Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Polar Express Ward Party
My first official activity as ward activities chair (which has since been dissolved!) was the ward Christmas party. We decided to do a Polar Express theme! I researched and put in more hours into this than anything I have done since...college? Like, ALL of the hours I put in at college. Ha! It turned out wonderfully, though, and I had amazing help. I don't have nearly as many pictures as I would have liked, though. Guess that's what happens when you're in charge!
Our ward passengers entered into the foyer, or the train station, and boarded the hallway Polar Express...
Where they were welcomed by the Conductor (this was Peter, he was so cute and AMAZING, no picture of him...sad). Then they were then treated to a "hot chocolate" dance from our Young Men. Now THIS was the hit of the party. They actually passed out candy canes instead of hot chocolate, and the dance was so, so cute! The best part was, they did this all on their own! I figured the most I could expect out of them was to dress up in a chef hat. But they went ALL OUT and did the mustaches, came up with a dance, and performed it for everyone. It was just the best, and I actually got all teary-eyed from watching them because it was SO what I had envisioned! I know someone has a video of this (not to mention more pictures), I just have to track them down.
After the ride, they entered the North Pole (cultural hall), had hot chocolate served to them by other YM chefs, and visited until everyone arrived. Then it was off to Santa's Place, where they helped themselves to breakfast for dinner, since, in the words of the Conductor, "It's Santa's favorite!" It was delish.
Then we were all treated to a reading of the Polar Express (with a slideshow DVD of the pics projected above him) by a member of the bishopric, and a message on how the real first gift of Christmas is Christ.
Next, a ward member who has his own band and is awesome at the guitar and singing led us all in some fun variations on Christmas carols (think Jack Johnson). When we got to singing "Santa Claus is coming to town," Santa arrived!
He gave each child a special bell with the word "Believe" stamped on the ribbon. We took pictures again for this activity and they turned out so cute. Phew! It was so much work, but so worth it.
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12 comments:
Thank you so much for that Christmas Party! It was so special and honestly the most spiritual one I have attended in a long time. It was so apparent all the work, time and love you and your crew put into the party. Since then, Ethan has been OBSESSED with trains and it was our first time getting him to sit on Santa's lap! The picture of him and Santa turned out beautiful and beat the pants off waiting in some long line at a dept store! Thank you for everything!
Amazing is the only word I can come up with! I'm sure everyone with always remember this ward Christmas party!!!
Oh, friend, this looks absolutely, completely amazing!!!! Wish I could have been there. You put your whole heart into planning it.
OH MY. I wish I could have been there!! What a wonderful, magical idea!! I love all the attention to detail and all the extra touches that made it special. You have a gift, my friend.
holy cow!!! that is amazing! I just LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! so talented Michelle!
HOLY PARTY! You really outdid yourself! I wish I could have been there! Are you so sad that they dissolved your calling?
I ran across your blog from somewhere else and had to comment because I love this idea. I hope it's ok I pinned it. (It annoys me when I find stuff from my blog pinned and no one told me...) Anyway, I know I'm a stranger, but I think this is a fabulous idea for a ward party! Great work!
Your party looks amazing. I am organising our ward party this year and I have decided to go with the Polar Express theme. I will certainly be using some of your ideas. Thanks so much.
I came across this on Pinterest! I love it. We are planning a similar party at our church and I was wondering what you used on the walls in the hallway to make it look like a train car? Thank you!!
Do you have the slideshow? And, do you have notes from the message of the first real gift of christmas is christ? Id be willing to pay for cost of any copies and shipping as well as your time? Thank you!!
I'd love more info about the program, especially the slideshow and the tie-in to Christ. Please!
I am working on Polar Express already for this December. I would love to know what you used on the walls in the hallway to make it look like a train car. Can you please let me know? Thank you!!
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