Top 35 Christmas Party Ideas to Celebrate with Friends & Family

Got lots of Christmas party ideas but don’t know which to choose? Christmas is when special memories are made. It’s the time to spend with your family and friends and unleash your creativity. Fortunately, choosing a party theme is easier than you think.

So, let’s find out the top party ideas and themes to celebrate the year!

Part 1: What makes a great Christmas party?

Good food, good entertainment, and good company make a great Christmas party.

It’s all about setting a great atmosphere and having excellent entertainment for everyone, even picky guests. Whether you’re having a family-only party, a work’s event, or inviting the entire neighborhood over, the setting must be spot-on.

So, start by thinking of a suitable theme. Christmas party ideas come in all shapes and sizes, and they don’t have to break the bank either.

Part 2: Christmas Party Ideas for Kids/Teens

Creating a fun Christmas party for kids and teens can be far easier than you think. So, let’s see what you can choose?

1. Invite a Surprise Santa

Whether you’re looking for office Christmas party ideas or party themes for kids, you can’t go wrong with a surprise Santa! Younger kids will especially love this because it’s their chance to see Santa in person!

It’s a useful and easy way to keep the children entertained during a Christmas party, and each can receive a gift from Santa himself.

2. Host a Gingerbread House Decorating Contest

Children love to be creative so why not host a gingerbread house decorating contest? It’s a chance for children of all ages to get involved and be creative. You can buy premade gingerbread houses and let the kids have fun.

Give all participants a reward for competing and the winner gets an extra gift. It’s a good way to keep the children preoccupied for a few hours at Christmas.

3. Host a Christmas Movie Marathon

Movie marathons are great because they wile away the hours while parents and guardians take care of some much-needed Christmas tasks! Hosting a Christmas movie marathon for kids can be ideal. You can have a wide selection of entertaining festive-themed movies (age-appropriate, of course), and let them have fun.

4. Host PJ Party

When you’re a parent, you want your children to have as much fun and excitement as possible at Christmas. So, why not host a PJ party? You can get the younger members of your family over, as well as their friends, and enjoy some Christmas magic.

You can have dance competitions, play games, bake some festive treats, and ensure everyone has fun. This isn’t just for kids under 10, teens and older children can have PJ parties too.

5. Christmas Minute-to-Win-it Games

Children don’t always have good attention spans, so it’s important to choose your Christmas party themes wisely. One of the best Christmas party theme ideas to consider is the minute-to-win-it games party. For instance, the marshmallow snow toss game or candy cane pick-up.

6. Prepare a Cookie Plate for Santa

Great for younger children, preparing a cookie plate for Santa can be a fantastic way to keep the kids preoccupied on Christmas Eve. You can bake cookies for Santa and then let the kids decorate paper plates and fill them with their homemade treats. It’s a simple way to entertain the kids and let them be creative this Christmas.

7. Host a Toy-Themed Christmas Party

Toy-themed Christmas parties can be great fun for kids. You have the kids design and create a toy, like a teddy bear, and it’s a great way to pass the time. You can also have party games to keep the kids entertained. Best of all, you only need some simple crafting materials or supplies to kick-start the party. So, it’s not too expensive but should keep the kids entertained for a while.

8. Write a Letter to Santa

One of the best Christmas party ideas for kids has to be a Santa letter party. You can buy some inexpensive craft supplies and let the children get creative. They can design and write a letter to Santa and have fun with their friends. You can even have a Christmas-themed mailsack for the letters to go in.

9. Christmas Story Time Party

Children are full of excitement in the run-up to Christmas and it can be difficult to keep them entertained 24/7. So, why not have a Christmas story time party? It’s a more relaxed party theme that’s ideal for younger and older children. You can stick to traditional Christmas stories, along with some new-age stories, humorous ones, and more.

Party ideas for kids and teens should be focused on entertainment, so pack in lots of fun Christmas games.

Part 3: Christmas Party Ideas for Adults

Throwing a party for adults of all ages can be easier than it sounds with a bit of creativity and know-how.

