Stocking Stuffer Party

I have had a couple of peeps request I talk about my
STOCKING STUFFER PARTY…
so here it goes…
I am so sorry BUT…
I don't have pics other than those that I used in a link up…
LAST YEAR!!!
so if you will excuse the NUMBER 5
and that my photos are worded in the past…
we are good to go

 So for the last few years I have done a
STOCKING STUFFER PARTY…
I am pretty sure I got the idea from
Kenoyer over at Krazy Town… she was and still is my mentor…
although I am still waiting for her to come out of retirement and help me teach writing…
her and my mother…
I am not holding my breath… sigh

anyways… this is POSSIBLY the coolest way to do a Holiday/Christmas Party!!!
seriously… it is WAY better than… the book exchange…
you know the kind where some kid's mom went WAY above the price limit
and then one poor baby sneaks a used torn dirty one from home
and then somehow they get each others….
poor baby is so excited they can't contain themselves
and over achiever is in the corner crying…

I was always that kid crying in the corner…
with the dirty torn book.
it scarred me… for life really it did!!!


NOPE done with that…
DONE DONE DONE…
Bring on the STOCKING STUFFER PARTAY

 OKAY
so I am being honest…
I forgot to send the note out… before Thanksgiving… OOOPS
so they got the note TODAY…
and it is just a little note in their newsletter explaining the process…
with ideas…
basically it tells them…
please have your kiddo bring in 23 items to stuff into their classmates' stockings
I have 23 kids so they need to bring in 23 things…
one for their stocking too… right
and then I give them ideas…
pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, red pens, black sharpies, highlighters, glue sticks,

I ALWAYS list school supplies first… I can DREAM right…
then I get into the yummy stuff
gum, candy, lollipops, Kisses, fruit snacks, snack packs, chocolates, candy canes, mints, hot chocolate,

and then I get into the OH WOW that's a good idea category
chapstick, crazy straws, trinkets, socks, mittens, glow sticks,  ornaments,  stickers

and then YOU HAVE TO ADD…
handmade cards, handmade crafts

and of course I always include…
If you are unable to bring in 23 items for the party PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know…
I alway BUY a giant bag of Kisses and a big box of pencils
for those kiddos that can't or forget to bring something
I also stock up on some BULK goodies at Costco just for this reason too.

I will send out NUMEROUS reminders…
so many my parents will get sick of seeing the STOCKING STUFFER PARTY notes…
but I don't want them to forget…oh and here is another secret…
I can't find any of my hard copies or digital copies of my notes home…
SORRY!!!
I am making them as I go…
WHAAAA

OK so …
what about the stockings…
I just use the really BIG construction paper and have them trace over a template
I always seem to lose the template from year to year… HA HA HA…so our stockings are always different… oh well!!!
anywho…
this year I am going to do a COWBOY BOOT pattern…
I am in TEXAS… YEE HAW!!!
ONE tip I have is … after cutting out the two sides…
tape the two sides together  with a few pieces of tape…
before punching the holes… that helps A LOT!!!
believe me it does!!!
and it keeps it together while they lace it up.

We start our stocking making on the MONDAY before the party…
I find it keeps them on task BECAUSE… they can't work on the stocking unless they are done with their work.
I add their name to the stocking with glue and they glitter… with supervision…
I am a glitter HOG… don't waste my glitter…
and sometimes if you are not watching… you might get this…

YEP a skull made out of glitter from my glitter discard tray…
clever YES…
and boys say they don't like glitter…
I present to you exhibit A


LOOK… I found another pic from 2 years ago…
I forgot that one of my kiddos brought everybody a pinecone…
AND look … YEP the idea is from KENOYER!!!
thanks friend!!!

OK I hope that sums it up…
I let about 5 kiddos stuff the stockings… at a time
we hang them from the back of our chairs…

we stuff the stockings during our Party FEAST… which consists of me purchasing pizza and fruit drinks… and them eating the pizza and drinking the fruit drink…
OH
and watching some Christmas related movie

they are NOT allowed to UNstuff their stocking UNTIL everyone has stuffed…
this is torture for them… and slightly fun for me… HE HE HE
and then after we clean up our feast mess…
they are allowed to unstuff their stockings…
THE ROOM IS FILLED WITH JOY!!!
they love it….
smiles all around…
it really is a GREAT WAY to CELEBRATE!!!

ALRIGHT…
does that do it???
did I give you enough info???
I know I was scattered because I tried to type this as fast as I could…
and get it up so you still have time to get it started…

if you have anymore stuffer items ideas… let me know!!! PLEASE
I like to give lots of ideas on my reminder notes…
alrighty…
toodles