With a few clever tricks and a super simple decorating method, you can transform ordinary cupcakes into elegant little landmarks that wow guests every time.

Eiffel Tower cupcakes make the perfect addition to any Paris-inspired celebration, bringing a blend of charm and sophistication to everything from a child’s birthday to elegant hens nights and even sweet Christenings.

What makes this great theme so delightful is how easily it suits any age or occasion. And the best part is that you don’t need a professional baker or have a cake decorators skill to achieve the look—these impressive cupcakes are wonderfully simple to create right in your own kitchen. Talk about effortless ohh la la!

A Parisian theme was picked for my daughter’s birthday celebration, and it turned out to be such a wonderful choice. The sophistication charm of turning 10!

We had so much fun weaving pink, black, and white into the decorations to create a pretty, stylish twist on Parisian flair. I always make themed cupcakes for my kids’ parties, and these were absolutely perfect for the occasion. The moment she saw them, her whole face lit up with a huge smile.

Ready to add some effortless Paris flair to your next celebration? Let’s dive into the surprisingly easy process.

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How To Make The Fondant Topper

Before you start to prepare the cupcakes, ensure that you have the following items to hand.

Items needed:

• Pink Fondant
• Black Fondant
• Eiffel Tower Fondant Mold
• Fondant Roller
• CMC Powder
• Round Cookie Cutters

To make the fondant toppers follow these simple steps for some cupcakes that will really wow your guests.

Step 1: Before you roll out the fondant, place some CMC powder inside and mix together. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of mix to every pound of fondant and kneed together immediately. 

The powder will ensure that the fondant hardens when left to dry.

Step 2: Once the CMC powder has been mixed in, roll out the fondant  to be approximately 1/8 of an inch thick.  Cut out the bases using the cookie cutter. Measure the size of the cookie cutter to fit the size of the cupcake cases you will be using.

Place the bases onto a lined baking tray and leave to harden for approximately 2 days.

Tip: Ensure that you only add the CMC powder to the fondant that you wish to use. The powder will harden the fondant and you will need to throw away any excess.

Step 3: Once all the round discs have been created, it’s time to create the fun Eiffel tower detail. To do this, first add again the CMC powder to the black fondant.

Using the fondant mould, place the black fondant into the Eiffel tower shape and scrape away all the excess fondant. Gently peel the Eiffel tower from the mould and lay flat onto a tray lined with parchment paper.

Step 4: Once the round discs and the Eiffel towers have dried, it’s time to put them together. 

Note: If you wish you can leave the round discs to harden and make the Eiffel towers later and place them directly onto the disc rather than leaving them to harden first. This is totally dependant on how you want to work with the fondant. Both ways will work just fine.

Using some edible fondant glue, paint the back of the Eiffel tower and attach the tower to the middle of the round disc. Press firmly to ensure they are secure.

Step 5: Dust the Eiffel tower with silver glitter. This will not only make it sparkle, but it will also help to show up the level of detail in the Eiffel tower.

How To Store Fondant Toppers

Once the fondant toppers have been made you want to ensure that they are stored correctly until you need to attach them to the cupcakes. It is best to add the fondant toppers to the cupcakes on the day that you want to eat them. If you add the fondant earlier, the fondant will soften.

Leaving them to the last minute to add to the cupcakes will ensure that your cake toppers look crisp and fresh for the time that you need them.

Until you need to add them to the cupcakes, store carefully in an air tight container. Ensure however that the glue has completely dried before you try stacking toppers on top of each other.

The toppers are very quick and easy to place on the cupcake as you are setting up the party table, so don’t worry as this is not going to cause any extra last minute stress for you.

STAGE 2: BAKE AND CREAM THE CUPCAKES

Step 6: The day before the party is when I generally like to bake the cupcakes. This way they are still nice and fresh, but means you don’t stress to get them done on the day of the party. 

It really doesn’t matter what type of cupcakes you bake or whether you choose to bake from scratch or use a packet mix. I personally always use a packet mix for parties simply because I find it quicker and easier. The choice is however yours.

My daughter likes chocolate, so we always include chocolate cupcakes, but we also baked vanilla cupcakes for the party too.

Step 7: Once the cupcakes have cooled, pipe the buttercream onto the top into a cupcake swirl. Don’t worry too much about the buttercream looking in perfect condition as the Eiffel tower cupcake topper will cover most of the buttercream.

Once the buttercream has been added to the cupcakes, put them aside and store in an airtight container when you can leave them safely until the next day.

Tip: How To Pipe A Classic Buttercream Swirl

Step 8: On the day of the party, add the Eiffel tower fondant toppers to the top of the buttercream and press down gently.

This can be undertaken several hours before you need them and the fondant will still stay fresh. 

Just ensure that you don’t place the cupcakes in the fridge after you have added the Eiffel tower cupcake toppers as the moisture will affect the fondant. Keeping them at an air-conditioned room temperature will ensure that they remain in their proper condition.

Bringing a touch of Parisian charm to your celebration is far easier than it looks, and these Eiffel Tower cupcakes prove just that. With a simple technique and a touch of creativity, you can turn an ordinary dessert into something truly memorable.

No fancy tools or professional skills are required for these amazing cakes. Whether you’re planning a birthday, a themed party, or just want to add a bit of ooh la la at your next party, these cupcakes are sure to delight.

There is no need to buy expensive custom cakes. Give these a try and watch the smiles appear. Not only do they look sensational but they also have an amazing taste. Bon appétit!

Need some more recipe ideas? Check out our entire range of party food ideas that are perfect for the kids and adults too. There are plenty of homemade birthday cakes, cupcakes, cookies, chocolate popcorn and other delicious recipes that guests will all love.

Let’s keep in touch. Did you love these Eiffel tower cupcakes? Sign up to the weekly newsletter to be kept updated with other easy recipe ideas. You will also be updated with easy party, decoration and printable ideas. See you there!

The post How to Easily Make Eiffel Tower Cupcakes For A Paris Party appeared first on Smart Party Planning.

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As the festive season approaches it’s time to think about the decorating. It is common to decorate the inside of a home, but what about the outside?

It is very common to see Christmas fairy lights draping front gardens, but there are a lot more options for Christmas decorating that you may wish to consider this year.

Before you start the outdoor holiday outdoor decor, think about the theme that you want to use.

Do you want it to be bright and fun?

Do you want it to be calming and natural?

Is there a color scheme you have in mind?

Do you want to go with a Scandinavian style?

Outdoor holiday decor is just as important as the inside, and before you start throwing all kinds of decor together you want to think about how the finished product will look.

Once you have this in mind, choosing the specific decor items will be a LOT easier and it will also look “put together” rather than having lots of different decor items thrown together.

How Do I Protect My Outdoor Christmas Decorations?

If the decorations on the deck are directly open to the weather, it is essential that they are weatherproof. It is also important to ensure that all decorations are secured appropriately.

Ensure that any lights used are outdoor only and that power cord sockets are out of direct weather and appropriate for outdoor usage. It is also important to ensure that the power cord is not overloaded. It is better to use multiple extension cords than overload one or two.

You may also wish to add a water shield to outdoor decorations. Even though the decorations are designed for the outdoors, the weather shield will provide an added layer of protection.

Any decor that is protected under a roof can be a little more relaxed and don’t necessarily need to be weatherproof if you are certain the weather cant attack it. 

Think about the outdoor space you are wanting to decorate and use that to determine the type of Christmas decorations that should be used.

Front Door Christmas Decorations

The front door is a great place to have some welcoming Christmas decor and there are a few options you could consider.

Christmas Wreath: The most common way to decorate a front door is to hang a Christmas wreath. There are also a lot of different styles to choose from ranging from traditional to modern, foliage, pure lights and even candy.

A wreath is certainly an easy way to decorate the front door and can easily be hung with a wreath door hanger.

Purchase one or make your own Christmas wreath according to your own specific style.

Door Mat: Do you have a welcome mat at your front door? Now is the perfect time to change this up for a Christmas door mat.

Whether you choose from something traditional or something funny, a front door mat will certainly catch the eye as guests approach the house.

Door Garland: The edge of the door frame can also be decorated, and the easiest way to do this is with a door garland. You may wish to choose fresh or fake elements in the garland, both will look great.

Weave some Christmas lights through the garland for an extra magical look. Garlands that contain red berries also look wonderful at this time of year.

Door Picture: How about covering the entire door with a Christmas picture. There are funny and natural scenes that can simply be attached to the front of the door.

Decorate the Base of The Front Door: The base of the front door is another great area to add some decor and really helps define the entrance. Depending how much room you have around the base of the front door will depend on what kind of decor you use.

Some great ideas are to use a mini Christmas tree or two, some lanterns with candles or lights inside or even Christmas presents.

You can obtain outdoor light Christmas decorations rather than wrapping box’s which will be a lot more weather appropriate.

Rustic Wooden Signs: The front door is an excellent place to add some beautiful rustic wooden signs. Wooden signs could incorporate festive greetings, holiday themed designs or festive quotes. There is something to suit everyone’s personal style.

Illuminate The Deck

Lighting up the deck is a great way to feel the Christmas vibe and add some festive glow. But there is no reason to stop at just lighting up the deck, you could go ahead and light up the entire yard!

There are so many different types of illuminate displays including various light decorations and also giant blow ups of Christmas characters.

Whatever your taste for a light display there will be something to suit everyone’s needs. The lights don’t even have to specifically be Christmas related. It’s possible to use general outdoor fairy lights which look simple and effective.

Decorate Porch Railings

If you have porch railings, this is a perfect place to add some holiday spirit. 

Draped Garlands: Christmas garlands draped across the railings look particularly festive with classic greenery and outdoor lights intermingled with them. 

Red Bows: Railings are the perfect place to add some red bows. These look incredibly attractive mixed with natural greenery and lights. Another place to add a red bow is to the letter box.

