Every year we do a party for the kids in our family too. One year we made a bunch of sugar cookies in Christmas shapes the night before and let the kids decorate them with frosting, sprinkles, etc. Another year we made a big batch of cinnamon dough and gave each child a good bit to work with. Its a lot like playdough that they can mold into different shapes or use cookie cutters. Then we put a whole at the top of each of them and baked them while they watched a Christmas movie. The ornaments were ready to go home and at the end of the night. Just add a ribbon so they can be hung on the tree. (The whole house smelled so good for days too!) I have the recipe around here somewhere if you want it. Last year we bought some little wooden Christmas ornaments from Micheal's for them to paint.
For a more active games we decorate boxes with wrapping paper leaving the top open. Then we placed them down the hall in a straight line. The kids lined up at the end of the hall and starting with the first box tried to toss an ornament into it. If the make the first one, the try to toss one into the second box and so on. Two strikes and your out. The object is to see how far they can make it. One year we had a tie with the older kids and had to move the boxes to the stairs. Each time they got it in the box we'd move the box up a stair until one missed. We obviously have some baseball players in our family. *lol This was a big hit so we do this one almost every year.
Last year at the dollar store, I found a large plastic door cover that had Rudolf in the center. We hung it on the wall and cut out red noses and played pin the nose on the reindeer. The year before that we made a paper Christmas tree and had them pin the star on the tree.
Last year my husband came up with the neatest trick to get everyone to update their address for our Christmas card list. We fill a jar with Hershey kisses, M&Ms or something and set it up on a small table near the front door. As we greet each guest coming we hand them each a little slip of paper for them to write their name on and current address on at least on. Then we have a drawing to see who gets the jar of goodies at the end of the night. After everyone leaves for the night we have everyone's address for our address book.
Hope some of these ideas help!
-Maleah
