(besides 10 little girls in their pajamas)
We have a very special four year old turning five next week. To celebrate Santa is coming to eat breakfast! Normally this is a tradition for my basketball player in the house, but he has grown too old (at least what he thinks) and is graciously passing. So we now have one thrilled little girl!
Santa Coat Invitations
For the invites I made Santa Coat invitations. Really these would be great for any holiday gathering! They went together very quickly (I only made 10 though).
I first cut a shape to use for the buckle out of a cereal box. Remember when Cricut generously let me try their machine? Well I have had it now over six months and am completely satisfied (in love). I find I use it for so many different things. The paper doll cartridge has single handedly been helping me through preschool Sunday School. Those dolls have been Adam and Eve, Joseph and his coat, Ruth and Naomi. I have made star wands and hearts for a special game.... on and on. My husband and boys even continue to find it useful.
So once again the Cricut has come in handy. I used the frame (with shift key on) from ACCENT ESSENTIALS 
It made quick work of cutting my buckles.
I then used another handy tool (for the first time) and it worked great for cutting a slit in each side of my buckle wide enough for my 1 1/2" satin ribbon to slip through.
Next spray paint the buckle shapes with silver paint, allow to dry then paint around the edge (making a kind of frame) with Deco Art Twinkles paint.
Once completely dry I hot glued a 14" piece of 1 1/2" black satin ribbon to the back of the buckle.
Fold each short edge of an 8 1/2 " X 11" piece of red card stock to meet in the middle. A bone folder ran along the fold will make a nice crease. Hot glue a piece of 1" fur trim to the bottom of the card. I cut my pieces of fur just shy of 11 1/4".
Print your invitation on white card stock, trim to fit and place inside. We also included a letter to Santa for the girls to bring back to the party. You may download the Santa Letter if you like.
Free Printable Letter to Santa Download
Slip the black ribbon around the card and through the buckle and you have a Santa Coat card.
I will do many of the things we have done for past seven years at our breakfast with Santa parties, with a few wild ideas thrown in (remember my party planner is four). So this week I will be making a snowman pinata while my sister-in-law is dreaming about how to make a snowman cake --- yes I know we are slightly off theme but again I remind you of the party planner's age. If you have some ideas or tips to make this party special I would love to hear them!
See how the party turned out here.
If you want to cover all your bases then be sure to also fill out a wish card and send to your chief gift buyer! Click on the banner at the top of my blog (or image below) and you will be taken to a fun little spot where you can make a wish list and send your list to someone who might need a few little gift hints for the holidays!
Oh my! Those invites look absolutely gorgeous. Wish I was invited! =P
Seriously. AMAZING invitations, and what a fun idea for a party- to have breakfast with Santa!
These are adorable! You are so creative….your little one and the other girls are going to have a blast at this party. I’d love to have a Cricut.
um.. This maybe an odd question, but I have to know… Where do you get Santa from??
I LOVE your Invitations!!!! I’m so envious of all the wonderful creations people make using the Cricut! I really want to get one for myself….Perhaps one day….=)
Here is a link for an adorable Snowman cake IF your Sister in law hasn’t found one yet….http://familyfun.go.com/winter/winter-recipes/winter-desserts/smiling-snowman-cake-679145/
It can be a bit of work locating a Santa. The first year a dear dear friend and his wife were Mr and Mrs Clause. It was delightful having them share in the fun. It did become a little awkward when my son came home one day and said that “Mrs Clause lives down the street”. For the next few years I used Santas from our local Kiwanis Chapter since they supplied Santas as a fundraiser. They stopped doing this and it became more of a challenge. By word of mouth I have been able to find them. The one I have this year is the same one I used last year. Last year he even brought his son as an elf. He has been the most reasonable Santa and looks real— charging $50.00. He stays an hour and that is plenty of time. When I hosted it for the boys I would send Santa a list ahead of time of little interesting facts about each boy (supplied by the parents) —- so funny to see these boys trying so hard not to believe in Santa be amazed at how much he knew about them. I will say especially for the boys it was important to have a Santa with a real beard! They look for every reason to prove he is not real!
Those are such cute, creative invites! What a great idea for the party too!
What a great belt buckle from the Cricut. Thanks for the idea. It looks great!
Nancy
Your invitations look fantastic and I enjoyed looking back at your previous Santa breakfasts. It looks like great fun and your table decorations look very inviting.
Beautiful………I love this blog…
That’s awesome. This may be a stupid question but do have another birthday party for Bella?
I LOVE, love the Santa invitations! Oh, Mr. Santa please hear me out, I want a Cricut, please don’t make me pout!
The link is not working, shucks. Looking for another way to go see about this awesome giveway….please! Thanks!
We might have my family over for a slice of cake, but this is her main party? Is that what you meant Amy? It won’t be much if we do because it is all too much anyway being two weeks before Christmas!
Sound so fun! I have a little girl who is also turning 5 on Tuesday and we just had a very fun gingerbread themed birthday party on Saturday!
These are SO gorgeous!
Very cute invitation. That Cricut looks like it could be used for so many fabulous projects. What a fun breakfast party! Blessings,
Tammy
those are FREAKIN ADORABLE! I need a Cricut!!!
I don’t know what I would do with a cricut, but mercy me, those are adorable invites. Love the inside too and the letter. Oh, wow. So adorable!
WHAT a DELIGHT!!!!! Sooooo sweet!!!!!! I hope you post photos of the big breakfast.
Fun!!!
What an adorable idea! My daughter is too old for this now but I am filing this one away for when I have grandchildren!
That is so fabulous. I love it and it’s really simple once you break it down!!!
Oh, my, those are the MOST amazing invites ever! I know I don’t have an invite, but I might have to crash this party — sounds like too much fun! What a good mom you are. Such fabulous memories you are making! And about that snowman cake – oh, the pressure is on. Forward any ideas! WOW! What a great party! xo
SO CLEVER! very cute!
Such a cute party idea. Please post pics after. I would love to see how it all comes together.
Questions… What is on the menu? Party favors?
Way too cute. Makes me wish I had a Santa I could pull out my back pocket to do it too.
A little bird told me that santa is bringing me a cricut I caaaaant wait!
I love this idea. My daughter is turning 2 on the 17th. I will have to remember this for when she is a little older.
Hello Cindy! I can’t believe that I am looking at this darling invite online, and that Lily is actually coming to the party! I am an avid crafter and seamstress and I love checking in on your blog. You do such a wonderful job! I look forward to meeting you on Saturday
Stacy Zeigler
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Darling invite and idea! Love your blog!
I just saw a recipe in Family Circle to make a snowman cake. I couldn’t find a link but here is one to snowman cupcakes http://www.parents.com/holiday/christmas/recipes/winter-whites/ Hope this helps
So cute! Thanks for the printable Santa letter. Too cute! Hope yall have fun at your party!