Elf on a Shelf Christmas Party

I just couldn’t resist sharing another ELF ON THE SHELF HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS PARTY! This lovely party was submitted by Audrey Novak of Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats. Oh my goodness, there are so many adorable ideas here! Scroll through the photos slowly so you don’t miss anything & be sure and read all the party details from Audrey at the bottom of the post!

Event Styling, Photography, Dessert Table Treats- Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats
Magical Elf Christmas Collection, printables- Anders Ruff Custom Designs
Custom Elf Stockings, Table Runners, Pennant Banner- Puddin’ Pies
Custom Decorated Sugar Cookies- Emi’s Treats
Minatures (layer cake, cupcakes, pennant banner, stocking)- Little Things By Anna
Elf-sized baking set, apron, oven mitt, and chef’s hat- BJWildey
Custom children’s clothing, Christmas dress, applique shirt and cardigan- Lottie Da Baby

Items used in this party available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Striped Paper Straws
Lollipop Sticks
Cupcake Liners
Washi Tape
Ribbon

       

Audrey said this about planning the party- ”So…I have a little confession. I’m ELF OBSESSED. Seriously. It’s one of those things that started innocently enough, as a family tradition YEARS in the making, but has now taken on a life of its own. I can’t control it, or at least I choose NOT to. But I do find comfort in the thousands of Elf-tastic pins on Pinterest and the incessant Elf-related Facebook posts of my friends…it’s nice to know I’m not alone!

We’ve had some vintage Christmas Elves in our family for years. We call them our Disco Elves because they (there are 3 of them) are wearing shiny, metallic outfits and look like they’re ready to party ALL the time. My Grandma used to tell us they were watching us and would tell Santa if we were being naughty…not sure if word ever got back to him about any of the “nice” stuff. Last year we added an Elf on the Shelf to our collection, the kiddos named him Mack, and our little Elf family was complete. The kids love waking up in the morning and rushing out to see what shenanigans the elves have gotten into…it’s become one of their favorite things, and mine too.

I’ve been mulling over the idea of hosting an ELF PARTY since LAST Christmas. SO many of our friends have Elves now too, I knew the kids would really be into it.

So that’s the WHY…and here is ALL the rest! I hope you enjoy!

I worked with the talented ladies of Anders Ruff Custom Designs for the printables. They totally “GOT” my vision and their creations were absolutely perfect! You can see their own photo shoot featuring this printable line HERE.

Since our guest list was very short for this party, I planned on hand delivering all the invites. I printed the invitations large, 8×10, rolled them up and tied with a ribbon. We all know that the Number 1 Rule when it comes to Christmas Elves is you CANNOT touch them…or they lose their magic! To solve that problem, each guest also received an Elf-sized stocking. This way they could come along without being touched!

When our guests arrived they were directed to the “Elf Check-in” area. Each Elf had a name tag waiting for him or her…we didn’t want anyone going home with the wrong Elf! After the kiddos deposited their Elves and went downstairs, the Elves jumped out of their stockings, put on their name tags and had their own little Mixer.

At our ELF ADOPTION center, we had several Elves just waiting to find their own family! Some of our guests added another Elf to their family, and one family got their very FIRST Elf at our party. I also had some Elf attire available for our guests to take home. Included were pretty skirt-sets and bows for the lady elves. We also had some tiny Elf scarves that were a BIG hit with our guests!

I knew the desserts for this party were going to be a LOT of fun. With so many teeny-tiny guests, I planned on making some mini-versions of some of our favorite treats! I made Elf Cake Pops and Swirl Cake Pops. I love using the striped paper straws as “sticks” for my Cake Pops…it really adds something special! I also made some MINI Cake Pops. These are REAL Cake Pops ya’ll. I rolled them super small, used a cut-off toothpick as the stick, and then dipped them just like the full-size pops. Easy. Cute. Good. So then, I wanted a bit of a challenge – lol! I thought it would be fun to try to make mini versions of the Elf Cake Pops too. I used a toothpick to add-on the details, but they were pretty basic so it wasn’t too bad. Totally worth the extra effort…they were SO cute! Local Cookie artist Emily of Emi’s Treats made some AMAZING cookies for our party. She created a “Peeking Elf” design that I just loved…it was beyond perfect! She also made stockings, mittens and candy canes. Emily’s cookies are equal parts delicious and adorable, I just love her work! Even cuter…she made MINI cookies for our Elf guests too! They were SO sweet! When we were all downstairs, each of the Elves helped themselves to a cookie…they were a BIG hit with our littlest guests. We also had some ridiculously cute miniatures on the dessert table! Little Things by Anna created the TINY layered cake and TEENSY cupcakes. Seriously, these things are SO adorable and incredibly detailed…I can’t lie…I squealed OUT-LOUD when I opened the box they were shipped in.