Hang Stockings: Who said Christmas stockings have to be just for inside? Poor railings look great with Christmas stockings hung from them. It’s such a simple way to add some Christmas cheer .

Window Boxes

Should you be lucky enough to have window box’s on your home, decorating them is a wonderful complement to your deck decorations. 

Decorate with wreaths, ribbons, mistletoe and pine cones. Window box’s are also a great place to drape garlands and lots of greenery.

Chose traditional green and red or perhaps create a winter wonderland look with silver and white ornaments mixed in with snow covered greenery.

Alternatively choose a rustic vibe with greenery mixed with pinecones and logs to create the vibe of a cosy log cabin.

There are so many ways to decorate the window box’s and each will give a different feel. Stick to one theme for all the window box’s and the overall effect will be magical.

Other Deck Christmas Decorating Ideas

Add Ornaments: If you have any tables on your deck area, then simply add some Christmas ornaments on the top. This could be in a variety of ways such as large vases with baubles inside, or Christmas statues such as snowmen, the Nutcracker or Santa statues. Be sure to place a few together and bundle them.

Add Red Accents: There are a number of ways to add red accents to the deck area. This can be from red bows, red berry clusters or from plaid blankets, throws or doormats.

Add a Vintage Sledge: A porch area that is large enough to add a sledge too will bring all kinds of Christmas feels. Add some plaid throws over the back of the sledge and some fairy lights around the edge.

​Decorating the home is a lot of fun at Christmas, and this includes the outdoors too. Decorating the deck will add the final touches to your Christmas decor and will really put your whole family and the neighbourhood into the Christmas spirit. 

There are many different deck Christmas decorating ideas that cater to all tastes. Being consistent with the theme across the outdoor area will help create a cohesive look. You might even find that your deck becomes your favorite space during the holiday period!

Need some more Christmas ideas? Check out these easy magical Christmas ideas the whole family can enjoy. You will find more printables, simple recipes, decorations and more.

Let’s stay in touch. Did you love these deck Christmas decorating ideas? Sign up to the weekly newsletter to be kept up to date with other Christmas ideas. You will also be updated with easy party and decoration ideas, plus have access to the free printable library. See you there!

The post The Best Festive Deck Christmas Decorating Ideas appeared first on Smart Party Planning.

These festive ideas will make the holiday party even more special without breaking the budget.  Get ready to start filling your goodie bags with these fun ideas for the young guests.

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It’s a lot of fun to have Christmas parties over the festive season, and a lovely way to round the party off is to hand out a goodie bag or (Christmas party favors as you might prefer to call them) to the toddlers and little kids.

It can however be difficult knowing what to include in these bags. You want to ensure that you fill the bag with budget friendly items that are suitable for the little ones.

But don’t stress because you have come to the right place.  

You will find ideas below that include fun festive toys, sweet treats, healthy treats and little fillers that will make up some wonderful holiday goodie bags. So if you are struggling for ideas, read on for lots of fun ideas.

What Should The Goodie Bag Look Like?

The first thing you need to decide is what you would like your goodie bag to look like. This may also depend upon how much you would like to include in the bag. At the end of the day, there is no “perfect goodie bag” but rather different goodie bags to suit different needs.

Goodie bags can also be known as treat bags or loot bags. They are a fun idea to give out at birthday parties or Christmas parties and contain a mixture of little gifts and consumable items.

There are a number of options for how to present your goodie bag, including:

• Using pre-made holiday goodie bag. These might have patterns of Santa, Rudolf, A Snowman or snowflakes etc.
• Brown paper bags that can have a picture or patterns stuck to the front of the bag
• An actual Santa bag or Santa sack
• A clear bag tied with ribbon or twist ties with gift tags attached
• Small containers, box’s or Christmas themed cups
• A Christmas themed water bottle could be filled with lots of goodies

You may like to choose your goodie bag to fit in with the theme of the party, so that they match the decorations.

Deciding what you want to include in your goodie bag might help you decide how big it needs to be and therefore narrow down the options.

What Snacks Can Go Into A Toddlers Goodie Bag?

A goodie bag wouldn’t be complete without at least a few snacks. These snacks can consist of a mix of a few holiday treats, but it is also a good idea to include some healthy options too. Use some of these options as ideas:

Candy Canes: A popular choice for kids of all ages are candy canes. These little treats are easy to buy in bulk and are budget friendly too. It is also possible to buy mini candy canes if it is felt these are more appropriate for toddlers.

Chocolate Coins: Chocolate coins are always popular at Christmas time and they are a great addition to a goodie bag. They are budget friendly and lots of fun. Plus you are giving chocolate without going over the top. They are a win win for an inclusion of a sweet treat.

Christmas Cookies: An easy way to bring some holiday cheer is to add Christmas cookies to the goodie bag. Everyone loves a Christmas cookie! With so many different types of cookies to make, it is easy to find some that the little kids will love.

Wrap a cookie up in a small clear bag to add easily to the goodie bag. A fun idea would also be to tie on a Christmas cookie cutter, so that the toddler can make some cookies when they get home.

Fruit Snacks: It’s a good idea to add some healthier options and fruit snacks are great for this. Little fruit packets are a great option that look just as exciting as lollies but healthier.

Popcorn: If you give popcorn to the toddlers just ensure that you watch them as they are enjoying the popcorn to avoid any chocking hazards.

Popcorn is however a great healthy treat for young children (provided that the eating is supervised).

Pretzels: Pretzels are a great little snack that are also available in lots of different shapes and sizes. It’s not uncommon for these to be available in Christmas shapes over the festive season.

Chocolate Bars: There isn’t anything wrong with adding a few naughty treats and small chocolate bars are perfect for this. 

What Are Good Goodie Bag Stuffers For Toddlers?

There are literally SO many options when it comes to stuffers for the goodie bags, and they don’t all have to be small toys either.

Temporary Tattoos: Temporary tattoos are a great way to get those little gasps of excitement from toddlers. Christmas character tattoos would be the perfect thing to include.

Christmas Squishes: You can never go wrong with sensory toys and Christmas squishies will be an absolute winner.

Plush Toys: Plush toys can be obtained in all sizes, so it will definitely be possible to find a small plush to fit inside a goodie bag. Toddlers will definitely love cuddling up to their Christmas plush.

Christmas Socks: How adorable are little socks. What’s even more adorable are Christmas themed little socks! Add a pair to the goodie bag and the parents will love them just as much as the kids.

Bubble Wands: Bubble wants are always a great idea for toddlers. It’s also easy to find Christmas themed bubble wands over the holiday season. Wands are available in full length and in mini versions so pick a size that fits the goodie bag you wish to use.

Coloring Books: Toddlers love coloring, so this is a great thing to include in the goodie bag. There are also always lots of festive coloring books around, so this would be a nice gift to add.

Art Supplies: For Christmas art supplies think pencils, crayons, stickers and erasers. This would also be perfect to add with the coloring books.

You might also wish to add glue sticks, Christmas pom poms, pipe cleaners and stickers that the toddlers can get creative with.

Chalk: Toddlers love sidewalk chalk, which makes it the perfect addition to a goodie bag. Let them create lots of different Christmas patterns to be enjoyed over the season.

Glow Sticks: Glow sticks are always fun, but they are also a great thing to add to a toddlers goodie bag. There are lots of opportunities to play with glow sticks over the festive season.

They can also be bought in bulk and split between the bags, which also makes them budget friendly. Glow sticks become such a fun activity for young kids as they light up the night.

Christmas Decorations: It might sound silly, but kids love their own Christmas decorations. This is a fun way for them to start their own little collection. A little Christmas tree ornament is a great addition to the goodie bag.

Christmas Novelty Items: Toddlers love the novelty Christmas apparel, so why not include them in the goodie bag. Choose from glasses, hats, headbands, hair scrunchies, hair clips and jewellery.

Slime or Playdough: Do you know a child that doesn’t like slime or playdough? Small gifts like these are super easy to coordinate and are perfect to add to the bag. Kids love playing with them, and they can never be given too much, which makes them the perfect addition to a loot bag.

Small Christmas Puzzles: There are a lot of fun Christmas puzzles that are available in the festive season and these small puzzles are perfect to add to goodie bags. They are a great activity for the kids, plus lots of fun too.

They don’t have to be Christmas themed, but they would be a great addition to any Christmas celebration goodie bag.

Keychains: Keychains are another one of those simple and easy small items that toddlers and small children will love. They can add them to their backpacks or their lunch box’s.

A keychain in a Christmas character would also be a lot of fun.

Christmas Bookmarks: A Christmas bookmark suitable for little hands is a fun idea to add to the goodie bag. It will help mum and dad keep track of the bedtime reading and the toddlers will love putting the bookmark in it’s place.

Magnets: Magnets are love by kids of all ages. It could be a magnet of a Christmas character that the toddler can add to the fridge, or it could be a magnet that they can look at all year round. Toddlers love having little items that are theirs visible in the home.

Frisbees: For a bit of interactive fun, how about adding a fun frisbee to the goodie bag. Available in all different colours, a frisbee is something that will bring a lot of chuckles to a toddler. There are also mini size frisbees that would work too.

Fidget toys: Kids simply love fidget toys.​ There are so many different types, shapes and sizes which make them the perfect addition to a goodie bag.

Rubber Ducks: All toddlers love rubber ducks, and they are such a fun thing to play with at bath time. At Christmas you can even get them a special rubber duck with a Santa hat. This is just extra fun!

With these ideas you can create lots of fun Christmas goodie bags that the toddlers are going to absolutely love. They will leave the party but have lots more enjoyment with their bags when they return home.

Just remember to keep the goodie bags simple! These are not intended to be over the top presents, but rather a token of fun and the giving of a little bit of extra joy.

Be creative and the toddlers and young kids will absolutely love them.

For more Christmas ideas, check out these easy magical Christmas ideas the whole family can enjoy. You will find printables, decorations and more.

