“Accident” Now Deemed Crime

We were hopeful that the reindeer responsible for Daffy’s tragic accident last week would step forward and take responsibility for their part in this unfortunate incident. Regrettably, this has not happened, forcing this accident to be classified as a crime and a formal investigation to ensue. If you have any information to report, please do so to Jingle, who will be handling all of the details of this inquisition. Thank you.

EGGNOG PROHIBITED Until further notice, due to its disorienting effects, North Pole inhabitants are prohibited from drinking eggnog unless specifically approved by Santa. Thank you, Jingle

STAFF MEETING

Please be sure to be at the Staff Meeting (reindeers and elves alike) next Monday to discuss all the changes that Santa plans to implement in order to make sure the toy production and delivery efficiency increase in order to meet the expanding demand for Christmas toys. ~ SANTA

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North Pole Suspects

*** Some characters and character names may vary slightly from those listed below, depending on the version of Ho Ho Homicide you are attending!

Santa Claus—Leader of North Pole Operations. With the changing times, Santa has a lot to do to keep up with the current state of the world AND make sure his legacy lives on untainted.

Mrs. Claus—Santa’s wife. As the matriarch of the North Pole, the Mrs. is worried about some of her husband’s decisions and may have to exert her power to get her way!

Connie Claus—Santa’s daughter. Connie is the heir apparent but someone without a lot of Christmas Spirit in her heart. Will her spoiled attitude ruin her chances to inherit the kingdom and legacy her father has built?

Kris Krangle—Santa’s protégé. Hand-picked to marry Santa’s daughter and take over North Pole operations, Kris is filled with kindness, generosity and a business sense worthy of running the North Pole. The only thing Kris is missing is the affection of Connie.

Jingle—Head elf. Groomed from adolescence to be Santa’s right-hand man, Jingle oversees every aspect of the North Pole operations and events. He is the elf the others answer to.

Jangle—Elf. In charge of toy-designing, Jangle has a knack for making plans that some may see as outdated. Is Jangle’s time in the workshop up or is there another reason for the lacking toy production?

Snappy—Elf. As Santa’s official list maker, Snappy is responsible for reading the correspondence that comes in and goes out of the North Pole. There is rarely a request that Snappy has not heard… until this year.

Spanky—Elf. While children around the world are familiar with Santa’s “naughty and nice” list, few realize that Spanky also makes an identical list for the inhabitants of the North Pole. Spanky will take charge if anyone steps out of line.

Bouncy—Elf. In charge of the reindeer, Bouncy is allowed to care for the animals, but that is where their decisions end.

Blinky—Elf. While Blinky considers himself the hardest working elf in the factory, there are others who would tell you different. It is hard to tell if Blinky’s diligent behavior is intended to help boost toy production or aimed at his goal of becoming the next ‘head elf’.

Ivy—Elf. Filled with a vengeance, Ivy has vowed to find the reindeer who ran over her husband and make them pay for his pain.
Holly—Elf. As Jingle’s main squeeze, Holly has used her position to her advantage—even when it angers others.

Sparky—Elf. Tired of always being a worker-elf, Sparky is ready to use their wits and resources to promote their position.

Rudolph—Reindeer. With his position on the sleigh guaranteed, Rudolph has not been living up to his potential and testing his boundaries.

Dasher—Reindeer. As the fastest reindeer, Dasher’s speed prevents him from being removed from the sleigh team… unless he is found guilty of something terrible!

Cupid—Reindeer. The belle of the barn, Cupid is a sucker for true love and appears to be more worried about her beau’s position on the sleigh than her own.

Vixen—Reindeer. Smitten by power and intrigued by position, Vixen will do anything to remain Rudolph’s girlfriend… as long as he remains on the sleigh team.

Blitzen—Reindeer. A committed team player, Blitzen simply wants to see the sleigh team get faster to ease Santa’s worries.

Dusty—Reindeer. With his sights set on joining Santa’s sleigh team, Dusty has worked hard to prove himself a worthy reindeer. However, it will take an opening on the sleigh for Dusty to be in!

Holiday Wishes—North Pole postmaster. In charge of communications, Holiday often uses their position to collect data as well as deliver it.

