(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 cartridge (this one comes with the Cricut Expressions)  set for 2" size to cut a shape for Santa's belt buckle. To cut through the cereal box I used a deep cut blade set to 6, maximum pressure and low speed.

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!