Ideas for a Neighborhood Christmas Party??

I love getting kids a bouncy house with a teen to watch the kids, but I don't know if other parents will want to kick in at that time of year. Some places have them half off this time of year because a little money is better than no money.
I also love crafts. Reindeers using three popsicle sticks in a triangle with wiggle eyes, a red ball nose, and a tie. Also reindeer food(oatmeal with glitter in a baggy). Michaels has foam kits, but the glue never sticks well and kids have trouble=no fun. There is special foam glue which helps.
There are tons of games painted for Christmas in the Oriental Trading Catalog and S&S as well. You could reuse them yearly.
Reindeer Run(races), Pin the red nose on the rudolph, etc...
Have fun.

A visit from Santa is always a hit at a neighborhood party. check with the local high school or middle school and see if they have a musical group that could come out and entertain. You could set up games, food and crafts in different areas and let the kids rotate from area to area. You could ask each child to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to a charity or a can of food for a local food bank. Have fun!

Every year we have a cookie decorating party with our kids' friends. I bake the cookies (enough for a plate full for each child) and the guests bring either frosting or sprinkles. It's a huge hit! Very enthusiastic yes RSVPs to this one.

Hi, C.:
Are you doing it by yourself, or with the neighbors?
Ask them for ideas since they will be participating.
Good luck.
D.

I think decorating cookies is a great idea. Bake ahead of time and just have icing and jimmies in a few different colors and you are all set. Throw in a visit from Santa and your party will be over the top. Adults don't need much to do but socialize, and they will have a blast because their kids will! Have fun!

I think one preplanned activity for the kids should be enough. We don't let kids have enough free time now a days. They should be able to get together for an hour or two with out having a coordinated activity. Growing up my extended family had an xmas party every year & we never had planned activities. We had lots of food & all the kids just went off and played in different rooms. We usually divided up based on ages. When we were really little I think my mom brought crayons & coloring books for us in case we got bored. The family did have Santa come. Parents brought one wrapped (& cheap) gift for each of their kids (labelled) which was snuck into Santa's bag. When Santa arrived he had a gift for each kid. Santa usually arrived mid party (just when kids start getting bored). Then the kids had their new gifts to play with for the rest of the party.
If you want to do a craft...a real easy & cheap one is:
- candy cane reindeer
- buy a candy cane for each child
- each child will also need 1/2 of a brown pipe cleaner
- the pipe cleaner is folded in half to find the middle, this will make the horns of the reindeer
- twist the pipe cleaner on near the top of the curve of the candy cane
- glue on two googly eyes (with parent help) elmers glue works well
- and glue on a soft, ball nose

now every kid has a candy cane to take home!

games
sing christmas songs
frost sugar cookies
build gingerbread house
small gift exchange...do it where 1st person picks the gift then 2nd person can pick a gift or steal the 1st gift (each gift can only be stolen 2x). it's fun and takes up some time!

Crafts are fun for the kids, but not ones that are too messy. Like make your own Christmas cards or ornaments.

Make your own pizza party. Decorate your own cupcakes or cookies party.

http://holidays.kaboose.com/xmas-party.html

Well, one woman I know, who's parents do that, they do this:

Have a Santa
Have a Mrs. Santa
Have games
have treats
have some Entertainment guy/woman come and entertain the kids
have Christmas music
have snacks
Have a grab bag activity set up for the kids.
DELINEATE a start time and end time. On a sign if need be.
Have temporary tattoos
www.orientaltrading.com has tons of party stuff, for bulk prices.

How many kids is this for????
Start getting supplies already!

all the best,
Susan