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WHERE THE NORTH POLE CAME FROM

Thomas Nast established Santa’s workshop and official residence at the North Pole in four different drawings between 1879 and 1886. On January 4, 1879, Harper’s Weekly published “A Christmas Post,” showing a girl putting a letter in the mailbox, addressed to St. Claus, North Pole. The sketch titled “The Shine of Saint Nicholas” published on December 31, 1882, showed good children at the North Pole; Santa was seated on a box with the inscription “Saint Nicholas, North Pole.” Harper’s Weekly on December 19, 1885 published “Santa Claus’s Route,” a sketch showing two children looking at a map of the world and tracking Santa’s journey from the North Pole to the United States.

Finally, in “Santa Claus and His Works,” printed in Harper’s Weekly in 1886, Nast showed Santa and his workshop at Santa Claussville, North Pole. In 1869, American writer George P. Webster published Santa Claus and His Works and took up this idea, explaining that Santa’s toy factory and “his house, during the long summer months, was hidden in the ice and snow of the North Pole”. Although his name did not appear on the cover, the seven color illustrations were provided by Nast, who gave us a look at the red and white suit of Santa. Many of the illustrations in the book were colorized expansions of the woodcuts from Harper’s Weekly.

***The other ‘north pole’ story…

Children naturally wanted to know where Santa Claus actually came from. Where did he live when he wasn’t delivering presents? Those questions gave rise to the legend that Santa Claus lived at the North Pole, where his Christmas-gift workshop was also located.

In 1925, since grazing reindeer would not be possible at the North Pole, newspapers revealed that Santa Claus, in fact, lived in Finnish Lapland. “Uncle Markus”, Markus Rautio, who compared the popular “Children’s hour” on Finnish public radio, revealed the great secret for the first time in 1927: Santa Claus lives on Lapland’s Korvatunturi – “Ear Fell”

The fell, which is situated directly on Finland’s eastern frontier, somewhat resembles a hare’s ears – which are in fact Santa Claus’s ears, with which he listens to hear if the world’s children are being nice. Santa has the assistance of a busy group of elves, who have quite their own history in Scandinavian legend.

Over the centuries, customs from different parts of the Northern Hemisphere thus came together and created the whole world’s Santa Claus – the ageless, timeless, deathless white-bearded man who gives out gifts on Christmas and always returns to Korvatunturi in Finnish Lapland.

Since the 1950s, Santa has happily sojourned at Napapiiri, near Rovaniemi, at times other than Christmas, to meet children and the young at heart. By 1985 his visits to Napapiiri had become so regular that he established his own Santa Claus Office there. He comes there every day of the year to hear what children want for Christmas and to talk with children who have arrived from around the world. Santa Claus Village is also the location of Santa’s main Post Office, which receives children’s letters from the four corners of the world.

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ELF ESSENTIALS:

• Pointy Hat
• Pointy Ears
• Vests
• Suspenders
• Pointy shoes
• Knee high socks
• Shorts
• Patterns, stripes, plaids
• Lots of Reds and Greens

REINDEER *REQUIREMENTS*

• Antlers
• Colored (black/red) noses
• Jingle Bells (necklaces, bracelets, etc.)
• Hoofs
• Brown
• Fake Fur

Still not sure what to wear? Don on your favorite “ugly Christmas sweater”

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Elf Costumes

Elf Accessories 

Reindeer Costumes

Santa Suits

Santa Accessories

Mrs. Claus and Women’s Santa Suits

Miscellaneous Christmas

With Ho Ho Homicide set at the North Pole, it is the PERFECT time to utilize
your Christmas and/or winter decorations.Here are some more ideas on how to make your venue *EXTRA* special for your MURDER MYSTERY party!

• Make your own NORTH POLE and place it by your party entrance. (Complete do-it-yourself directions included with mystery – see picture below!)

• Have “Reindeer Crossing” signs as you come up the walkway. (Design included in mystery.)

• Hang a “North Pole” sign (design included with mystery).

• Create a directional sign, directing your guests to the party. (Designs and directions on making included with mystery – pictured below!)

