My daughter's birthday is December 26th which is such a crazy time to have a birthday party. Every year I have tried to have her party the 1st week in December, this year I decided to have it closer to her birthday and go with a Christmas theme. I figured I already had the house decorated for the holidays so why not use it for the party too!  INVITATIONS:  Christmas Stationery - I actually found one with Santa holding a bouquet of balloons and I wrote a poem which read: "Twas two nights before Christmas and all through the XXXXX house lots of excitement stirred but it wasn't a mouse. It's time to celebrate as Kristen turns Five please say you will join us but have your Mom or Dad drive. We live in XXXXX off of SR 64, attached are directions should you need more. The party will be held on Sunday, December 23rd, that's 2 days before Christmas haven't you heard? Festivities will begin promptly at Two and there will be lots to do. Please RSVP to join in the fun by calling XXX-4711." As the guests arrived, they were lead to the Gingerbread Table to decorate their own Gingerbread Cookie.  Each child had a paper plate with their name on it (so I could keep track of who's cookie belonged to who). I purchased colored icing in the cans which came with different tips to decorate.  This was a great craft to do to keep the kids entertained until everyone arrived. Next, we played games and ate birthday cake. I also had cheese and crackers, chips and dip for the adults.  I had all the children sit around our Christmas Tree and we sang Christmas carols. While we were singing, we had a special appearance from SANTA. I had a friend dress up in a Santa costume and come 1/2 hour prior to the party ending. My daughter was so surprised to see Santa and so were all the kids (18 to be exact). Santa came with a special gift for my daughter from Rudolph. A small ball that blinked red when bounced.  He told them that he could not stay too long since he had lots to do to get ready for Christmas Eve but he could read them one story..."Twas The Night Before Christmas".  (I also told Santa to make sure he put a plug in for the adults by telling all of the children how important it was that they went to bed early on Christmas Eve. Ha-ha. DECORATIONS: As mentioned, my home was already decorated for Christmas. I purchased some sidewalk signs that read "Santa Stop Here", "Reindeer Xing" and "North Pole".  I used Snowman paper plates, napkins and cups. CAKE:  Gingerbread Shaped Cake - Bake 1/2 sheet chocolate cake and cut sides out approximately 1 1/2 inches using 8" plate as guide. Then, cut each piece in half and use for hand and foot.  Cut 1 1/2 inches deep on bottom of 1/2 sheet and discard (this is the space between the legs). Used 8" round cake for head. To make brown frosting use 2 cans of chocolate frosting and 2 cans of white frosting mixed together.  Piped white frosting to decorate cake and trim.  Used 2 green gum drops for eyes, 3 red gum drops for buttons. Drew bow tie with red icing (cans used for decorating gingerbread cookies). PARTY HATS: Each guest was given a reindeer headband (purchased at the Dollar Store). The birthday girl wore a Santa Hat (red party hat trimmed in white fur with a white fur ball on top). GAMES: Pin the Nose on the Frosty Pass the Present - I wrapped a small Christmas chocolate Santa in a tiny box, then put it in a bigger box wrapped, and then a bigger box, etc.)  The kids passed the present around while Christmas music played (similar to musical chairs).  When the music stopped, whoever was holding the present got to open it. Little did they know that there was another present inside.  They loved this game and we played it a couple of times.  The child who unwrapped the item got to keep it. PARTY FAVORS: Gingerbread printed cellophane bags stuffed with a candy cane, packet of hot chocolate, Santa lollipop, Christmas stickers, Christmas note pad, Christmas stampers and Christmas markers (all purchased at the dollar store.)  I tried to stay away from candy as kids tend to get so much around the holidays. I also put the Gingerbread cookie and reindeer headband in the bag. The party lasted 2 1/2 hours.  I had 18 kids and 20 adults. Everyone had a wonderful time. My only disappointment was that there was not enough time to have my daughter open her presents, but this actually worked out well.  With so many people I had feared it might be a little too chaotic and overwhelming. Kristen had such a fun filled day and enjoyed opening her presents the following morning.