Fun party ideas for a Christmas party (Friendsmas)
Celebrating Christmas with friends sounds like an awesome idea. This party will surely be full of surprises, fun, and memorable moments for everyone involved.
In this article, we will share some tips for an exciting party with friends (Friendsmas).
Organize a Feast
Friendsmas is about indulging in tasty treats and having joyful activities. So, start by asking friends about their food preferences and suggesting cooking some meals in advance. A potluck-style party is a great way to avoid doing all the cooking and distribute certain dishes among friends.
Here are some tips for hosting a potluck gathering with friends:
- Discuss the menu. Create a chat with friends, where everyone can express their preferences and indicate the dishes they would like to cook.
- Assign the dishes. Once you have discussed the menu, delegate the dishes, and make sure you have a varied menu — appetizers, main dishes, and desserts.
- Prepare additional meals in advance. In case someone can’t come, cook some extra meals, so nobody will be hungry.
You can cook some easy dishes — they are great to have ready if someone does not show up.
Here are their recipes:
Christmas Pasta Salad
Ingredients: 12 oz cooked rotini pasta, 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved), 1 cup mozzarella balls, ½ cup chopped fresh basil, ½ cup Italian dressing.
Instructions: Cook pasta, drain, and let it cool. In a large bowl, toss pasta with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Pour in Italian dressing and mix well. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Mini Ham & Cheese Sliders
Ingredients: 12 slider rolls, 1/2 lb sliced ham, 6 slices Swiss cheese, 4 tbsp melted butter, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp poppy seeds (optional).
Instructions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice the rolls and layer ham and cheese inside. Place in a baking dish. Mix melted butter with Dijon mustard and brush over the tops. Sprinkle with poppy seeds if desired. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes, then uncover and bake 5 more minutes until golden.
Stuffing Muffins
Ingredients: 1 box stuffing mix, 2 eggs, 1 ¼ cups chicken or vegetable broth, 1 tbsp butter.
Instructions: Prepare stuffing mix according to package directions, using the broth and butter. Let cool slightly, then stir in 2 beaten eggs. Grease a muffin tin and spoon stuffing evenly into each cup. Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, until tops are golden and slightly crisp. Serve warm.
For drinks, serve holiday punch, mulled wine, and festive cocktails — don’t forget about non-alcoholic ones either.
Set the scene
Decorate your space in a cozy style with fairy lights, handmade ornaments, sparkling garlands, and mini stockings. For cozy Christmas touches, use soft blankets and pillows, and place them on couches, chairs, and the floor to make your guests feel comfortable. Use battery-powered lanterns with dim lighting and string lights for a fairy-tale atmosphere.
For a pleasant smell, use scented candles or aroma sticks. Prepare warm, festive socks or soft slippers for your friends to make them feel even more cozy.
You can be creative and introduce some unique ideas for your Friendsmas party.
Here are some examples:
1. Install a meme tree. Hang holiday-themed photos with your friends, cheerful photos of your past gatherings, pieces of paper with hilarious jokes, and some wishes. It will be amusing for everyone to examine such a tree.
2. Cozy arctic lodge. Make an arctic lodge at home by decorating it with faux fur throws, twinkling white lights, pinecones, and rustic wood accents. Consider incorporating colors like blue, silver, and white for an inviting winter atmosphere. Set up a hot cocoa bar with vintage mugs and a mini video with a fireplace crackling in the background to complete the winter vibe.
How to organize a hot cocoa bar?
Use a sideboard or a console table to create a bar station. Provide soft seats for your guests nearby to enjoy hot drinks with whipped cream or marshmallows. Enhance the bar’s charm with a festive charm and gentle lighting.
Set a festive theme
Preparing for a themed party is an exciting and heartfelt experience, as people get to choose costumes, plan their looks, and look forward to the gathering even more. You can discuss together what topic is most preferable for everyone.