• Create a Winter Wonderland by hanging snowflakes all around. (Hang with fishing line – inexpensive and clear!)

• Have signs around the venue, designating areas like Elf Clubhouse, Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, Toy Workshop and more! (Designs included in mystery.)

• Make one of your rooms the reindeer barn. Complete it with harnesses, rope, leashes, hay bales, sleigh bells, and brushes.

• Light it Up!
– Buy a couple of sets of Christmas lights and string them along the walls. Turn off the room lights to create a cozy atmosphere.
– Put the lights in an old wine jug and have them illuminate the room.
– Put the lights underneath a sheer, shimmering or white tablecloth to give it an extra effect!

• Ornament Hang Up. Let the ceiling be the decorative focal point of the party. Using fishing line cut in various lengths, hang simple ball ornaments around the room. You could also arrange bunches from light fixtures for a cool chandelier effect. Use brightly colored ornaments or buy clear glass ones and make your own.

• Buy Inexpensive and shiny ornaments in large quantities and use them to decorate the space. Place them in large bowls as centerpieces, scattered on the floor, placed on random surfaces and hung from the ceilings. By purchasing in large amounts, you will save on costs and have enough ornaments to pull the theme through your entire party space!

• Tree Trimming. Ask everyone to bring one hugely tacky ornament, and have a contest to see who brings the worst one. Have your guests decorate your tree while you are there.

• Spray paint old bottles to create this winter wonderland centerpiece! Find out how here.

• Wrap large boxes with Christmas paper and large bows. Set out around the party space.

• Tack up some mistletoe at each doorway and enforce that your guests follow the kissing-under-the-mistletoe rule. (We’re big fans of embarrassment.)

• Decorate your house with miniature stockings that have your guests’ names written on them. Stuff the stockings with candy that you can buy in bulk, and give them to your guests as party favors. OR use the stockings to have your guests name tags, money and objectives within them. A perfect way to distribute them!

• Hang a Cinnamon-Apple Wreath on your door to commemorate the season. Make one here.

• Make centerpieces out of things you have laying around. See how here.

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GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR TABLE!

No matter what you do, you can really pull through the theme, simply in how you set your dinner or food table.

Some ideas to help you with your table:

• Find old Christmas fabric, tablecloths, etc.

• Use Christmas wrapping paper to create a backdrop for your table, placemats, table runner, even a tablecloth!

• Search out inexpensive Christmas decorations at your local dollar store.

• Use red and green colored paper/plastic plates — much more inexpensive than plastic or patterned plates and gives the same, festive effect!

• Find large quantities of ornaments and use them as centerpieces (see above). By purchasing in quantity, you will cut down on the price and have enough to scatter throughout your party venue and pull together your theme!

• Purchase one swatch of festive fabric, cut into strips and use as napkin bows.

• Use festive holiday ribbon to tie your silverware together in lieu of napkin rings!

• Spray paint old wine bottles and other bottles red, green, white and silver for centerpieces.

Create a Photo Spot!!!

Give your guests an unforgettable souvenier by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.

A few suggestions:
• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.

• You can make it as elaborate or simple as you want.

• Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with. Consider extra Santa hats, elf ears, wigs, etc.

• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter”. These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.

• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone into the frame.

• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.
o Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.

• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).
o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.

BACKDROP IDEAS for your North Pole photo spot

• Use wrapping paper to create a background.

• Create a line-up board and take pictures of all of your “North Pole Suspects.”

• Use scene setters to make a simple background. There are many that are winter or Christmas themed.

• Make a sleigh for all of your guests to crawl in and/or pose around!

• Have additional props such as Santa hats, jingle bells, reindeer antlers, etc.

• Paint your own backdrop to pose in front of!

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR HO HO HOMICIDE PINTEREST BOARD FOR MANY, MANY MORE IDEAS!

“Follow” the Ho Ho Homicide board to get the latest updates as we add more ideas!

HAVE A TASTY TABLE OF TREATS.

Find recipes here or ask each of your guests to bring their favorite Christmas sweet or cookie.

NOTHING SAYS CHRISTMAS LIKE A GINGERBREAD HOUSE.

