Parish Toolkit:

Mistletoe Meet-Up
for Foster & Adoptive Families

This Advent season, host a gathering for foster, adoptive, and kinship families in your community! Plan your event around St. Nicholas Day, a weekend during Advent, or right before Christmas. Bring your families together to celebrate the birth of Jesus and build belonging within your parish.

Mass Resources

Begin your event with a Mass for foster and adoptive families, letting them know they are part of a larger family of faith.

Party Planning & Preparations

  • Select Your Venue: 
    Choose a location with plenty of tables and seating, and a clear area for setting out food and drinks. Access to a microphone and speakers is a big plus for welcoming families, leading games, and playing music.
Tip: Test your AV equipment ahead of time! Before the big day, make sure you’re familiar with how to set up and use any microphones, speakers, or music players you plan to use. A quick run-through will help ensure everything runs smoothly—and save you from last-minute tech stress when it’s time to welcome families, share announcements, or cue the music for games and dancing!
  • If you plan to host a meal:
    Keep it simple, fun, and flexible! Choose a main dish that works for both kids and adults—like pigs in a blanket, mac & cheese, or a selection of soups. Be sure to include a few options to accommodate different dietary needs (gluten-free buns, veggie burgers, cheese-free pizza, etc.).
  • If you plan to provide finger foods or light refreshments:
    – Foods on toothpicks make for easy eating – think mini meatballs, caprese skewers, cheese cubes, grapes and strawberries, and so on
    – A simple charcuterie board looks both festive and delicious! Load it with kid-friendly things like cheese and apple slices, crackers and pretzels, olives and bite-sized fruits, deviled or hardboiled eggs, cucumbers and carrots, and more
    – Christmas cookies are always fun – and setting up a station where kids (and adults) can ice and decorate their own cookies makes a treat into a craft activity as well!
    – For another food-as-an-activity, have kids make their own edible nativity plate

  • Get your parish involved! Reach out to various ministries to help with:
    –  Setting up and decorating your space
    –  Donating food or drinks
    –  Volunteering as food makers and dessert bakers
    –  Planning and running games and activities for the kids

  • Volunteer Roles to Fill:
    –  Setup & Cleanup Crew
    –  Emcee
    –  Food Servers
    –  Game Leaders & Helpers
    –  DJ (a curated Spotify or Pandora playlist with family-friendly songs works great!)

  • What to Ask People to Bring:
    –      Assorted drinks (juice boxes, bottled water, soda, flavored sparkling water)
    –  Salads, fruits, and side dishes
    –  Snack foods and desserts
    –  Prizes for games (Five Below is a great place to shop!)

  • Organize with Ease:
    Create a SignUpGenius or Google Doc with all your needs—both supplies and volunteer roles. Share it with participating ministries, or even your whole parish, to invite broader support.

Important Note: Any volunteers working directly with children should have completed VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training through their parish, which includes required background checks—especially important when working with youth in foster care.

Activities and Games

Planning a great holiday party means keeping everyone — kids and adults alike — smiling, connecting, and feeling the joy of the season. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Start with an ice-breaker: Help families feel welcome and get to know one another with a fun, low-pressure activity everyone can enjoy!
    – Ornament Hunt: Get kids engaged right away by searching for ornaments hidden around the room.
    – Table Introductions: Invite guests to spend a few minutes introducing themselves and sharing a short story or holiday memory.
    – Team Games: Try Holiday Charades or Holiday Pictionary — both are lively, laughter-filled ways to break the ice.
  • Easy Indoor Fun: Keep the atmosphere light and festive with simple activities for all ages.
    – Craft or coloring stations
    – Hula hoops, balloons, or a holiday-themed photo booth
    – Activity tables with big floor puzzles, cookie decorating, or simple board games
    – Mistletoe Bingo for a fun, family-friendly group game
  • Classic Party Games: Bring back tried-and-true favorites that work in any setting, like musical chairs, hot potato, a scavenger hunt, or Pass the Present.
  • Build Traditions: Consider introducing one special tradition that your community can look forward to each year — a favorite carol every can sing, a fun annual game, or a shared prayer at the end of the celebration. Small traditions can grow into beloved memories that families treasure for years to come.
For More Ideas: Looking for the perfect fun to add to your event? Head over to our Games & Activities page for easy, family-friendly ideas to keep everyone smiling and engaged!

Sample Bulletin Announcement:

Attention all foster and adoptive families (and those discerning)!

You’re invited to the Springs of Love Saint Nicholas Day Party—sponsored by our Springs of Love Chapter and local Knights of Columbus Council—on December 6. Join us for special Mass at 6pm at St. Joseph’s in Springfield, followed by a holiday party with food, games, and activities for the kids. Please RSVP at (insert web URL, email, or phone number) so we can plan food and activities accordingly. We look forward to seeing you there!

Create a Flyer

Access the Canva template and get started creating a flyer to promote your event! Canva login is required.

Plan Activities

Get your party going with an old favorite with a holiday twist. Download the PDF to get cards for Mistletoe Bingo or make it your own by editing our Canva template.

Sample Timeline

Before Mass (Arrive Early):
– Set up the space: non-refrigerated foods, drinks, outdoor toys, games, and the sound system.
– Make sure signage is clear and welcoming, and volunteers know their roles.
-Set out a welcome table in your party space where guests can check in and make name tags, if appropriate.

6:00 PM – Mass Begins
Volunteers quietly step out during Mass to:
– Set up food and beverages
– Heat up warm foods or pick up pre-ordered food
– Cue up family-friendly music and test sound system

6:30 PM – Mass Ends
– Invite families to head over to the party area
– Gather together for a blessing before the meal

6:40 PM – Dinner & Icebreaker Game
– Once everyone is eating, kick off a light, fun game to help families connect—like an ornament hunt or “Twelve Days of Christmas” singalong.
– If many guests don’t already know one another, a more intentional get-to-know-you activity may be appropriate.

6:50 PM – Main Games Begin

Invite families and kids to participate in games like:
– Mistletoe Bingo
– Edible Nativity Plates
– Holiday Charades

7:10 PM and Onward – Free Play & Optional Activities

Transition to open play and casual activities:
– Scavenger hunts, singalongs, or ornament crafts
– Tables set up for fun indoor activities that families can explore at their own pace: large-piece puzzles, simple games like Uno or Connect Four, crafts, and so on.

Allow space for adults to chat and build connections while kids play. If you have enough volunteers, have them engage the kids in activities to give parents more time to connect.

Edible Nativity Plate - craft for holiday event party

Get more ideas for Games & Activities for your event, like this Edible Nativity Plate that doubles as a craft AND snack!