I helped out with Gillian's Halloween party at school this year, and it was horribly disorganized. I've never seen a party so disorganized before, and with 3 kids from 1st to 7th grade, I've helped out with my fair share of holiday classroom parties.
Her teacher is not a new teacher, but he's new to elementary school. He's been a junior high teacher for his entire career up until this year. He had a mom in the room offer to plan the entire party, and handed it over to her. She was less than ready for the challenge- but I'm pretty sure I heard her say she's done them before, so I don't think it was just a lack of planning, it was a lack of knowing how to keep kids under control, I guess.
I've been contemplating at least pointing the teacher in the right direction since then, but I already promised Chris I would help out with his Christmas party, since I helped with Gilly's Halloween party. Because of that, I can't actually put the work into planning Gillian's Christmas party, but I've been looking up idea's on how to have the parents who can help keep it under control this time.
One thing I found tonight was flower pot reindeer candy holders. They are so cute!!
A Reindeer craft that kids can make and give as a gift.
These whimsical little reindeer can serve as place card holders
for a holiday table, party favors, or give a large reindeer as a gift,
filled with the recipients favorite candy!
They are an easy and inexpensive craft for classrooms or scout troops.
You'll Need:
Scissors
Craft glue, glue stick or glue dots
Terracotta clay pots; 2"-5"
Plastic eyes
Red pom-poms (glitter pom-poms are a fun addition!)
Three shades of brown craft foam, cardstock paper or construction paper;
we combined all three to make our reindeer family.
parts pictured for the large reindeer
2 antlers
2 large ears
2 small ears
2 eyes
one red nose
How to Make It:
First, with one shade of brown, cut the antlers to match the size of
your pot. If you are making the larger reindeer, use a child's handprint as pattern. Then, cut the ears with the other brown. We used a lighter shade of brown to add yet another layer to the ears but that's not necessary.
Attach they ears to the back of the pot. Then add the antlers.
Glue the eyes and nose the front. Fill the pot with candy, nuts or other goodies. It's that simple!
I found this craft at:
http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/christmas-crafts-for-kids-reindeer-pots.htm
I think they're adorable, and would be a cute gift the kids could make during the party, then wrap them to give to their parents as a gift. It could easily take them half the party to do, while keeping them in their seats and occupied.
I'm thinking I might pick stuff up to make a few of these at home, and see how long they take, and how they turn out. For candy, I'd pick up small individual bags of candy for sending them home, or fill small tulle circles with candy, and tying them with ribbon.
What do you think? Cute? The kids are in the 1st grade, so mostly 6 years old, with a few 7 year olds, and a small handful of 5 year olds who will turn 6 by the middle of December (the cut off in Michigan is December 15th for Kindergarten, so as long as you turn 5 by then, you are in Kindergarten, which means you won't turn 6 until 1st grade. Gilly missed the cut off, so she's one of the oldest in the class, turning 7 on December 27th).
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Comments: 37
I would just need to purchase the pots and eyes, we have everything else already. I was wanting something fun and creative for the kids to take home, and I was going to make them goody bags for Christmas, but they can put their treats in these! Thanks so much for this idea...I will definitely talk to my other teacher and see what she thinks!
Denise- thank you for letting me know! I hadn't ever heard that before. I do have some clear coat spray that I can use on the pots, and will make sure to!