50 Fun Christmas Party Ideas for a Festive Bash
Your guests will be rockin' around the Christmas tree all party long.
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'Tis the season to celebrate the holidays! Because this is the merriest and most wonderful time of the year, we had a ball rounding up some of the best adult Christmas party ideas, as well as fun Christmas party ideas for kids, too.
Many of the themes on this list are good options for work Christmas party ideas, like an ugly sweater party or a toy drive-themed party, where colleagues draw names and buy a toy to donate that reminds them of a work friend. We love Christmas gift exchange parties that give back! Other more intimate gatherings include Christmas dinner party ideas (we encourage using the good china and silver!) or hosting a cocktail party at home with your closest circle of family and friends.
Holiday baking is an absolute must this time of year, so several parties on this list focus on sweet treats—a hot chocolate-fueled caroling party, Christmas cookie decorating, or the very popular cookie exchange, where guests bring their favorites and everyone goes home with a box of assorted holiday goodies.
Whether you're looking for work Christmas party ideas or unusual Christmas party ideas to try something different this year, we know you'll find inspiration for spreading holiday magic right here. From a classic wine-and-cheese (with an impressive charcuterie board, of course) to a "come as your favorite Christmas movie character" dress-up party (and frankly everything in between), here's hoping your holiday season is merry and bright and your calendar is packed with parties!
Kids and adults alike will totally get into holiday cookie decorating. This kit from Amazon includes everything you need for eight cookies. Make it a competition if you like!
Santa Claus Christmas Party
Santa Claus is comin' to town! Ask a family member, friend, or hire a professional to visit your holiday party. The kids will be especially thrilled when Old Saint Nick shows up (bonus points if he's in his sleigh and it's full of gifts!). Pass out Santa hats for all your guests to honor the man in red.
Movie Marathon Christmas Party
Build a fire, curl up with your family and friends, and get in the spirit of the season with your favorite holiday movies, like The Polar Express, Home Alone, and Miracle on 34th Street. Serve fresh popcorn with optional toppers like parmesan black pepper, cinnamon sugar, or everything bagel seasoning (so good!). Serve favorite movie theater candies in mini tart pans. We especially love the "Now Playing" letter board reminiscent of a theater marquee!
S'mores Roasting Christmas Party
Take the party outside—even if it's in the snow. With a roaring fire to roast s'mores of all kinds over, blankets, and hot chocolate, party-goers will be happy to breath in some fresh air.
Wine and Cheese Christmas Party
Keep your holiday celebration classy but with a light lift this year. Curate an overflowing bread board packed with meats, cheeses, nuts, crackers, and fruits for guests to nibble on while they toast the season with a sampling of your favorite wines. We suggest offering a variety—white, red, and bubbly—along with non-alcohol options as well. We love this idea for a casual neighborhood get-together.
Tips for How to Create the Ultimate Cheese Board.
Vintage Gift Swap Christmas Party
Yes, this is a thing! And, in fact, the Country Living staff had the best time at their last white elephant-vintage swap combo holiday party. We challenged ourselves to find a charming, quirky gift for $10 or less. Some examples of the clever finds we unwrapped: a set of vintage cocktail napkins, a candy dish, clip-on bird ornaments, and a miniature spoon (this might have been the most-traded item!).
Create your very own Candyland with this Christmas balloon arch kit that will make quite a statement as your sugar-loving guests arrive. We love how the peppermint disc, star, and candy cane balloons add dimension. Send home goodie bags filled with sweet treats.
Gift-Wrapping Christmas Party
Make gift wrapping more fun this year by inviting your friends over for a gift-wrapping party. Set up a table with wrapping paper, ribbons, stamps, and gift tags galore and go to town. Serve apple cider a your favorite holiday cookies.
Pajama Christmas Party
This is the ultimate Girls' Night In! Cuddle up in your coziest PJs for a casual evening indoors hanging out with your BFFs. If you want to make it a family affair, here are some adorable matching Christmas pajama sets.
Toy Drive Christmas Party
'Tis the season of giving back. Invite friends to bring unwrapped toys to donate to children in need. Not sure where to donate? Look up Toys for Tots, contact a nearby church or YWCA, or reach out to area schools for Angel Tree programs.
Add a personal layer by drawing names and bringing a toy that reminds you of that person!
Retro Christmas Party
Keep things old-fashioned in a very cool way with an ice wreath, vintage Christmas tree bulbs, and a ceramic Christmas tree-inspired cake. (Throw in a real ceramic Christmas tree for good measure!)
Wassail Christmas Party
Cold winter nights with friends call for warm cider. Cook up a batch of wassail alongside baked treats for a simple, low-lift get-together. And huge bonus: Your house will smell amazing! Fun fact: Often mistaken for any mulled cider recipe, a traditional wassail recipe calls for hard cider. We suggest offering both to satisfy all ages and preferences.
Come to the party dressed as your favorite Christmas movie character. There are so many options, like this Buddy the Elf costume from the movie, Elf. Other character ideas include Ebenezer Scrooge, the Grinch, Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation, Ralphie from A Christmas Story, or a group of Whos from Whoville.
Favorite Things Christmas Party
This party concept is so fun! Here are the rules: Each guest should bring one of their favorite things. Some examples include your favorite lipgloss or that scarf you just love. You can set a price limit, like $20 or $25, if you wish.
Upon arrival, each guest will write their name on a slip of paper and place in a bowl. Numbers to draw should be in a separate bowl. Each guest then draws a number. Whoever is Number One will explain why this gift is their favorite thing, then draw a name from the bowl. That person will receive Number One's gift. Continue until all guests have passed out their gifts. Everyone will go home with something new.
Need a little gifting inspiration? Check out our favorite Christmas gifts for ladies.
Cookie Exchange Christmas Party
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the smells in the kitchen are so delightful! Whip up your own crowd-pleasing treat—like these nostalgic spritz cookies—and ask each guest to bring a dozen of their favorite Christmas cookies for a delicious December get-together. Crank up the holiday tunes, and then send everyone packing with a bag full of treats. Set out cute recipe cards so guests can share how-tos for their new favorite desserts. Serve alongside milk, coffee, apple cider, or hot chocolate.
Give Back Christmas Party
Give back this season in a big way. Ask friends and neighbors to drop by and donate new or gently worn coats, blankets, scarves, and gloves to keep those in need warm this winter. Drop off collection boxes at a church or local shelter.
Letters to Santa Christmas Party
We love this idea for a kid party. Stock tables with crayons, colored pencils, paper and envelopes, and stickers for Santa letter writing at its most festive. Before guests leave, ask them to leave letters in a special mailbox for the North Pole.
Candy Cane Crafting Christmas Party
Invite friends over to craft fresh holiday decor out of peppermint sticks and candy canes. The season's most ubiquitous treat is more versatile than you think! Besides candy canes, peppermint sticks and peppermints, hot glue guns, red cotton string, glass pillar candle holders, and festive ribbons are just a few must-haves.
You've heard about Christmas in July parties, but now it's time to bring the tropical temperatures to December. Invite your guests to wear their best beach-themed attire (Hawaiian shirts and flip flops) while they ditch the egg nog for piña coladas. We love these adorable photo booth props for funny photos and cute Christmas captions.
Ugly Sweater Christmas Party
We love this fun idea for a group of friends or coworkers. And encourage party-goers not to stop with the sweater—silly hats, headbands, jewelry, and socks will make the party all the move festive! Shop our favorite ugly Christmas sweaters now.
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