Our second annual Grandparent Christmas Party was a HUGE success this year. All four sets of grandparents were able to attend. Some were from out of town. One set traveled from out of state. We are so thankful for their willingness and efforts to make this party as special as it has become to our family. It truly is the highlight of our holiday season.
This year the theme for our party was the story of the nutcracker. Everyone participated in creating the atmosphere in one way or another.
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Table Decor
Pop Pop Jim and Grandma Joanne were in charge of the centerpieces for the tables. Not only did they bring centerpieces, but as always Pop Pop Jim brought me flowers.
The centerpieces were absolutely breath taking. Grandma Joanne says she can't take credit for them, because a friend made them for her. But wow! It has already been decided that Pop Pop Jim and Grandma Joanne will bring the centerpieces every year. I tried to take close up pictures, but they don't begin to show all of the beautiful details.
No one could get over the children's table centerpiece. It came all put together in a box, with a large Nutcracker in the middle. What you don't realize until it's pointed out, is that there are four individual centerpieces within, one for each child. Each one is filled with treats for enjoyment.
Party Attire
Princess was in charge of attire for our party. She did a fabulous job picking out beautiful Christmas dresses with pearl necklaces and gold bows to match. (Sadly she broke her own bow before the event.) The boys wore matching ties and socks.
The Food
Since the story of the nutcracker takes place in Germany, we decided to have a German Christmas Feast. It was DIVINE! As we prepared the menu, each child contributed by picking a dish and dessert on Pinterest.
Our feast included:
Punch (brought by Grandma Jackie)
Desserts Included:
Apple Pie (Brought by Grandma Rose)
Fudge (Brought by Grandma Jackie)
Gluten Free Cookies (Brought by Grandma Toni)
Unsure about whether Dinomite and Bulldozer would enjoy any aspect of the German meal, I made sure to serve desserts with dinner. This provided opportunity for the adults to enjoy the meal and company. Grandma Toni and Grandma Rose sat at the little table this year!
Entertainment
After dinner the nutcracker themed games began! Grandma Toni was in charge of those. How about sword practice? Can you balance a coin on a sword all the way across the room?
Once the first game was over, Grandma Toni brought out her famous ribbon gift bag/box to help lessen anxieties about gifts to come. Each child and adult went around the room picking a ribbon that was attached to a small gift. Adults received homemade nutcracker ornaments. Children's ribbons were color coded with gifts that matched their interests.
Next came Nutcracker Pictionary with Grandpa Ron. Knowing Sunshine wouldn't be able to participate in the game, Grandpa Ron let her draw the first line of every image, and then he continued to draw from there. Everyone was divided into two teams and were to guess what each drawing was. I must admit, I was the star player. Lol.
Grandma Toni went around one more time with her ribbon gift bag/box while Grandpa Ron set up his music and guitar to accompany all of us singing carols. This year we sang:
- "Silent Night" (Dinomite's choice)
- "Jingle Bells" (Princess' choice)
- "Deck the Halls" (Sunshine's choice)
- "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" (Bulldozer's choice)
- "We Three Kings of Orient Are" (Jason's choice)
- "O Come, All Ye Faithful" (Renae's choice)
Singing Christmas carols is always such a special part of our Grandparent Christmas Party. Once songs were sung, Grandpa Rob brought out a Nutcracker with Picks
to teach the kiddos how to crack nuts. They had desperately wanted to do this for some time. Now that Bulldozer has outgrown his peanut and tree nut allergies, it was finally possible. They were all very excited to try!
to teach the kiddos how to crack nuts. They had desperately wanted to do this for some time. Now that Bulldozer has outgrown his peanut and tree nut allergies, it was finally possible. They were all very excited to try!
The finale of the evening was opening gifts. The children went first, taking turns opening gifts from grandparents. They were so thankful and appreciative for all that they received. I'm almost positive their squeals of delight could be heard by neighbors down the street.
Once all of the children's gifts were opened, Dinomite, Bulldozer, Princess, and Sunshine took turns giving gifts to grandparents. They had all gone shopping individually before the big event, purchasing a gift for each grandparent. They also wrapped all of their gifts with some assistance.
Jason and I were the last to open our gifts, then everyone dispersed. Children's gifts were taken upstairs to bedrooms. Adults were served desserts. There was mingling, laughing, and playing. The atmosphere was absolutely magical filled with the spirit of Christmas. Our Grandparent Christmas Party is my most favorite Christmas tradition yet!
To read about last year's Christmas party, read this post:
If you're interested in other Christmas traditions our family has, be sure to read this:
If you're interested in other Nutcracker themed resources on the blog, be sure to check out the posts below.
The Grandparent Celebration is just amazing! You (and the grandparents!) thought of everything and so sweetly involved the children. I love the idea of your little one who was in charge of the "attire" and then the absolutely perfect "Nutcracker themed games"...That is what I love about homeschooling...every minute is part of the curriculum! Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful party. I love how the kids helped with everything.
ReplyDeleteThis really is an amazing party and so inspirational to me! I want to have a Grandparent's Christmas Party, too! :)
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