Art themed party

It's a challenge to hold a party during the winter months. I think an art or painter themed party is a great idea for many ages. Decorate with bright primary colors. Use plastic tablecloths or use plain white butcher paper or paper tableclothes for the tablescape.  The children can write and draw on the paper cloths as part of the party activities.  Set the activity table with pretty buckets of crayons,markers, and colored pencils.  Provide each guest with an easel and small canvas. You may be able find decorative easels at a discount store. These would be sufficient for use during the party. Disposable artist palettes and poster paint can be found at your local arts and crafts store. You may also be able to find them at a big box retailer or a dollar store. Provide your guests with painters smock or an apron. Let them create a masterpiece. While the paintings are drying the guests can eat.  Conclude the party with an art show where the adults admire the paintings. Party favors can consist of art supplies.
Party EZ of Hampton Roads can provide decorating, planning and shopping or hostess services at cost of $25 per hour, with a minimum of 3 hrs .

Pins and Needles

Consider hosting a sewing themed party for ages 8 and up.  You can contact a local sewing, fabric, or quilting shop to see if the party can be held there or have it at home . Chose a project that employs hand sewing and minimal use of sewing machines if you do not have a large enough number of machines at your disposal.  Think about asking to borrow machines too.  Decorating can be simple with cutouts of scissors, spool of thread, pincushions.  Display bits and pieces of fabrics.  Favors can be the finished project and a handful of sewing notions.

Hot Chocolate for everyone

Throw a cocoa party to fight the winter blues.  Set a beautiful buffet using winter themed holiday decor and any chocolate themed items you may have in your home. Choose a few differnet flavors or types of cocoa artfully served in teapots or coffee urns, add a fantastic display of mix ins like star or heart  shaped marshmallows, chocolate shavings, and cinnamon and you've got the makings for a great, fun, inexpensive get together.

Hansel and Gretel Theme

I love the classics and what could be better then incorporating Hansel and Gretel into your candy themed event!  Make a woodland forest straight from the storybook with houseplants or topiaries for an indoor party or hold the party outdoors at your home or a local park.  Offer a treasure hunt along a winding path as one of the activities.  Set up a beautiful candy buffet  and table with graham crackers and cake decorating frosting bags so that each guest can make "grandmothers cottage " for an activity and party favor.

Hollywood theme

Consider hosting a Hollywood themed event.  A red carpet is a must! Decorate with black and gold or black and silver.  Of course a lot of stars should be used. Activities can include movie trivia games,
charades, Scene It games, and everyone can create a stepping stone from a kit.  Once completed the stepping stones can be used to make a " walk of fame ". Each guest can be photographed by their own stepping stone.  Food and table settings should be elegant.  Drink should include sparkling juice, water, or a frothy punch.  Wind things down with a movie " screening" and your party is complete!

An additional activity could be decorating plastic sunglasses which, along with the stepping stone and photos, should be used as party favors.