Bells are jingling, lights are twinkling, it's party time!
With the end of the year just a few weeks away, it's time to prepare for this year's class holiday or winter party. These 3 tips will help make it a jolly success! 
1. Plan & Get Help!
From snacks to crafts to holiday reading material and activity stations, it is easy to get bogged down in the planning. Capture all your needs in one easy online sign up sheet, i.e., list: healthy snack option, sweet treat snack option, drinks, tableware and simple decorations, volunteer reader with winter-themed book, volunteers for the activity station, party activity supplies, etc. Once you have it planned, SignUp.com simplifies your holiday occasion! Plus, SignUp.com reminds your volunteers and even allows room for you to add in the folks who aren't using email!
Tip: Check with the teacher about the school's holiday policy. Will you be planning for nondenominational 'winter' and snow themes, or are Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa themes welcome and expected?
2. Get creative with your games and activities this year!
Some of our friends submitted fun and unique ideas:
@ConnieFoggles
“One of the best things my dd's school did was to get a tree donated from a store. They made decorations and gave it away to a needy family from the school. The kids put their heart into their creations. That tree was filled with lots of love.”
@amybhole
“For our parties, we have three activities -- a snack, a craft, and a game. The class is split into three groups, and each group does one activity at a time. It's an excellent way to cut down on the chaos! But it's also all-encompassing for our diverse school. For example, the game can have a Hanukah theme (Dreidel is always popular) the snack can have a Christmas theme and the craft can have an Eid theme.”
@Rajean
“Host a build-your-own hot chocolate station with cocoa mix, marshmallows, cinnamon, chocolate syrup, white chocolate chips, whipped cream in a can, and shaved peppermint to choose from and pin the button nose or carrot on the snowman.”
@CarissaRogers
“Last year my daughter's class folded these amazing Finnish Paper Stars. We loved it so much we came home and made a bunch of our own stars in different sizes and colors!”
3. Last minute check!
- Make sure to tap a parent volunteer as party photographer
- Be sure to plan on additional attendees including volunteers, siblings, and the teacher for snacks and even crafts!
- Consider space limitations when choosing party games
- Ask the teacher if any kids have food allergies or if the school has policies limiting sugary treats
- Consider having Thank You notes prepared for parent volunteers
Have a blast and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Check out SignUp.com's free Classroom Party Guide for more fun winter craft and game ideas, and check out ways your classroom may give back with their celebration!
