It's the most wonderful time of the year, so of course we need a class party to celebrate! We know, we know—it seems like just yesterday you were basking in the glory of turkey hand prints and paper pilgrim bonnets, and now it's high time you got your Polar Express on. Luckily, we've rounded up 50 clever and creative hacks that are guaranteed to make you a room mom rock star this holiday season.
12/06/2022
1. Put cookie icing in condiment bottles to cut down on the mess factor.
via Bake at 350
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2. Give each activity station volunteer a winter-theme book to read aloud to their group in case they finish before the allotted amount of time is up.
3. Use recycled gold fish cartons as the base for mini gingerbread houses.
via Crumbs and Chaos
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4. Or, skip the graham crackers and use those mini milk cartons from the caf instead. Just be sure to wash them first!
via Crafts by Amanda
5. Holiday wrapping paper is an inexpensive backdrop for a holiday photo booth. Add some garland for a little sparkle and shine!
6. Turn white pool noodles or empty wrapping paper rolls into giant peppermint sticks with red electrical tape.
via Everyday Celebrating on Pinterest
7. Jolly-ify dollar store plastic cups for prepackaged snacks.
8. Make Christmas trees out of pine cones...
9. ...Just remember to bake the bugs out first!
10. Use a permanent marker to work some holiday magic on prepackaged fruit cups.
via Mil Dicas de Mae
11. While you're at it, you might as well decorate those cheese sticks, too.
via A Burst of First
12. You know all those extra labels you have lying around? Stick 'em on juice pouches.
via A Frugal Friend
13. Coffee filters make great snowflakes.
14. Gift your teacher homemade cookies in covered plastic wrap or aluminum foil boxes.
via Aunt Peaches
15. A Pringles can works in a pinch, too. But someone’s gotta eat all those chips first (take one for the team, room parents!).
via A Thousand Words
16. Turn an old bulletin board into a pin-the-nose-on-the-reindeer game.
via Fiona Carter
17. Or play pin a heart (or 20—he could use 'em) on the grumpy old Grinch.
18. Make hot cocoa for the whole class in a slow cooker.
19. Use the bottom of a crystal glass to imprint snowflake shapes on sugar cookies.
via Chic Fluff
20. Transform store-bought doughnut holes into snowballs with a simple sign.
21. Decorate water bottles with pom-poms and pipe cleaners...
22. ...And save some for your applesauce cups, too.
23. Googly eyes and construction paper are a simple way to dress up clementines.
via Mommy Testers
24. Speaking of fruit, who says watermelon is strictly for summer?
via Eating Vibrantly
25. Upcycle baby food jars into customized miniature snow globes.
26. Got water? Then you’ve got...wait for it...melted snowmen.
27. Serve up something green (grapes, M&Ms, Kool-Aid) in a Grinch-inspired bowl or pitcher.
via My Paper Craze
28. A reindeer food bar is an interesting spin on a fun take-home treat.
via Crafty Sisters
29. “Wrap” tables into presents...
30. ...Or turn them into Polar Express trains.
31. What good's a train without a proper track (made of duct tape)?
via Bridgey Widgey
32. You can even line the school hallway with folding chairs and white Christmas lights.
via Harper Hoorahs
33. Turn white tissue paper into icicles and hang from desks, tables, windows, or a stage.
via Bridgey Widgey
34. Twigs make great reindeer antlers for your classroom game.
via Cul-de-sac Cool
35. Then again, so do balloons...lots of balloons. On unsuspecting parent volunteers, no less.
via Thrifty Fun
36. Turn candy canes into take-home treats using pipe cleaners and googly eyes.
37. Everyone's Elf on the Shelf will enjoy this make-and-take Cheerios snacktivity.
38. Hershey’s kisses make great game pieces...plus, you (er, we mean the kids) can eat them when it’s over.
39. Turn light bulbs into reindeer ornaments (good craft for older kids!).
40. Green cupcake liners make for a fun Christmas tree craft.
41. Make penguins out of recycled water bottles and cotton balls.
via Room Parent
42. Stock up on lots of toilet paper for this fun 'dress the snowman' game...
43. ...And don’t forget to save the rolls!
via Crafts by Amanda
44. Save those wine corks...not that you have many lying around, but just in case you do.
via Red Ted Art
45. Elmer’s glue and wax paper is an easy way to make snowflakes.
46. Thread cotton balls to make fake snow hang from the ceiling.
47. Decorate the classroom with a strand of giant holiday lights made from balloons and cups.
via That Is Really Pinteresting
48. Make snowflake ornaments out of pasta (add glitter if you're feeling fancy....You know you are.)
via DIY Enthusiasts
49. Old puzzle pieces will do the trick, too.
50. One cookie cutter, two ways. Turn gingerbread men upside down and you have reindeer cookies.
Originally posted in 2015 and updated regularly.
