A More Meaningful Christmas Party
Over the years, we have hosted many a Christmas party for my now-teenage boys. I have always felt a little overwhelmed with the consumption of the holidays and wanted to make it feel more meaningful. A few years ago, we adopted the 4 gift Christmas challenge ‘Want-Need-Where-Read’ and encouraged family members to focus the gift giving on experiences. Eh, you can’t tell others what to give you, but at least, on my end….4 gifts. Some years, we put our Christmas dollars to awesome vacations and enjoying family quality time.
I was feeling the same way about this year’s Christmas party, especially after last year’s gift swap. A few kids were intimidated over giving ‘the right gift’ or struggled being able to afford a gift at all. That is not what the spirit of Christmas is about. I didn’t want another child to feel anything but fun at our parties.
I knew eliminating the gift swap was out of the question; when I even slightly hinted at it, the side eye from both of my boys was priceless. My husband came up with a great compromise; for those that could, bring something off our local animal shelter’s wish list, and we would provide inexpensive gifts and one ‘big’ gift for the gift swap. This way, no one would feel purchase pressure and we could still have gift swap fun. I know…that’s why I married him.
Northwest Organization for Animal Help (The NOAH Center) is dedicated to stopping the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable and treatable homeless dogs and cats. I headed to their online wish list and included a copy in our party invite. The kids were so game and all brought awesome donations from food and treats to toys.
I was too thrilled to find the cute doggie paper and garlands for our party tables. I kept the party food simple to sweet treats and a hot cocoa bar. With my new work schedule, having the time to bake and cook just isn’t an option anymore. Talk about letting go and adjusting….
Having an party activity is always great to have, even with teens, who prefer to talk and socialize. It is a great way to get everyone interacting and a take away. I set up a buffet of various snack items so guests could create these cone treats. You can find the bags at any craft store, mine measure at 12″.
Depending what snacks you use, be sure and have an appropriate measuring scoop or spoon. Smaller snacks items like candy or nuts can use a tablespoon versus larger snack items like pretzels and popcorn, measuring cups or scoops.
The instructions are simple…one scoop of each item, into the bag. Have gift labels, twist ties and ribbon on hand for finishing off the bags.
The beauty of teen parties, they can entertain themselves. Somehow, devices popped out…I didn’t fight it. You have to pick your battles…especially when Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was just released.
It was a wonderful evening and a great afternoon taking our box to The NOAH Center, and meeting a few four-legged friends. I wish we could take them all with us…but we hope that we were able to make things a little easier for our wonderful volunteers and their charges.
Happy holidays to you and yours!