Let’s keep in touch. Did you love these Christmas goodie bag ideas for toddlers? Sign up to the weekly newsletter for more simple craft ideas. You will also be updated with easy decoration, recipe and party ideas PLUS have access to the free printable library. See you there.

The post The Best Christmas Goodie Bag Ideas For Toddlers appeared first on Smart Party Planning.

Instead of thinking of the Christmas season as a whirlwind of events, take time to enjoy the experiences and allow them to have more meaning for your family.

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Christmas has become such a busy and incredibly hectic time of year. Families are constantly running from one event to another, trying to squeeze in as much “Christmas” as possible. The holiday season is definitely not a relaxed affair, and all too often brings more stress than joy.

This year might just be the year to ‘slow down’. To pause, take reflection and enjoy the simple things that Christmas has to offer.

The Christmas season didn’t use to be about having the best Christmas decorations and filling the bottom of the tree with as many gifts as possible. But rather the focus was more on family time, simple gift giving on Christmas morning and spending time connecting those important.

So instead of creating a million to-do-lists this year, perhaps its time to enjoy the simpler times with an old fashioned Christmas.

So what is an old fashioned Christmas? It’s simply an opportunity to enjoy a Christmas that allows you to experience and feel the holiday spirit rather than chasing around desperately trying to create the “perfect Christmas”.

Use these old fashioned Christmas ideas to help you along that journey.

How Do You Celebrate An Old Fashioned Christmas?

1. Buy Less Gifts: In today’s society we are so overloaded with Christmas gifts, that it tends to become the main focus. Not only the number of gifts on Christmas day, but the amount of time beforehand spent searching and buying the perfect gift. In reality, most people can remember what they spent “doing” last Christmas and the one before, but not many can remember what gift they received.

So for an old fashioned Christmas, try buying less gifts and enjoy more experiences together instead.

2. Old Fashioned Stocking Stuffers: Instead of filling Christmas stockings with all the modern gifts, how about filling them with old fashioned and traditional gifts.

Think about small gifts such as small toys, fruit, nuts, candy canes and even socks. Coins also used to be added, which would be a fun surprise.

3. Decorate As A Family: Decorating for Christmas as a family not only is a great way to connect with each other, but it also allows for everyone to bring their little bit of festive touch.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, everyone can be involved with the decorating. It’s a great family tradition to start and as the kids get older they will have fond memories of the special times together.

4. Take A family Christmas Photo: When was the last time you took a Christmas family photo. This could be of everyone in front of the Christmas tree or stockings hung on the mantel.

5. Send out Christmas Letters: How many times do you actually receive a letter in a year, or even two years? It used to be so exciting when a letter arrived in the post, and now it rarely happens. Email and instant messaging has become the norm, but what it has done is remove the excitement.

So for something more traditional, how about writing a letter updating your news and add it to the Christmas card.

Remember that Christmas family photo you took? Add that to the card and letter too.

6. Have An Advent Calendar: Do you have an advent calendar to count down the days until Christmas? Advent calendars are very traditional. I’m not talking about the ones that have little toys and other gimmicks in, but the traditional picture version.

A chocolate version would suffice, but a picture advent calendar would be better if you can find one.

7. Sing Christmas Carols: When was the last time you sat around with family and sung Christmas carols? It’s not really a thing that’s done anymore is it!

This has to seriously be one of the best old-fashioned Christmas traditions. Families would gather, sit around the fire, the piano (or both) and simply sing Christmas carols.

This is SO EASY to do, yet it’s something that’s often overlooked.

You don’t need to be able to play an instrument either. If you need a helping hand, just play some Christmas carols and sing along to them. The important thing is that you are connecting as a family.

How To Decorate For An Old Fashioned Christmas

If you would like to decorate for Christmas the old fashioned way, then the decorations need to be kept simple. The glitter and the talking Santa’s need to go!

Instead opt for more natural Christmas decor. There are many ways to do this. Choose the ones that are most appropriate for you and your home.

8. Have a Real Tree: There is nothing quite like a real tree at Christmas time. The pine smell instantly brings a Christmas spirit as soon as you walk into the room.

Instead of buying your tree pre-cut, consider heading to a Christmas tree farm that allows you to choose and cut down your own tree. Undertaking this experience as a family can start an entire new tradition.

9. Hang Homemade Decorations on The Tree: This year it’s time to put all those store bought Christmas tree decorations away and instead opt for homemade decorations. Alternatively use vintage ornaments.

10. Use Greenery and Fruit: There are so many ways to decorate with greenery to give that old fashioned Christmas appeal. Decorate window ledges, box’s and doors. Mantle pieces are also the perfect place to add some greenery.

Use mistletoe, pine cones and other leafy greens. Use these greens as garlands or as wreaths for the front door.

Decorating with fruit also gives an old fashioned feel. Use apples, pears, lemons and cinnamon sticks. Dry orange slices to use as Christmas tree decorations and other ornaments.

This will help remind you of the simpler life away from the commercial decorations.

11. Add A Nativity Set: A nativity set is very traditional Christmas item and also lovely to have in the home. Set up the nativity in a prominent spot to help remind you of the real reason for the season.

You may wish to add baby Jesus when you set the nativity up, or you may choose to wait until Christmas morning to celebrate the arrival.

12. Paper Snowflakes: As a kid, I was always making paper snowflakes at Christmas time. They are easy to do and can be used for decoration all over the house.

The kids can enjoy creating different shape and size snowflakes.

13. Make Stockings: There is a huge range of stockings available in the shops, but how about making your own. Homemade Christmas stockings are actually really simple and they look really great. They would be a great addition to the mantel or sitting under the tree.

14. Make The Christmas Paper: The presents under the tree can certainly act as a Christmas decoration, so it is appropriate to add this here. The old fashioned present wrapping was simply undertaken with brown paper and ribbon. It’s surprising how amazing this looks and so simple and cheap to do.

15. Make Use of Candles: The old-fashioned way of providing lighting was to use candles. In today’s modern world, candles are used for creating atmosphere and they would certainly do that for a Christmas feel. Light some candles or oil lanterns and enjoy the glimmer of light that they bring. 

​Traditionally candles were used on Christmas trees instead of lights. Whilst this wouldn’t be recommended now, the best way to replicate the feel of this is to use battery-operated candles. Sit back and enjoy the simple glow that they would provide.

Drink some hot cocoa, eat some Christmas cookies and relax listening to Christmas music with candles flickering. It sounds so peaceful and festive doesn’t it!

16. Make Paper Chains: Paper chains have to be one of the best old fashioned Christmas decorations. Kids of all ages can enjoy making them, and they can be draped across ceilings and walls. Grab a paper chain kit or cut up the pieces yourself. This will become a new tradition as it is so much fun.

17. Set Up A Train: Have you ever wanted one of those trains that circle around the base of the Christmas tree? This could be your year! The kids will love it and it will bring back the inner child in your too.

Old Fashioned Christmas Food Ideas

Christmas is a great time for baking. It is also a great opportunity to spend some quality time with the kids creating lots of delicious Christmas treats. Whether there are Christmas parties to attend, or just to enjoy with the family, it’s the perfect time to hit the kitchen.

18. Christmas Cookies: Everyone loves the fresh smell of cookies right out of the oven, and this is such a fantastic old fashioned tradition. Bake some cookies to leave out for Santa Claus, packing them up in little bags to give to friends, or simply eat and enjoy them!

There are so many easy and delicious Christmas cookie recipes to choose from, that you can make different recipes throughout the Christmas season. Don’t forget to grab some Christmas cookie cutters too so that you can make some cute Christmas characters.

19. Gingerbread House: Instead of making a gingerbread house from a kit, do it the old fashioned way and make it from scratch! Once the gingerbread has been cooked, everyone then gets to enjoy decorating it.

This is one of those Christmas activities that is always a traditional favourite. Follow an easy gingerbread house tutorial to help you along.

20. Make Eggnog: Eggnog is another one of those Christmas essentials that is easily bought in the shops. But it tastes so much better and far more traditional if you make it yourself.

The great thing is that there are many awesome eggnog recipes to choose from to suit all tastes.

21. Christmas Candy: Do you love the old style Christmas candy? How about making it for yourself?

If you have ever thought about making some old fashioned candy, now would be a great time. The candy can even be bagged up to form little gifts for friends and neighbors.

Other Old Fashioned Christmas Traditions

Aside from all the ideas above, there are lots of other old-fashioned Christmas traditions that you can undertake.

22. Christmas Dinner: Christmas dinner menu’s have become quite elaborate over the years. The old tradition for Christmas dinner is the full roast.

Decorate the table, place all the roast vegetables in the middle of the table and let everyone help themselves. You could even carve the meat at the dinner table (although it would be easier and less messy to do this in the kitchen!).

Turn off the lights and use the candles to create a truly old fashioned atmosphere.​

23. Christmas Carolling: It is very rare to now have people come knocking on the door singing Christmas carols, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done! Head out as a family or a group of friends and spread some cheer.

Take some candles in holders instead of using a torch and soak up that Christmas spirit.

24. Visit A Christmas Market: There are lots of Christmas markets around. This is a great chance to spend time together and browse the various homemade crafts.

Look out for some hot chestnuts and mulled wine to complete the experience. This is an easy way to feel the Christmas spirit.

25. Read The Nativity Story: How about getting back to basics and sit and read the nativity story together. Or attend a church service or nativity.

This doesn’t have to be left for Christmas day, but can be enjoyed earlier in December. The Christmas story is what it’s all about after all!

26. Watch Holiday Movies: There is nothing better at Christmas time than snuggling up on the couch, with a big bowl of popcorn and watching Christmas movies. There are so many family movies to choose from.

For some traditional movies you could choose Its a wonderful life, Scrooge or The Snowman. Elf, The Polar Express and The Grinch have also become popular movies to watch each year. Watching movies is such a fun family thing to do together and you can literally blitz a whole heap of Christmas movies in a couple of weeks.

