Christmas Party Ideas for Kids

This weekend we have some fun Christmas activities planned. One night we'll be attending The Nutcracker ballet again. This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas traditions, even though the boys won't be joining us this year. We took them to see The Christmas Carol the other night instead. Personally, I love the ballet and am looking forward to a night out with the girls this year. Last year, due to limited funds, we didn't go see it but we had an awesome Nutcracker party at home. I just realized I never posted about it, so I'll be doing that soon...The next night, we'll be loading up the van and heading over to a local farm that has a beautiful Christmas event happening all weekend. They'll have Christmas carolers, different Nativity scenes set up and lots of hot cocoa and games for the kids. We can't wait!Before we leave, I'm having a little Christmas party at the house for the boys and my nephews. I'll be making "melted snowman drinks" aka white hot chocolate in the slow cooker (recipe below), with snowman marshmallows (tutorial coming soon), and other treats. We'll be exchanging little dollar store gifts among the kids.I really love this snowman punch bowl from Better Homes and Garden. I haven't seen it in stores but am going to just add some window clings to my punch bowl. I found the clings at Target for $1.99.

Slow Cooker White Hot Chocolate

Ingredients :

• 2 cups whipping cream
• 6 cups milk (I usually use whole milk or 2%)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 12 oz pkge white chocolate chips (try to use Ghiradelli if you can – YUM!)

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
2. Heat on low for 2-2 1/2 hours or until chocolate is melted and mixture is hot.
3. Stir well to blend.
4. Enjoy from a Snowman mug on a chilly day.

I'll be serving it in these fun styrofoam cups (minus the lids).I'll make up a plate of these snowman doughnuts that I made for Ace's class last year (from Family Fun). You just buy a bag of mini powdered sugar doughnuts, add a smile and eyes and cut off the end of some baby carrots and insert as noses! So easy! Complete directions here.We also made these for his class Christmas party last year and they were such a hit! The teachers and students just loved them. I dubbed them Florida snowmen for obvious reasons, lol. You can find the complete recipe here.I'll also be making little bags out of wax paper and filling them with red and green m&m's. I found this adorable little poem on Pinterest and love little things like this for the littler children, especially. You just print out the story and glue it to cardstock and then staple it to your bag.Here's a smaller and more decorated version:To download the m&m Christmas story, click here.Hopefully, I'll also have a fun Nativity project to post next week too. I'm planning on having DH cut me a few blocks of wood and I'm going to print out part of the Nativity icon with Christ, Panagia, St. Joseph and the star on Shrinky Dink paper. We'll cut them and bake them and then glue them to the blocks of wood. I think the kids will enjoy making this little icon project. If I can steal a free moment, I might knit up a few swaddling blankets to glue under the icon of Christ. Hopefully this turns out as planned!! I'll let you know!Have a blessed weekend everyone!