Pro tips for hosting a themed holiday party for kids!
Over the years, Jasmine Shah, owner of IDEA! event + style, has planned lavish parties for legends such as rapper Snoop Dogg and Spanx and Sneex founder Sara Blakely. While those events are noteworthy, Shah says kids’ parties are especially fun because they encourage all ages to lean on their creative, playful sides. Planning a holiday party for kids, such as one with a whimsical Nutcracker theme, is the sugar plum on top.
Set the Tone
Before ordering anything or going to a party store, Shah suggests starting with a mood board that provides a visual direction and kickstarts the creative process. “Once we have that defined, we can go wild within the guidelines of the color palette, the defined textures and so on,” she says. You can use Pinterest or Instagram to create an inspiration board or try a cloud-based tool such as Canva.
Send the Invitations
While nothing beats a paper invitation arriving via snail mail, Shah recognizes we live in a fastpaced world. “It’s often more practical to use an e-invitation service like Paperless Post because they have gorgeous digital invitation options that you can customize by choosing an envelope, an envelope liner and fonts,” she says. In addition to being visually pleasing, online invitations are easy. Shah notes how e-invites simplify tracking attendance and sending event reminders or parking information.
Don the Decor
Children’s parties are trending in the “more is more” direction, but Shah cautions that an over-the-top party might not fit every budget. Her solution is to start the decor with an eye-catching focal point or photogenic backdrop. “I place it where it will be most visible no matter where you are in the venue because this is where the big moments like cake cutting and family photos happen,” she explains. For older kids and teens, that area becomes a built-in selfie station.
Plan the Festivities
Prepare group activities that lend themselves aesthetically to the rest of the decor and theme. “In a Nutcracker party, for example, we had Christmas trees that kids could decorate,” she says. Gingerbread cookies and house decorating are also always big hits and are photo- worthy as well.
Prepare the Feast
“If the party is for children 10 and under, I always recommend having separate menus for kids and adults,” says Shah. She suggests separating the food stations by placing the children’s snacks on shorter, kidsized tables. “They can help themselves easily. Nothing is too hot, and they can fill up on items like sandwiches, nuggets, fruit skewers, pizza bites and mini quesadillas,” she says. For adults, lean towards lighter, healthier fare such as a selection of salads and sandwiches.
Shah recommends avoiding foods with common allergens such as nuts and peanut butter, and having a few gluten-free and vegetarian options for specific diets. As for themed food, skip cutting sandwiches into shapes. “Instead of fussing over that, we like to add a special touch to the presentation such as menu signs and themed cocktail picks,” she says.
Host Smarter
One of Shah’s favorite tips for hosts is to repurpose the decor for back to back events. A Friday night party for a corporate work team can easily be reused for a friends-and-family party the next day. “We switch out the food to be fresh, but everything else like the flowers, the decor, the backdrop and even the bar stays just as is,” she says. It’s a great way to get more bang for your buck and keep the party going all weekend long.
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PARTY DOWN
Thinking of hosting your own festive gathering for the pint-sized set? Shah suggests three additional themes.
Winter Wonderland
Think blue and silver decor with snowflakes, hot chocolate and snowman crafts.
Polar Express
Kids love trains. Make this extra magical with a hot cocoa bar with all the fixings.
Candy Land
Gingerbread houses, candy cane scavenger hunts and a visit from Santa round out this party.
