THE LAST WORD
Holiday Parties
getting your kids involved
H olidays guarantee entertaining, in one form or another.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the chaos of hosting,
cutting dramatically into family time during a season
which should be above all, family-centric.

I countered this once by asking our son and daughter to be
servers at a small dinner party we hosted. To my surprise,
they took on the task with creative fanfare, devising a plan to
emerge dressed “alike.” Our petite daughter stuffed herself
into her younger brother’s khakis and plaid shirt, and with a
mustache drawn on her face, appeared side-by-side with her
khaki, plaid-shirted and mustached brother to greet guests,
take drink orders, hand out water glasses and clear appetizer
plates as needed. They called themselves “Bob and Bob” and
ended up stealing the show. They enjoyed their popularity,
and my husband and I appreciated their helpfulness, since
we were stretched with finishing the meal and welcoming
our guests.

This positive experience reinforced my commitment to invite
the kids into the process of planning and executing a dinner
party so they participate in a meaningful way. After all, we
want our kids to get excited about hosting friends. And
we want them to take pride in their contribution. But, we
probably also need to broaden our definition of involvement.

Your kids may be little performers reminiscent of “Bob and
Bob,” but here are many other fresh ways to pull kids into the
experience of hosting.

BY TALIA GREENBERG HUDGINS
can receive prepared nametags. Alternatively, make sharpies
and disposal nametags available for guests.

» If you have a budding DJ in the family, ask him to
organize a playlist for the night and keep the tunes coming.

» If your child is a natural behind the camera, have him
Preparing for the dinner party
or her photograph the evening and offer to send pictures to
guests afterwards.

invitations, address envelopes and attach stamps.

runner” to deposit guests’ coats to a bedroom.

» Under your supervision, have children help create guest » For the child who has nonstop energy, name them “coat-
» Design the menu with your kids. Make a grocery list. For »
your child who loves to cook, assign parts of the meal to do
solo or participate in.

» Let them get crafty. Appoint a child to make decorative
nametags for guests and cards identifying food items for
a buffet-style meal. Fancy name cards designating where
each guest is to sit also adds a nice touch. Also, consider
a poster for the front door welcoming guests and another
poster labeling the guest bathroom door. Ask kids to research
holiday quotes and write them out on heavy paper using
their best handwriting. Display artistically around the house.

The day of the dinner party
» Assign a child to help set and decorate the table.

» Task a child to manage a “station” where arriving guests
Nominate the child who prefers to be outside to greet and
hold the door for guests.

» If any of your children play musical instruments or sing,
challenge them to entertain guests over coffee after dinner.

» Encourage literary children to recite a piece of holiday
poetry like Clement Clarke Moore’s “Twas the Night Before
Christmas.” Enlisting children’s help requires patience and intentionality.

Sometimes, it’s easier for parents to do things themselves
without getting the kids involved. But doing so keeps them
from experiencing the rich rewards of hosting and feeling
involved, a great entrée into a life of friendship and service.

Kathryn Streeter is a D.C.-based mom and blogger.

washingtonFAMILY.com December 2018 45