Throw An Ugly Sweater Party For Teens

This is a sponsored post for Oriental Trading as part of their Blogger Community. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the products listed.

It’s that time of the year for our annual Christmas party! Last year’s Elf-inspired party was a crazy blowout…tons of kids, crazy activities and my head nearly exploding.  This year, I kept it more low-key; we have so much going on and who needs that pressure!  An Ugly Sweater Party is the perfect theme for teenagers because no matter what they say, they are game for dressing up.

Oriental Trading has an amazing selection of Christmas party supplies and of course, lots of Ugly Sweater fun. Order some fun and get your party on!

• Set the table scene with fun gift wrap, mini ornaments and terrariums or other vessels with natural decor or confetti.
• Keep your stress level down with store-bought treats!  Head to your favorite gourmet grocer and pick up specialty treats…save the fancy baking and cooking for adults that will appreciate the work.
• Serve a balance of sweets and healthy options.  We had a hot cocoa bar and bottled drinks, cookies, baked goods, popcorn…and I squeezed in a meat, cheese and veggie tray.

 

• If you feel the need to bake, use a holiday shaped pan to keep things simple! I found this gingerbread village silicon pan and filled with a cinnamon bun cake mix, then dusted with powdered sugar. For the life of me I couldn’t find gingerbread mix!
• Don’t forget to take things out of their original packaging like veggies and popcorn!

• Set up a simple hot cocoa bar;  set up your coffee maker or carafes (obsessed with Sugar and Cloth’s painted versions) and fun add-ins like peppermint spoons, syrups, marshmallow toppers and sprinkles.
• Use paper cups and wood utensils to cut down on your dishes and waste.

• At this age, tweens and teens are all about mingling and gabbing amongst themselves, but I like to have ice breakers, especially for a mixed group of old and new friends.
• The sweaters are enough to start the conversation but we had a Ugly Sweater Contest; guests used a ballot to vote on various titles like “Handmade/Made By Grandma” “Scariest Sweater” and “Ugly but Cute”. The grand prize winner walked away with an ugly sweater cookie decorating kit.
• Another great activity, guessing how many ornaments are on the tree.  This does take a little planning on your part, keeping count while you are decorating the tree.
• We’ve loved doing our new twist on our gift exchanges; everyone brings 4 small gifts and everyone goes home with 4 new ones.  The best part is what they bring…one kid brought the most random gifts like a bag of ball pit balls….
• Have a little decorating station so guests can decorate gift bags to load their goodies into.

I hope you have been inspired to host an Ugly Sweater Party!  Be sure to head to Oriental Trading for more ideas…you’ll find the peppermint spoons, chocolate trees, stickers on the gift bags, trophies and terrariums that I used.