How I did it: We had to postpone due to illness, but I used an article at www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/12/cookieparty.html  for many general tips, and got a few suggestions from 43things folks and coworkers who throw parties like this every year.  I made a double batch of cookie dough (too much) and a double batch of frosting (too much), and had lots of candies, colored sugar, and sprinkles to add. Guests offered to bring things and mostly ended up bringing food for the adults to eat, which was *great*!  I had all the cookie decorating stuff out for the kids to plunge into, and most did that right away. There were also 'stations' (like in preschool!) for Lincoln Logs and Trains. The kids plunged into those and also into the not specifically set out toys, which was fine with me as well. The adults milled around, attempted to keep the noise down, kept an eye on everyone's kids, and generally just enjoyed not being trapped inside with just own own kids.    

Lessons & tips:

• The kids won't necessarily spend much time decorating the cookies. Noodle, age 19 months, was the most dedicated. Which is freakish, really. 
• The article had a good plan (have everyone bring their own cookies and as host, you provide the 'toppings') but I didn't use this strategy since I read the article after people asked me what to bring. 
• Invite relaxed parents and the expectations will be reasonable. Really, at this age, it's a glorified play date with too many children. A big house would be ideal. 
• Buy any supplies specific to cookie decorating early in the Christmas season. We went looking for them a bit close to Christmas and were disappointed with the selection. But we also had M&M, reese's pieces, and other less specific items. Better leftovers too.
• If you're making the cookies for cutting shapes, I'd recommend mixing your own cookie dough. The cookie dough I bought just melted out of shape. The dough I mixed myself did okay. (Not beautifully, but okay. I'm anal, I admit.) Keep the dough cold before you cut the shapes.

Resources: www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/12/cookieparty.html mentioned before.

Jan 03, 2009, 04:20PM PST | 3 comments | 10 cheers