50 Best Christmas Party Ideas

The best way to exchange gifts with a big group is to organize a Secret Santa party. Simply have all your guests draw names anonymously, and then have ’em get a present for the person they select. The best part: Having everyone guess who bought their gift.

RELATED: The Best Dirty Santa Gift Ideas for a Hilarious Holiday Party Swap

Who doesn’t love a hot pot of fondue on a cold winter’s day? Melt chocolate and cheese in fondue pots, and then set out plenty of bread, fruit, and cheese for your guests to dip and snack on as they please.

SHOP FONDUE POTS

Sometimes, the best kind of parties are the ones where you can wear your coziest duds. Invite everyone to wear their favorite Christmas pajamas over to your house for a party that feels like a big adult sleepover.

Get the Christmas Pajama Party tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

You may not be able to take all your party guests on a trip around the world, but you can take their taste buds on a journey. Invite everyone to make a traditional Christmas dish from the country of their choice, such as Filipino Lechon Kawali or Mexican Bacalao.

Have you ever heard of SantaCon? Have your own Santa Claus convention at home by inviting everyone to dress up as their own version of Santa (or, if they’re not willing to fully commit, then at least a Santa hat).

SHOP SANTA HATS

For another Christmas party classic, instruct your guests to wear the tackiest holiday sweaters they can find, and then have a contest where everyone can vote on the best. The winner of the ugliest sweater gets a prize of your choice!

RELATED: 30 Best Ugly Christmas Sweaters You Need to Buy ASAP

Wrapping all your holiday presents can seem like a real chore, but you can make it fun by turning the task into a party. Grab wrapping paper, scissors, and tape, and collect your friends so you can all do your wrap work together.

SHOP WRAPPING PAPER

Give everyone an opportunity to escape from the winter weather for a bit with a tropical-themed Christmas bash. Ask guests to wear Hawaiian shirts so they’re perfectly dressed for the occasion, and hand out leis to really set the tone.

Get the Tropical Holiday Party tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.

The holiday season is all about generosity, so why not organize a party that’s all about giving back to those who need it? Bring suggestions for goods to donate, then gather everyone to put together packages for the organization of your choice.

A Nutcracker theme is a fun idea for both kids and adults. Decorate your home with nutcrackers of all sizes, and to tie in the theme, serve up goodies like Mouse King Cake, Sugar Plum Punch, and Danish Croissants.

SHOP NUTCRACKERS

A Christmas sing-a-long party may seem cheesy, but your guests will have a ball, promise. Get a karaoke machine or microphone, and have everyone taking turns belting out their favorite holiday tunes.

SHOP MICROPHONES

Tap into everyone’s competitive side with a good ol’ fashioned gingerbread house decorating contest. Just be warned: Things can get messy, so be sure you lay down a tablecloth and get your guests some aprons.

Get the Gingerbread House Party tutorial at Crafting Cheerfully.

Put a fun twist on Oprah’s Favorite Things list by having your own Favorite Things-themed celebration, where guests gift each other some of their fave products and goodies. Be sure to set a budget before your guests choose the items.

Sure, you probably don’t associate escape rooms with Christmas, but there are plenty of holiday-themed escape room kits that you can purchase to enjoy with friends. And of course, anyone who’s feeling extra creative can also put together their own game.

SHOP ESCAPE ROOM KITS

Your guests can tap into their creativity with make-your-own ornaments, which they can then take home to hang on their tree. Pick a craft that everyone can make together, or buy pre-made ornaments that your guests can then decorate.

SHOP ORNAMENTS

Want the perfect excuse to try out new Christmas cookie recipes? Organize a cookie swap, where everyone brings a few dozen homemade cookies of their choice and leaves with a fun sampling of every guest’s creations.

Get the Cookie Exchange Party tutorial at Lia Griffith.

Do you have some talented friends in your crew? Have everyone show off their dancing, singing, or musical instrument playing with a holiday-themed showcase (and yes, even those who aren’t artistically inclined should be welcome to perform).

Donuts may not be the most traditional holiday treat, but they’re so fun to decorate. Make or buy a bunch of plain donuts, then set up a table with frosting, sprinkles, candies, and other garnishes for your guests to utilize as they please.

SHOP DONUT PANS

For an adults-only Christmas party that can’t be beat, grab some liquor, garnishes, and glasses and play bartender for the night, trying out a variety of holiday cocktails. Just make sure everyone has a designated driver!

RELATED: 50 Christmas Themed Cocktails for a Festive Crowd

Costumes parties aren’t just for Halloween, you know! From reindeers and elves to classic Christmas characters, like Cindy Lou Who, have your friends dress up as their favorites, and put out some extra accessories for those who forget.