My sister volunteered to read The Elf on the Shelf to the kiddos while I was upstairs making sure our Elf guests were “comfortable”. We had a few activity stations set-up for the kiddos. They were free to go from one to the other at their own pace. First was the Jingle Bell Bracelet table. A tray of pipe cleaners, a container full of jingle bells…easy…and they loved it. Even better, after they finished their bracelets they got to go jump in the trampoline to hear how they sounded. We also had a mini tree decorating station. You know the drill…a package of foam Christmas trees, with about a million little sticker pieces to peel and place. A little cheesy maybe, but I tell ya what…my kids NEVER get sick of these things! Like ever…so I go with it! There was also a table full of Elf-sizes treats. The kids got to pick out an assortment of goodies to “take-home” for their Elves. That was the idea. In reality, most of them chowed-down on their Elves goodies…I’m sure it was from a quality control standpoint. Each of the guests had the chance, one-by-one, to put on an apron and join me in my kitchen to make a few EXTRA special Elf treats. I had three melters going, one with chocolate, white chocolate and green candy melts. They got to dip a mini sugar cookie, mini Oreo and a Cheerio (to make an Elf donut). I also had an assortment of sprinkles out so they could decorate their creations however they chose!

Word must have got out at the North Pole because we had a LOT of Elves show-up for this party. They were hiding ALL over the house! The kiddos went on an ELF HUNT to find all of our Elfish visitors. I used the printable Advent Calendar Tags from Anders Ruff (1 through 5) to label our “scenes”. That way the kids knew they had 5 different Elves (or in some cases, groups of Elves) to find. They did a great job hunting!

When it was time for our guests to head for home, I used a pair of decorated kitchen tongs to carefully put each Elf in a basket for the ride home (the stockings are a tight squeeze and we didn’t want to risk any accidental touching!) The kids, Elves and grown-ups all had a GREAT time at our Elf Party! The Christmas season is so magical, and being able to create these memories, to me, really is priceless. If you’re into the whole ELF-thing, be sure to follow me on Facebook! I post a lot of our Elves daily shenanigans there…frequently…too much…I know I have a problem.”

Event Styling, Photography, Dessert Table Treats- Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats
Magical Elf Christmas Collection, printables- Anders Ruff Custom Designs
Custom Elf Stockings, Table Runners, Pennant Banner- Puddin’ Pies
Custom Decorated Sugar Cookies- Emi’s Treats
Minatures (layer cake, cupcakes, pennant banner, stocking)- Little Things By Anna
Elf-sized baking set, apron, oven mitt, and chef’s hat- BJWildey
Custom children’s clothing, Christmas dress, applique shirt and cardigan- Lottie Da Baby

Items used in this party available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Striped Paper Straws
Lollipop Sticks
Cupcake Liners
Washi Tape
Ribbon

FREE PRINTABLES! Modern & Festive Holiday Christmas Party!

I created this MODERN + FESTIVE HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS PARTY a couple weeks ago. I’m excited to share it with YOU, my lovely readers! I wanted to showcase a lot of fun Christmas party ideas in one place…& together in one festive party.

THE BEST PART….I’ve included FREE PRINTABLES to go along with the party! Just scroll down to the bottom of this post and you will find them! The darling printables were designed by Crystal of C & C Paperie! If you’re in need of fabulous cards then be sure and check her shop out! Receive 20% off your order by using code KARA20 at checkout!!

Party supplies used from Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Red Polka Dot Gable Boxes
Chevron Paper Bags
Striped Paper Bags
Clear Favor Tins/Pails
Striped Fry Boxes
Striped Square Paper Plates
Polka Dot Cupcake/Candy Cups
Paper Straws
Wooden Spoons
Bakers Twine
Milk Bottles
Candy Sticks

Square striped paper plates available in the KPI Shop. Darling place cards available for FREE below {click on the image to enlarge, then right click to save to your computer}.

These North Pole cupcakes were inspired by Jenny Cookies! I made them by simply dipping one end of a striped candy stick {available in the KPI online shop} into melted white chocolate {adding crystal candy flakes for snow} and inserted the candy stick into the top of each cupcake. The cute North Pole signs are available for FREE below {click on the image to enlarge, then right click to save to your computer}. I attached the signs to the candy sticks with frosting.

Hot Cocoa Mugs

We dressed up regular white ceramic mugs with red candy sprinkles! Gently dip the top of the mug in melted white chocolate and immediately add red candy sprinkles. The chocolate will harden, securing the sprinkles.

