London - Christmas Children's Party

[IlanaK]

It was suggested today at the summer picnic at Coram Fields that a Christmas children's party would be a nice idea. I am more than happy to organise this but want to gage opinions first. Coram Fields would be a great venue again assuming we could get it. Here are some questions for you to answer or put suggestions if you are interested.

1. Venue - would Coram Fields suit everyone again or can you think of somewhere else?

2. Would you want to attend during the week or on a weekend?

3)I was thinking of a bring a dish or two party (sort of like today) and we would decorate the hall all christmassy and have christmas crackers for the kids, etc. Also maybe some inside christmassy activities such as art stuff, games etc. Is this ok?

4. WOuld anyone want it to be more multicultrural - a seasonal party? I am Jewish so I would certainly understand if people preferred this.

5. OK - the big question is cost. I know that today was free and people just made donations to Binkie as the hall cost £32. However, for a proper christmas party I think we would have to charge. My reason for this is partly the venue - if say 15 families came (about what came today I think), that is £2 per family for the venue. Also, there would be some cost for the crackers, decorations, etc. How would people feel about this?

Ok, so, this is just an idea at this stage, but if we want to do it I am guessing we have to book quickly. If people aren't interested, then I will not be insulted! However, I am happy to do it if people want to come.

What do you all think?????

IlanaK can you add me to the waiting list...somehow i've completely missed this!

do CAT me if you need to...

thank you

Hello billiejo, welcome to mumsnet, and hope to see you at the party!

IlanaK - hello, just caught up with this thread again. I can't believe how many people are going!

Its probably a good idea to tell you now (as there is a waiting list) that I can't make it up there anymore I've started going to school on Saturdays and there's some things going on the 18th that would be hard to miss, so I'm afraid I'll have to bow gracefully out of the party.

Ilanak - terribly sorry but looks like we aren't going to be able to make it. Thought I should let you now sooner rather than later so someone off the waiting list can come.
We have been so busy recently, so I haven't been keeping very well up with MN, and things only look like getting more manic. Anyway realised too that the party is at the beginning of school hols, so we'll most likely not be here.

Have a good time anyway. Maybe I'll make next year!

Hello everyone, just wanted to say thanks for replying to my message. I understand about the size of the group, it must have been a nightmare trying to find a venue that could acommodate. Anyway, thanks for making me feel so welcome!! I'll keep checking the board to see if any spaces become available, cheers tracey.x

Ok everyone, looks like we have some changes to make to the list of attendees. Thanks to those who have informed us that they can't come, we can now accomodate two more families. I will do it strictly in order of posting so EvaD and Billijo, you have now been added to the list. New list is below. Charliecatthenonsmooker, I really need to know if you are coming as we have a space reserved for you but you have not confirmed.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE everyone add yourself to the list for food/drink so that we know what you are bringing!

Revised list:

Date and Time - December 18th from 12:30 to 4:30pm

Venue - Coram Fields near Russell Square tube station (large park and playground). We will be in the Band Room

Families attanding:
IlanaK
biketastic
binkie
prefernot
cori
welshmum
tigermoth
sis
aelita
blu
marina
ks
merrygoround
hoxtonchick
prufrock
zinger
yingers74
arabica
motherinferior
onlineid
JJ
SusiS
Skmoo
Unicorn
Pixiemon
Edam
Kaz33
Billijo
EvaD
charliecatthenonsmoker (?)

waiting list - sophable

Activities:

1. colouring festive pictures (I will provide)
2. card making with ks and marina 3)decorating biscuits with sis and binkie 4)pin the tail on the reindeer with marina
3. dancing to music with bubbles added (bubble machine - tigermoth) 7)pass the parcel 8)story telling/singng session (Ilana, Arabica and prefernot)

Decorations - tigermoth (streamers) and possibly cori? Biketastic lights.

Tidying up - arabica and biketastic

Santa - Welshmum's dh (yippee!) Bring your own present wrapped and labled for your child and Santa will give them out (limit £5 spent per pressie).

Savoury Foods:

1. crips, breadsticks, other finger type crunchy food (IlanaK)
2. raw cut up veggies and dips, hummous, etc (biketastic - veggies and dips plus salad pots)
3. cold meats - salamis, ham, chicken, sausages, etc (motherinferior - sausages)
4. sandwhiches or rolls (welshmum - rolls)
5. cheese (prefernot)

Sweet foods:

1. mini cakes or a large cake (ks and pixiemom)
2. biscuits (hoxtonchick)
3. chocolates or chocolate bars (skmoo)
4. jelly (binkie)

drinks:

1. juice (apple juice carton - prefernot) (sis - squash)
2. soft drinks like cola
3. water (zinger)

Paperplates, cups, etc - (prefernot, susies)

As you can see this is by no means a definative list as I am lacking in imagination. If you want to bring something not on the list, please do.

we can bring crisps, and other nibbles (including healthy ones like cucumber, carrots, pepper slices?)
if that's ok?

hurrah!! we're on the list we'll bring good old rice crispy / cornflake cakes if that's ok.
Can't wait , Tracey.x

Also , does anybody else have babies that are going to the Christmas party ( i've read through the activities and so am guessing quite a few mums have toddlers) my little boy is 9 1/2 months. Tracey.x

Thanks unicorn and billijo - I have added your foods to the list. I have a baby billijo - he will be 6 months at the party. I also have a 3 year old. I am fairly certain there are others with babies. Don't worry - you will find friends!

