Ava's School Christmas Party

Ava's party at school is this week and I am the "chairperson" in charge of planning it.  I spent the entire day in the kitchen today getting some things prepared.  The first thing I worked on were the goody bags for the kids.  I didn't want to just buy some stuff at the store and throw it in a bag so I searched for some ideas on Pinterest.  And just like always, good ol' Pinterest came through for me.  

I mixed up some oats with red and green sugar crystals and put 1/2 cup into snack size baggies.  I found a printable here:  http://www.theidearoom.net/2009/12/magic-reindeer-food.html which I just stapled onto the baggies.

Next, I mixed up a couple of batches of homemade play dough (you can find the recipe here:  http://artfulparent.typepad.com/artfulparent/2010/12/candy-cane-playdough.html).  I kneaded in glitter and peppermint oil for a nice Christmas-y smell.  I also added red food coloring to one batch, divided the dough into sections, rolled it out, and twisted the red and white together to kind of resemble a candy cane.

Then, I placed the twists in pint sized canning jars which my mom just happened to have on hand (thanks again, mom!)  The jars can also be purchased at Kroger and last time I checked were priced at about $11 for a dozen.  I printed and punched out these simple labels (http://www.theidearoom.net/?s=peppermint+play+dough) for the jar lids.

Finally, I whipped up these reindeer pops (http://www.betweenuandme.com/2011/11/marshmallow-reindeer-pops-tutorial.html).  They were super easy.  I placed them in cellophane treat bags and tied them with ribbon.  Isn't he cute?!  Kind of dopey looking.  Dopey, the 10th reindeer.

I gathered the reindeer food, the candy cane play dough, and the reindeer pops and placed one of each into these treat sacks that I got at my beloved Hobby Lobby.  I just hole punched the tops of the bags and tied with ribbon.

I hope the kids like their treats!  I made sure to do all of this when Ava wasn't here so that she will be surprised when she opens her bag just like the other kids.

I also made some treats for the kids to eat during their party:  http://onecharmingparty.com/2010/12/01/gingerbread-house-decorating-party-dessert/

Finally, Ava helped me make a gift for each of her teachers.  I got the inspiration here:  http://thecreativemama.com/diy-gift-card-snow-globe/ and then just ran with it.  We picked up gift cards from my also beloved Target and some floral pics from Michael's that were 60% off.  We cut up the floral pics, added some hot glue, glitter, water, and voila!!!  I cut out some snowflake shapes on my Cricut to use as a gift tag and let Ava fill them out.  Totally jazzes up the practical, yet boring, gift  card.

Ava is so excited to go to school and take her teachers their gifts and have her first school Christmas party!