One Word.... Magical
This year I came across a wonderful blog about a "Night at the North Pole" party by Kellie Hampton and that inspired me to create my own version. What a beautiful set up she had (her house is gorgeous too) and truly a memorable night for the kids. I loved this party because I feel that the magic is gone too soon for our kids today. The world is too serious and they have to grow up too fast. I am a big believer in the fact that they have the rest of their lives to be an adult and grow up, so why not preserve the precious memories and delights of childhood as long as possible? Am I right? But I digress.....
I created my own Reindeer Food Bar signs, Reindeer Bar food labels, Elf Staff Meeting signs, party invitations, and sent a note to the North Pole requesting an Elf for the special gathering. I used brown paper envelopes with snowflake sparkles inside and a red glitter gel pen to address them in a sparkly font. I used some "North Pole Candy Co." labels featured on The Mother Huddle to add to the candy in the glass jars.
I used a cheap roll of candy stripe wrapping paper to line the walkway. I found candy cane walkway lights to stake the entryway and everything came together so nicely! I decided to check out my local Homegoods store too and found these great vintage Santa and Egg Nog signs. The Santa sign I put out on the porch because it was perfect to "Welcome" the party-goers to the North Pole. The Egg Nog sign I placed inside by the food table and the cute Hot Cocoa sign I placed by the Hot Cocoa Bar.
Party fare included mini pancakes (as the party started about 5pm) for dinner with whipped cream. I made little macaroni and cheese bites as well that were so good! We also had snicker doodles, sugar cookies, peppermint whip with pirouline wafer cookies, powdered donut "snowballs", milk, hot cocoa, coffee for the adults, and other savory goodies and adult beverages.
The kids arrived in their pajamas and once the gang was all there, were given a cute glittery red mini take out box to take to the Reindeer Food Bar to create their own concoction of Magic Reindeer Food. I tied a hand-made name tag to the box with red and white striped baker's twine I found in the dollar section of Target. They could choose from potato chips, oats, red glitter, green glitter, raisins, flying powder (flour), cocoa, and bread crumbs.
Once they had made their reindeer food, we heard a knock on the door and apparently, Santa's elf had left a note from the big guy himself. It said that Santa had dropped some items and needed their help in finding them! The kids were very excited and so donning their coats and hats, we set out to find Santa's missing things. Along the way, we actually saw that elf running around the neighborhood! The kids were so fast that they almost caught him! We did find all of Santa's missing items and were able to leave them on the porch for the elf to take back to Santa. The kids kept coming back to the door and peeking out to see when the elf would come and take the missing things. He eventually did!
Santa had lost his sleigh key, his hat, his favorite hot cocoa mug, Rudolph's collar, Mrs. Claus' cookie sprinkles, a large candy cane, his driver's license, special greens that the reindeer eat, an ornament, and his pocket watch.
The whole scavenger hunt was priceless and I could not stop laughing. All of the other moms loved how excited the kids were and how they kept commenting on what the elves look like and how they run. It made the evening.
Here is a video of the event!!!
I loved watching all of the kids in their pajamas and the excitement shining in their eyes all night. After they came back in from the scavenger hunt, they had some of the goodies and settled down to watch some holiday movies. As the guests left, they were handed a "Magic Pillowcase" that I had made with these cute printable gift tags from sissyprint as a favor. Check out her blog, so many cute ideas. I learned how to make the pillowcases from beadandcord.com. They were "sew" easy! I'm not much of a seamstress (my mother and sister are the sewers there!) but I was able to make really cute ones! I was surprised at how they came out and pleasantly surprised at that!
I have included links to my invite and Reindeer Food Labels. Feel free to download and print, just make sure to cite where it came from (aka Me!)
The kids had a blast as did the grownups. I loved planning this party and being a part of something so special. It really brought the magic of Christmas right to our front door. A special thanks to Kellie Hampton for her idea! I loved it.
I hope you enjoy looking at these photos as much as I loved and enjoyed planning this party! You can find a link to my Pinterest North Pole Party Ideas board here.
Enjoy!
Ariane
