Party Planning Tools
Ho Ho Homicide
Guest Info
A Night of North Pole Naughtiness!
Fun North Pole tidbits and information about
who to expect at the partyโฆ
North Pole News
โAccidentโ Now Deemed Crime
We were hopeful that the reindeer responsible for Daffyโs 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
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 ClausโLeader 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. ClausโSantaโs wife. As the matriarch of the North Pole, the Mrs. is worried about some of her husbandโs decisions and may have to exert her power to get her way!
Connie ClausโSantaโs 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 KrangleโSantaโs protรฉgรฉ. Hand-picked to marry Santaโs 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.
JingleโHead elf. Groomed from adolescence to be Santaโs right-hand man, Jingle oversees every aspect of the North Pole operations and events. He is the elf the others answer to.
JangleโElf. In charge of toy-designing, Jangle has a knack for making plans that some may see as outdated. Is Jangleโs time in the workshop up or is there another reason for the lacking toy production?
SnappyโElf. As Santaโs 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 heardโฆ until this year.
SpankyโElf. While children around the world are familiar with Santaโs โnaughty and niceโ 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.
BouncyโElf. In charge of the reindeer, Bouncy is allowed to care for the animals, but that is where their decisions end.
BlinkyโElf. 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 Blinkyโs diligent behavior is intended to help boost toy production or aimed at his goal of becoming the next โhead elfโ.
IvyโElf. Filled with a vengeance, Ivy has vowed to find the reindeer who ran over her husband and make them pay for his pain.
HollyโElf. As Jingleโs main squeeze, Holly has used her position to her advantageโeven when it angers others.
SparkyโElf. Tired of always being a worker-elf, Sparky is ready to use their wits and resources to promote their position.
RudolphโReindeer. With his position on the sleigh guaranteed, Rudolph has not been living up to his potential and testing his boundaries.
DasherโReindeer. As the fastest reindeer, Dasherโs speed prevents him from being removed from the sleigh teamโฆ unless he is found guilty of something terrible!
CupidโReindeer. The belle of the barn, Cupid is a sucker for true love and appears to be more worried about her beauโs position on the sleigh than her own.
VixenโReindeer. Smitten by power and intrigued by position, Vixen will do anything to remain Rudolphโs girlfriendโฆ as long as he remains on the sleigh team.
BlitzenโReindeer. A committed team player, Blitzen simply wants to see the sleigh team get faster to ease Santaโs worries.
DustyโReindeer. With his sights set on joining Santaโs 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 WishesโNorth Pole postmaster. In charge of communications, Holiday often uses their position to collect data as well as deliver it.
North Pole History
WHERE THE NORTH POLE CAME FROM
Thomas Nastย established Santaโs workshop and official residence at the North Pole in four different drawings between 1879 and 1886.ย On January 4, 1879, Harperโs Weekly published โA Christmas Post,โ showing a girl putting a letter in the mailbox, addressed to St. Claus, North Pole. The sketch titled โThe Shine of Saint Nicholasโ published on December 31, 1882, showed good children at the North Pole; Santa was seated on a box with the inscription โSaint Nicholas, North Pole.โ Harperโs Weekly on December 19, 1885 published โSanta Clausโs Route,โ a sketch showing two children looking at a map of the world and tracking Santaโs journey from the North Pole to the United States.
Finally, in โSanta Claus and His Works,โ printed in Harperโs 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 Santaโs toy factory and โhis house, during the long summer months, was hidden in the ice and snow of the North Poleโ. 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 Harperโs Weekly.
***The other โnorth poleโ storyโฆ
Children naturally wanted to know where Santa Claus actually came from.ย Where did he live when he wasnโt 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. โUncle Markusโ, Markus Rautio, who compared the popular โChildrenโs hourโ on Finnish public radio, revealed the great secret for the first time in 1927: Santa Claus lives on Laplandโs Korvatunturi โ โEar Fellโ
The fell, which is situated directly on Finlandโs eastern frontier, somewhat resembles a hareโs ears โ which are in fact Santa Clausโs ears, with which he listens to hear if the worldโs 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 worldโs Santa Claus โ 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 Santaโs main Post Office, which receives childrenโs letters from the four corners of the world.
Costume Gallery
Setting the Scene
Creating Your Entrance
Make your own NORTH POLE sign and place it by your party entrance. (Complete do-it-yourself directions included with mystery โ see picture below!)
Have โReindeer Crossingโ signs as you come up the walkway. (Design included in mystery.)
Hang a โNorth Poleโ sign (design included with mystery).
Create a directional sign, directing your guests to the party. (Designs and directions on making included with mystery โ pictured below!)
Make one of your rooms the reindeer barn. Complete it with harnesses, rope, leashes, hay bales, sleigh bells, and brushes.
Inside the Party Space
With Ho Ho Homicide set at the North Pole, it is the PERFECT time to utilize your Christmas and/or winter decorations.
โข Create a Winter Wonderland by hanging snowflakes all around. (Hang with fishing line โ inexpensive and clear!)
โข Have signs around the venue, designating areas like Elf Clubhouse, Mrs. Clausโ Kitchen, Toy Workshop and more! (Designs included in mystery.)
โข Make one of your rooms the reindeer barn. Complete it with harnesses, rope, leashes, hay bales, sleigh bells, and brushes.
