It's here again, the festive season that makes us all want to celebrate in one way or another. Some of us want to pick up a keg and crank the stereo. Others of us want to have close friends over and hang out with the kids. If you are in the second group, you know - the one that wants to hang out with the kids, I have some great ways to spend your time once all the eating is done, if you decide to do so.

Play Games

That's right, drag out the old-fashioned board game to test your knowledge or hook up the Wii to battle each other to the end. Set up teams that consist of at least one adult and one child so the kids can join!

Build a Gingerbread House for Each Family Attending

You can buy one of your own kits and follow the directions or you can find boxes to cover with graham crackers for a faux gingy mansion. Either way, getting everything to stick together and stay will provide hours of entertainment! Plus each family gets to take a house home.

Decorate Cookies

Either make your own cookie dough for this or buy a supply of preportioned cookie dough. Bake the cookies before the actual party and set them aside. When you are ready to decorate, provide icing and sprinkles. Let the families decorate how they want and then let them take the cookies home to enjoy!

Go Caroling

No, really. For those of you who are die-hard do-gooders, set up a day and time to visit a local nursing home and offer to sing for the residents. This will teach the children some great morals.