Christmas Party Ideas – Five Fun Themes

Christmas is a wonderful time to reconnect with family and friends that you have not seen in a while and is a perfect time to throw a party.  If you are stumped on generating Christmas party ideas, here are five holiday  favorites.

White Elephant Party

At a white elephant party, each guest brings a wrapped item that they already have at home (a perfect excuse for regifting.)  Each guest is draws a number.   They then choose one Christmas gift from those available in order of the numbers drawn.  As each person’s turn comes up, they have the option to either choose a wrapped gift or to “steal” one of those already open.  After everyone has had a turn, the first person to choose gets one last chance to steal a gift or keep what they have.

The game can be hilarious, but in order to keep the “steals” from getting out of control, set a limit on how many times it can be stolen.  We normally set a limit of two steals and then it cannot be stolen again.

Christmas Cookie Decorating Party

One Christmas tradition our family had was decorating Christmas sugar cookies.  This can be a fun Christmas party idea as well.  Make the sugar cookies ahead of time in several different shapes.  Mix up a few different colors of icing and buy a variety of sprinkles.    Other things to have on hand are paper plates in a Christmas theme for the guests to place their finished cookies on, plastic wrap to cover the plates in order for them to take them home, and hot chocolate, apple cider, and coffee brewing.

Guests will have fun decorating their cookies and will have a sweet reminder to take home with them.

Christmas Caroling Party

Spread Christmas cheer to your whole neighborhood by holding a Christmas caroling party.  In preparation, select 8 to 10 Christmas carols and print the lyrics out on sheets, enough so that each person will have one.

If you want an authentic Dickensian look, ask your guests to where stocking caps, scarves and gloves.  Create quick and easy candle holders by poking a hole in a paper plate and sliding the candle through.

Afterwards, everyone can meet back at your house for appetizers and warm drinks.

Christmas Card Making Party

Receiving a handmade Christmas card is always a special treat.  Gather your friends together  for a holiday crafting time and make Christmas cards.   The cards can either be made for personal use, or designate an outreach close to your heart.  The cards could be taken to a nursing home, childrens’ hospital ward, or sent to the troops.

You can design  your own card, or card making kits are also available.  The basic supplies needed are:

• Cardstock
• A paper trimmer
• Adhesive
• Decorative paper
• Trimmings

The standard invitation size envelopes will fit a 5.5” x 4.5” card; however, envelopes of all size are available to order online.

Tree Trimming Party

One final Christmas party idea is an old holiday favorite, a tree trimming party.  To prepare, have your tree installed on a stand and all of your decorations in groups by type:  lights, garland, ornaments, etc.  This will make it easy for your guests to move from one type of decoration to the next.

Warm drinks and light snacks are a sure hit.  Make sure that the food serve is easy to eat with minimal mess.    Add in Christmas music and you will be set for a merry Christmas.

The Christmas season is the perfect time for entertaining.  With a little creativity and planning, you will have a Christmas party to remember.