From festive drinks to themed party ideas, get inspired with these 32 easy and fun Christmas party ideas.
Christmas Party Ideas
1. Go for a Themed Christmas Party
Add an extra layer of excitement and make your party stand out by going with a fun theme.
It could be anything from “Winter wonderland” to a “Christmas pajama party.”
RELATED: Christmas Party Ideas for a Festive Celebration
2. Serve Cute Christmas Themed Treats
Whether you bake them yourself or pick them up from your store’s bakery section, serve some cute Christmas themed treats.
From Christmas themed cupcakes, to snowman cookies, and Santa brownies, a dessert table is not delicious but also doubles as decor.
3. Set Up a Cute Photobooth
Create a cute photobooth corner for everyone to take pictures in front.
4. Have a Dress Code
Whether it’s ugly Christmas sweaters, fancy holiday attire, or pajamas; encourage your guests to dress up based on the party’s theme.
5. Serve Drinks in Ornaments
Take your drinks to the next level by serving them in clear plastic ornaments.
It’s such a cute twist and your guests will love sipping on their drinks while feeling extra Christmassy.
6. Decorate the Door Entrance
Welcome your guests with a beautifully decorated entrance.
You can use a wreath, Christmas decor signs, balloons, and even a cute doormat to set the festive party mood right from the start.
7. Have a Potluck
Ask each guest to bring a dish and have a potluck style menu.
It’s a great way for everyone to share their favorite dishes. Plus, it helps to take the pressure off of you to provide all of the food.
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8. Serve Holiday-Inspired Drinks
Complete your party menu with a selection of holiday-inspired drinks that are as festive as they are delicious.
From grinch punch to a Jack Frost mocktail and cranberry sprite punch, create some signature party drinks for guests to sip on.
9. Have a Fun Gift Exchange
Organize a gift exchange game like Secret Santa or White Elephant.
Set a price limit so it’s affordable for everyone, and if you’re doing Secret Santa, have each person share a wish list to make gift shopping easier.
10. Collect Items for Donations
In the spirit of giving, encourage your guests to bring items to donate to a local charity.
To make the collection a memorable part of the event, set up a designated “donation station” where guests can place their items.
From monetary gifts to toys, clothes, and personal care products, this is a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer beyond your party.
11. Create a Party Playlist
Curate a playlist of Christmas classics and modern holiday hits to keep the party vibes going.
RELATED: Christmas Aesthetic Playlist
12. Use a Disposable Camera to Capture Memories
Hand out disposable cameras and let your guests capture candid moments throughout the night.
Fun Christmas Party Ideas
13. Serve Christmas tree charcuterie boards
Impress your guests with a charcuterie board shaped like a Christmas tree.
Arrange cheeses, meats, fruits, and crackers in a tree pattern for a snack that’s as festive as it is delicious.
14. Use a Winter Scented Room Spray or Plugin
A seasonal room spray or plugin can make your space smell like the holidays and feel even more magical.
Choose scents like pine or cedar wood for that fresh-from-the-forest vibe, cinnamon and clove for a warm, spicy aroma, or peppermint for a crisp, invigorating scent that reminds everyone of candy canes.
Vanilla and sugar cookie scents are also perfect for adding a sweet, cozy touch, and will make your party space feel like a holiday bakery.
15. Watch Christmas Movies
If you’re throwing a pajama party or keeping things super chill, consider watching a fun Christmas movie!
But if you don’t want the movie to be the main event, just play it in the background with the sound muted.
It’ll add a cozy, nostalgic vibe to your party without taking the spotlight.
16. Decorate Cookies
Set up a cookie decorating station with plain cookies, icing, and various toppings.
It’s a fun activity that also results in delicious treats.
17. Decorate with Fake Snow Confetti
Sprinkle fake snow confetti around your party space for a whimsical winter wonderland effect.
Use it on tables to form a soft, snowy layer beneath your holiday centerpieces.
You can also scatter some around the dessert and snack tables to keep the frosty theme flowing throughout your space.
18. Play Some Fun Christmas Party Games
Bring your Christmas party to life with fun, lighthearted games that’ll spark playful competition and get everyone involved.
From classics like Christmas charades and trivia to hands-on games like snowball scoop, these activities will keep the festive energy up and the party vibes going all night long.