10. Go Caroling

It’s a traditional part of Christmas that’s often overlooked. Caroling can be a fun and simple party idea to consider today. It’s a great way to bring some festive cheer to the local community. You could even raise some money for a local charity. Even if you don’t raise money, it’s still a fun thing to do at Christmas.

11. Wine Tasting

A wine-tasting Christmas party can be a nice alternative to the traditional boozy office party. Christmas party ideas for adults don’t get any easier than this and it’s something most people will enjoy. You don’t have to be a wine enthusiast to appreciate good wine.

12. Have a Bonfire

Most people have spare time in the evenings, so why not host a bonfire party? This can be the moment to enjoy some catch-up time with friends, neighbors, family, and work colleagues. You can share stories around the fire and enjoy some delicious hot chocolate beverages.

13. Gift-Wrapping Christmas Party

For those who aren’t familiar with a gift-wrapping Christmas party, you’re going to love this. The idea is to invite over some friends (with their unwrapped gifts) and spend an afternoon chatting, having fun, and wrapping some gifts. It’s a fantastic way to tick off one task on your Christmas list!

14. Winter Sledding

If you live in an area that tends to get a lot of snow over the holidays, then why not throw a winter sledding party? Christmas party ideas for adults don’t come any better than this. It’s your time to throw caution to the wind and act like a child again. You can go sledding with friends and family and enjoy some downtime in the snow.

15. Weekend Brunch Christmas Party

It’s not always viable to meet up over the Christmas period. Everyone does their own thing and it’s hard to find a spare five minutes for everyone to meet up. So, why not throw a weekend brunch Christmas party?

It can be a fantastic way to get together with the friends and family members you’re not going to see over the holidays. You can exchange gifts, eat some wonderful food, and enjoy some light-hearted entertainment.

16. Poker Night Christmas Party

If you’re not someone who wants to throw an expensive holiday bash, then why not opt for a simple poker night party? You can invite your close friends around, have a few games of poker, and enjoy a laugh or two. It’s one of the easiest Christmas party ideas you’ll find and you only need to provide some basic refreshments.

17. Ornament Crafting Party

A DIY Christmas ornament crafting party can be a wonderful way to unleash your creativity during the festive season. You can personalize ornaments for the home or give them as gifts. An ornament crafting party is fun but inexpensive to throw. Best of all, you don’t need to be too creative or know much about arts and crafts to throw the party.

18. Wreath-Making Christmas Party

Wreaths are a traditional part of Christmas and they can be used to decorate the home pretty easily. Throwing a wreath-making Christmas party can be incredible fun as you only need the supplies and basic know-how to get the party started. While you can go down the traditional floral route, you could also opt for a more simplified wreath design.

19. DIY Christmas Candles

If you are looking for cost-effective Christmas party ideas, why not look at a DIY candle party? Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or otherwise, a candle-making party can be fun. It’s not too difficult to do with the right supplies and can be fun for everyone. You can even decorate the candle holders and create a wonderful centerpiece for your Christmas dinner table.

Christmas party ideas can really be as simplistic or as complex as you like, but that’s why everyone loves them.

Part 4: Christmas Party Ideas for Families

It’s not as difficult as it sounds to throw a Christmas party for the entire family. So, let’s see what options you could consider today.

20. Decorate Christmas Tree

One of the best and easiest Christmas party ideas to consider today is a tree party. This is when you get the family together and spend a good afternoon or evening kitting out the main Christmas tree. You can also decorate the rest of the home. It’s a simple party idea but one that is easy to organize and won’t cost a penny!

21. Host a Christmas Themed Dinner

When you have a large extended family, it can be tricky to see them on Christmas day or even across the festive period. So, why not host a Christmas-themed dinner party ahead of the big day?

It doesn’t have to be too expensive. Each guest can bring over a dish which can keep costs low. It’s also the chance to have a special day and make new memories.

22. Family Game Night Christmas Party

Whether you’re looking for Christmas party décor ideas or a fun party theme, you can’t go wrong with a family games night. A game night Christmas party can be perfect as you can spend quality time together as a family. There are lots of fun games to play, like festive charades, gingerbread house decorating, festive guess-who, and more.

