First Annual Party Like a Toddler Fondue Extravaganza
Last night we had a bunch of friends and their toddlers over for a kid-friendly New Year's Eve fondue party. We had 20 people total (I think). Six toddlers and 14 adults (one couple's kiddo had to stay home due to illness). It was a raging success, if I do say so myself ;).
I made cheese fondue with an assortment of veggies and sourdough bread for dipping, and a chocolate fondue with all sorts of fruit, marshmallows, angel food cake, chocolate covered apples, and chocolate pecan tarts. I thought both were pretty tasty, but everyone else was much more excited about the chocolate than the cheese.
I had crackers, mushy carrots, cereal bars and mac 'n cheese squares for the kids. They had a blast running around playing with each other and independently. It seems that Anya was quite popular as a couple of the boys chased her around trying to kiss her. One even let her snuggle his "Baby" (a small blanket), which is apparently unprecedented. I also learned a few things for next year (this year went so well I think we'll make it a tradition): 1) remember to hide the drawer full of art supplies before the kids arrive, and 2) do not leave dirty clothes in the hamper! Luckily none of my dirty undies made an appearance, but it wasn't for lack of trying as at least two of the toddlers "explored" in the hamper.
Here are some pictures. I meant to take more "after" shots, but forgot by the time everyone left around 9 (it seemed much later!) Needless to say the house was pretty trashed!
Before shots:
After:
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Comments
What a great idea! My 3.5 year old would love a party like that.
Cute pics.
Glad to hear yours went so well -- maybe I'll have the guts to try it next year. After all, #2 won't be too mobile by then!
Anyway, I cooked the cheese and chocolate on the stove and then put the pots on the table foregoing the open flame. Everything stayed fairly warm and liquidy. The kids couldn't reach the pots and were too busy running around smashing their own food into the floor and throwing things down the stairs to even pay attention the the adults. Instead of sitting down to eat (too many people not enough chairs) I had two pot for each the cheese and chocolate (I had to borrow 2 sets) and people just milled around. I filled my plate with a bunch of things dipped them all and then went and sat down somewhere to eat and repeated that a bunch of times. I think the only potentially dangerous part was the skewers as people would set them down on low tables and forget about them or gesture with one in their hands as a kiddo ran by. Luckily there were no puncture wounds.
I think we will do it again next year. The prep was minimal as I bought as much pre-cut produce as I could find and the clean-up wasn't too bad either. If you don't get up the nerve to host your own, we'd love to have you come to ours. I thought about sending you the evite, but thought you probably wouldn't want to drive that far on NYE.