We’ve all had cookie exchanges and Christmas parties, but have you ever done it with kids? Well, this year I did- and it was the best Christmas party I’ve ever had!!
I was thinking of a way to give back to all my friends who have graciously helped me adjust to my new role of stay-at-home mom. So many friends have volunteered to watch my boys, whether for a couple hours or the entire day so that I could either sub at school, go to an appointment, or even out for a date night. I know my friends realize how thankful I am for their help, because they are friends after all. But I still wanted to pay them back, if you will. Therefore, I invited their kids (not them) to a Cookie Party. This gave my friends 2 hours to Christmas shop, run errands, or just relax.
Making it fun and manageable were the two most important goals. Kids ranged from 20 months to 11 years.
Number one: I bought pre-made cookie dough (gasp!). 3 sugars and 1 peanut butter (I checked ahead to make sure no one had an allergy!).
Number two: The night before, my boys and I cut out cookie shapes, baked them (ate a few) and then put them in the fridge. (We used 2 rolls of the cookie dough).
Number three: I assigned an item for each child to bring- sprinkles, MnM’s, frosting, etc.
Number four: I set up stations in my house. 1) Reindeer cookies, 2) Candy Cane Blossoms, 3) Ornaments and 4) Frosting cookies. Kids rotated through each of the first three stations, and then all finished with frosting the already made sugar cookies.
Peanut butter Reindeer Cookies:
Sugar Candy Cane Blossoms:
Also found on Pinterest. The kids loved rolling the cookie dough in the sugar- especially the younger kids. We probably shouldn’t have put the Candy Cane kiss on before we cooked them- but they still tasted yummy!
Frosting Sugar Cookies:
A MUST with kids! We did this last, while the other cookies were baking. It was so much fun to see the kids creativity come alive. They used frosting, sprinkles, Red Hots, colored icing, MnM’s, and pretzels. The little ones probably ate more than they decorated- but hey, they were having fun!!
Christmas Ornaments:
I wanted the kids to make something special for their moms and dads. I bought plastic ornaments at the Dollar Store, and already had some acrylic paint. The kids used their fingers to create a special gift to take home!
I had made a picture of some options kids could choose from, but they mostly went out and designed their own Christmas picture- Very original and from the heart.
Here’s where I got the idea: http://www.littlebitfunky.com/2011/11/20-minute-crafter-reindeer-thumbprint.html
My final thoughts: I was so happy to give a little time to my friends- they deserve it!! I also had SO MUCH FUN!! The kids seemed to enjoy themselves as well. I am very thankful to my friend Clara who stayed and helped out (the teacher in her just couldn’t resist!), and of course my hubby who was a big help as well.
It was great to have a wide range of ages because the big girls were so gracious with the little boys. Thankfully we also had trains, cars, and a game of HOT REINDEER (like hot potato) to entertain while we were cleaning up.
PreachTeach: Blog by Erica 
That was one GREAT idea and you were one CRAZY lady for actually doing it. People have been relegated to the looney-bin for a less ambitious undertaking. Yet you pulled it off and left your readers (and this new blog follower) a nifty post with lots of colorful pictures, recipes and delighted children — not to mention parents who are going to play the “success card” (expect it) so you’ll do it again, perhaps make it a yearly tradition! Seriously you are a rare and wonderful person!
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Haha, Thanks Jay! My mom thought I was crazy, saying she’d rather speak in front of a whole room filled with people than host a bunch of kids at her house! I will have to make it an annual tradition- as long as my husband doesn’t back out 🙂
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