Should I bribe the kids with a dollar each if they are good at my house at my Xmas Eve Party? They worry me.?!
JUST relax and let the parents take care of it...
Have Fun
Answers: No I don't think so... unless you are a favorite uncle.. heehee
JUST relax and let the parents take care of it...
Have Fun
Hell no, then they'd hold you for ransom. Any sign of weakness is an invitation to move in for the kill, what are you thinking?
No you should make them earn it!
and make it fun...
depending on their ages. you can't expect
a baby to sit still for an entire movie.
if the kids are old enough, rent them a movie
and make them popcorn and juice boxes.
buy them a game to play.....
put color crayons on the table with fun stuff like stickers.
cut and fold pieces to fit into envelopes and have them color card stock for you with creative pix so you can use them for next years thank you notes!....that way they have earned it!
I'd use tokens of some kind, just buy some play money at the toy store, and then let them pick a treat from baskets that have token values attached to them. Offer a variety of choices including candy, small toys, stickers, tattoos, etc.
I do this with my daughter on a daily basis, not multiple baskets, but she earns this play money which she can "spend" in her treat basket. I like it because more often than not, she'll pick something other than candy as a reward.
This also makes them feel that you're giving them a lot, when in the end they may end up with some trinket from the dollar store.
Value is all about perception!
no offer them ten dollars
If you are prepared to part with money, hire a baby sitter to come to your house. The sitter's job is to amuse them and keep them out of your hair. Make sure there are plenty of games for them to play, some great videos, some food and drinks--but not too sugery. If there's a Xmas project they can work on with the sitter's help, that can keep them distracted. Maybe they can work on a "secret" gift for mom or dad, or whoever. Keeping it secret means that have to stay out of the way.
Don't pay them a cent. They will up the ante on you. Anyway, a dollar is chump change for today's kids.
Maybe a dollar for every 30 minutes, find the oldest kid and offer a $10 bonus for keeping them in line. (they have short attention spans and limitless imagination. The party could go on for quite awhile.) Just don't be an easy mark and fork over the dough before the end of the night, or they'll taunt you with it while they vandalize your house, disassemble your Christmas decorations and try to extort more money from your guests. And don't try that "Santa won't come if your not good" line. They are high on adrenaline and sugared up at this point, it will only make things worse. (Remember they all have picture phones and easy access to the Internet, do a tech check before anybody gets paid or leaves the house LOL!) Good Luck!
Absolutely NOT! If you expect children to behave, make your expectations clear without lecturing and provide them with specific things to do (and a little respect) you will invariably get what you expected to. If you expect them to be bad and wreak havoc - they will.
Find some fun activities for the kids - and try to make those interactive rather than just buying or renting a kid's Christmas movie. Small gingerbread house kits to decorate, a make your own ornaments craft, that kind of thing. Have some special snack items just for the kids. Set up a Christmas treasure hunt. Keep them busy!
Why bribe, when threats CARRIED OUT CONSISTENTLY work so much better? Seriously, if they're your kids, start NOW, Noncompliance TO Rules.?..REMOVE PERKS:..tv, cell phone, keys to car, outings, extra hour up...depends on child's age as to what will work
Not your kids? Guests only? Either way...provide something for them to do during party. Board/action Games, cars, outdoor games (weather permitting), writing a Christmas story/letter to a special person,planning what to take to a child in the hospital, Counting Christmas blessings, Craft or coloring pages, helping make cookies.
Making Christmas ornament, decorate tree (NO carping, harping, By you adults...put adults to Helping with the projects.
Sing Christmas Carols, don't just listen to them.
Have foods they Love to eat, and moms (all of you) no fussing about what they don't/won't eat...don't even think of putting it on their plates...
Kids take their clues from you....be nice, be happy, be fun.
Have a very Merry Christmas.
i would not bribe them to do what they should do anyway, be good... i would set up consequences for not following your rules for this party. if this is something you don't normally do, ( have parties ) then ground rules are in order... and be firm... and follow through with what you say you are gonna do if they get out of line.... if you don't, the next party will be an even bigger disaster...we are doing the same thing... having a party... at 8 pm it is movie time for the kids... girls in one room boys in the other... they can come out to use the bathroom but for no other reason ( unless someone is bleeding or broke ;0) ). but, my children and the children of my friends are used to going to our parties so they have learned how to behave... good luck!!
Ok, what does a dollar buy these days? If you want to bribe them, at least, give them five dollars each.
I would,
Don't give it to them before obviously.
Say it's a special treat as its christmas and your in such a good mood, at least then there is an excuse if they expect it again!
Make it fun - not a complete bribe!!
How about organising some crafts or activities that the kids can do quietly during the party? Make it fun for them, and a bit special, and they'll be too busy to misbehave.
If you're stuck for craft ideas, there are lots here, on my website, with photos.
Be positive, and your kids will be too!