| The Winter Olympic Games are coming to | | | | put their flags on a stick and march in a 'parade |
| Vancouver in February 2010, and everyone is | | | | of nations' to Olympic music. If someone is good |
| gearing up for the fun. Instead of just sitting in | | | | at face painting, you can also paint small flags on |
| front of the television and passively watching, | | | | guests' cheeks, or pictures of skis, skates, |
| why not make it a fun family and friends event? | | | | medals, etc. Guests can also make event |
| Here are some ideas for party foods, games and | | | | passbooks, and record each event with the |
| decorations to make your Winter Olympic Games | | | | winner's name, country and time. |
| party a gold medal winner. | | | | Food: Since the Olympics are multi-national, you |
| Invitations: Making invitations can be a fun craft | | | | can have foods from the different countries: |
| for kids, and helps to build the anticipation. A | | | | German pretzels, Swedish meatballs, French |
| simple invitation can be made from gold or silver | | | | pastries; Swiss fondue; New Zealand kiwis; Italian |
| paper (craft or scrapbook supplies). Use a large | | | | pizzas, etc. An international cheese tray is also |
| glass to trace a circle and cut out the 'medal'. On | | | | fun, especially if you cut everything in cubes and |
| the back, write the date, time and party info and | | | | get the decorative toothpicks with international |
| your 'Olympic Village' location. You can staple | | | | flags to put on the respective cheeses. For |
| ribbons onto the medals so guests can wear | | | | dessert, you can make cupcakes and ice them in |
| them around their necks. | | | | the Olympic ring colors, and lay them out like |
| Themes: You can have everyone come dressed | | | | Olympic rings on the tray. |
| representing an Olympic Winter Games event or | | | | Games: You can organize a fun outdoor party - |
| a participating country. An alternative is to put | | | | involving skating, sledding or races in the snow. |
| country names in a hat and have everyone draw | | | | Make a fun obstacle course, an endurance |
| a name as they come in. | | | | challenge or silly Olympics. Have extra (craft) |
| Decorations: You can go for an international village | | | | medals and podium presentations for the winners. |
| look and decorate the room with flags, posters or | | | | (To be sure everyone has a good time, try to |
| memorabilia from different countries. If you have | | | | ensure that everyone goes home with at least |
| lots of winter sports equipment, spread around | | | | one medal - even if it is a team sport or an |
| some skis, hang some skates and hockey | | | | honorary medal). |
| jerseys, etc. You can also make your own | | | | Other fun indoor games are Olympic trivia or |
| decorations (kids love this) by making flags for | | | | charades. You can also have a 'fun bet' sheet |
| each country. This fun yet educational art project | | | | were participants make their guesses for medal |
| can be done inexpensively, with large sheets of | | | | counts for each country, or pre-event questions |
| papers, and markers or poster paint. Finished flags | | | | like: who will have best outfits; who will finish last; |
| can be displayed on the walls, or participants can | | | | who will fall, etc. |