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Planning a Christmas party can be a difficult thing to do.

However, hopefully seeing the children’s faces beaming with joy after they’ve enjoyed themselves will make you realise that all the time, hard work and effort you put in was worthwhile.

The first thing you need to do is find a suitable venue. Of course, this depends entirely on your guest list. If you are throwing a party for your own child and his or her friends, you may well be able to accommodate them in your own home. However, if you are catering for a more significant number of children, such as those of the congregation from your local church, it may be better to hire a small venue instead. Try speaking to the pastor of your church, and they may be able to offer part of their building as a suitable place for the party.

The venue for your party all depends on the purpose. If you are trying to raise money for charity, for example, then you may wish to hire somewhere and charge people an entrance fee. Be sure to encourage people to buy tickets in advance so that you can be confident that you will profit from this party and that your time spent organising everything is worthwhile. Try to find somewhere which will allow you to utilise their crockery, cutlery and drinkware, preventing the use of throwaway plastic cups, plates and cutlery.

Once you have decided where the party is going to be held, you will need to think carefully about the invitations. Use a free Christmas svg to create an instantly recognisable theme for use on the invites and social media. Doing so can save you a lot of time and effort, which you will definitely need in the run-up to the big day.

Of course, these days, paper invitations are not as often used as social media. Creating an event on Facebook, for example, is an effortless way to invite a large number of people to an event. It also allows people to ask questions about things such as the dress code, the food, and other arrangements that you may not have the opportunity to put on a regular paper invitation.

It is important to remember that not all families will have Internet access. It is also worth noting that children under the age of 13 should not have their own Facebook accounts. We advise, therefore, that use a mixture of both paper and online invitations. Be sure to use recycled paper though, and do not print more than absolutely necessary. Remember that if your party is intended to make money, be sure to advertise outside your usual social circle. Perhaps the charity that you are raising money for will be able to help with this. You may be able to place posters in local shops or community centres, for example.

Everybody loves a good party. However, if something goes awry, it will be the talking point for weeks to come. Organisation is key here. Party bags are an essential aspect to consider when planning your Christmas party. Instead of the cheap plastic bags, purchase sturdy paper bags with handles and either print on one of the svgs (a real timesaver) or doodle the children’s names in permanent markers, adding a holly leaf for good measure (takes time, but does look effective). Consider buying more permanent items as prizes. Packs of books, such as the ten for £10 deals, usually go down well. Alternatively, create your own unique gifts such as tote bags printed with a football or butterfly svg or a Disney Subscription box with a consortium of popular toys and accessories for kids. We are confident that the children’s faces will show their delight at receiving an exciting gift like this.

You will want to make everything look as good as possible, and so planning the decor is vital. It doesn’t have to cost the earth or come at a cost to the earth either. Use the aforementioned Christmas svgs to make bunting. Simply print onto recycled paper and cut into a triangular shape. We always laminate things like this as then you can save time next year and bring them out again. A good sprinkling of Christmas cheer in the form of tacky tinsel and gaudy glitter are necessities as well. Opting for a biodegradable glitter is a must but be sure to do your research first.

Entertainment is a must at all children’s parties. Plan a few seasonal games such as pass the parcel, pin the giant red nose on Rudolph and Christmas charades. Shop ahead for a selection of prizes but try to avoid plastic tat that will undoubtedly be thrown away or break within minutes of getting them home (if they even get that far!).

Christmas is a time filled with excitement but also stress. Be sure to delegate tasks, if at all possible. Most of all, enjoy yourself and remember the reasons why you are doing this. Good luck!

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