A little sad inside re: PS holiday party

schnappycat · December 2011

I was excited to see DS's preschool holiday party signup today because for the first time, I think I'll be able to get a sitter for DD and actually volunteer for the party.

In my head, I was envisioning fun holiday crafts, music, and a treat or two. But then the teacher announces that the holiday party will be a fun fitness-themed day where they will participate in all kinds of active activities in the gym and only eat fruit.

I'm all for a healthy lifestyle, but come on! Let the kids get a cookie (nut free) and do some fun holiday activities! Maybe I'm a fuddy duddy, but it makes me a little sad inside when I remember our holiday (Christmas) parties in school that included things like Secret Santa and (gasp!) cookies, brownies, and candy.

Leila'sMommy · December 2011

That is so LAME! Holy cow. There is a time for healthy eating and fitness. The holiday season is not that time. I mean, moderation, of course, but my goodness.

Amy720 · December 2011

Oh My! I'm a kindergarten teacher, and I would hate it if that's the kind of party we had to have at my school. The kids are so excited to see how the Holiday goodies and eat and get their presents. It's as much fun for me as it is for them. A little sugar never hurt anyone.

Pesky · December 2011

I hear you! That's how DD's Halloween party was and I was already planning on little favors. I get trying to limit the amount of sugary stuff but there should be SOME -- it's a party!

lite-bright · December 2011

LOL! I know the feeling. DD1's preschool Halloween party included ONLY raw, fresh fruits and veggies, and 100% juice -- and the stuff could only be purchased from a store, so I couldn't even do something cute with the fruit at home.

The "winter party" will be the same. They do a seasonal craft and sing some songs for us, though, it's not fitness-based.

But really, when it got right down to it at Halloween, the kids got to eat at a class party. It didn't truly make a huge difference in atmosphere or fun, IMO, that the food was fruit & veggies instead of candy & cupcakes.

Although I am hosting an out-of-school class Christmas party/Secret Santa exchange at my house that some of the moms are putting together, and we're going to have a menu that -- while predominantly healthy -- will also have stuff that wouldn't fly at school.

KathrynMD · December 2011

why can't playing w/ your friends be a fun holiday activity?

that sounds like a awesome party for little kids to me! It seems like a good way to set them up for future fun party events as healthy food and moving around!

cecee36 · December 2011

Yeah, when I think of holiday parties healthy snacks aren't on the menu. I don't see the harm in having cookies and sweet treats; she still could have had a fun fitness-themed activity to burn off some of the sugar and calories but who wants a red and green striped banana?

MirandaHobbes · December 2011

I definitely don't see the harm in sugar-filled goodies for a party- however I think your LO will have an awesome time at this party and not really know what she's missing! DS would have a blast!

jlw2505 · December 2011

I am sure I am in the minority but I think that idea is a great idea. Kids love to play and move around and if mom and dad are invited, that makes it even better. As far as the healthy, I am not a healthy eating nut but I also think that my kids eat enough sweets so would not think its a big deal for the party to only have fruit and healthy stuff (and for whoever posted about not being able to bring home made treats - just wait - that is very common at many, many schools due to the vast amount of allergies). The elementary that my kids will be going to is very health focused and strongly encourages no sweets be brought as snacks for anything - for birthdays, we are encouraged to do healthy snacks or non edible things to pass out to the class. And not everyone celebrates Christmas so I get not having that be the focus. At my younger DD"s daycare, they have Santa come in one morning the week before during the prime drop-off time. If parents would like their kids to see Santa and have a pic taken, the parents need to take them and then take them to their class. I think this is a perfect way to balance things and not make those that don't celebrate the holiday feel left out or funny. And yes, even at the age of 2 1/2 (almost 3) last year my younger DD understood that we don't celebrate Christmas and while she loves all the Christmas lights and such, having her see Santa is not on my list of things she will be doing. I love that schools are trying to find a balance of celebrating the holiday season while still trying to keep the focus on health and fitness - it can still be fun even if cake and other sweets are not part of it - just a different way of doing things. And by the way - my PreK DD will not be having a holiday party at her school that I know of. I don't remember them doing one last year. They had one for Halloween and I know there was a party of some type in the spring (no clue what for) but I don't remember anything around the winter holidays although I honestly may have forgotten.

angelakh · December 2011

I don't think that is all bad. All the kiddos want to do is run around anyway. I hated DD's halloween party, it was way too structured and it felt like we were being herded from forced activity to forced activity. I would love to just have the kids run loose in the gym. Unfortunately, our Christmas party will be more of the same structured forced fun - whee!

I don't think a cookie or cupcake would hurt though. As far as crafts go, no thank you - I have enough foam sticker projects around the house to last a lifetime!

livinitup · December 2011

I think it sounds a lot like your original idea of fun. We had stations in the gym for Halloween with a mix of card making and running around activities. You may be surprised that the holiday plan is a good one - and much of what you want. And its not like they have to eat a cookie to have fun for the holiday. Cookies and sweets are everywhere. Hardly the holidya exception.