Need some more Christmas ideas? Check out these easy magical Christmas ideas the whole family can enjoy. You will find more printables, simple recipes, decorations and more.

Let’s stay in touch. Did you love these old fashioned Christmas ideas? Sign up to the weekly newsletter to be kept up to date with other Christmas ideas. You will also be updated with easy party and decoration ideas, plus have access to the free printable library. See you there!

The post 26 of The Best Old Fashioned Christmas Ideas appeared first on Smart Party Planning.

Find activities and games that can be undertaken in all weather and will excite the adventurous, the sporty and the first time campers. Everyone will be sure to have a fun filled time.

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• 26 Totally Awesome Fall Activities For Teens
• The Best Easy And Fun Camping Party Ideas

Camping for teenagers is a lot of fun. The camping could be for an organised group, a birthday party with some friends, or just a couple of families with teens camping together.

Regardless of the initial reasoning behind your camping trip, thinking about some activities to undertake with the teens will make the entire camping experience more rewarding and a lot more fun.

Camping is absolutely great for teenagers. It allows them to disconnect from technology, explore the great outdoors and also build and strengthen relationships with others.

These ideas are perfect for keeping them happy and engaged throughout the entire camping experience. Choose from a range of fun camping activities that will ensure everyone has a great time.

How Can Teenagers Benefit From Camping?

There are so many reasons to go camping and it benefits people of all ages. 

For teenagers it is a great experience for them to try something new, test their boundaries and learn some new skills.

Aside from this, camping is great for:

• Being physically active and off technology for a few days. Participating in physical activity does wonders for teens.
• Building relationships and bonds with others.
• Appreciating nature and learning about the great outdoors.
• Encouraging teamwork and working together.
• Depending on the group, camping can even be an opportunity to make some new friends.
• Getting some amazing fresh air!

Ice Breaker Activity

Every camp needs an ice breaker activity. This is fantastic when the teenagers don’t all know each other, but it’s also super useful even when they do. Either way it’s a fun way to break the ice at the start of a camping trip.

Camping is not an activity that is done all the time, so even if teenagers are used to being around each other, being in a different environment can quite often change dynamics amongst the group.

That’s why an ice breaker activity is always useful as soon as you set up camp.

This is one of the easiest ice breaker activities which every teen will be able to join in with. It’s called the “line up”. 

• Gather all the teens together in a group and inform them that they are going to be given some instructions from which they will form a line.
• Once a line has been made they will be given more instructions to form another line.
• Instructions need to be simple and easy for the teens to communicate with each other.
• The first instruction can be to form a line without talking to each other based on their height. Tallest to shortest.
• The following instructions to form lines can be to line up according to the month of their birthday, to how many siblings they have or how many pets they have. Line up according to the letter of their first name and then their last name.
• Think of as many line up instructions that you can that will ensure the teenagers all mix together. They will have to work together to form the lines and also find out a little bit of information about each other too.

Ice breaker activities are important to occur near the beginning of camp to ensure that everyone starts of the experience in the most relaxed way possible. This game is also great if you have kids of all ages and even younger children can participate.

Adventure Camping Activities

For the adventurous teens, these fun outdoor activities will be sure to keep them active and wear them out for a good nights sleep!

Hiking Nature Hike

Hiking is not only fantastic for getting in some exercise but it is also great for enjoying the local campsite surroundings.

You might find that teenagers need a bit of convincing to go on a hike. If that’s the case ensure that you chose a trail that has an “end point”. Something that leads to a spectacular view, a waterfall or a swimming hole would be ideal. 

If the teenagers know what they are heading towards then it gives more of a focus and enjoyment. Hand them all a compass so they can navigate their path. It’s also the perfect time to test them out on some simple survival skills.

Scavenger Hunt Treasure Hunt

Another fun alternative to the scavenger hunt would be to make it a selfie scavenger hunt. Let’s face it, all teenagers love their selfies!

Send them off searching for specific items and when they have found them they need to take a selfie with the item. This will definitely ensure that no cheating occurs and it will provide some fun photos to look back on after camp.

Geocaching – geocaching app

New to geocaching? It’s super simple to get started.

Teens will enjoy hiking and exploring looking for hidden treasures. You will need to download the geocaching app in order to obtain instructions, but the fact that its using technology will get the teens even more excited about it!

The hidden treasures are left by other players and can contain literally anything. It might be note, a plastic figurine, some marbles, a picture or a painted rock. Who knows. That’s half the surprise. Take the treasure, leave your name and leave a new treasure. If you don’t want the treasure or don’t have a new one to replace it with, then simply put it back and simply enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

Obstacle Course 

An obstacle course can be set up anywhere and it’s easy to use what you have handy at a camp site.

Use logs and boulders to climb over, camp chairs and tables to climb under and planks to balance on. Lay out a picnic rug and have the teenagers crawl under it.

Be creative with what you have accessible to you and you can have a lot of fun creating an obstacle course.

Water Games & Activities Teenagers Will Love Whilst Camping

Camping near a body of water? Water opens up a whole lot of opportunities that would be fun for teenagers whilst camping, especially on hot days. Be sure to check any rules relating to any water activities at the site before commencing an activity.

Kayaking

It doesn’t matter whether the teenagers have used a kayak before or not as this is a fun activity that they will all enjoy.

This is an activity that will work on their balance and strength and more than likely cause a lot of laughter in the process.

Swimming 

Swimming can be a great option for teenagers if there is a nice water hole. Teenagers don’t even seem to be bothered by the weather so as long as it’s not freezing cold, this can still be an activity in almost any season.

Ensure that there are several supervisors watching the teenagers closely so that everyone can be involved with the fun safely.

Water Fight 

It goes without saying that if there is water, it’s a prime opportunity for a water fight. Bring lots of water pistols and let the battle begin.

You are never too old for a water fight and this is something everyone can easily be involved in.

Having a water fight with water balloons is also an option, but be sure to collect all remnants of balloons when the game is finished. If that sounds too hard or time consuming, then it’s best to stick to the classic game of water pistols.

Fishing 

Check for any conditions relating to fishing and if there are no restrictions, this can be a great fun activity whilst camping.

Let the teenagers catch their own fish to cook on the campfire for dinner!

Fishing can be a great relaxing and bonding experience which would be great for a small group of teenagers.

Bird Watching

This could be a new experience for the teens or something they have done before. Provide each teen with a set of binoculars so they can get a closer look at the birds they are trying to distinguish. 

Also ensure that several bird books are available to help them identify and tick off the birds that they find.

Sporting Camping Activities

You are always onto a winner with some simple classic physical exercise whilst on a camping trip. The best part is that everyone knows how to play these games, and it doesn’t matter whether the teens are any good at them or not. These activities are also great if you need to fill up some free time.

Bike Riding

For an adventurous group of teens, bike riding is the perfect camping activity. Look for bike trails and study the gradients before you get started to ensure that the trail is suitable for all in the group.

Get all the teens to pack a backpack and then set off on an adventure.

Set ground rules before you start such as keeping together and having designated stopping points.

Football

If there is an open ground near the camp site then football is a great team sport to play. Divide the teens into two teams, set up goal areas then set a timer for the play to begin. And all you need to take with you is a football!

Cricket

Another great team sport if you have the space available. 

Whether the teens have played cricket before or not, this is a game that everyone can get involved in and have a lot of fun with.

Camping Games 

There are so many simple but classic camping games that can be incorporated into the trip. These are fun activities regardless of how many times they are played.

Frisbee 

Don’t underestimate how much fun can be had with a simple frisbee. Enjoy a simple casual play or split into teams and make it a competition.

This will get the teens running around, laughing and easily having fun. It’s the perfect game to instantly wear off some energy.

Tug Of War 

A tug of war is such a simple game but also a super fun game. If you have a group of teenagers who need to release some energy this is a fantastic way of doing it.

All you need is some rope and some willing participants.

Divide your players into two teams (of equal build) and let the tug of war begin. The team members can battle out their strength against each other, with the first team to be able to pull their opponents across the line crowned the winners.

Nerf Battle 

A nerf battle is a lot of fun and something the teenagers will really enjoy. It’s a great way to engage in some friendly competition.

However this battle will take a bit of clean up. You are in nature and you don’t want to be leaving nerf bullets behind. So only play if you are prepared to collect and account for all the nerf bullets after the game.

Lazer Tag

The lazer tag is played in much the same way as the nerf battle except you don’t have to worry about collecting bullets! It therefore might be an easier game to play whilst camping.

Every player will however need a lazer gun and also lazer vest.

Then split the teens into teams, set up the rules and let the battle begin.

Night Time Camping Fun

Campfire Cooking

Not every teen has cooked at home, let alone cook over a campfire. But cooking on a campfire is so much fun.

There are many simple recipes that teens can cook themselves that they will also enjoy eating. They can either cook their own meals, or a group can cook for the other half of the group.

Either way this will be a fun activity that the teens will enjoy doing together, plus they will also learn some basic skills too. It’s a win win activity.

Star Gazing 

Camping and star gazing go hand in hand. Hopefully there will be a clear night or two that will allow for some sensational star gazing. 

Move slightly away from the camp fire to ensure less light interference and enjoy the wonders of the night sky.

Roll out a blanket, lie down and get comfortable as you stare into the night wonders.

If you have a telescope of binoculars, bring them along to add to the experience. You can guarantee that the teenagers will be queuing up to have a go looking through them.

Ghost Stories 

Telling ghost stories is one of those experiences that everyone wants to do on camp, but no-one want to do on camp!

Ensure that the stories told are suitable for the age group in attendance. If there are younger teens then it would be a good idea to keep the stories fairly tame unless you want the teens up all night!

If you would rather opt away from the “ghost stories” then normal stories are fine too. 

