When you heard the words, “Your due date is December 24,” did you start to cry? Did you brain go into over drive about how your little one’s birthday is going to be forgotten by everyone in the extended family because of when they are entering the world? Did you immediately start thinking about how ripped off your little one will be with the “this is for your birthday and Christmas” gifts?
Your little one’s birthday is going to be whatever you make of it. If you make a big deal of it, others in the family will make a big deal of it too. Unfortunately, because of the time of the year their birthday falls there are things you cannot avoid. Things like, people get really busy in December. In certain parts of the country the weather will not be cooperative. People are going to be short on funds. Some of these you just cannot get around. Others you can make it work with some early planning.
Since it is Christmas why not incorporate Christmas into your little one’s birthday? Your house will already be festively decorated which is one part of throwing a great birthday party. As you read on you will find some great Christmas birthday party ideas for invitations, decorating, party activities and favors.
Invitations:
Find Christmas cards that only have a picture on the front. Cut a piece of construction paper or card stock the size of the inside to cover any Christmas card verbiage and write in all of your party details.
Print out a Christmas coloring page. On the back write all the party details.
Use store bought invitations and cover them in Christmas stickers.
Decorations:Your house will already have all of your Christmas decorations up giving it a festive atmosphere. Do not forget to include birthday decorations.
Table top decorations – wrap a stack of different size boxes in Christmas paper. Stack them and tie them together with some ribbon. Top the stack with balloons. Or, wrap the boxes in birthday paper and top the stack with a big Christmas ribbon.
Create a life size cardboard cut out of your child and decorate it to be dressed like Santa.
Use garland instead of streamers and hang balloons from the center of the room creating a balloon chandelier.
Use birthday table covers with red and green tableware for serving snacks.
Create a birthday banner using Christmas wrapping paper and ribbons.
Activities:
A birthday party is not complete without party games. You can always go the classic route and play a version of “pin the tail on the donkey.” Here are some others.Blindfolded Wrapping – It is a Christmas birthday party. Both occasions require the wrapping of gifts. Have several boxes, precut wrapping paper (you would not want people using scissors blindfolded), tape and bows ready for the game. Blindfold the participant and have them wrap the box. This can be either a timed game, the one to do it the fastest wins, or it can be a judgment game, the one done the best wins.
Posture Present Relay – Balancing things on the top of your head takes good posture. Break the party goers into two groups. Give each group a present. The goal is to walk from one side of the room to the other balancing the present on their head. When they get to the opposite side of the room they can take the present off their head and run back to the line where the next person is waiting.
Pretty as a Picture – Have a crafting station where the party goers can make a Christmas picture frame. While they are working at this station take their picture with the birthday child. Send this picture to them with their thank you card after the party.
Party Favors:
Most people like to make favor bags for the people who came to the birthday party. Here are some ideas for your favor bags.Use inexpensive stockings and either fabric markers or glitter paint to write their names on the stockings.
Use small Christmas gift bags, tie a tag onto the handle of the bag and write their names on the tag.
Jingle Bracelets – These can be purchased or made. To make them string jingle bells onto a pipe cleaner and make a ring.
Jingle Necklaces – These also can be purchased or made. To make string a jingle bell onto a piece of ribbon and tie securely. Make it large enough to slip on and off their heads.
Inexpensive stocking stuffers. They can be found everywhere this time of the year!
Christmas cookies, candy canes and other sweet treats.
Remember to plan early. Get your invites out at least 4 weeks before their party, 6 weeks is ideal. If it is close family and friends you are inviting you can call them and ask them to save the date earlier and send the invites around 4 weeks. This way people will know what is going on when they are planning other events.
Just because your little one’s birthday falls around Christmas does not mean that you have to over look their special day or have the party 6 months early. It is all what you make of it.