Ladies, The Emmy’s have paid off. We have had celebrities (I’m talking multiple Oscar-winning) calling us to create their Christmas cards and Hoilday events. Don’t worry; I’ve let it all go to my head.
Then last week, I realized that I needed to shake off the starstruck dust and begin planning my own much much-more humble personal affairs. And despite my Christmas wish, P-diddy (or whatever he is going by right now) would not be attending. (Although, I must tell you, my children entertain me and hold my heart’s attention much longer than any A-lister could dream of. They truly are my shining stars.)
First on the docket, Nana’s Annual Gingerbread party. This past weekend, I helped my mother bring together her annual Gingerbread party. I created a Gingerbread paper Collection just for the event. She was especially excited since this was the first year that the bulk of her grandchildren would be in town. Almost everything was homemade and straight from the heart. The kids had a blast. I made little notes at the bottom of the post of what I felt went very well in hopes that it may aid future gingerbread parties both humble and red carpet alike!
1) Favors: We created “Take & Make” Gingerbread Men Kits for the kids to take home and make later. The kits included Gingerbread dough, a mini frosting tube, decorating candy, and a gingerbread man cookie cutter (pink gingerbread woman cutters were given to the girls). I called them “Take & Make” instead of “Make & Take” because they would be taking them home to make. Not vice versa! These were adorable and also make a fun already-put-together activity for children to do at home with parents.
2) Lunch: We created “Nana’s Homemade Lunch” containers with mini honey peanut butter boys, apples and caramel sauce, carrots, Apple Juices, and gingbread men (of course)! This eased the guilt of gorging our children with candy.
3) Each child had their very own Gingerbead house and “Construction Zone.” Since all guests (with the excluion of my little Boston) could read, I created personalized chair backers, as well as a little place settings, to help them find their seats without any arguments!
4) Nana’s Sweet Shoppe was my mom’s brilliant idea. We lined shelves and tables with unique fun candy for the children to decorate with. Each child got a little tray (see photo at top of post) and could fill tiny plastic containers with whatever candies they wanted. The kids loved this.
5) To make spreading frosting easy, we made small individual frosting tubes for each child. If you have very small children, look for the accordian type. The pictured frosting tubes were perfect for four or five year olds, but for my two-year old Boston I should have purchased the accordian style. I purchased my frosting tubes from Garnish.
6) Nana made sure that all the candy she purchased was very chewable as to not be a choking hazard for the tiny tots. I thought this was smart. No one wants a choking scare at the Gingerbread party.
7) Each child got to wear a gingebread apron made with love by Nana. We didn’t put names on the aprons because our families are still growing and still want to use them for years to come.
The Gingerbread Collection is available in the store.
Happiest Holidays,
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