[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The holidays are right around the corner and I’m getting excited. As a party planner, I love helping families plan celebrations that bring people together. That’s what the holidays are all about. And they’re even better when children are involved!
Start a holiday tradition of your very own and involve others
When my boys were really little I bought a cake pan at Williams Sonoma that makes train cars, and every year I bake and make sure there’s lots of frosting and candy at the ready. We invite neighbors and friends to come decorate while the adults sip wine and catch up.
My kids are older now (11 and 14) and they haven’t lost interest. It’s what they write about when their teachers ask for an essay on their favorite family tradition, and our inner circle never misses it.
Even better is the opportunity to invite new faces, get to know their friends’ parents, and see the wonder in the children’s eyes when they’re looking at the mountain of candy, cake and frosting as I count down to decorating time!
Learn about other parts of the world
The holidays are special around the world and across religions. Spend some time learning about St. Lucia Day in Sweden, where Swedish girls dress up in white dresses with red sashes and wreaths on their heads and wake their families with saffron buns on December 13th. In England tables are set with Christmas crackers and people wear paper crowns during the meal. Hearts are the most popular decoration in Denmark, and Christmas trees are decorated with real candles and paper cones filled with treats. In Ecuador, New Year’s Eve is marked by the burning of straw figures to start the new year fresh.
Pick a country and host a dinner party, incorporating as many traditions as possible. A Danish Christmas lunch is our favorite. Beautiful decorations, spiced wine and snaps, pickled herring, tiny shrimp, open faced sandwiches and rice pudding with almonds and cherries. Make sure you have a foolproof dish for little ones like frikadeller (meatballs) and other things they’ll recognize.
Pick a theme from their favorite book or movie
Llamas are popular and trendy this year, why not plan around Anna Dewdney’s book “Llama Llama Jingle Bells?”
You could also make a pot of hot chocolate and settle in for a Polar Express party, get really girly with Pinkalicious, or decorate with Chanukah Bugs from David Carter’s book.
It’s so much fun to steal Christmas with the Grinch or to get silly around a fun flick like Elf. Dress up! The sky’s the limit!
Make time for each other
Set aside short periods of time to do little things together. Make cookies for the neighbors. Shop for siblings. Wrap presents. Little attention spans are short and you will probably finish each and every one of these on your own, but that’s OK.
While it’s important to welcome others into your home and your life during the holidays, it’s the stolen moments one on one that make it all really special.
If you need help
I design and plan parties for families around the country with a creative flair and attention to detail. I’d love to help you this holiday whether you need a little bit of advice on a theme, assistance finding decorations and table settings, or full execution from beginning to end.
Initial consultations are free.
To reach out: Visit my website at www.kalieandcompany.com·
Email me at kalie@kalieandcompany.com
Call (704) 617-3780
Follow me on Facebook and Instragram, @kalieandcompany
Visit my Etsy shop for more details, great for birthday parties and tailgates![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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