Polar Express Party

This Polar Express party post contains affiliate links.

When we were planning Lila’s Nutcracker Tea, Luke was a little disappointed that he wasn’t having a Christmas playdate with his friends.  I decided to throw together a simple Polar Express party for Luke and two of his friends.

I’m a big believer that parties don’t have to be over the top or cost a lot of money.  Creative details are always fun but I also like grabbing things from around the house to create party decorations and set the theme.

Polar Express Party Invitations

I created golden tickets {that were actually yellow} and delivered them to the boys before the party.

The tickets told the kids to wear pajamas and bring the tickets with them.  I punched the tickets with a hole punch as the boys arrived.

Polar Express Party Table Decorations

I covered the table with a cheap blue plastic tablecloth.  Plastic cloths look less classy but rolling everything up in the cloth and throwing it away at the end is a huge bonus, especially for parties that tend to get a bit messy. 

I set bells at each place setting as well as in the center of the table and used white disposable plates as chargers under blue disposable plates.  I found a cute printable paper ornament online and set those on top of each plate.

We cut paper snowflakes and hung them from the chandelier over the table … 

… and set pretzel train track snacks on top of the Polar Express book to add to the centerpiece.

Polar Express Party Food Ideas

The boys had fun with the make-it-yourself hot chocolate bar despite the fact that I didn’t do back flips, toss the cups, or squirt hot chocolate across the room {remember this scene?}.

I just set out a tray with mugs, hot cocoa mix, whipped cream, marshmallows, stir sticks, and crushed peppermint candy sprinkles.

I baked little train cakes {using a train mold I already had}. 

I used the cakes as a centerpiece, nestled in polyfill, and then Luke and his friends decorated the cakes as a party activity.

I set out storebought icing {with popsicle sticks to spread the icing} and a few different sprinkles and the kids each decorated a car from the train.

While coming down off their sugar highs, the little guys cuddled in a chair and watched The Polar Express movie.

It was such a quick and easy holiday party to throw together but so much fun for the boys. 

For another Polar Express themed idea, check out these cute Polar Express pajamas.  They even have a detachable bell!