Charliecatthenonsmooker, I really need to know if you are coming as we have a space reserved for you but you have not confirmed.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE everyone add yourself to the list for food/drink so that we know what you are bringing!

Revised list:

Date and Time - December 18th from 12:30 to 4:30pm

Venue - Coram Fields near Russell Square tube station (large park and playground). We will be in the Band Room

Families attanding:
IlanaK
biketastic
binkie
prefernot
cori
welshmum
tigermoth
sis
aelita
blu
marina
ks
merrygoround
hoxtonchick
prufrock
zinger
yingers74
arabica
motherinferior
onlineid
JJ
SusiS
Skmoo
Unicorn
Pixiemon
Edam
Kaz33
Billijo
EvaD
charliecatthenonsmoker (?)

waiting list - sophable

Activities:

1. colouring festive pictures (I will provide)
2. card making with ks and marina 3)decorating biscuits with sis and binkie 4)pin the tail on the reindeer with marina
3. dancing to music with bubbles added (bubble machine - tigermoth) 7)pass the parcel 8)story telling/singng session (Ilana, Arabica and prefernot)

Decorations - tigermoth (streamers) and possibly cori? Biketastic lights.

Tidying up - arabica and biketastic

Santa - Welshmum's dh (yippee!) Bring your own present wrapped and labled for your child and Santa will give them out (limit £5 spent per pressie).

Savoury Foods:

1. crips, breadsticks, other finger type crunchy food (IlanaK) (unicorn - crisps)
2. raw cut up veggies and dips, hummous, etc (biketastic - veggies and dips plus salad pots)(unicorn - veggies)
3. cold meats - salamis, ham, chicken, sausages, etc (motherinferior - sausages)
4. sandwhiches or rolls (welshmum - rolls)
5. cheese (prefernot)

Sweet foods:

1. mini cakes or a large cake (ks and pixiemom) (billijo - rice crispie cakes)
2. biscuits (hoxtonchick)
3. chocolates or chocolate bars (skmoo)
4. jelly (binkie)

drinks:

1. juice (apple juice carton - prefernot) (sis - squash)
2. soft drinks like cola
3. water (zinger)

Paperplates, cups, etc - (prefernot, susies)

As you can see this is by no means a definative list as I am lacking in imagination. If you want to bring something not on the list, please do.

Thanks for adding me to the list - we're very excited about it. We actually live near Russel Square and have a DD aged 3 and a DS aged 1. We can bring egg sandwiches, ham sandwiches and cold sausages and also help clear up.

Prefernot - I think Eva is a great name for a DD! I'm looking forward to meeting her!

Hi Ilanak , glad that you've got a baby too!! we're REALLY looking forward to it. I was wodering, also, if husbands/partners are allowed to come? Tracey.x

billijo, my DD is 9 months - looking forward to meeting you!

Will try and come dependingon how old DS is and whether DP has let me leave the house yet!!

Zinger, looking forward to meeting you too!
Ilanak, I was also wondering if maybe you'ld like me to bring a couple of flasks of mulled wine for the grown ups? Tracey.xx

Will bring crisps and other nibbles and home made flapjacks.

Ohhhhh, having been hiding recently and have not seen this thread. Please can the wills family join in. I'll have a think re: food and let you know.

We would love to come
Myself and my ds-hubby possibly

Will bring choccy mummbles and mince pies!

Twinkie, Wills and Nickiey, we would love you to join, but there is currently a waiting list as we set a limit at 30 families. I am asking everyone to confirm whether or not they are coming so that I can take them off hte list and add people from the waiting list, so watch this space. I will add your names to the waiting list below.

Billijo - unfortuntaley, we are not allowed any alcohol on site so mulled wine is out. But thanks for hte offer. As to husbands and partners - definately! My dh is coming and there were quite a few at the last gathering.

Thanks to everyone who has added their name to food - I have updated the list below.

Charliecatthenonsmooker, I really need to know if you are coming as we have a space reserved for you but you have not confirmed.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE everyone add yourself to the list for food/drink so that we know what you are bringing!

Revised list:

Date and Time - December 18th from 12:30 to 4:30pm

Venue - Coram Fields near Russell Square tube station (large park and playground). We will be in the Band Room

Families attending:
IlanaK
biketastic
binkie
prefernot
cori
welshmum
tigermoth
sis
aelita
blu
marina
ks
merrygoround
hoxtonchick
prufrock
zinger
yingers74
arabica
motherinferior
onlineid
JJ
SusiS
Skmoo
Unicorn
Pixiemon
Edam
Kaz33
Billijo
EvaD
charliecatthenonsmoker (?)

waiting list - sophable, twinkie, wills, nickiey

Activities:

1. colouring festive pictures (I will provide)
2. card making with ks and marina 3)decorating biscuits with sis and binkie 4)pin the tail on the reindeer with marina
3. dancing to music with bubbles added (bubble machine - tigermoth) 7)pass the parcel 8)story telling/singng session (Ilana, Arabica and prefernot)

Decorations - tigermoth (streamers) and possibly cori? Biketastic lights.

