Boys get the short stick of holiday party planning. Some say they don’t care. I beg to differ. As the mother of an only child who happens to be male I want him to experience the excitement and anticipation of all holidays too. I understand he’s not a girl, I am. I want him to bank memories of holidays and to recall the fun, festivity and even the calamity of the planning and the party itself. In addition, I want him participating in the planning. There is so much learning for kids involved in planning and hosting events-everything from envelope addressing to budgeting to handling conflict between party guests. Sit down with your child, or children, and plan a party TOGETHER. You will be doing them a favor and teaching them more than you realize.

Pre-Party To-Do List

• Pick a date, time and location.
• Decide who to invite-all boys, co-ed, adults?
• Purchase or create invitations. Child completes Who, What, When, Where and RSVP details.
• Child addresses envelopes, stamps and mails invitations 2-3 weeks before date.
• Plan a menu. Traditional kid food or holiday food?
• Create a grocery shopping list by menu item. What buy, what make?
• Decide where to serve food-outside vs. inside-where at each location?
• Make list of tableware and decorations needed.
• Giving guests party favors? What? Make or buy?
• Shop together. Compare prices. Decide together.
• Plan activities for party. Indoor and outdoor. Inclement weather plan?
• Make a time-line of actions to be done the week of the party and the day of the party. [Teaching time management skills and big picture thinking.]
• Follow up with non-responding RSVP guests. (Major pet peeve!)

Week of Party Reminders

• Check the forecast
• Balls inflated? If any sports balls being used in activities, are they properly inflated?
• Gather serving platters, trays, utensils, etc. for menu items. Clean? Ready to use?
• Making party favors? Do so. Place in basket and set aside.
• Can any ingredients be cut or prepared in advance? Check recipes.

Party Day

• Set up serving tables, if not using kitchen or dining room table.
• Prepare menu items, paying close attention to preparation times and safe storage.
• Place serving trays, bowls, etc. on table.
• Double check items needed for activities- all present and available?
• Is bathroom ready for guest use?
• Be ready for guests to arrive at least 1-hour before start time.
• ENJOY the party!
• Hand guests party favors as they leave and thank them for coming to your party.
• Clean up.
• Children, thank parents for helping you plan such a great party!

Sample Menu From Halloween Party for Pre-Teen Boys

• Bloodied Fingers-twisted and baked breadsticks with food coloring added. Almonds (fingernail) pressed into bread after 5 minutes of baking.
• Blood Shot Eyes on Guts-can of black beans spread on plate (guts). Deviled eggs with pimento or red pepper (blood shot) and sliced olives (eyeball).
• Spider Web 7-layer dip-see photo for ingredients or use your favorite recipe. Put sour cream in bag with small hole so child can draw web on top layer.
• Cheetos and black tortilla chips
• Sliced red and green pepper
• Punch over dried ice
• Jean’s Ghost Cookies-see under “recipes.”

Sample Activities

It’s a sunny fall day and the invitees are pre-teen boys. Flag football supervised by an adult. Game of “Horse” on the basketball court-winner is first in line to eat. Age appropriate Halloween or other scary movie. At dusk-Flashlight Tag.

Party Favors

Battery operated flashlight for Flashlight Tag and a pre-packaged Rice Krispie treat covered with a ghost face decorated (Sharpie) paper towel tied on with black or orange yarn.

Copyright. September 2015. Linda Leier Thomason.

All Rights Reserved.