If you have no Christmas shopping done and pretty much no time to spare, might I suggest you throw a cookie decorating party for six 12-year olds? This is the second year we’ve hosted it, and it’s pretty smooth sailing once you figure out some short cuts.
I definitely suggest having everything ready before the guests arrive. Plastic tablecloths keep things inexpensive and make for an easy cleanup.
These little plastic cups make the decorating easy and less messy than the sprinkle caps that come on the original containers. Whatever’s leftover just goes back in the container.
The cookies are pre-made, and they’re delicious. I purchase them from Gordons Food Service. Whatever you do, don’t slave in the kitchen trying to make 100+ sugar cookies. It just doesn’t make sense.
I like to have a little activity for them while I’m getting things finalized, saying hi to Moms, etc. This easy little craft was snowman heads. Really cute!
Turn on some Christmas music and let the decorating begin!
Of course, be prepared for the after…
The hot cocoa station was a favorite.
I used a crockpot for the hot chocolate, and I kept the options simple. Marshmallows, cinnamon chips, and chocolate chips—they were plenty happy with it.
Now for an easy way to get rid of all those cookies! I bought little disposable trays for each of them, and all the cookies they decorated went right into the tray. I wrapped each one up with some ribbon and sent them home. No leftover cookies for me to gorge on all weekend.
The best part? This girl. She had a great time with her friends, and really…that’s the goal.
I just finished decorating cookies with my girls. Our “after” was much more “impressive”–wink, wink. I think I made more of a mess than they did!
What a fun idea! I love it!