31 Days of Christmas Parties: Christmas Party #1: Gingerbread Decorating Party

'Twas the Night Gingerbread House, from Williams-Sonoma

CHRISTMAS PARTY ACTIVITY:

Pier 1 Imports' Gingerbread Measuring Spoons, on Amazon

Invite five or six ladies (or two or three couples) over to a grownup gingerbread house and gingerbread people cookies decorating cocktail party. Or alternately, invite two or three other ladies to bring one or two of their children apiece. It's probably best if the children are over six years old, so they can actually help create the houses and hold still long enough to do so.

Cobblestone Gingerbread House Kit, from Cost Plus World Market

Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter Bake Set, on Amazon

Set out pre-baked gingerbread house pieces - enough for each guest to take home a house (or several tiny houses). Also be sure to bake extra pieces in case of breakage. Set out gingerbread people cookies you've already baked earlier in the day (or even the day before).

Gingerbread Bundt Pan, from Sur la Table

You could also bake a few gingerbread bundt cakes if people prefer to eat their creations in a cake form!

Gingerbread Men Sprinkles, on Amazon.com

Set up your kitchen counter or dining table with decorating supplies: frostings, sprinkles, spatulas, sparkles, gels, frosting tips, candies and other decorations. If this is a cookie decorating party, be sure to have several dozen gingerbread people cookies available.

Monaco Pre-Assembled House Kit, from Cost Plus World Market

After offering your guests delicious appetizers, finger foods, cocktails and snacks, invite them to decorate their gingerbread men or gingerbread houses. Serve dessert after most guests have completed their houses.

Gingerbread Treat Box, on Amazon

Large Gingerbread Gable Box, from The Container Store

Pack the guests' gingerbread cookies in gingerbread-themed gable treat boxes for safe and festive transport to your guests' homes.

At the end of the evening, take pictures of each guest proudly holding their creations!

CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD HOUSE PARTY DECORATIONS:

4 Foot Tall Airblown Inflatable Gingerbread Man, on Amazon

If you throw over-the-top parties and have the budget for it, consider putting this airblown inflatable gingerbread man on your front lawn to greet guests as they drive up.

Inflatable 24" Gingerbread Men Decorations, on Amazon

Gingerbread Man String Lights, on Amazon

Kurt Adler Tabletop Gingerbread Train, on eBay

Gingerbread House Centerpiece by Beistle, on Amazon

Tabletop Gingerbread House, from Byers Choice, on Amazon

Your home might not be decorated for Christmas quite yet, since this party would be thrown on the first day of December? Are you a person who gets inspired right after Thanksgiving? Or a person who waits until the first week of December to decorate?

Gingerbread Boy and Girl Salt and Pepper Shakers, on eBay

For this party, add a few gingerbread-themed touches here and there - a kitchen towel, a tablescape, a gingerbread welcome mat, or other themed items.

Gingerbread Boy and Girl Kitchen Towels, on Amazon

Santa's Gingerbread Chalet Tabletop Decoration, on eBay

CHRISTMAS PARTY COSTUMES AND FASHION:

Forum Novelties' Gingerbread Man Costume, on Amazon

Costumes aren't appropriate for all types of parties. If you plan on hosting an elegant gingerbread decorating party, forego the costumes. But for a more whimsical or lighthearted approach, here are some fun ones:

Smiffy's Gingerbread Women's Costume, on Amazon

Secret Wishes Ginger Sassy Costume, on Amazon

Gingerbread Bopper Headband, on Amazon

Gingerbread Sweater, from Fun Costumes, on Amazon

Sequin Gingerbread Men's Jacket, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY INSPIRATION:

Gingerbread House Decorating Party for Children, from Twinkle Twinkle Little Party

Gingerbread House Decorating Party, from Glorious Treats

Ally Hudson's Gingerbread Party

HGTV's Gingerbread House Party Inspirations

Girls Delightfully Sweet Gingerbread Decorating Party, at Hostess with the Mostess

Giggles Galore Gingerbread House Decorating Party

A Turtle's Life for Me Gingerbread House Decorating Party

RELATED GINGERBREAD HOUSE PARTY INSPIRATION LINKS:

Birds Party Blog Gingerbread House Decorating Party

Host a Gingerbread House Making Party (With Sugar on Top)

Gingerbread House Decorating Party Ideas (Kid Birthday Party)

Let's Plan a Gingerbread House Party (Home & Family)

Sarah Sofia Productions' Gingerbread House Party

CHRISTMAS PARTY RELATED VIDEO TUTORIALS:

CHRISTMAS PARTY FRAGRANCE:

Gingerbread Jar Candle from Yankee Candles, on Amazon

Gingerbread Poured Candle, from Thymes, on Amazon

Gingerbread Soy Candle, on Etsy

Scent your home with a warm gingerbread scent - but don't overdo it! I probably wouldn't shake a can of gingerbread Febreze around the house before guests arrive - it might be too overwhelming. But I'd light a gingerbread candle in 2 or 3 rooms we'll be using for the party, including the bathroom (a tea light or votive because the room is so small). Try not to light any fragranced candles on your dining table, buffet, or other areas where food is served. The fragrance conflicts with the scent and taste of your food!

CHRISTMAS PARTY MUSIC:

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, by Dean Martin, on YouTube

Buy Dean Martin's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm on Amazon for 99 cents

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, by Kay Starr, on YouTube

Buy Kay Starr's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" for 89 Cents on Amazon

Frank Sinatra "Mistletoe and Holly," on YouTube

Buy "Mistletoe and Holly" by Frank Sinatra, on Amazon

CHRISTMAS PARTY APPETIZERS:

Cranberry Feta Pinwheels Recipe, from The Girl Who Ate Everything

Caramelized Onion Mushroom Apple Gruyere Bites Recipe, from Table for Two Blog

Caramelized Onion Tartlets, from Cooking Light

Apple/Blue Cheese Chutney, from Cooking Light

Fa-La-La Finger Foods for Holidays (My Wedding Reception Ideas)

CHRISTMAS PARTY BEVERAGES:

Bittermilk's Gingerbread Old Fashioned Mix, from Anthropologie

Gingerbread Hot Cocoa, from Williams-Sonoma

Gingerbread Men Ice Cube Tray by Sur la Table, on Amazon

If you plan to serve cocktails at your party, make gingerbread men shaped ice cubes several days before the party. It will take quite a while to make enough ice cubes for a party if you only own one tray - Set a timer so you remember to go empty and refill the tray several times every day leading up to the party. Store the ice cubes in a plastic storage container in your freezer until it's time to take them out for the party.

Gingerbread Spice Tea, from Celestial Seasonings

It's Gingerbread Martini Time, at The Tipsy Concierge

Gingerbread Martini, from Mom, What's for Dinner?

Offer a nice variety of non-alcoholic beverages too, both cold and warm. Cider, hot cocoa, hot coffee, hot tea, 7-up, and a couple of fruit juice options would be nice for your busy decorators.

Gingerbread Hot Toddy (DIY Cocktails)

Gingerbread Martini (Ann's Entitled Life)

Gingerbread Martini (The Martini Diva)

Gingerbread Martini Jelly Shots (Jelly Shot Test Kitchen)

CHRISTMAS PARTY DESSERTS:

Santa's Gingerbread House, by Haniela's

Fig and Cranberry Brie Tartlets, from Sweet Cayenne

Spiced Gingerbread Bars Recipe, from Yellow Bliss Road

Gingerbread Truffles, at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts

Gingerbread 7 Layer Bars, at Something Swanky

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes Recipe, from What's Cookin Chicago

Gingerbread Cupcakes Recipe, from Tidy Mom

Pumpkin Gingerbread Cheesecake Recipe, from Mommy's Kitchen

Chewy Ginger Chocolate Cookies Recipe, from Joy the Baker

Serve easy-to-eat desserts (cookies, cupcakes, tartlets, nibbles) so your guests can nibble easily while working on their gingerbread houses. Be sure to serve at least one or two gingerbread treats, but don't go overboard. Offer other flavors too. You don't want your guests getting "gingerbreaded out."