Too Many Holiday Leftovers? Host an Around the World Leftover Party

Looking for something different to do with leftovers from your Christmas feast? Try throwing a foodie party with an international theme. With a little imagination, it's easy to turn leftover holiday dishes into kid-friendly fare from around the world. Throw in some fun games and a craft or two for an afternoon of family-friendly entertainment, that isn't short on learning.

Invite Your Guests

Help your child make her own invitations to send or hand deliver to family and friends. To follow the international theme, create cards shaped like Christmas trees, decorated with miniature flags. Cut out the card from green cardstock, and have your child add the flags. Use stickers, stamps, or create little paper flags and glue them on.

Be sure to inform guests of the theme of the party in the invitation. If you're afraid you won't have enough leftovers to serve all your guests, throw a potluck instead. Ask your guests to bring a dish with international flair using their own Christmas leftovers.

Plan a Menu

This is an excellent opportunity to explore other countries and cultures with your child. Ask her to select a few different countries that she would like to know more about. Look for background information on these countries online or take a trip to your local library.

Try some of these recipes, or use your own favorites:

• Use leftover broccoli or peas for Bahamian Peas ‘n’ Rice
• Turn leftover chicken or turkey into Curried Chicken Salad
• Make Mexican Cactus Salad with other leftover veggies

Get Crafty

Try your hand at crafts from around the world. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Origami (look for origami paper at an art or craft supply store)
• Hawaiian Kapa Cloth
• French Impressionist artwork using oil pastels
• Flag art: make flags from around the world using construction paper and scraps of felt or fabric

Don't forget to decorate your home with a travel theme. Hang posters of famous landmarks from major international cities such as Paris, Tokyo, or Rio de Janeiro, and make small cards to label each dish, listing the name of the dish and the country of origin.

Hosting an international party is a fun, approachable way to introduce your child to new flavors and cuisines, and to spark her interest in travel and other countries. And, of course, it's also a great way to use up Christmas leftovers!