โข Light it Up!
โ Buy a couple of sets of Christmas lights and string them along the walls. Turn off the room lights to create a cozy atmosphere.
โ Put the lights in an old wine jug and have them illuminate the room.
โ Put the lights underneath a sheer, shimmering or white tablecloth to give it an extra effect!
โข 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.
โข 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!
โข 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.
โข Spray paint old bottles to create this winter wonderland centerpiece! Find out how here.
โข Wrap large boxes with Christmas paper and large bows. Set out around the party space.
โข Decorate your house with miniature stockings that have your guestsโ names written on them. Stuff the stockings with candy that you can buy in bulk, and give them to your guests as party favors.
โข Use miniature stockings to have your guests name tags, money and objectives within them. A perfect way to distribute them!
โข Hang a Cinnamon-Apple Wreath on your door to commemorate the season. ย Make one here.
โข Make centerpieces out of things you have laying around. See how here.
Setting 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:
โข Find old Christmas fabric, tablecloths, etc.
โข Use Christmas wrapping paper to create a backdrop for your table, placemats, table runner, even a tablecloth!
โข Search out inexpensive Christmas decorations at your local dollar store.
โข Use red and green colored paper/plastic plates โ much more inexpensive than plastic or patterned plates and gives the same, festive effect!
โข 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!
โข Purchase one swatch of festive fabric, cut into strips and use as napkin bows.
โข Use festive holiday ribbon to tie your silverware together in lieu of napkin rings!
โข Spray paint old wine bottles and other bottles red, green, white and silver for centerpieces.
WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO SERVE, you can put it in a customized menu and/or table tents to let your guests know! (Editable menu design and table tents come with mystery purchase.)
Creating Your 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:
โข Pick a place where there will be good lighting.
โข Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with. Consider extra wigs, top hats, bowler hats, mustaches, sherlock hats, magnifying classes, feather boas, etc.
โข An easy way to create a background is to use a โscene setter.โ These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.
โข Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone in to the frame.
โข 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. I.e., if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.
โข 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.
Gallery Visual Inspiration
Musical Playlists
FA LA LA LA LA โ MUSIC!
This one is a little bit of a no-brainer โ Christmas Music!
Here are some ways to provideย freeย music for your gathering.
โข Visit your local library and check out some Christmas cds.
โข Visitย Pandora.comย where you can type in a genre of music and it will stream music throughout your par
โข Visit iTunes and stream Christmas music from there
โข Download free Christmas Carolsย here. Orย here.
โข You may also consider playing soundtracks from Christmas movies:ย Find a list of them here.
Click on the image to get to our Spotify Playlist for this party!
Sending a Themed Invite
With this mystery theme, you have a unique opportunity to send your invitations in the post โfrom the North Pole.โ
This is one way to be certain your guests are excited for whatโs insideโฆ and for whatโs to come at the party!
Along with your mystery, we have included templated, editable design that allows you to enter in your guestโs name and addresses and print out on your own envelopes, complete with the envelope looking as though it has been stamped โSpecial Delivery from the North Poleโ and a postmark indicating it came โExpress from the North Pole Mail Station.โ
Utilize ALL The 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)
โข North Pole
โข Reindeer Fly Zone
โข Elf Staff Meeting
โข Mrs. Clausโ Kitchen
โข Toy Workshop
โข Reindeer Barn
โข Santaโs Mailroom
โข Elf Clubhouse
Themed Speech Tags
Themed Award Tags
Wine Label Awards
And moreโฆ
Creating Your 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:
โข Pick a place where there will be good lighting.
โข Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with. Consider extra wigs, top hats, bowler hats, mustaches, sherlock hats, magnifying classes, feather boas, etc.
โข An easy way to create a background is to use a โscene setter.โ These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.
โข Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone in to the frame.
โข 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. I.e., if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.
โข 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.
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 [email protected]
Donโt 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 โ 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 โParty of the Monthโ 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!
Tips
If you still have question, theย Frequently Asked Questionsย page at Night of Mystery is a great resource or you can contact us.
Because of this, WE STRONGLY SUGGEST you get a guest count before formally ordering.ย You can do so by downloading an invitation, inviting your guests and then purchasing your mystery once you have a more accurate number of people attending. Unfortunately, if you find yourself purchasing the wrong sized party, you will have to purchase another version of the mystery for the size you want unless you are moving from the 15-20 version to the 20+ version.
You canย download an invitation hereย before ordering.
OTHER SOURCES:
โ Look above on this page in the Costumes, Decorations and Food & Music tabs.
โ Be sure to check out ourย Ho Ho Homicide Pinterest Boardย that is filled with ideas for recipes, costumes, decorations, etc.
โ All of the *Extras* that come with the mystery!!! (see below for more info!)
To get your $5 coupon AND be entered in the Party Of the Month contest for a chance to win a FREE party, please emailย [email protected]
Donโt 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 โ 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 โParty of the Monthโ contest, where you could win a FREE party! One submitted, you will not have to resubmit, but will be entered EVERY MONTH until your party wins!
Check out some of our past winnersย here! Night of Mystery POM Blogs
Thanks again for hosting with Night of Mystery and we canโt wait to hear all about your party!!!