Some examples of conversation starters are:

• The bravest thing I have ever done
• The most exciting adventure I’ve ever been on
• The best day of my life was…

Campfire Charades

Charades is a lot of fun and even more fun when played by a campfire.

Add a little extra campfire fun to it by ensuring all the phrases are related to camping or camp wildlife in some way.

This game is one of those old family favorites, that never gets dull.

Rainy Days Camping Activities

Whilst no-one wants to go camping in the rain, unexpected weather can always happen. It is therefore a good idea to come prepared with some rainy day activities “just in case”.

It is also the perfect opportunity to have some quieter time, or some get to know you time as you are forced to spend more time together in a close proximity.

Board Games

When it’s raining, it is a great opportunity to whip out some board games. Teens can either cosy up in their tents and play whilst snuggled into their sleeping bag or set up an area under cover outside. Just be sure that there is enough room for everyone to sit in the dry comfortably.

Board games are a great addition to any camping experience, so even if it’s not raining they are good to pull out for some quiet time, or evening time fun.

Camp games don’t always need to be loud and active. Sometimes it’s nice to just chill and enjoy the camp site!

Card Games

Card games are easy to take onto a camping trip. They are small to pack and easy to play. There are also SO many card games that can be played ensuring fun for everyone.

And if the weather is bad? The teens can huddle together in a tent or under shelter playing card games until the weather improves.

Verbal Games

Verbal games are super easy to play and the great thing about them is that they don’t need any preparation. These games can simply be played on a whim just by gathering everyone together. Examples of verbal games include:

Who Am I: On a piece of paper write down an object or a person. Hold it over one players head for the rest of the group to see. That person then has to ask questions to the group to work out who or what they are. To make it more fun, either set a time limit or only allow them to ask a certain number of questions before they have to identify who or what they are.

Two Truths and A Lie: Ask every camper to think of two truths and a lie about themselves. In turn every player tells the group of their truths/lie. The rest of the campers have to identify which is the lie.
Story Telling: The first person has to start a story with one of two lines. In turn going around the circle everyone contributes a further one or two lines to the story. The last person has to finish off the story in their allocated one to two lines.

The Alphabet Game: This is a word association game where everyone has to say an item that begins with the letter of the alphabet. For example the item could be “fruit or vegetables”. Camper one could say “apple” then camper two has to think of something beginning with the letter B such as “Bananas”. Then the third camper has to say something beginning with C such as “carrots”. The game continues throughout the alphabet until someone can’t think of an item on their turn. The game then starts again with that person beginning at A with a new item.

Get In The Rain

The teens might be inclined to simply get in the rain! This will ultimately depend on the type of group you have camping and whether this is something they would be comfortable with. But if the rain doesn’t bother anyone, then continue on with your activities as planned. The only difference is everyone will get a little wet!

Alternatively if everyone has rain jackets or ponchos and gum boots, then that will help to keep the rain off slightly. Maybe everyone can even go singing and dancing in the rain and bring out their inner child.

Camping is such a valuable experience for teenagers. For some it will get them out of their comfort zone, whilst others may be seasoned campers.

Use these great ideas to ensure that whether the teen is experiencing their first camp, or one of many, that it will be a memorable camp experience.

Let’s stay in touch. Did you love this selection of camp activities for teenagers? Sign up the to the newsletter so you never miss out on other easy party ideas. You will be updated with other easy games, decorations, party theme ideas, recipes and much more. Plus you will also have access to a ton of printable’s in the free printable library.

The post 25 Camp Activities For Teenagers For The Best Fun appeared first on Smart Party Planning.

From menu items, to decorations and even activities, this will be an event that all the kids will enjoy.

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Everyone loves a tea party. For those looking for something a bit different for the kids, a tea party could be just what you need.

It might sound a bit of an unusual idea for a birthday party, but a kids tea party is actually becoming really popular.​

Kids get to munch on some delicious foods, whilst chatting and playing with their friends.

A kid’s tea party will help them use their imagination in a really fun way. This even makes it ideal for children as young as two years old!

The imagination play that can be created with a tea party allows for little boys and little girls to have so much fun.

If you see your child having imaginative play with their tea sets, then this is a party that they are definitely going to get excited about.

What Is A Tea Party For Kids?

A tea party for kids is literally a fun way of serving finger food whilst turning the event it into a special occasion.

A tea party could be held as a birthday party or it could even be just a morning or afternoon tea party between you and the kids.

If it’s just you and the kids, make it extra special by asking them to go and dress up in something fancy. This could be their favorite piece or clothing, a princess dress or even a cowboy suit!

Yes tea parties are not just for girls!

Then sit them at a table and serve all the food on tiered stands. Ask them to bring friend such as a favorite doll, teddy bears or even superhero to the tea party.

Ensure that you have a chair especially for their “friend”.

If holding the tea party as an actual party for their birthday, then specify this on the party invitation.

Ask all the children to dress up and bring a favorite friend.

What Time Should A Tea Party Be Held?

A tea party will include quite a bit of food, but it’s not a meal either.

Ideally a tea party would be held after lunch around 3-5pm. 

But really any time is fine for a tea party.

Just ensure that you explain to parents that there will be a reasonable amount of food to eat, so that the kids don’t over eat before they arrive.

What Do You Serve At A Children’s Tea Party?

The fun of a tea party is most definitely the food. Ensure that everything served is finger food to add to the experience.

Check that you do not have any food allergies to cater for prior to the party.

Kids don’t have complex taste buds so make sure that the menu items are kept simple for them to enjoy.

A great children’s tea menu could include the following:

Savory Finger Food Options:

• Finger sandwiches – depending on allergies, cream cheese, egg, ham and cheese or peanut butter sandwiches are all good choices. Cut the edges off to make them more appealing to the kids.
• Pigs in blanket
• Pinwheels
• Cheese and crackers

Sweet Finger Food Options:

• Scones
• Mini Cupcakes
• Cookies. Use cookie cutters such as stars and hearts.
• Brownies
• Petite fours or cake squares
• Macarons
• Fruit tarts
• Fruit – it’s aways a good idea to include some form of fruit. This can be grapes, strawberries or small slices of watermelon.

What Tea Do You Have At A Kids Tea Party?

Some children might drink tea, but there will be a lot of children who do not.

If you do supply tea, ensure that it is decaffeinated.

Otherwise serving bubble tea would be a lot of fun. Or simply just pink lemonade, orange or apple juice.

For a winter tea party you may even wish to serve some hot chocolate.

Your little guests wont mind what the beverage on offer is.

They are more concerned with the overall effect, and you want to make sure that they have something they enjoy rather than serving tea for the sake of it.

Supplies Needed At Tea Party For Kids

There are a few basic supplies that you need at a tea party for kids.

Tea Cup and Saucer – Regardless of whether you are serving tea, bubble tea or juice, serving it in a proper tea cup with saucer will be a lot of fun.

Napkins – You simply can’t have a tea party without napkins! Either use paper napkins or you may opt for a pretty handkerchief. The kids would think this is pretty special.

Cake Stands or Platters – How you serve the food is incredibly important. It needs to look “pretty”.

The best way to do this is to ensure that all the food is placed onto a cake stand or individual platters. You may wish to have savory on platters and sweet on a cake stand.

How To Decorate For A Kids Tea Party

To decorate for a traditional tea party, think floral, whimsical and vintage.

Cover the table with a pretty tablecloth and decorate the centre of the table with pretty flowers. Fresh flowers are best, but fake flowers will also work well.

Using proper tea cups will really help set the table experience. If possible look for pretty flowery tea cups and tea sets.

It doesn’t actually matter if they have a “cup of tea” or not, rather it’s the look and feel that you are going for.

Head to the op shop for plenty of tea cup options (no they don’t have to match!). The kids will think this is wonderful. And if there happens to be an accident, then you havn’t lost an expensive tea cup!

Ensure that place settings have been organised prior to the party and each child has somewhere to sit.

Next make sure that every child has a napkin. Whilst you could use colorful paper napkins, if you use cloth napkins it will really add to the feel of a real tea party.

The food needs to be served in the middle of the table on a cake stand. This will instantly make the food look amazing!

If you want to dress up the chairs, tie a ribbon into a bow around the back of the chair.

Want to have balloons but don’t think they fit with a tea party? The simple answer is to have those balloons!

Used appropriately there is nothing wrong with the beautiful decor that balloons provide.

Ensure that you are not choosing all the colors of the rainbow though. Stick with one of two colors of balloons, or use balloons with confetti inside.  

Balloons can be placed near entrance ways, on the present table or even tied to the backs of chairs.

If you are holding the party outside, it would be a good idea to think about some cover.

In warm days you will need some shade from the sun, and on cooler days, protection from the cold and possible rain.

If an undercover area is not available, the tea party would look delightful set up under a canopy or in a small gazeebo. You can then hang some tasteful decorations from the shelter to make it look super pretty.

Think about your color scheme and stick with it. Don’t go overboard with too many colours and keep things simple.

What Activities Do You Have At A Kids Tea Party?

Even though this party is technically a “sit down” party, you still need to ensure that you have activities and fun games planned.

Children will get bored if they sit down for too long, so it is important to mix up the seating and eating with other games and activities.

You can of course stick to normal kids party games if you feel the need for kids to run off a bit of energy.

Otherwise there are some other great tea party specific activities that the kids will enjoy undertaking.

Decorate A Hat: Kids love dressing up and it is so easy to make this an activity too. Buy all the kids a straw hat in various colours and supply gems, flowers, pom poms, feathers etc. They will have a great time decorating their hat and then wearing it!

Make Paper Crowns: Instead of making a hat, the kids could all make paper crowns. This would fit perfectly with a Princess tea party.

Decorate Cupcakes or Cookies: This would also be a popular activity with kids of all ages. They can either eat the cupcakes or cookies at the tea party or keep to take home with them. If taking home, supply mini individual cupcake box’s to make it easier to transport them.