Here are classic ideas for a Friendsmas:
- Pajama Party: Friends can visit the party wearing their favourite pajamas — they can also complete their looks with Christmas jewelry, headbands, and sleeping masks.
- Retro 80s Christmas: Download some popular trends from the 80s, inspire everyone to choose looks from those times, and decorate your space with the neon lights.
- Winter Wonderland: Transform your space into a snowy paradise with white décor, twinkling lights, and snowflake decorations. A soft playlist of instrumental holiday music and a pine-scented candle will complete the enchanted atmosphere.
- Ugly Christmas Sweater: Ask your friends to choose the most hilarious sweater to bring more laughter to your gathering. You can have all guests vote for the ugliest sweater during the gathering. The winner gets a Christmas-inspired prize, like a festive mug, cozy Christmas socks or slippers, or an advent calendar.
You can also offer some trendy themes for the party, popular on social networks.
Here are some trendy themes:
- Life-Sized Mario Party: If you follow some TikTok trends, you might be inspired by this viral trend for lovers of Mario games. Transform your living space into a real-life Mario Party game. Set up game tiles on the floor, create fun games, and ask your guests to dress as their favorite Mario characters. This interactive theme promises endless fun and nostalgia. Source
- Martinis and Weenies: This trend has become popular because it combines comfort food with sophisticated cocktails. It appeals to those who enjoy a stylish yet casual experience. Set up a DIY martini bar alongside gourmet hot dog stations. Decorate with retro accents to enhance the ambiance. Source
Play holiday games
Suggest playing some funny games when you have already enjoyed some delicious food. Try classic games like Christmas trivia, which tests knowledge of the holiday traditions, festive songs, and movies, or charades for a fun and active way to relax. You can also enjoy playing Holiday bingo to keep everyone engaged during the whole party. If you are bored with such activities and looking for something new, here are some ideas of trendy games for a Christmas party.
- Christmas karaoke
Singing your favourite hits with your friends is fun. Even if you are tone-deaf, you can give karaoke a try. Choose any song, from classics to modern ones, and enjoy the cheerful mood.
Use YouTube as one of the best free sources for Christmas karaoke — channels like Sing King and Karaoke Version offer various tracks with on-screen lyrics. Apps like KaraFun and Smule have plenty of holiday songs, they are user-friendly, and perfect for Friendsmas parties.
- Game “Holiday Never Have I Ever”
It is a hilarious game that inspires everyone to share their holiday experience. Guests take turns and say phrases like “Never have I ever re-gifted a Christmas gift” or “Never have I ever worn matching Christmas suits with someone”. It is a great way to relax, have fun, and have time for some truth-telling.
You can prepare a list of holiday-themed prompts in advance or use a printable card set. This game works well for a group of close friends or mixed crowds.
Organize a Gift Exchange
Some weeks before the gathering, suggest playing a Secret Santa gift exchange with your friends. Gifts should not be expensive — a $15 limit keeps the exchange fun and affordable, and DIY gifts are also welcome. Encourage everyone to be creative and think about meaningful and memorable gifts.
How to play Secret Santa?
Each guest is randomly assigned another person to buy a gift for, keeping their identity secret until the moment of the exchange. It is easier to do it using a free online Secret Santa generator. In this generator, people can create wishlists, so the gift-giver can rely on them.
When it’s time for the exchange, set the mood with special festive music, tasty snacks, and drinks.
FAQs
What is the difference between Friendsmas and a typical Christmas party?
Friendsmas is typically celebrated with close friends rather than family, often before or after December 25th. It's more casual and flexible, focusing on fun and relaxation.
How do I organize a Friendsmas on a budget?
Keep things simple with potluck-style meals, DIY decorations, and a Secret Santa gift exchange with a certain price limit. You can ask your guests to prepare DIY costumes as well.
How to make Friendsmas feel special?
Try a themed dress code, create a custom photo booth corner, or create a signature holiday cocktail together. You can suggest playing some holiday-themed games popular on social networks.