I’m planning a Christmas party for the youth at my church. I need some tips on affordable and whimsical decorations. I was thinking about buying some of those styrofoam cones and decorating them with wrapped candies as table centerpieces.
One aspect of the party that I don’t have to worry about it food. The parents of the children will be preparing dishes, bringing party platters, and bringing drinks. I guess my biggest concern is trying to make this the most memorable and magical party for them.
What kind of entertainment or games or crafts should I have?
Should I have some kind of party favor?

Please help!

3 Comments so far

1. ---

   Paper chains and Snowflakes!! with LOTS of glitter! get some of the kids to help you with that too! they’ll love it. Don’t’ forget your Creche!
   I love your Candy tree idea!
   What about activities?
   Pin the Nose on Rudolph goes over well….
   Or Pin the hat on the Elf.
   Christmas Carol Pictionary or Charades is fun too! We play that one at our Yule party.

2. ---

   Hi !!
   Have lots of glitter and mabey get the kids to make snowflakes !!
   You can get someone to dress up as santa and hand out sweets!! kids love that!! you could also do a treasure hunt and hide some chocolate bells and chocolate Santa’s! have karaoke!!

   Some not christmas games but still fun games:
   lighthouse : you have all the lights turned off and one person is on he / she is holding a torch and they have their eyes closed . everyone else has a cup of water . they try creep up on the person without getting hit by the light. you should probably play this at the end!!

   Hope it help love Mia!! xx

3. ---

   Start with a cute theme like “Christmas Candyland”.

   Why don’t you get the children involved in making the decorations?

   Make paper link chains from colorful paper, and use stuffing from the craft stores to make mounds of snow everywhere.

   Make gumdrop balls with toothpicks, Styrofoam balls, and gumdrop candies.

   Purchase some of those inexpensive light up candy canes to make a path at the entrance.

   Sprinkle wrapped candies and pieces from the Candyland game (thrift store or Wal-mart) on the table as centerpieces.

   Make heavy cinnamon ornaments in the shape of gingerbread men to use as balloon weights – http://www.mevsthehouse.com/how-to-make-cinnamon-applesauce-ornaments-homemade-ornament-recipe
   and splurge on some colorful candy balloons – http://www.shindigz.com/catalog.cfm?caid=822470
   http://www.shindigz.com/catalog.cfm?caid=822460
   http://www.shindigz.com/catalog.cfm?caid=1029006

   mix one mylar in with a few latex for the biggest impact.

   name the tables after characters and places in candyland – Candy Cane Forest, Gum Drop Mountain, Mr Mint’s House, ect.

   I say go with candy buffet as the party favor, easy to do with clear containers, bulk candy and candy scoops. Let the kids fill a bag from the buffet. – http://sherrifoxman.typepad.com/daily_party_dish/2008/10/set-up-the-perf.html

   Party411.com has a great Christmas Candyland theme with more products you can purchase, and there is a fun “Name that Candy” Party Game you can copy as well – http://www.party411.com/holiday-christmasthemes8.html

   don’t forget to play some Christmas music – http://www.mevsthehouse.com/the-classic-christmas-party-music-42-songs-to-play-at-your-holiday-party

   Hope this helps!