The winter holidays offer many opportunities to celebrate the magic of the season. This fun Winter Wonderland party theme can be used for holiday parties or, in our cases, for our son's December birthday. We incorporated easy, fun activities that highlighted the magic of both his birthday and the season.
Invitation:
Using a full sheet of white construction paper, cut a snowflake design, leaving a large enough space in the center for the party information. Many craft stores sell "You're Invited " rubber stamps with blank spaces for you to fill in the party details. Decorate the snowflake with glitter ( after you write your information ).
Decorations:
Suspend silver, white or blue plastic christmas ornaments (won't break if and
when they hit the floor!) on fishing line and attach to the ceiling using removable 3M hooks. Decorate windows with white (non-LED) christmas lights.
Party Activites:
1.) snowflake ornaments
Make 12x12 squares of white or colored felt before the party. If your party is for older children, then you may wish to have them cut out the snowflake design. If the party is for younger children, it may be easier to cut them out ahead of time and jut have the kids decorate them. Provide the children with an assortment of glitter glue, fabric pens, sequins and other embellishments to adorn your snowflakes.
2.) Beeswax Candles
Order colored sheets of beeswax and a roll of wick ( a quick google search will provide a number of suppliers). Before the party, cut lengths of wick appropriate to the size of candle you will be making(full sheet, half sheet, etc). Using a cookie cutter, cut out fun shapes to decorate your finished candles and have them ready for your guests. When the children are ready to make their candles, have parents help them get started since it's important to get the wick rolled tightly into the wax for easier burning. Even the youngest children can do this fun and easy project. Decorate your finished candle with the cut out shapes by just pressing them gently onto the outside of the candle, gently, pressing the edges into the candle wax. The wax may be brittle when cold, but will get more pliable as it warms up.
3.) Snow globes
This is a super fun and easy project to do for all ages. Some advanced preparation is required.
You will need to purchase silicone caulk, baby food jars, water bottle caps, fine grain glitter, vegetable glycerine, figurines. Many craft stores sell small figurines in their ornament making sections, but any small ceramic, plastic or glass figurine should do.
Ahead of time: clean and soak jars to remove labels. Dry the baby food lids. Taking the silicone caulk, "glue" the water bottle cap to the inside of the baby food lid. This will make a pedestal to raise your figurine high enough so that you'll actually be able to see it when the snow globe is finished. Next, "glue" the figurine onto the water bottle cap using the silicone caulk. This needs to dry for at least 24 hours before it goes into the snow globe water. Before the party, place water in a small pitcher that is easy for children to pour from and place the glycerine in a small squeeze bottle or other container that will be easy for the kids to use.
At the party: have the children choose their figurine and an empty, clean baby food jar. The children can then fill their jars 3/4 of the way with water and an eyeballed 1/2 tsp. Of glycerine. The glycerine will help the glitter to float gently down like snow instead of clumping to the top or bottom of the jar. You can add more if needed. Add glitter to your hearts content. Gently place the figurine in the water and gently tighten the lid. Turn it over and check it to make sure that you are happy with the final result. Adjust glycerine, water and glitter levels as needed. When you are finished, turn the snow globe lid side up again and have a parent remove the lid, place a bead of caulk around the inside lip of the lid and tighten back into the jar. Leave it lid side up for the next 24 hours until the caulk is dry. You can decorate the baby food jar lid with glitter, fabric or wrapping paper. Turn over and let it snow!
Provide the children with little gift bags to put their crafts in.
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