Tidying up - arabica and biketastic and EvaD

Santa - Welshmum's dh (yippee!) Bring your own present wrapped and labled for your child and Santa will give them out (limit £5 spent per pressie).

Savoury Foods:

1. crips, breadsticks, other finger type crunchy food (IlanaK) (unicorn and tigermoth- crisps)
2. raw cut up veggies and dips, hummous, etc (biketastic - veggies and dips plus salad pots)(unicorn - veggies)
3. cold meats - salamis, ham, chicken, sausages, etc (motherinferior and EvaD- sausages)
4. sandwhiches or rolls (welshmum - rolls) (EvaD - egg and ham sandwhiches)
5. cheese (prefernot)

Sweet foods:

1. mini cakes or a large cake (ks and pixiemom) (billijo - rice crispie cakes) (tigermoth - flapjacks)
2. biscuits (hoxtonchick)
3. chocolates or chocolate bars (skmoo)
4. jelly (binkie)

drinks:

1. juice (apple juice carton - prefernot) (sis - squash)
2. soft drinks like cola
3. water (zinger)

Paperplates, cups, etc - (prefernot, susies)

As you can see this is by no means a definative list as I am lacking in imagination. If you want to bring something not on the list, please do.

Righto-Thanks for letting me know.
Hope a place frees up!

Hi IlanaK, just to confirm that dh and ds (five) and dd (1) will be coming with me (ds may "help" with card-making).
Don't know if you spotted that ks is taking a break from Mumsnetting but she told me to tell you she is still coming to the party to do cards etc too.

Just to confirm, Ilana, I am definitely coming with dd and possibly though probably not, with dp.

We did dd's birthday party there last Sunday and it was lovely. We were in the much smaller room, the Guide's Hall and we had 11 families (33 people in total) and it was fine space wise, we could probably have doubled that.

Just to confirm Ilanak. I am still on for the big day. I will be bringing DH and DS. What you like me to bring? Is there anything else we can help with.

Thanks to everyone who has confirmed so far. Perhaps I should divide the list into confirmed and not confirmed and put a deadline on people to confirm. That way we can make space for anyone on the waiting list if needed. I am going away to Australia for 3 weeks on the 20th of November, so I think I had better set the deadline as the 19th of November. Is that alright with everyone?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE everyone add yourself to the list for food/drink so that we know what you are bringing! And also confirm whether or not you are coming.

Revised list:

Date and Time - December 18th from 12:30 to 4:30pm

Venue - Coram Fields near Russell Square tube station (large park and playground). We will be in the Band Room

Families attending:

CONFIRMED:
IlanaK
Cori
prefernot
ks
sis
binkie
marina
tigermoth
arabica
biketastic
EvaD
welshmum
unicorn
motherinferior
billijo
hoxtonchick
skmoo
zinger
susies

NOT CONFIRMED:
aelita
blu
merrygoround
prufrock
yingers74
onlineid
JJ
Pixiemon
Edam
Kaz33
charliecatthenonsmoker

waiting list - sophable, twinkie, wills, nickiey

Activities:

1. colouring festive pictures (I will provide)
2. card making with ks and marina 3)decorating biscuits with sis and binkie 4)pin the tail on the reindeer with marina
3. dancing to music with bubbles added (bubble machine - tigermoth) 7)pass the parcel 8)story telling/singng session (Ilana, Arabica and prefernot)

Decorations - tigermoth (streamers) and possibly cori? Biketastic lights.

Tidying up - arabica and biketastic and EvaD

Santa - Welshmum's dh (yippee!) Bring your own present wrapped and labled for your child and Santa will give them out (limit £5 spent per pressie).

Savoury Foods:

1. crips, breadsticks, other finger type crunchy food (IlanaK) (unicorn and tigermoth- crisps)
2. raw cut up veggies and dips, hummous, etc (biketastic - veggies and dips plus salad pots)(unicorn - veggies)
3. cold meats - salamis, ham, chicken, sausages, etc (motherinferior and EvaD- sausages)
4. sandwhiches or rolls (welshmum - rolls) (EvaD - egg and ham sandwhiches)
5. cheese (prefernot)

Sweet foods:

1. mini cakes or a large cake (ks and pixiemom) (billijo - rice crispie cakes) (tigermoth - flapjacks)
2. biscuits (hoxtonchick)
3. chocolates or chocolate bars (skmoo)
4. jelly (binkie)

drinks:

1. juice (apple juice carton - prefernot) (sis - squash)
2. soft drinks like cola
3. water (zinger)

Paperplates, cups, etc - (prefernot, susies)

As you can see this is by no means a definative list as I am lacking in imagination. If you want to bring something not on the list, please do.

Ilana, I have not volunteered for food yet. Is there somewhere to heat up, for example, falafel?