Managing Your Classroom Christmas Party

With Christmas just around the corner, classroom teachers are making preparations for their 'holdiay parties.' All across the country teachers will be ending the grading period with a party to celebrate the holiday.

Having a party can be a fun and rewarding time. It can also be a stressful and challenging time. While you can't control everything that will happen, there are a few things you can do to help you party fun as smoothly as possible. Here are just a few tips.

Plan ahead. Planning can make all the difference when putting together a party for your classroom. Decide on an official date. Make sure to check with your administration as to their expectations. A letter sent home to parents is a good idea. Let them know when the party will be.

Make a list of the things you will need for your party. Have students sign up for what they will bring to the party. Don't forget about the non-food items such as cups, plates and napkins. A well planned out party has a much better chance of running smoothly and effectively than one that is not.

You might want to consider the 'individual wrap' approach when planning your party. This is a party in which everything the student bring in is individually wrapped. Make a list of specifics such as little Debbie snackes, small bags of chips, candy, packaged cookies.

Have students decide which of these items they will bring in. Then have bags for each student to have. Place one of each item in the students individual bags. This plan is great for several reasons. First of all, everyone gets the same thing.

No one is stuck at the end of the line to get what's left over. Planning a party like this will make your classroom management much better. There will be no arguing or disappointment as every student will get the same thing. You also don't have the problem of having lots of leftovers. Whatever students don't eat they simply take home in their bags. Students could even decorate their bags with Christmas decorations.

You need to make sure you have plenty of parental help. You may not like the idea of having lots of parents around, but you will be very glad if you do. Parents can help organize and pass out food. They will take lots of the responsibility for running the party off of you. Furthermore you will be surprised how some students will behave better when their are more adults in the room. Make sure you have some parent volunteers at your party.

Plan your entertainment. It will only take so long for students to eat their food. You need to have some sort of activity planned after the students eat. Their are lots of things you could do. You might want to have a gift exchange of some sort. Depending on your age level you could have a talent show.

You should also consider showing a Christmas movie. Be sure to picks something that is appropriate and will not offend anyone. Regardless of what you choose you've got to have a plan to entertain your students.

Christmas parties often can cause lots of stress for teachers. However you can limit some of this stress by having a good plan, having plenty of help and entertaining your students. Consider the unique 'individual wrap' approach as well. You will be less stressed and your students will have a great holiday party!