The golden rule when entertaining a bunch of kids at once is – KEEP THEM BUSY! During the holidays throwing a cookie decorating party not only accomplishes that, but gets them into the spirit, offers an activity everyone can enjoy, and gives guests a delicious memory to take home.
Here are 5 tips to ensure everything runs smoothly!
1. Set Things Up In Advance
If you want your kitchen to remain in some sort of working order, make your cookies in advance and set them out on a table before guests come. Put a cookie on each guests’ plate and set bowls with candies and decorating tools within reach.
2. Supply A Good Candy Assortment
Make sure you have plenty of fun, colorful candies for the kids to choose from. You can never go wrong with sprinkles, gumdrops, M&M’s, chocolate chips, icing and red hots.
3. Use A Tablecloth
Let’s face it, little decorations make a big mess. A disposable tablecloth allows you to fold everything up at the end and throw it all out in one big swoop. For a fun and eco friendly option, try a washable, reusable table cloth such as the world map coloring tablecloth from Uncommon Goods. Kids can color all over it and use it again and again!
4. Offer Up Some Healthy Snacks
Making a plate of cut up fruit, popcorn, crackers and cheese, and/or carrot sticks helps balance out the sugar and stops kids from eating the decorating candy just because they’re hungry. Sampling a few pieces is expected, but indulging to the point where there’s little left for the cookies isn’t much fun for anyone.
5. Get Them To-Go
Don’t let the cookies go to waste! Pack them up in little bags or provide your guests with custom to-go boxes so they can take their creations with them. You can even use plain brown paper bags and have the kids decorate them with crayons, stickers and stamps for a fully personalized treat they can feel good about.