Make Necklaces/Bracelets: Kids love creating necklaces and bracelets for themselves and others. Beads on string is an easy way for them to do this and lets them be creative in the process.

Paint Nails: There is something about looking and feeling pretty at a tea party. Set up a nail painting station and let the kids either paint their own nails or have someone pamper them and do it for them.

Make Paper Fans: If its a warm day, this activity will not only be a lot of fun, but also practical too. Making paper fans is really simple, but if you need a refresher then you can check out the easy tutorial.

Design a Cup: You may choose to serve drinks in cups rather than in tea cups. If this is the case the kids could all be given a plain white cup which they could first decorate as they arrive at the party.

Party Favors For A Tea Party

Kids all love to take a party favor bag home with them. How much you include in this bag is entirely up to you.

A few fun options include:

• Bath bombs
• Lip gloss or nail polish
• Bracelets
• Tea party themed book
• A teddy bear. How about a Paddington Bear!
• Chocolate tea bags

Tea parties are a lot of fun for little and older kids. They don’t need an additional theme attached to them as the tea party is the theme.

You can however add an additional theme such as a fairy, princess or even Paddington bear theme if you wish for something extra. Otherwise enjoy the simplicity of the tea party itself.

Incorporate some of the elements from here and you will find yourself hosting a wonderful tea party for kids that will be highly memorable for them.

Need some fun ideas for a different theme? Check out our huge selection of party ideas. You will have a ton of inspiration for different themes, games and more.

Let’s stay in touch. Did you love these tea party for kids ideas? Sign up to the weekly newsletter to be kept up to date with other easy party, decoration and recipe ideas. You will also have access to a ton of free printables. See you there!

You can also stay up to date on all our posts, by following Smart Party Planning on Pinterest.

The post How To Host A Tea Party For Kids With Simple Easy Tips appeared first on Smart Party Planning.

There is something here for everyone that will ensure a great party for all.

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When thinking about your kids birthday parties, you MUST think about the entertainment.

Many parents make the mistake of putting together a food table, leaving toys out letting the kids just “get on with it”.

Whilst this can work if you have a small group, it can quickly turn to chaos with more than 5 children present. It also means that kids that don’t necessarily know anyone other than the birthday child can easily be pushed aside and feel lonely. 

Entertainment on the other hand brings everyone together.

It brings a focus, and it makes your life SO MUCH EASIER!

Even if you end up coordinating the entertainment yourself, it is worth the effort for a smooth running party where everyone has a great time.

If you arn’t confident enough (or just want to relax at the party), then there are also lots of options for paid entertainment.

The cost of kids entertainers will vary according to what entertainment you are purchasing.

Read on for some of the best kids party entertainment that you can use for your next special occasion.

DIY Kids Party Entertainment

Traditional Party Games: It’s always a good idea to have games at children’s parties.

There are so many party games that can be played that fit in with all sorts of different party themes. Kids parties of all ages will benefit from games that ensure kids are engaged and having fun at the party.

This is the easiest and cheapest type of entertainment you can organise.

Treasure Hunt: Kids absolutely LOVE treasure hunts! a Treasure hunt provides great entertainment and you can make them as long or as short as you want them to be.

Either find treasure that they can take home, or items that are found just for fun.

Give the kids maps or simple clues to help them locate all the treasure items.

Obstacle Courses: Kids love obstacle courses. Take a look at what you already have at home before you start adding extras.

Hula hoops, nets, ropes, ramps, steps and jumping balls all work excellently in an obstacle course.

Photo Booth: A photo booth is very simple to set up and it provides a lot of entertainment.

Ensure you have a party backdrop and some photo props. The kids will then have a great time getting into groups and taking various photos of themselves.

It is also a lot of fun to look back on once the party has finished.

Kids Party Entertainment To Try Yourself OR Hire

Magic Show: Unless you know or are willing to learn a bit of magic before the party, it might be a good idea to hire a children’s magician.

Kids will be amazed. Even you will be amazed!

Puppet Show: You might like to hire someone to undertake a puppet show or you could try your hand at doing one yourself.

Balloon Twisters: Do you know how to do balloon twisting and make balloon animals?

If balloon art isn’t your thing, there are plenty of balloon artists that you can hire for parties.

The kids will love watching the magic unfold and taking a balloon creation home with them.

Costume Characters: Some party themes would work really well with someone dressing up as the party characters.

For example, Elsa appearing at a Frozen party would be delightful. And Spiderman attending a Superhero party would bring a lot of excitement.

Maybe even have a variety of characters attend the party. Costumed characters can either be coordinated with some friends or family members, or hire professionals to attend the event.

Face Painting: Face painting is always really popular with kids of all ages. You may know some friends who would make good face painters.

Otherwise there are many face painters of varying prices that you can hire for an hour or even the entire party.

Glitter Tattoos: A lot of face painters also offer glitter tattoos, but these are so simple to do yourself. 

Dance Party: Little groovers will love a dance party and it provides the ultimate entertainment. Set it up yourself with some speakers and disco lights, or hire someone to do it for you.

The best dance party will also have someone coordinating some dance games to keep all the kids extra entertained.

Clowns: Clowns can be a lot of fun at parties and can also do a lot of things.

A clown can incorporate face painting, balloon twisting and undertaking glitter tattoos into their entertainment too.

Hire Kids Party Entertainment

Inflatable Bounce House: Bouncy castles of all shapes and sizes can be hired, perfect for those with a small or a large backyard.

Lots of bouncy castles also come decorated with different themes for some added fun. Choose your layout and hire for the day.

The great thing is that you will also get use of the castle before and after the party too.

Water slides: Water slides can also be hired along with the inflatable houses. So if the weather is nice, why not have some water play with the kids and hire an inflatable water slide.

Live Animals: Fancy a farm yard in your backyard or maybe some reptiles?

There are organizations that will bring all this to you. All you need to do is provide some shade and available space.

So whether it’s padding a baby goat or having a snake wrapped around the neck, there will be something to excite all animal lovers. And this is maximum entertainment for kids!

Bubble Show: Bubble show artists are mesmerising. They can even create bubbles big enough that the kids can be inside of. How awesome is that!

Kids will love the bubble creations unfolding before them.

Lego Parties: Did you know that you can hire companies to bring a whole heap of Lego to your home?

This is the ultimate entertainment for kids who are obsessed with Lego. Maybe even big adult kids too!

They bring everything so you don’t need to worry about going and purchasing a whole heap of Lego to share around the kids.

Things To Check When Hiring A Children’s Entertainer

If the kids party entertainment is going to be hired, there are a few things that you want to check before you sign the booking agreement!

Things to check include:

• Performance lengths or hire time of equipment.
• Is the price fixed or does it change according to the size of your event.
• Are there any setup requirements that you need to adhere to.
• Ensure that anyone coming to your home has the required background check in place.
• Check out reviews from previous parties and past clients.
• Discuss or review the various party packages that may be on offer.

Coordinating some kind of children’s party entertainment is a great idea to ensure a smooth running party.

Whether that be simple kids party games or hiring local children’s party entertainers is completely up to you.

Think about the kind of party you want to hold and what will be most exciting for your child and their friends.

One thing is guaranteed. Once you have the entertainment sorted, you will be hosting the best kids birthday party ever!

Need some more party ideas? Check out all our other party ideas, games and themes. You will have a ton of inspiration to keep everyone entertained.

Let’s stay in touch. Did you love these kids party entertainment ideas? Sign up the to the newsletter so you never miss out on other easy party and recipe ideas. Plus you will also have access to a ton of printable’s in the free printable library.

The post Top Picks For The Best Kids Party Entertainment appeared first on Smart Party Planning.

Whether it’s finding the perfect activity for your beach-loving mom or selecting a great beach gift, there is something here for everyone. 

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Does your mom absolutely love the beach? 

The best part about Mother’s day is simply being with mom. And in doing so, being somewhere that she loves. If that’s the beach, then why not head to the beach for the day (or weekend) and spend some quality time together.

Even in mid winter, a lot of good times can be had at the beach. Maybe not in the rain, but pretty much any other weather works!

You may not wish to be heading to the beach for mother’s day but instead looking for the perfect gift to get your beach loving mom.

Either way, there are plenty of ideas here for the beach lovers.

Find A Beach Spot With A View

Mom’s who love the beach will also enjoy views of the beach (not necessarily having to be on it). This is a great option for those that don’t live in a warmer climate over Mother’s day.

A view of the beach can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

Whether it be watching sunrise, sunset, or just enjoying the mid day sun, the view of the beach can be a gorgeous one.

If you know of a cafe that has a great beach view, book breakfast or lunch there with the family.

Otherwise grab a thermos flask or wine glasses and head to a spot when the beauty can be observed. 

Mom’s will love the simplicity of this for Mother’s day.

Beach Trip

A family outing to the beach would be thoroughly enjoyed by a beach loving mom.

Whether that’s just the immediate or wider family, it will be a day that is enjoyed by all. Think about where your mom’s happy place is and plan a trip there.

Pack a picnic, grab the buckets and spades, the beach cricket equipment and head to the beach. 

To make a day of it, don’t forget to make sure everyone is comfortable. That includes taking beach towels, seats and having some shade.

Why not even take the family dog with you, so everyone can enjoy the day together.

If it’s a nice day and you live near the beach, then this is the perfect activity to do on Mother’s day.

Beach Vacation

Perhaps you would like to stay at the beach a bit longer than a day?

A beach vacation could be just the thing you need.

Mother’s day could be the perfect time to get get away for the weekend (or a week). The whole family could hire a beach house and enjoy a beach vacation together. This would be the perfect way for a beach loving mom to enjoy a Mother’s day weekend.

Imagine spending the entire weekend with family who are all there for the same reason. To celebrate mom! 

The beach vacation doesn’t have to be somewhere exotic. It could literally be at your local beach.

The important thing is to gather together, relax, unwind and have a lot of fun.

