With a simple sugar cookie recipe, a variety of frosting, and colorful sprinkles, you can host an affordable and stylish Valentine Cookie Decorating Party!!! #sponsored  [Image] Valentines Day is in a few short weeks. Do you usually plan something for this sweet holiday? Now that my kids are older we don't do anything over the top, but I still love to celebrate. Most times I prepare a Valentine themed dinner and dessert and everyone has always been happy with that. 

When my kids were younger it was all about exchanging cards, school parties, teachers gifts and so many sweet treats. I have to say things are a lot easier now, but if you have younger children, I have a great inexpensive idea on how to celebrate Valentines Day with kids - a cookie decorating party! 

[Image] Your kids and their friends will be able to frost and decorate cookies and take home some yummy treats. To keep my pocketbook in check, I designed a Valentine cookie decorating station with simple, stylish decorations and supplies that I picked up at my local Walmart. 

First, gather your items: You will need baked sugar cookies, cookie frosting, sprinkles, decorator candy, tablecloth, paper plates, napkins or paper towels, a Valentine table topper , decorations, plastic icing bottles, utensils to spread the frosting (plastic knives), and carry home bags or boxes. 


All of these items are very inexpensive, especially if you make your own cookie dough. Another great idea is to mix and match solid color party items (tablecloth, napkins and utensils) along with Valentine themed plates and decor to complete the look.

[Image] Getting started: Prepare and bake the cut out sugar cookies a day or two before the party. Store the cookies in an airtight container, so the cookies will be ready for decorating. 
If you're in a pinch and don't have time to bake cookies you can pick up a Valentine Cookie Kit at Walmart in the bakery department. Each cookie kit is priced at $6 and consists of 12 baked heart shaped sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles.  
[Image] Party Day: Create a simple cookie decorating area. For easy clean up, make sure to cover your table or decorating station with butcher paper or a tablecloth. I used a .99 plastic Valentine tablecloth, since it's going to be covered with frosting and sprinkles galore in the end. 
I added a .99 Valentine Day table topper and placed it in the middle of the cookie station and arranged the plates on the table. The plates will be used for the children to decorate their cookies. Set out the baked cookies, arrange the frosting (store bought or homemade). 
I used one container of store bought frosting, and prepared a homemade cookie frosting as well (recipe below). Arrange the sprinkles and add the candy m&m's and conversation hearts into small bowls so they're easy to grab.    
[Image] Prepare the homemade cookie frosting and pour it into each decorating bottle. I love to use the Mini Wilton Squeeze Bottles to decorate cookies. They're ideal for little hands and so convenient to decorate cookies. 

Each bottle is clear so the kids can see exactly what color the icing is in each bottle. I picked up three bottles for .75 each. Wilton also makes larger bottles found in the cake decorating section that come two to a package.  
[Image] Using the decorating squeeze bottle makes icing cookies a snap. You can also make simple designs or use them to add the icing onto the cookie before spreading. It's so much easier to control the flow of the cookie icing with the Wilton bottles versus using a piping bag, and less messy. 
[Image] Even thought my kids are older they still decorated cookies with me. We had such a good time and it was fun to see all the designs and creations my daughter and son came up with. 


[Image] Once the cookie are frosted, set them aside to give the icing some time to dry before packaging.  
[Image] Packaging the cookies: For storage and take home options I went with holiday zip lock bags priced at $1.47 (20 bags) and a few small decorator treat boxes. Make sure to label the bags and boxes with each child's name. 


[Image] Once the cookies are dry let the kids package up their decorated cookies to take home.  
[Image] I hope this idea will inspire you to host a Valentine Cookie Decorating Party of your own. 
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