23. Pancake Breakfast Christmas Party

Whether you want to throw this party on Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, or in the run-up to the bid day, a pancake breakfast party can be fun for all the family. You only need some pancake mix and festive cookie cutters and you’re ready to go!

24. Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

There’s no escaping them! Ugly sweaters are part and parcel of Christmas and throwing an ugly sweater party can be one of the best Christmas party ideas of all time! It’s time for people to dig out the most festive-designed sweaters they can find to proudly display them for all to see.

It’s fun and something the entire family can join in on, even grandparents! You’ll find it’s also a great way to reflect on memories and create new ones.

25. Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are fun for all the family. It’s the perfect opportunity to bond as a unit and create stronger relationships. You can work together to unlock clues and solve riddles until a hidden treasure is found. Or you can create a special scavenger hunt just for the kids.

26. Christmas Give-Back Party

A Christmas give-back party is your chance to give something back to the local community or to someone very special in your life.

The entire family could select a charity or local hero who does a lot of work for the community. You can have a big neighborhood party and sell some homemade delights to raise money for a worthy cause too. It’s an alternative option for a Christmas party but can be rewarding in so many ways.

Part 5: Christmas Party Ideas for Workplace

Workplace Christmas parties don’t always have to be a boozy night out. You can create lots of fun entertainment that will build bridges and establish a stronger working relationship after the festive season.  

27. Write Christmas Card

Don’t dismiss a Christmas card party so easily. While it doesn’t sound overly exciting, it can be great fun when you put the effort into it. If you want a great office party idea for Christmas, this is it. You can create funny messages or personalized cards and exchange them at the office.

Or, get everyone to bring in the most unusual cards and turn it into a game and crown a winner. You can work together as a team and design and write a card too.

28. Host a Christmas Gift Swap

Gift swaps are perfect when you have a sizable workforce as it’s expensive to buy a gift for every person on the team. It’s also the best way to avoid tension and hurt feelings between employees.

Fortunately, it’s super easy to organize. You put everyone’s name into a hat and have everyone pick out one name (in secret). You keep note of who has who and you collect the gifts the day before the party to distribute them later. It’s a cost-effective option and a way to add some mystery to the office party.

29. Holiday Game Party

A holiday game party can be fun for both employees and employers. There are lots of games to try, such as Holiday ABC, Cookie Colleague, Santa Dress-Up, Guess the Baubles on the office Christmas tree, and more. You can get everyone involved with the games, have quizzes, have solo efforts, and choose teams for each game.

It’ll build office morale and help bring the workforce closer as a team.

30. Christmas Tea Party

For a small group of employees, a tea party can be ideal. It’s sophisticated with a more relaxed setting. It’s a chance to enjoy some wonderful food and catch up with friends and colleagues. Best of all, there are many tea rooms that have Christmas party packages, so you can customize yours to suit your employee’s preferences.

31. Host Holiday Talent Show

Bring some light-hearted fun with a holiday talent show. This is the time for employees (and management) to let their hair down and show off their unique skills. You can easily create a festive stage and have a panel of three impartial people who crown the ultimate winner. You can have all sorts of talent on display, from magic to comedy, solo singers to duets, dance troupes, and more.

It’s also a great way to include everyone in the office. If someone really doesn’t want to take part in the actual show, have them sit on the judging panel or let them work on the scenery and decorations.

32. Holiday-themed Office Olympics

If you want to bring fun to the office and work on team-building skills for the workforce, you have to choose a holiday-themed office Olympics party. It’s fun, entertaining, and a great way to celebrate the holidays without breaking the bank. You can split everyone into teams and take on games, like rubber band archery, desk soccer, pencil-toss javelin, and paper plate discus!

It’s a great way to share and make new memories at work and can really encourage good teamwork too. So, it has the benefit of helping the team to work better after the holidays are over. Just don’t forget to have prizes for the contestants!

33. Host a Christmas Karaoke Party

Company Christmas party ideas don’t get any better than karaoke! A Christmas karaoke party is a great idea simply because it’s fun. Everyone (secretly) loves karaoke and it’s something the entire workforce can get involved with, even those who’re a bit reserved or shy.

Best of all, it’s cost-effective to rent a karaoke machine, so it’s ideal for businesses organizing a party on a budget.

