Christmas party and getting a bit nervous :(

[Josiegirl]

Ok, so I have scheduled our party for the 19th. Santa is coming. Parents have been invited. My house is small. Siblings may come, there's a couple other people(grandparents) that will be here. My house is small. Yep, deserved to be mentioned twice.
This is where I'm at....no decorations up yet. Most of the gifts have been bought but not wrapped. Have to make a gazillion cookies because we're having cookies and punch, plus a fruit tray. My house is it's usual mess and the dust is a layer or 2 deep.
I have been procrastinating because I don't want to think about the whole Christmas thing.

Is there anyone out there for hire to put all this together for me??? Or at least give me some advice?

Thanks!!!

Oh and I'm not even sure what we're doing yet for parents' gifts. I was going to have them decorate mugs and bought everything, got home and dropped a bag filled with half of them on the floor. I got so discouraged I haven't done anything else about it. So any quick easy gifts for parents would be greatly appreciated too.

[sahm1225]

You could hire a cleaning service to help you get the house clean but honestly, I would hire them to help me clean up AFTER the party!

For the cookies - you could buy the refrigerated ones that you just cut and bake. Last year I bought the cookies mix that come in a box (like cake mix) and I bought chocolate chips, chocolate mint chips, peanut butter chips, and sprinkles and I added it to some of the cookies.

For the fruit tray - you could just buy a fruit tray? I bought grapes, strawberries and blueberries. Then I bought a can of pineapple chunks and added it to my fruit tray.

You don't need gifts for the parents, but you could have the dck make lots of cute crafts that you send home in a cute gift bag. I laminate the kids footprints and decorate them (last one I did I tuned the foot into a snowman), then I laminate it and punch a hole so they can use it as an ornament.

Is Santa handing out gifts? I would have a few extra (and cheap) gifts for the siblings. I bought some hot wheels and some dollar store kids puzzles. The parents should be happy they get to have the kids picture taken with Santa (specially since doesn't it usually take hours and they charge at the mall).

Is your tree up yet? Get the tree up. That usually makes the house look so festive! Then you could buy some things at the dollar store to add around the house.

My daycare area is big when it's just is and the kids. For the party, we have about 40-50 people crammed in and it's so much fun. One thing that works for me is that I have two assistants and my mom or sister usually come to help with the minor prep. Then I have a 12 year old sibling that always comes and 'helps'. Do you have any friends or family that can come and just help for the party?

As crazy as it gets, the kids love it and won't notice anything but how cool it is that Santa came! Good luck

[ccare_erin]

You sound overhwelmed. Rightfully so
What I would do is sit down and make a list. (I'm a list maker). Then organize in order of importance and plan to check a few items off each day.
I use this technique when I get overwhelmed, usually before we travel. It works, but I usually have a meltdown first which leads to The List.
Best of luck! It will all come together in the end if something goes to the wayside so be it, the kids won't care. They're just happy to be there and the parents will be thankful you care enough to go the extra mile!
Erin

[Josiegirl]

Thank you for replying I'm just having the major meltdown countdown before Christmas jitters brought on by thinking too much and not doing enough.

But I started today off right, got my fridge all cleaned out and dug out all my wrapping paraphernalia, my goal today is to start those lists, finish my shopping, and buy everything I need for the party(paper plates, cups, etc. I also need to make a clean sweep of my kitchen, it's amazing how much better prepared I feel if my kitchen isn't a total mess from a week of dc.

My plan is to get the tree next weekend because my 24 yo dd will be home. And she better help!! If I have to bribe her with $$$ then so be it.

Santa is giving gifts out so I do need to shop a bit more. One of my dcgs has an older sister and 2 baby sisters who will be here so I need to get something for them too. Then the SAs who I don't see that often but don't want to leave out, I need to buy something for them, even though they won't be coming to the party.

OMG 40-50 people? Can anyone say panic attack?

[LysesKids]

Ok, so I have scheduled our party for the 19th. Santa is coming. Parents have been invited. My house is small. Siblings may come, there's a couple other people(grandparents) that will be here. My house is small. Yep, deserved to be mentioned twice.
This is where I'm at....no decorations up yet. Most of the gifts have been bought but not wrapped. Have to make a gazillion cookies because we're having cookies and punch, plus a fruit tray. My house is it's usual mess and the dust is a layer or 2 deep.
I have been procrastinating because I don't want to think about the whole Christmas thing.

Is there anyone out there for hire to put all this together for me??? Or at least give me some advice?

Thanks!!!

Oh and I'm not even sure what we're doing yet for parents' gifts. I was going to have them decorate mugs and bought everything, got home and dropped a bag filled with half of them on the floor. I got so discouraged I haven't done anything else about it. So any quick easy gifts for parents would be greatly appreciated too.

I'm having 25 or more coming thru my little house (can we say 750 sq ft total and my bedroom is off limits , so less space); I throw an open house the 2nd Sunday in December EVERY YEAR... put PnP's and toys away, small tree on side table with presents for daycare kids only. Twinkling, white fairy lights up by ceiling (they stay there year round), Furniture gets rearranged, 2 folding tables go up next to the small kitchen table & I set up platters... We party between 10:30a-1:30p - snacks, drinks and lively conversation. Nobody stays more than 1/2 hr or so and they are not all here at once time. I buy 2 big poinsettias as decor, bottled sparkling juice as drink and keep a hot beverage ( cocoa normally) on stove in a big pot; set out fruit/cheese tray, danish tray, veggie tray,w/dip, bowls of popcorn/snack mix and cookie tray. Use festive disposable paper plates & cups and hire a maid to clean afterwards

[permanentvacation]

You have plenty of time. I think you are just nervous. I would make a list of everything you need to get done. Look at the big picture, but focus on each 'chore' that needs to be done, ONE AT A TIME. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed with the big picture.

As far as having a little house and lots of guests; I used to live in a VERY little house. My older daughter's 4th birthday, we invited her entire preschool class. Since I was a licensed home daycare provider, I was used to parents dropping their kids off with me for the day, so it never occurred to me that the parents of her preschool friends didn't know me and would stay with their kids. Many of the Moms AND Dads stayed! I had 20 kids and about 35 adults in my itty bitty house! The parents literally stood shoulder to shoulder along the perimeter of my living room, dining room, and kitchen!! But, everyone had a blast! The kids played lots of games and a few of the parents helped out. It worked out just fine.

Relax and work on one thing at a time. I'm sure your party will be great!