Santa’s Mustaches

Santa mustaches were made with a mustache candy mold, white candy melt, white sprinkles, sucker sticks, and striped paper straws {all from the Kara’s Party Ideas shop}! I placed the mustaches in a cute chevron patterned milk bottle, also available in the KPI shop. The tent card/label is available as a free printable at the bottom of the post!

These hot chocolate tins are a cinch to put together and make such a statement! Inside clear plastic pails {available in my shop here} layer hot cocoa powder, crushed peppermint candies, chocolate chips and marshmallows! I tied the pails off with some red polka dot ribbon from the shop and a coordinating Merry Christmas tag, available as part of the free Holiday party collection at the bottom of this post!

Chevron print paper bags from my shop were filled with white vanilla flavored cotton candy. A cute tag that read “Santa Beard Cotton Candy” was attached to the top of each bag. The tags are also available for free at the bottom of this post!

Milano Cookie Santa’s

We made adorable Santa cookies with Milano brand cookies and a few other simple supplies! Dip both ends of the Milano cookie in melted white chocolate and add red sprinkles and a white chocolate chip to the top portion of the cookie to create Santa’s hat. Then by using a tiny dab of melted white chocolate, attach a red candy to the middle of the cookie for the nose and chocolate chips just above the red candy for the eyes.

This North Pole sign is part of the FREE printable collection below {click on the image to enlarge, then right click to save to your computer}!

Chocolate Doughnut Reindeer

These reindeer doughnuts were a big hit! Chocolate mini doughnuts were used as the reindeer body, a red candy inserted into the middle of the doughnut was the reindeer nose, white chocolate chips were pushed into the top of the doughnut for eyes, and broken pretzel pieces were inserted into the top side of the doughnut for antlers! Easy and super cute!

Fry Box Candy Treats

I filled green striped fry boxes from my shop with more red cherry candies. I’m in love with fry boxes right now, and use them for so many things! When it comes to parties, the possibilities are endless with these!

Wooden Hot Chocolate Spoons

These wooden hot chocolate spoons were the perfect addition to the hot cocoa station. Guests stirred their hot cocoa with these adorable spoons, adding more flavor and fun to their hot chocolate! I dipped wooden spoons from my shop in white candy melt, then added green and red sprinkles to the top. After they cooled they were put inside clear mini cello bags and tied off with bakers twine {all from the KPI online shop}.

Merry Christmas Cupcakes

Vanilla cupcakes were placed in darling red polka dot nut cups/candy cups from the KPI shop. The darling cupcake toppers are available for free below {click on the image to enlarge, then right click to save to your computer}!

Marshmallows treat sticks

Regular marshmallows were dipped into melted red candy melt and green nonpareil sprinkles from my shop. A red striped paper straw {available in the KPI shop} was inserted into the top center of each marshmallow as a final holiday touch.

Reindeer Cupcakes

Create more fun reindeer treats with cupcakes and pretzels! These cupcakes were made with frosting, brown sprinkles, miniature vanilla wafers and pretzels!

Polka Dot Gable Boxes

Guests were able to take extra cookies and treats home in some polka dot gable boxes from my shop. Attached to the top of each box was a cute thank you tag {part of the free printable collection below…click on the image to enlarge, then right click to save to your computer}.

  Peppermint Cake Stand

I dressed up the side of a ceramic cake stand with lace and peppermint candies! I used a low temperature glue gun to attach the lace and peppermint candies {because of the low temperature, glue can be peeled right off after use} to the side of a red cake stand. Such a cute way to add the Christmas feel to your table!

In case you missed them, here are the darling holiday printables from C & C Paperie! Simply click on each image to enlarge, then right click to save to your computer and print!

Make sure to check out C & C Paperie’s DARLING cards and more HERE! And don’t forget, GET 20% off any order by using code KARA20 at checkout!!

Modern and Merry Christmas Party

How FABULOUS is this MODERN & MERRY CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY PARTY submitted by Debbie of Wants and Wishes! I love the bright & bold color scheme! The ornaments hanging from the cake stands is such a brilliant idea! SO many darling ideas here, for sure!

Debbie said this about planning the party- “Neon bright colors are very popular right now so I wanted to created a collection that would brighten Christmas.

Have yourself a Merry & Bright Christmas with neon colors to excite. We have a new and fresh Christmas collection the will bring Holiday cheer and joy to everyone!