34. Holiday Photo Booth

Let’s be honest, some people just don’t like the holiday season for whatever reason. So, you want a party that’s going to be fun and have something for everyone to enjoy. A holiday photo booth can be a fantastic idea, even for guests who aren’t a big fan of Christmas. Booths are fun and are likely to get everyone involved.

35. Charitable Giving Activity

There are lots of fun work Christmas party ideas to consider when you want to give to a good cause. For instance, a Secret Santa toy drive. So, instead of buying a gift for a colleague, you buy a toy for a child. At the end of the party, the toys go directly to a local charity that will pass the toys on to disadvantaged children. It’s a great way to ensure every child has a toy at Christmas.

Or, you can organize a charity fun run or walk. You get people to sponsor you for every mile you walk and the money raised goes to a good cause. It’s a nice Christmas party idea for work that’s different and gives something back.  

Workplace parties can be versatile and there are lots of fantastic themes to enjoy. It doesn’t hurt to choose a theme that fits your team’s dynamics, whether that’s a tea party or a wine-tasting event.

Bonus: Christmas Party Decoration Ideas

Christmas party decoration ideas can be simple but incredibly effective. So, let’s see what simple ideas you can use to your advantage today.

● Twinkling Light Display

You can’t go wrong with a light display. It’s Christmas and people expect to see festive lights, so don’t disappoint them! You could use the eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights and make your party stand out for all the right reasons.

The eufy Permanent Outdoor Light is a unique outdoor Christmas LED light that’s designed in modern style. The best part about using this LED light is that it utilizes AI technology to help you generate lighting that suits your Christmas party theme, even the overall outdoor Christmas decorations.  

Here are some of eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights key features that makes it stand out;

• Boasts up to 55,000 hours lifespan.
• It is powered with AI to unleash your creativity for lighting.
• It can withstand any weather condition.
• It can be integrated with eufy Camera to display Christmas welcoming messages to visitors.
• It uses RGBWW LED technology for color-changing ability and accurate lighting.

● Christmas Tree

You can’t overlook the tree. A Christmas tree is one of the simplest but most effective decorative items at Christmas. You should add a tree to your party, whether it’s a full-sized one or a smaller one for the office.

● Balloon Installation

One of the best Christmas party decorations to consider today is balloons. Balloons are great when it comes to adding flare to a party. They are also cost-effective and come in many varieties which makes them perfect for any Christmas party.

● Hang Ornaments

When you have limited space but want to up the Christmas feel, opt for some hanging ornaments. They can be festive, inexpensive, and super easy to put up. Ornaments can also be reused the next year so there’s no need to buy ones just for the party.

● Decorate a Festive Table

Often overlooked, but a beautifully-decorated festive table can add the perfect touch to any party. It’s easy to decorate a table too. You just need to choose a theme and kit the table out with matching plates and settings. Add some cutlery, wine glasses, and a gorgeous centerpiece and you’re good to go!

Conclusion

Throwing a Christmas party is easy once know your theme. Fortunately, there are many fantastic themes to help you celebrate the year.

You can throw a Santa party for the kids, have a family game night party, host an office Olympics event, or have a weekend brunch Christmas party. So, whether you’re looking for Christmas party ideas for adults, kids, or for all the family, make it special.

FAQs

How do you throw a fun adult Christmas party?

You must cover the basics, like drinks, food, and entertainment – and be creative with your Christmas party ideas! Get guests to participate in games and use your decorations to set the right atmosphere so that people get in the festive mood!

How can I make my Christmas party special?

Choose a theme, create a custom music playlist, and have a signature homemade cocktail or mocktail. If you want to make your Christmas party special, invite those closest to you and give each guest a small (inexpensive) gift that will be appreciated. For instance, homemade cookies and some scented candles are small tokens that are always popular.

The eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights can be your special Christmas party decorations that you guests will be surprised by.

How to host a cheap Christmas party?

Swap expensive store-bought nibbles for homemade ones. Have a simple selection of sandwiches, nuts, chips, and pretzels to keep the costs down. You can even opt for homemade quizzes and party games to save on costs and double up on the light displays to bring some festive cheer.