Option 1: A Cookie Swap Party
My grandmother hosts one of these each year, and yes it is as awesome as it sounds. Basically a group of people get together and bring a bunch of cookies they baked, along with a copy of the recipe and in exchange, they receive a bunch of other peoples' cookies and recipes.
First, send out some invitations explaining to your friends your great party idea, let them know a time, place, and date. You may also want to note that everyone should dress in the holiday spirit (if they so choose) and that you will only be providing light snacks and drinks this way they know they can eat beforehand.
How the Cookie Swap Works:
As guests arrive, have them place their cookies and recipes around the edge of a dining room table. Next have your guests grab a tin and then walk around picking out which cookies they would like (suggest that they only take about 3 cookies from each platter on the table). At the end each person will have a nice, delicious assortment of 3 dozen freshly baked cookies to take home with them!
What You Will Need to Buy:
-Invitations, unless you are good with making online invitations (which would be free), here is a pack of 16 blank holiday cards that can easily work and they only cost $1!
-Cookie Tins for guests to take home with them, these cost $1 each, so how much you spend will depend on the number of guests you have.
-Table Cloth also only $1.
-Two packages of plates, napkins, and cups. Your local dollar store should have these during the holiday season- about $6.
-A few bottles of soda/water/lemonade, this will probably cost you about $5.
-Some crackers and cheese, fruit, veggies and dip, chips, etc. I would set aside about $10 for your snacks.
Total for a party with 15 guests: About $38
Here are some photos of a recent cookie swap party that I attended to help you visualize:
Option 2: A Wreath-Making Party
Recently I went to an ornament wreath-making party and it was awesome. The great thing about this party for you is that your guests do all of the purchasing for the craft. The only thing you will be providing is hospitality and light drinks and snacks. Most of the cost of this party will come from purchasing your own materials to make your wreath.
In your invitations make sure to let your guests know that they will need to bring their own ornaments, and that you suggest they bring about 100 ornaments total in different sizes. Send them a sample picture of an ornament wreath so that they get an idea of what you are talking about. Also in the invite, let them know they will need their own glue gun, glue sticks, and foam/Styrofoam circle.
How Making an Ornament Wreath Works:
Set up a multi outlet circuit with an extension cord so that it can reach the table you and your guests will work on your project at. That way multiple glue guns can be plugged in at once and less sharing has to be done. First, suggest to your guests that they attach a copper wire from one side of the circle to the other that way the wreath can be easily hung up.
Next, have them glue ornaments all around the outside side of their foam circle (this is the easiest way to start a wreath in my opinion). After that, have them fill in the inside of the circle. Finally, they should gradually work their way into the middle and fill in all of the spaces with their multi sized ornaments!
I know that many people probably think that this, like many other Pinterest craft ideas, could go south quickly, and it may. However, I attended a party with many different people and almost all of them had a fairly easy time creating their wreath.
Here is an idea of what the process looks like:
What You Will Need to Buy:
The links attached are more so you can see what size the ornaments of each package looks like. I got all of my ornaments on sale, so the price was a lot less.
Below is a rough estimate if you aren't into bargain shopping using Target's prices. Walmart has the ornaments for less, and some times Michael's does as well it all depends on where you go. In addition I did not include the price of a glue gun assuming that most people already have one if they are into doing crafts.
- 50 count box of large ornaments $10.
- 24 count box of medium ornaments $5.
-2 8 count boxes of small ornaments $10.
- 13 inch Styrofoam circle use michaels 40% off one item coupon and it will cost about $8.50.
-Glue gun sticks $3.
-A few bottles of soda/lemonade/water $5.
-2 packages of ready to bake cookies $5.
Total: $46.50 so basically around $50
This is how my recent wreath turned out:
There you have it folks, two great ideas for some Holiday fun!
