10 ideas for a fun Christmas party with friends
Celebrate the holiday season with friends and make it memorable! In this article, you will find unusual Christmas party ideas with friends, party themes, and fun activities that are sure to breathe new life into your Christmas gathering.
The Christmas season is a time to spread joy and have a wonderful time. Organizing a Christmas party with friends is a great way to celebrate the season and create heartwarming, unique memories. However, you’ll want to plan all event details and incorporate original themes and activities to spark your party.
Fun Christmas party ideas & games for friends
Christmas movie marathon
If your group is in the mood for chill, a classic movie night is your best option this year. You will need a large TV or projector and plenty of space for everyone. Ask your friends to vote for movies they want to watch. To recreate the movie theater experience, serve fresh popcorn with a variety of toppers and decorate the place with fairy lights.
Christmas movie ideas
- It's a Wonderful Life
- A Christmas Story
- Bad Santa
- Elf
- Home Alone
Cocktail-making contest
Organizing a cocktail-making party is a great idea for an adults-only gathering, and a competitive spirit will make it even more exciting.
Two ways to organize a cocktail-making contest
1. Host a virtual mixology class and encourage the guests to make classical cocktails. Award the winner who makes the best cocktail.
2. Encourage everyone to send you a simple recipe and bring the ingredient, and prepare cocktails during the party. Serve the cocktails and choose the winner together!
Gingerbread house decorating party
Gingerbread house decorating contests never go out of fashion! Set up a big table so that everyone could sit around and bake gingerbread houses (or purchase the ready kits to save time). You’ll need icing, candy canes, M&Ms, chocolate chips, and coconut for decoration. Encourage everyone to get creative and then choose the winner. This is a perfect activity if your guests have kids.
Classy Christmas party
How about hosting an elegant wine and appetizer Christmas party this year? Decorate the room in muted colors and prepare a bread board with meats, cheeses, nuts, and fruits. Serve a variety of wines, including red, white, sparkling, and non-alcoholic options, or ask the guests to bring drinks with them. Decide on a dress code, for example, elegant cocktail dresses for women and casual suits for men.
Pajama Christmas party
Looking for something informal-themed? Invite everyone to wear their favorite Christmas-themed pajamas for a cozy and casual Christmas celebration with your closest friends. Think classical Christmas movies, mulled wine, cocoa with marshmallows, and a pillow fight! Couples can wear matching pajamas. Spend a cozy evening talking and laughing, or make fondue, wrap gifts together, and create DIY ornaments.
Ugly sweater party
Are you tired of classy and sparkling Christmas outfits? Then, an ugly sweater party might be exactly what you need. Put on the ugliest sweater you got for Christmas years ago, and ask your friends to do the same. Silly hats, jewelry, and funny socks are welcome, too! Engage guests in crafts and decoration contests, and be sure to set up a DIY photo area – pictures of everyone in fun sweaters will surely spark up your social media!
Wreath-making
Wreath-making is a traditional Christmas party activity that both the kids and adults will enjoy. Buy wreaths from the local market and have your guests prepare décor, such as DIY ornaments, holly, ribbons, dried citrus, berries, candy cane, and more! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Wreath forms
- Glue sticks
- Décor
- Clippers and scissors
- Greenery
- Paper roll for the table.
Watch video tutorials or use your imagination. Or, run a contest to give your wreath-making a competitive edge.
Secret Santa gift exchange
Secret Santa is a traditional Christmas activity where everyone is involved in gift-giving. Have your guests draw names ahead of time so that everyone becomes someone’s Santa and prepares a present for them secretly. On Christmas day, put all the presents under the tree. Everyone unwraps the present and guesses who it is from.
Secret Santa helps your friend save on gifts while preparing a personalized present for one assigned person. With MySanta service, you can quickly draw names online and see who gives a present to whom. Moreover, you can create wishlists and chat with your Santa anonymously. If playing Secret Santa is already a tradition in your group, learn about ways to play the popular game with a twist.
Spread reindeer food
If your friends bring kids to the party, entertain them by preparing and spreading the reindeer food. Kiddos love the idea of getting Santa Claus into the house and will be eager to participate. You will need uncooked oats, colored sugars, festive ribbons, and plastic bags. Mix the ingredients and sprinkle the magical reindeer food on the lawn on Christmas Eve so that the reindeers can have a snack while Santa is delivering presents to kids!
For more Christmas games and enjoyable activities for kids, read our article on how to make Christmas magical for your little ones.
Talent show party
If you have talented people in your group, why not showcase their unique talents during the Christmas celebration? Encourage dancers, singers, musicians, stand-up comedians, and other talented people to participate, no matter if they are seasoned performers or simply want to show their skills. Give everyone the opportunity to participate, including those who aren't artistically inclined.
Tip: Set up the small scene and decorate it with Christmas lights and tinsel to recreate a real talent show atmosphere! You will need to take care of the equipment ahead of time.
There are many ways to liven up your Christmas party and turn it from an ordinary gathering into an exciting event everyone will remember all year! Use the ideas above for your inspiration, and remember that Christmas is the perfect time to share love with your dear ones and strengthen your friendship.
