is ideal because you can put the name of the movie in the drawer or behind the windows.
I've even used my computer to collect pictures from the movies and printed them out for drawers.
A good supply of snacks This can be anything from healthy fruit and veggie snacks, to the truly unhealthy (but delicious) Reindeer Food and cookies.
Whatever you decide, just make sure all of the kid's involved like at least something you are serving.
Children You can do this party for your kids only, but I'd also suggest inviting some of their friends.
My kids seem to enjoy the movies more with other kids.
The more, the merrier.
You might be hesitant to invite kids over every day for 24 days, but you don't really have to.
You can have the Advent run for the 24 days for your kids, and invite their friends on certain days.
A designated place for the kids to watch My kids have a playroom with a television and DVD player, so it's easy to have them watch their movies there.
You want to make sure it won't interfere with any other plans you may have in rooms where they will be watching their movies.
It also needs to be large enough if you are going to have their friends take part in the celebration.
I've done a variation of this Christmas party planning idea where my children got to invite friends over for a sleepover and watch all of their Christmas movies in one night.
This didn't totally satisfy their need to watch Christmas movies; they were watched a couple more times throughout the month of December.
They had fun with this one, but I think they prefer the Advent-style parties.
So, if you really want to make your Christmas party planning all about your kids, I suggest you give this Advent movie plan a try.
Let me know what you think.
Since the season is really geared toward them, I came up with an idea that should get any kid excited for the holiday.
I call it the 24 Days of Christmas Movies, and it is based on the Advent calendar.
As you probably already know, an Advent calendar is a countdown to Christmas, with the numbers 1 through 24 listed on it.
Each Advent calendar is different; some have little drawers you open each day, some have little windows you open, and some have decorations you put on a tree.
Each day, a child opens the drawer and gets a little present that is stored inside.
In the case of the tree, each day a new decoration goes on it until the 24th when the star (or angel) is put on top.
This can be a lot of fun for kids because it builds the anticipation of the upcoming holiday.
It also gives them a reference to see how long it is until Christmas is here.
This idea involves replacing the little toy or candy a child might have received when opening the drawer with the name of a Christmas movie.
Here is what you will need in order to create this party: Christmas movies It is helpful if you have at least 24 of them.
If you have less, you can make due with starting the movie part of the Advent calendar later than the 1st of December.
By the time you read this article, this may be something you'll have to consider anyway.
An Advent calendar You can either use an existing one or create your own.
An existing one with drawers or windows is ideal because you can put the name of the movie in the drawer or behind the windows.
I've even used my computer to collect pictures from the movies and printed them out for drawers.
A good supply of snacks This can be anything from healthy fruit and veggie snacks, to the truly unhealthy (but delicious) Reindeer Food and cookies.
Whatever you decide, just make sure all of the kid's involved like at least something you are serving.
Children You can do this party for your kids only, but I'd also suggest inviting some of their friends.
My kids seem to enjoy the movies more with other kids.
The more, the merrier.
You might be hesitant to invite kids over every day for 24 days, but you don't really have to.
You can have the Advent run for the 24 days for your kids, and invite their friends on certain days.
A designated place for the kids to watch My kids have a playroom with a television and DVD player, so it's easy to have them watch their movies there.
You want to make sure it won't interfere with any other plans you may have in rooms where they will be watching their movies.
It also needs to be large enough if you are going to have their friends take part in the celebration.
I've done a variation of this Christmas party planning idea where my children got to invite friends over for a sleepover and watch all of their Christmas movies in one night.
This didn't totally satisfy their need to watch Christmas movies; they were watched a couple more times throughout the month of December.
They had fun with this one, but I think they prefer the Advent-style parties.
So, if you really want to make your Christmas party planning all about your kids, I suggest you give this Advent movie plan a try.
Let me know what you think.
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