For the background we color blocked the wall with wrapping paper from Ikea (only .99 cents per roll!) Then added a modern twist by hanging a white faux deer head in the middle (from Z Gallerie)! We strung our merry and Bright banner from the antlers. To add a little sparkle and softness to the table we made a little ornament bunting string with mini clear glass ornaments strung between each cake stand.

For the sweets I wanted pattens and color to be apparent. We had polka dotted covered oreos, bright green macaroons with strawberry filling, hot pink and white checkered shortbread cookies (coordinating with one of our fun patterns in the collection), snowflake sugar cookies, cupcake topped with “sweet tarts” candy canes, cake pops and white chocolate popcorn “reindeer food”. To gulp it all down with we had waters and a frothy Strawberry ice cream punch.”

Vendors and Credits:
Stylizing and photography: Wants and Wishes
Printables: Wants and Wishes
Snowflake Sugar cookies: Frog Prince
Wrapping paper for backdrop: Ikea
Reindeer head: Z Gallerie
Small clear ornaments: Michaels

Items used in this party available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:

          

Nutcracker Ballet Themed Christmas Party

This gorgeous NUTCRACKER BALLET THEMED CHRISTMAS PARTY was submitted by Chritie Skerski of Flaired Affairs! What a fabulous holiday party theme! I love the muted pink & aqua color scheme…the gold looks fabulous as well! So many darling ideas here…

Here’s what Chritie had to say about planning the party- “I knew I wanted to do a Christmas dessert table this year and I was inspired by recent posters for a local ballet company who performs the Nutcracker annually.. First, while it is a Christmas event, it is outside of what I would call traditional Christmas. Coupled with the non-traditional colorscapes I chose of teal, pink and gold, it felt a little bit out of the ordinary just as I wanted. Add a dash of sparkle, and it was magical. One of my favorite elements of the entire style were the little party guests all painted up as their favorite character – Oh What Fun We Had!

There were two dessert tables filled with so many goodies! There were vanilla bean cream filled cupcakes that were crowned with toppers by Hot Mama’s Bakery along with matching sugar cookies. A beautiful adornment and equally tasty were the French Macarons by Crazy about Macarons – just gorgeous. The true sparkle on the table was the Glam cake pops by The Sweet Tooth Bar ~ goodness gracious, they were fab eye candy! One of the tastiest treats was the Nutcracker sweets cookies by The Cookie Jar. Another dessert table favorite is the chocolate covered Oreos by Sweeties by Kim. And rounding out the mouth watering, melt-in-your-mouth treats were raspberry meringues by Maddie’s Meringues.

The party guests were also a treat to invite. The little guests that dined on all the desserts were face painted by hand by Playful Paints to match their favorite Nutcracker character. They were served sparkling mocktails while they ogled over their little gifts from Santa. These little beauties were the glitter and sparkle for this party.”

Vendors and Credits:
Party Styling and Planning: Flaired Affairs
Photography: Dyal Photography
Model face painting: Playful Paints
Printables: Graphics by Lilly Bimble at My Grafico
Raspberry Meringue Cookies: Maddie’s Meringues
Nutcracker Sweets Cookies: The Cookie Jar
Cupcake Fondant Toppers & matching Nutcracker Cookies: Hot Mama’s Bakery
Pink Damask Chocolate Covered Oreos: Sweeties By Kim
Brush Embroidered French Macarons: Crazy About Macarons

Glam cake Pops: The Sweet Tooth Bar
Drink bottles: Pretty Sweet Stuff

Items used in this party available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Rock Candy Swizzle Sticks
Striped Paper Straws
Popcorn Boxes
Milk Bottles
Chinese Favor Boxes
Lollipop Sticks

     

Items used in this party available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Rock Candy Swizzle Sticks
Striped Paper Straws
Popcorn Boxes
Milk Bottles
Chinese Favor Boxes
Lollipop Sticks

Glittery Christmas Candy Land Party

I’m so excited to showcase this GLITTERY CHRISTMAS CANDY LAND PARTY submitted by Connie Sharpe of Candy Land Buffets! Such a fun and frilly Christmas holiday party theme, don’t you think?! Any child would be in Heaven at this party! I hope you gain a lot of inspiration & ideas here!

Connie said this about planning the party- “I love everything about a Candy Land theme, so I decided to create “A Glittery Christmas Candy Land” to get in the mood for Christmas! I used lots of Candy Land props which I had especially made for me, as well as lots of glittery Christmas decorations. In the centre of the table, I got some lollipop hanging ornaments and made a lollipop tree!”

Items used in this party available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Ribbon
Apothecary Jars
Lollipop Sticks
Striped Paper Straws

    

Items used in this party available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Ribbon
Apothecary Jars
Lollipop Sticks
Striped Paper Straws