What day.....?

[simba20]

I am planning on hosting a cookie decoratingparty for my DD(3) and some of her friends. No more than 5/6 kids, ages 2-4, with Mommies in tow, one weekend afternoon in December.

Now my only question is....what day? Typically most people have parties and such on Saturdays, however I am wavering on having it on a Sunday.

For us, both Saturday and Sunday mornings are scheduled. DD has dance class on Saturday mornings which we are done by 11 -- 12 if we grab lunch out.

Sundays we have church, and the minister gets a bit long winded, so we are usually home by 1.

I plan on having the party from 2-4 on whatever day or 2-5ish (someone gave me the idea of letting the kids watch a holiday movie after decorating, hence 5 p.m. if I decide to do that). I also plan on serving finger foods/light snacks to offset any sugar consumption. I will also have cake favor boxes or the like for the kids to take home their decorated cookies in. I could also have stickers and such and let the kids personalize their boxes.

Anyway, is Sunday such a turnoff if you are invited to an event?

 

[akcire]

I would do it on Saturday

Two reasons: for the most part I use Sunday night to get ready for the week, also it is hard to cook Sunday dinner for my family--if I am at a cookie party. My husband just walked in, and has a third point, Sunday night football would prevent him from offering to watch any other kids in the same family.

 

[clh2]

I LOVE your idea. We did something simlar with DD, when she was a little bit older.

I think with kids age 2-4 there are a couple of issues. You are smack dab in the middle of nap time for the younger kids. And, I think 2- hours for decorating cookies is bigger than most of their attention spans might be, at that age. Maybe one hour for cookies, and 1 hour for a movie, and then call it a day! I would start it at 3, and go unitl 5.

Sorry - the "Sunday night football" excuse would never fly in my home.

I would not have a preference to either of those days. I would do it earlier in the month, since people tend to get crazy busy right before Christmas. And to be honest, you are not going to please everyone with your date/time. So-go with what owrks best for you!

 

[golfgal]

I would do a Saturday from 2-4 or so. Most Christmas parties don't start until 7:00 or so usually and that would give people time to get home and get ready. If the kids are going to stay with a sitter that night, they will be pretty tired from your cookie party so that is a bonus too. I wouldn't think twice about taking the kids to a party in the afternoon and then DH and I heading off to one in the evening. I would just do it EARLY in Dec so you don't interfere with family parties that very well may be during the day.

 

[Glynis]

I did this with my daughter, several years ago. I held it on a Friday after school, and billed it as a time for the other parents to drop off their kids and do some Christmas shopping without prying eyes. It was a huge hit! We went from 4-6. I had cookies made (sugar and gingerbread) and supplied bowls of frosting of different colors, plastic knives and all kinds of sprinkles. I also let them frost sugar ice cream cones green, set them upside down on a plate, and decorate them like Christmas trees, using candy coated sunflower seeds for lights, licorice strings for garland, silver and multi-colored dragees for ornaments, etc. The sky is the limit.

The kids were each given a box and told how many cookies/trees they could decorate. When they were done, they watched a movie, and I served chicken nuggets.

Parents were thrilled for a chance to drop their kids off and get some shopping done, and my daughter and I had a great time doing it! I'd be careful with littler kids, though. At 2 they have a hard time following directions, and you could end up with a royal mess on your hands. It's a fun activity, though. Enjoy it!

 

[simba20]

Thanks for the suggestions, ideas, and things to think about all.

With the 2 year olds, they are siblings of older kids and I'd feel bad leaving them out. DD has played with the younger siblings of her friends, so in a way, they are also friends. Anyway, their moms would be here, well all moms of kids I invite would be here so it would be one on one with helping decorate the cookies.

I'd really love to have it as a "drop off your kid/have an hour or two to shop" kind of thing, but since we are all first time moms, we tend to stay with our kids. However, I may do something like this every other year (alternating with "make an ornament party" -- I am full of ideas) and as they get older, then we can do a drop off......

Chicken nuggets and hot chocolate has been noted.........

 

[Glynis]

Thanks for the suggestions, ideas, and things to think about all.

With the 2 year olds, they are siblings of older kids and I'd feel bad leaving them out. DD has played with the younger siblings of her friends, so in a way, they are also friends. Anyway, their moms would be here, well all moms of kids I invite would be here so it would be one on one with helping decorate the cookies.

I'd really love to have it as a "drop off your kid/have an hour or two to shop" kind of thing, but since we are all first time moms, we tend to stay with our kids. However, I may do something like this every other year (alternating with "make an ornament party" -- I am full of ideas) and as they get older, then we can do a drop off......

Chicken nuggets and hot chocolate has been noted.........

As long as you've got other mom's to help out, that's wonderful!!! You'll be fine! Just enjoy it!!!

 

[prncess674]

It seems like every weekend day and night is packed full of parties and obligations. I would maybe try for a different holiday. My mom did a cookie decorating party for me and a few friends every year for Valentine's Day. When I was in elementary school it was after school and my sister and I were each allowed to invite 3 friends. We would decorate big heart shaped cookies, drink pink punch and eat "lady" sandwiches as I called them, which were really nothing more than sandwiches with the crusts cuts off and cut into triangles. We all sat around the big table and wore dresses and had fun.

 

[poohfriend77]

Thanks for the suggestions, ideas, and things to think about all.

With the 2 year olds, they are siblings of older kids and I'd feel bad leaving them out. DD has played with the younger siblings of her friends, so in a way, they are also friends. Anyway, their moms would be here, well all moms of kids I invite would be here so it would be one on one with helping decorate the cookies.

I'd really love to have it as a "drop off your kid/have an hour or two to shop" kind of thing, but since we are all first time moms, we tend to stay with our kids. However, I may do something like this every other year (alternating with "make an ornament party" -- I am full of ideas) and as they get older, then we can do a drop off......

Chicken nuggets and hot chocolate has been noted.........

I've done this for 5 years now, since my oldest was 2 and my youngest was just a baby. I keep thinking I could switch it to a "drop off" party, but honestly I think the mommies have as much fun as the kids!

The kids really don't need much help anymore, so we chat while they work. Then the kids go off to play, and the adults decorate a few cookies. The other moms help me clean up, and then we have snacks (I provide the cookies/frosting/decorations, and everyone else brings a non-sweet snack to share). It ends up being a really relaxing, fun afternoon!

I think Sunday afternoon would be fine. I've done both Sat. and Sun. and no one has ever complained.