Mom would consider this to be the best mothers day ever!

Beach Experiences

For the adventurous type of mom, how about looking into some beach experiences for her.

These experiences would also make a great gift idea too.

Horse Riding: This would definitively be an experience that she wouldn’t forget. Riding along the sand and in the waves would be an incredibly experience.

Don’t just send mom off on her own though. Join her in the adventure.

Boat Tour: How about cruising along the coastline taking in the views. Let mom sit back, put her feet up and enjoy the lapping of the waves around her. 

Either take an organised boat tour or why not hire your own.

Sunrise/Sunset Tour: There is something quite magical about watching the sun rise or set at the beach.

If you love spending time with mom and creating magical memories, then this experience would be amazing.

This is a perfect gift idea for a mom who loves to be pampered whilst at the beach.

Scuba Diving: This unique experience is for the adventurous and active moms. It would be absolutely incredible exploring the underwater sea life together.

It would be a mother’s day to remember, if she was to undertake this experience with her close family in tow.

Snorkling: Snorkling is another great way to explore the underwater life, without being quite as adventurous as scuba diving!

There is so much to explore and enjoy without going under the water. Accompany mom on this amazing adventure.

Beach BBQ: If it’s a beautiful day how about hosting a beach BBQ. Take all moms favorite food and cook up a storm on the beach. If it’s cold weather, just rug up warm!

High Tea at The Beach: Do you know of a local beach hotel that offers High Tea?

This could be a wonderful way to enjoy some beach views whilst also enjoying some amazing food.

Best Beach Gifts For Mom

For a mom that loves the beach, it would be perfect to give her a beautiful beach gift. Finding the ideal gift however is not always easy and that’s where we are here to help.

These gifts are sure to be an absolute hit with any beach-loving mom. The beach essentials are covered, plus there is the practical gift and the gift that you just have to get mom.

This is a selection of the best gifts that you can give to your mom.

Beach Cooler: When mom heads to the beach, she will want to take her favorite drinks and snacks. But there is nothing worse than everything getting hot and spoilt. That’s why she needs a beach cooler.

Forget the picnic basket. The best way to keep food and drinks cold at the beach is with a cooler! For hot beach days, a beach cooler is a must.

Beach Bag: An ocean-loving mom will need a beach bag!

Can you have too many? We don’t think so!

A new beach bag will be a welcome gift. Find one in a design that your mom will love and she will think of you every time she hits the beach!

It would also be a great idea to fill the beach bag with some other beach essentials.

Beach Towel: No matter how much you love the beach, most people like to sit on a beach towel. Mom is no different.

If she visits the beach often, then a new beach towel will be a great idea.

There are so many designs, styles, different sizes and different colors to choose from, that it will be easy to find something for mom.

Maybe even add the personal touch of having mom’s name sewn into the towel.

Beach Chair: For the ultimate comfort at the beach, mom needs a beach chair! Ensure that you test it before you buy to ensure that it is comfortable, but also light weight and easy to carry.

Team this with a new beach towel and your beach loving mom is totally set for the day.

Beach Tent: There are so many beach tents available that it is possible to find something that mom will love and enable her to stay at the beach longer.

From pop up tents to larger gazebo type tents, this is something that every beach loving mom needs.

Beach Coverup: Sun smart mom’s will love a new beach coverup. Ensure that it is light weight to keep her cool. Long sleeve is also a bonus.

Sun Hat: If you are confident with mom’s style then a sun hat would be a great idea for her.

Beach Themed Spa Set: Why not buy a gift that will bring the beach to mom even when she is at home.

A spa set that includes a selection of beauty products including a face mask, bath salt, soaps, nail set etc will totally make her day. Something coconut or hibiscus 

Good Book: You can’t ever look past the gift of a good book. Being at the beach is a perfect opportunity to unwind with a novel in hand.

Buy mom a book she will love to read and she will be in her element reading it in the perfect spot.

Water Bottle: A water bottle may sound a bit boring, but it doesn’t have to be. There are so many fun and stylish water bottles on the market now, that gifting a water bottle is a totally fun idea.

Mom will need to stay hydrated at the beach and taking her new water bottle will ensure that she does.

Wine Glasses: Does mom like to have a glass of wine on the beach? Then ensure she has an insulated wine glass! Find a stylish glass that mom will totally love drinking out of.

Water Proof Phone Case: This would definitely be a practical gift for the beach. For a beach loving mom who also likes to take photos, this gift would be a real hit.

Beach Wall Art: Does mom love the beach enough to want to look at it every day?

How about finding her a beautiful piece of beach wall art that she can hang on the wall at home.

Practical Beach Gifts: You could make up a hamper or fill a beach tote with all sorts of practical beach gifts.

This could include sunscreen, after sun lotion, lip balm and even some snacks she can munch on at the beach.

Whether you plan on taking mom on a beach vacation, or to the beach for the day, or simply just purchasing her a beach gift, there are so many mother’s day beach ideas that you can use.

The most important thing to remember is that mother’s day is about celebrating mom.

It doesn’t have to be taking her on an expensive retreat or participating in a fancy beach experience. It doesn’t even have to be about buying her the best beach gift. 

Mom will enjoy watching the sun rise over the sea with a mug of coffee just as much as all the other fancy things on offer.

So when deciding what to do this Mother’s day for your beach-loving mom, think about what she will most enjoy and what will make her most happy.

If your budget extends far enough to spoil her with awesome gifts and experiences then great.

But if not, there is a good chance that your mom will enjoy a relaxing day with her favorite family members just as much!

Need some more ideas? Check out the best easy mother’s day ideas that she will actually enjoy. You will have a ton of inspiration for fun things to do that will make her feel special.

Let’s stay in touch. Did you love the selection of Mother’s day beach ideas? Sign up to the newsletter so that you never miss out on future easy party, recipe and printable ideas.

The post The Best Mother’s Day Beach Ideas She Will Love appeared first on Smart Party Planning.

A dino lover will be thrilled with these finger food ideas and they will be a great addition to a fun dinosaur party.

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• The Best Easy Dinosaur Party Ideas

Holding a dinosaur party?

One of the most fun ways to turn a party into a themed party is to provide themed party food.

But don’t stress because it doesn’t have to be difficult at all.

In fact, there are lots of really cool dinosaur food ideas that the little party guests are going to absolutely love. 

With little kids you want to be thinking “finger food”.

Little kids tend to be fussy eaters and bite sized food is all you need. Anything else is simply far too overwhelming and will get left on the table. That is something you don’t want to happen at a birthday party.

The trick is to make the food look FUN.

If the food looks fun, then they will want to try it. If there is one thing you can be certain of, dinosaur themed food is definitely fun!

Check out these fun ways that you can easily create themed food for your party.

And if you get really stuck, just use regular party food and add some themed dinosaur food tents to label the food. T

his is the easiest way to get a theme on the table without having to make specific food.

For example, you could use Easter eggs or cheese and bacon balls and simply label them “Dinosaur eggs”.

Once the idea has been put into the head, then that’s what the kids see. Dinosaur eggs!

Use a set of dinosaur party printables to make this even easier for you.

But if you want to try and make some specific themed food for your toddler dinosaur birthday party, then read on for some great ideas.

In fact these ideas arn’t just great for toddlers. Kids of all ages will love them.

Super Fun Toddler Dinosaur Party Food Ideas

1. Dinosaur Edible Volcano

Source: Raising Whasians

This volcano would not only look great on the food table surrounded by plastic toy dinosaurs, but the kids would love eating it too.

Alternatively you could also use it as a party activity and have each of the kids make their own volcano to either eat at the party or to take home.

2. Dino Fruit Skewers

Source: Finding Zest

It’s always a good idea to offer fruit at kids parties, but sometimes you have to make that fruit look a little bit more exciting to entice them.

That’s exactly what has happened with these fruit skewers. The watermelon toppers have been made into dinosaur feet using dinosaur cookie cutters. 

Then simply add your child’s favorite fruit to make up the rest of the skewer. It’s a simple but great idea.

3. Dinosaur Cupcakes

Source: Finding Zest

Making dinosaur cupcakes is easier than you think! Simply bake your child’s favorite cupcake flavour and top it with chocolate frosting to resemble the mud and topped with crushed oreo’s as dirt.

Add an edible dinosaur made of chocolate using a dinosaur mold. If you prefer simply add a small plastic dinosaur. 

4. Dinosaur Cake

Source: Mama’s Buzz

It’s always fun to make your own birthday cake and a dinosaur cake like this is perfect.

You don’t need a lot of materials (or cake decorating skills) to create the cake, plus you can make the cake to suit any child’s age.

5. Dinosaur Dirt Cups

Source: Leap of Faith Crafting

These dinosaur dirt cups are going to be a massive hit at a kids party.

They are really easy to put together by simply using chocolate pudding cups, topping with crushed oreo’s, chocolate rock pieces and mini plastic dinosaurs.

This makes a super delicious treat.

6. Dinosaur DNA In Amber

Source: Mama Likes To Cook

If the kids love Jurassic Park, they will be well aware of the dinosaurs DNA being extracted from prehistoric insects trapped in amber.

So there is nothing quite like recreating some insects in amber with these fruit gelatin jigglers. 

7. Dinosaur Track Cookies

Source: Homan At Home

You can’t have a dinosaur party without having some dinosaur footprints cookies on the food table.

They are fun to make and lots of fun to eat.

Once the cookies have been baked they can either be left to resemble dinosaur fossil feet or fill the footprints with icing.

8. Gingerbread Dino Cookies

Source: Lane & Grey Fare

These soft and chewy gingerbread dinosaur cookies are going to be a sure favorite at the party.

Simply use some dinosaur cookie cutters to make them look this epic!

Dinosaur fossil cookies are certainly going to be a winner at a party.

9. Dinosaur Egg Cookies

Source: Dancing Through The Rain

For some a bit different how about making some dinosaur egg cookies.