RELATED: Christmas Party Games for an Epic Celebration
19. Have a Friendsmas
Celebrate the season with your besties by throwing a fun Friendsmas party!
Like Friendsgiving, Friendsmas is all about gathering your closest friends to focus on community and friendship amidst the holiday celebrations.
Whether you plan a cozy Friendsmas baking night, where you whip up holiday treats together; or a festive Friendsmas getaway for a change of scenery, it’s the perfect way to spread holiday cheer and create lasting memories with friends.
RELATED: Friendsmas Ideas for a Fun Holiday Celebration
20. Have a Gingerbread Decorating Competition
Provide gingerbread house kits and let your guests compete to create the most impressive house.
You can select winners based on a variety of categories like: most creative, funniest, or most festive designs.
RELATED: 17 Gingerbread House Ideas to Sweeten up Your Holiday
21. Play a Video of a Fireplace on the TV Screen
Play a video of a fireplace in the background for a super cozy atmosphere.
22. Incorporate DIY Decor
Get crafty and make your own decorations!
Creating party banners, garlands, and even table decor will add a personal touch and it’s a fun way to get into the holiday spirit.
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23. Set Up a Hot Cocoa Bar
Warm up your christmas party with a delicious hot cocoa bar.
Set up a station with hot chocolate and various toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, peppermint sticks, and cinnamon powder for guests to customize their drinks.
24. Cater Your Food Menu
If cooking isn’t your thing, consider catering your party.
Many restaurants offer holiday menus that you can order from, allowing you to focus on hosting.
From fresh salads to hearty mains like honey-glazed ham and roasted chicken, you can create a beautiful spread tailored to your theme and guest preferences.
Christmas Party Theme Ideas
25. Have a Cookie Decorating Competition
Add a sprinkle of fun to your party with a cookie decorating competition.
Similar to a gingerbread decorating contest, set up a station with plain sugar cookies and all the decorating supplies your guests will need.
Provide colorful icing, a variety of sprinkles, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and mini candy toppings to let their creativity run wild.
All in all, not only does this activity give everyone a chance to show off their decorating skills, but it also doubles as a delicious treat.
26. Decorate Your Space with Christmas Lights
Don’t just limit the lights to the tree, let your whole space glow with holiday cheer.
String lights around your entire space to create a whimsical and festive atmosphere.
27. Celebrate with cake
No party is complete without cake!
Go for a Christmas-themed cake or cupcakes to add a sweet and festive treat to your celebration.
28. Send out a Cute Party Invite
Set the tone for your party with creative invitations.
Whether digital or physical, a cute invite will help get everyone excited for the party.
29. Have a Karaoke Session
Get everyone in the holiday spirit with a festive karaoke session that’ll have your guests singing, laughing, and even dancing!
Whether you’re using a karaoke machine, a handy app, or just a simple microphone setup, this party activity is guaranteed to bring out all of the fun.
Cue up all the holiday classics like “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and “Joy to the World” so guests can sing their hearts out.
You could even make it a bit competitive by awarding prizes for “Best Performance,” “Most Enthusiastic,” or “Best Duet.”
RELATED: Christmas Aesthetic Playlist
30. Give out Prizes for Games and Activities
Make your party games even more exciting by offering prizes for the winners.
Tailor your prizes to suit the interests of your guests and your party’s vibe.
For example, gift cards are always a hit. Such as Amazon, local coffee shops, or popular restaurants, so winners can treat themselves later.
You could also offer small items like makeup products, mini skincare sets, or small decor pieces.
If you want to go bigger, consider tech gadgets like wireless earbuds, portable chargers, or even a Bluetooth speaker for the ultimate party gift.
31. Have Tasty Appetizers
Set the tone of your holiday party with a spread of tasty appetizers that’ll keep guests happily snacking as they mingle.
Include crowd-pleasers like pinwheel sandwiches, caprese skewers, mini sliders, spinach dip with chips, and classic pigs in a blanket.
These bite-sized treats are perfect for enjoying between conversations and give everyone a fun preview of the delicious menu to come.
32. Host a Christmas Brunch
For an early morning celebration, consider hosting a Christmas brunch filled with classic and festive brunch dishes.
It requires no late-night commitments, just cozy vibes, holiday cheer, and delicious food to kick off a festive day.
RELATED: 23 Christmas Brunch Ideas
