4 Christmas party ideas your kids will actually enjoy

Gathering kids, friends, neighbours and relatives together for a festive Christmas party should be fun. Use these ideas for a celebration your little ones will remember.

Kids are notorious snackers, so your Christmas party menu can reflect their desire to nibble. Rather than providing a full meal, create a few holiday-inspired snacks for the kids to enjoy. Three mini-powdered donuts on a skewer, with candy for eyes, nose and mouth makes for a delicious edible snowman. Display slices of cheese in the shape of a Christmas tree, with crackers as tree trunks. Serve hot chocolate with marshmallows for a seasonal beverage for kids to enjoy.

A kids' Christmas party can feature several activities to keep the fun going. Set up a sugar cookie decorating station where kids can frost and decorate cookies in Christmas colours and shapes. Create a memory from the party by having each child paint a ball-shaped Christmas ornament. Help the kids write their name and the year on the ornament for a keepsake that will decorate their Christmas tree for years to come. In addition, pin the tail on Rudolph turns a classic party game into one with a Christmas twist.

Festive decorations are a must at a kids' Christmas party. Embrace the classic red and green Christmas colour scheme for your guests. Christmas colours can guide your decor, from the plates, napkins and table runner to the streamers you hang from the ceiling. Put away any breakable Christmas decorations, but let those unbreakable ones of Santa Claus, Rudolph and snowmen inspire your decor. A miniature Christmas tree with twinkling lights is the perfect spot for kids to gather for their snack and hang their new ornament keepsakes.

Thank your guests for coming to celebrate the season by sending them home with a thoughtful favour. Have a teen or adult family member dress up as Santa Claus and surprise the kids at the end of the party. Take a picture of each child sitting on Santa's lap. If you have a home photo printer, print the picture for a memorable favour for kids to cherish.

The Christmas season is a time of excitement and awe for youngsters. Embrace the magical spirit of the season by hosting a casual Christmas party for the little ones in your life.