Decorated with icing and MnM’s, they are sure to be a party favorite.

10. Dinosaur Garden Pizza

Source: Mom Foodie

This pizza is a great food item to have at the kids party.

A simple pizza base, topped with veggies to act as the garden and of course decorated with chicken nugget dinosaurs.

The kids are going to love this!

​Other Simple Dinosaur Party Food Ideas

This selection of toddler dinosaur party food ideas is a great example of how you can pretty much turn any ordinary food into themed food.

This is also a great way of supplementing themed food you already have on the table to create a delicious selection of food that the toddlers are going to go nuts for.

You just need to be a little creative with what you choose and how you name it.

Ready for some super easy ideas that will be a great addition to your kid’s party?

11. Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets: Yes these actually exist and how much fun are they!

Toddlers love chicken nuggets, so dinosaur shaped nuggets are perfect. Serve them up with some tomato sauce and the kids will absolutely love it.

12. Dinosaur Nest Eggs: Made in the same way as these Easter honey joys except you call them dinosaur nests!

Make with either cornflakes or rice bubbles and top with eggs. They are delicious.

13. Herbivore Cups: Grab a plastic cup and fill the bottom with hummus dip. Then place some veggie sticks of carrot and cucumber in the top. The toddlers will love this as a savory option.

14. Dinosaur Bones: Simply have a bowl of twiglets on the table. Easy and tasty!

15. Dino Eggs: Want some dinosaur eggs that arn’t chocolate? Use grapes!

16. Dinosaur Scales: Empty a bag of chips (any flavor) and label them dinosaur scales.

17. Dinosaur Fairy Bread: Make some fairy bread and then cut into shape with dinosaur cookie cutters.

18. Dino Sandwiches: As well as making fairy bread, use the dinosaur cookie cutters to make sandwiches too. They can literally be just basic vegemite or cheese sandwiches. The trick is to make sure they are shaped like dinosaurs.

19. Swamp: Make some green jelly and leave to set in a plastic clear cup.

20. Lava Juice: Simple juice box’s.

If you have a little dinosaur fan at home, then a dinosaur theme party is the perfect choice.

There are a lot of creative ideas that make really fun food which are perfect for little hands.

The themed food will help bring your theme party to life and the kids will all have a roaring good time.

Need some more recipe ideas? Check out our entire range of party food ideas that are perfect for the kids and adults too. There are plenty of homemade birthday cakes, cupcakes, cookies, chocolate popcorn and other delicious recipes that guests will all love.

Let’s stay in touch. Did you love this selection of dinosaur party food? Sign up to the weekly newsletter to be kept up to date with other easy party, decoration and food ideas. You will also have access to a huge selection of free printables. See you there!

The post Fun Toddler Dinosaur Party Food Ideas For A Roaring Time appeared first on Smart Party Planning.

Use this selection of ideas to create the best Easter basket gift possible.

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So you have a college student now? Does this mean that the Easter bunny has to stop making an appearance? Of course it doesn’t! 

College kids might not admit it, but they love the Easter egg hunt on Easter morning just as much as the little kids!

But of course they won’t tell you that they will have so much fun because it’s totally not cool! 

Whether you just have an Easter egg hunt or whether you like to give gifts too, there are plenty of other items that can be given at Easter.

Easter gifts don’t all have to be chocolate. The best Easter basket ideas are those that include a little bit of chocolate and a little bit of something else too.

Not sure what that something else could be?

No need to stress because the good news is that there are a lot of great Easter gift ideas for college kids here. You will soon be spoilt for choice.

Pick and choose the ones that appeal to you and your household budget.

Send these ideas to family members who might be struggling for ideas too. Between you all, you should be able to create some amazing college care packages.

Traditional Easter Basket Gifts

Of course the most obvious choice for Easter basket contents is to fill it with lot of delicious treats.

This could include a selection of large and small Easter eggs and of course the chocolate bunny.

The treats don’t have to be all chocolate though. Candy would also be a welcome sight too.

Finding a selection of Easter treats isn’t difficult. Simply head to your local supermarket and you will have an abundance of sweet treats to choose from.

Fun Easter Basket Gifts College Kids Will Love

Need something in the basket other than just chocolate?

These Fun Easter gift ideas are perfect to add to the basket.

Adult coloring book: The creative students would love an adult coloring book.

With so many different coloring books and designs to choose from, this is a great gift for the relaxing downtime. Don’t forget to add some nice pencils too!

Gift Cards: If you are really unsure what to give the older kids, then gift cards are always appreciated.

Simply find a gift card to a store you know they love and let them go and choose something for themself.

Scented candles: College dorm rooms can get a little bit smelly at times, so a scented candle would be great gift.

With many scents to choose from, it will be easy to find something that your college student will love.

You might even like to try and make your own candle with your favorite scent.

Essential Oil Diffuser: Not keen on having candles in the dorm room but like the idea of the scent?

An oil diffuser is the perfect choice. 

Fidget Toys: Fidget toys arn’t just for kids. In fact they are a great stress relief for anyone.

For college students that spend a lot of time sitting at a desk, a fidget toy can be a welcome addition.

Practical Easter Basket Ideas For College Kids

Useful items certainly don’t have to be boring.

This collection of practical Easter basket ideas are definitely going to be loved by your college student.

Plastic Eggs Filled With Money: No college kid is ever going to turn down money being given to them!

You can go as elaborate or not as you wish with this depending on your budget.

Plastic eggs filled with notes is certainly going to bring a lot of excitement, but filled with coins for the laundry room will also be a lot of fun.

Maybe mix it up with a selection of both notes and coins to keep them guessing.

But you can guarantee that once they realize money is inside the eggs, they will hunt down every single one! 

School Supplies: School supplies may sound boring, but it doesn’t have to be. Think about fun highlighters or pens. Even a new pencil case.

It’s all items that college students require, so it’s a great way to fill some space in their gift baskets.

Don’t forget the sticky notes. College students love them!

Lap Desk: College students spend a lot of time on their laptop, but they don’t always want to be sitting at their desks.

A lap desk would be an awesome gift to allow them to sit more comfortably without having the laptop directly on their knees.

Cord Protectors: With lots of chargers and cords around a college room, a cord protector would be a fun and welcome gift.

Coffee Mug: Coffee mugs always make a great gift.

College students don’t always have time to be washing mugs, so having a few that they love is a fun way of giving a practical but well loved gift.

Water Bottle: College kids and teens absolutely love their water bottles. It seems that they can never have too many!

So buy an on trend water bottle and it will certainly be a great addition to the Easter basket.

Key Chains: College students need keys! A new key chain is a practical but fun idea to add to the basket.

Ear Buds: Every college kids needs a pair of ear buds (or two). They are easy to get lost, so having some back up pairs is never a bad thing!

Socks: Every college student needs socks and it’s hardly likely they will want to buy them for themselves.

Don’t just buy boring socks though. Use the opportunity to buy some fun new socks.

Skin Care Sets: Whether you have a college boy or girl, they all need to take care of their skin.

So let the pampering begin with a skin care set.

Easter Basket Ideas College Girls Will Love

A college girl loves her chocolate but she also loves a lot of pampering items too. These ideas can help form an Easter care package that she will absolutely love.

Nail Polish: Do you know your daughter’s favorite nail polish color? Giving her a nail polish or two will certainly put a smile on her face.

Lip Balm: Lip balm’s always get used and it’s an easy thing to add to an Easter basket.

Bath Bombs: Girls love their bath bombs, and what better way to relax whilst at college!

Perhaps you could even make your own bath bombs for something a bit extra special.

Hair accessories: A teen girl always needs hair accessories.

Whether that’s more hair ties, bobby pins or scrunchies, they will be a welcome gift in the basket.

Jewellery: Girls love their jewellery. Whether it’s necklaces, bracelets or earrings, you won’t go wrong with adding some jewellery to the basket.

Cuddly Toy: College girls still love their cuddly toys. So this is a great opportunity to grab them a new one. It will be well loved.

Easter Basket Ideas Teen Boys Will Love

Frisbee: Teen boys love to be active, so a frisbee is an easy addition to their Easter basket.

Card Games: There are a lot of card games to choose from, so this is an easy addition to the basket.

Nerf Blaster or Water Gun: Just because the boys have gone off to college it doesn’t mean that they have grown up.

In fact something like a nerf blaster is sure to put a huge smile on their face!

Body Wash: It’s never a bad idea to encourage the teenage boy to stay clean.

An easy way to give a gentle nudge is to include some nice body wash into the basket.

Sporting equipment: Is your teen into sport?

Add a golf ball, a handball or some new swimming goggles into the basket. These items will all be enjoyed.

Easter basket stuffers for young adults doesn’t have to be just about the sugar kind.

Whilst it’s awesome to add in those chocolate eggs, they really don’t need to have an overload of them.

There are so many Easter basket ideas for college kids, you simply have to think outside the box.

Creating an Easter basket can include a lot of fun ideas that are also practical too.

The college kids will love it and it will put your mind at ease that you are not sending them back to college totally full of sugar!

In Summary:

• College kids love Easter egg hunts (regardless of what they tell you).
• Traditional Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies are totally ok to include in a basket.
• Add practical items such as school supplies, mugs, socks, keychains even money inside plastic eggs.
• College kids still love fun things like fidget toys, nerf guns, adult coloring books.
• Add items like hair accessories, nail polish and candles for girls.
• Add items like card games and sporting equipment for boys.

Need some more ideas? Check out these easy and fun Easter ideas that the whole family can enjoy. You will have a ton of inspiration for recipes, printables, crafts and more.

Let’s stay in touch. Do you love these Easter basket ideas for college kids? Sign up to the weekly newsletter to be kept up to date with other easy party, recipe and holiday ideas. You will also have access to a heap of free printable’s. See you there!

The post Easy Easter Basket Ideas For College Kids appeared first on Smart Party Planning.