Make one from scratch or purchase and decorate a pre-made house!

SERVE YOUR GUESTS REINDEER FOOD.

Puppy Chow is a tasty treat that can be labeled as “Reindeer Food”. Recipe here.

CREATE A BUFFET FOR YOUR FAVORITE FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS!

HORS D’OEUVRES GALORE!

Try this website for a number of festive party appetizers. These recipes are quick easy to make, which works out perfectly for the busiest season of all. You can also find a number of appetizers that are red & green to add to the festiveness!

DRINKS

From hot chocolate an hot apple cider to eggnog and red & green martinis — there is little you can’t do to get your guests in the spirit with a drink — whether they have spirits or not! • Hot Apple Toddys • Egg Nog: Find a tasty and/or unique recipe for eggnog here.  • Hot Chocolate: Everything you need to about hot chocolate—how to make it from scratch, different recipes, etc. Find here. A comprehensive list of Christmas Drink Recipes—Cocktails and Mocktails Top Ten Holiday Drinks listed (with recipes) here

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FA LA LA LA LA — MUSIC!

This one is a little bit of a no-brainer — Christmas Music!

Here are some ways to provide free music for your gathering.

• Visit your local library and check out some Christmas cds.

• Visit Pandora.com where you can type in a genre of music and it will stream music throughout your par

• Visit iTunes and stream Christmas music from there

• Download free Christmas Carols here. Or here.

• You may also consider playing soundtracks from Christmas movies: Find a list of them here.

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Sending the invite

With this mystery theme, you have a unique opportunity to send your invitations in the post “from the North Pole.”

Along with your mystery, we have included templated, editable design that allows you to enter in your guest’s name and addresses and print out on your own envelopes, complete with the envelope looking as though it has been stamped “Special Delivery from the North Pole” and a postmark indicationg it came “Express from the North Pole Mail Station.”

This is one way to be certain yoru guests are excited for what’s inside… and for what’s to come at the party!

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More Party Extras

Once you order, in your mystery packet you will receive directions and/or printables to make unique and original decorations specific to your party!

Included will be:

• How to Make Your Own North Pole
• Directional Sign Post
• Editable Envelope Designs
• Editable Menu
• Editable Food Table Tents
• SIGNS (8 designs)
  • North Pole
  • Reindeer Fly Zone
  • Elf Staff Meeting
  • Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen
  • Toy Workshop
  • Reindeer Barn
  • Santa’s Mailroom
  • Elf Clubhouse
• Themed Speech Tags
• Themed Award Tags
• Wine Label Awards

AND MORE!!!

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Create a Photo Spot!!!

Give your guests an unforgettable souvenir by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.

A few suggestions:
• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.

• You can make it as elaborate or simple as you want.

• Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with. Consider extra Santa hats, elf ears, wigs, etc.

• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter”. These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.

• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone into the frame.

• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.
o Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.

• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).
o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.

BACKDROP IDEAS for your North Pole photo spot

• Use wrapping paper to create a background.

• Create a line-up board and take pictures of all of your “North Pole Suspects.”

• Use scene setters to make a simple background. There are many that are winter or Christmas themed.

• Make a sleigh for all of your guests to crawl in and/or pose around!

• Have additional props such as Santa hats, jingle bells, reindeer antlers, etc.

• Paint your own backdrop to pose in front of!

Win a Free Party!

Each month we highlight one of our customers who has posted on our blog and award them a FREE party!

To get your $5 coupon AND be entered in the Party Of the Month contest for a chance to win a FREE party, please email nompartyofthemonth@gmail.com

Don’t forget to add all the important details and party highlights that made your party one to remember! We love to hear about all of the hard work you, as host, put into your party. From the decor to the food, costumes, whatever. As well as how you and your guests acted (and reacted!) throughout the night! Everything that made your party one your guests will never forget — tell us about it! And be sure to attach some pictures!!!

Upon submitting, we will email you back a coupon to use for $5 off your next party AND enter you in our “Party of the Month” contest, where you could win a FREE party! Once submitted, you will not have to resubmit, but will be entered EVERY MONTH until your party wins!

Check out some of our past winners here! Night of Mystery POM Blogs

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