SHOP HOLIDAY HEADBANDS

Get the fire roaring, set out a variety of marshmallows, and warm everyone up with a hot cocoa bar. You can even put together gift bags with hot cocoa mix and holiday mugs for your guests to take home with them.

Get the Hot Cocoa Party tutorial at See Vanessa Craft.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy meats and cheeses. Keep your holiday party simple by putting together an easy grazing table filled with cheese, meats, crackers, grapes, and other tasty fruits and serve some wine on the side.

RELATED: How to Make the Perfect Charcuterie Board

Let’s be real: Waffles are great any time of day, so you can host a Christmas-themed brunch, lunch, or dinner for your guests where delicious stuffed waffles are the star of the show. You can even let everyone pick whether they want a sweet or savory filling.

SHOP WAFFLE MAKERS

Store-bought cards are nice, but nothing spreads holiday cheer quite like DIY Christmas cards. Set out paper, writing utensils, and other crafting accessories so guests can put together their own holiday greeting cards.

SHOP CARDSTOCK

The only thing better than brunch? A brunch that involves a Christmas-themed craft as well. To make life easier on yourself, buy paper tableware you can toss when you’re done and order in a brunch spread for your guests.

Get the Crafty Brunch Party tutorial at Studio DIY.

Nothing says Christmas like some festive tartan prints. Have everyone wear their favorite flannels over to your home, and deck out your place with plaid blankets, tablecloths, and pillows for all the cozy vibes.

The only thing better than smelling a delicious Christmas candle is being able to make your own from scratch. Invest in a candle-making kit and then invite your candle-obsessed friends to create their own holiday-influenced treat.

SHOP CANDLE KITS

Wine is nice, but you can give the classic wine-and-cheese party a holiday twist by serving up some warm spiced wine instead. Make a few different varieties, and set out some plastic cups so everyone can sample them all.

SHOP PLASTIC CUPS

You’ll have everyone in a bubbly mood when you invite ’em over for a bubbly Christmas bash. Decorate with plenty of colorful balloons, and be sure to serve up some bubbly Champagne to round out the theme.

Get the Bubbly Christmas Party tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.

Chances are your Christmas tree isn’t the size of New York’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, but that doesn’t mean your tree doesn’t deserve a grand unveiling as well. Once the tree is trimmed, invite over your crew to see it lit for the very first time.

If you’ve ever done a paint and sip night with friends, then you know how fun they can be. Host your own version at home with a Christmas-themed painting for everyone to recreate, and be sure to provide a little holiday vino as well.

SHOP WINES

Fans of The Great British Baking Show will love getting the chance to show off their skills with a baking competition. Invite everyone to bring their favorite holiday desserts and then get ready to indulge in a little bit of everything. You can even give a prize to the best baker.

RELATED: 95 Irresistible Christmas Desserts to Serve This Holiday

Do you have a fireplace or a fire pit? Then gather your friends for a cozy night in, complete with plenty of blankets and accessories for making homemade s’mores. You can always go with an electric s’mores maker if you want to avoid any fire hazards.

SHOP S’MORES MAKERS

The best kind of holiday parties are the ones where guests can take a keepsake home with them. Personalized stockings are a craft that even the least artistic folks can handle, and everyone will have a fun time decorating their own.

Get the Personalized Stocking Party tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

Let your pets (and your friends’ pets) get in on the holiday fun. Dress up your dog, cat, or other four-legged family member in the festive outfit of your choice, and invite guests with well-behaved pets to bring their furry friends, too.

Also known as a Yankee Swap, Pollyanna, Dirty Santa, and a dozen other names, White Elephant parties are all about setting a budget, bringing a gift, and then watching as your guests choose and swap their way to a perfect present.

RELATED: 47 Unique White Elephant Gift Ideas Under $25

Making DIY Christmas wreaths is easier than you think, and they make for the perfect group craft project. Pick a tutorial for everyone to try, or buy some simple boxwood wreaths for your guests to decorate as they’d like.

SHOP BOXWOOD WREATHS

No need to limit your holiday colors to red and green. For something extra festive, go with a rainbow theme instead, complete with a rainbow-colored gift box runner, rainbow cake and cookies, and multi-colored Christmas lights.

Get the Rainbow Christmas Party tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.

Oui, oui! Give your holiday party some Parisian flair with mini Eiffel Towers, berets for all your guests to wear, and plenty of French-inspired desserts, such as macarons, crème brulée, French madeleines, and more.

Rather than buying gifts for your guests, have everyone bring a present that can be given to a kid in need. Collect toys and clothing for underprivileged children, and then bring them to a local donation center once the party is over.

RELATED: The 50 Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids of All Ages

You may not associate Christmastime with murder, but a Murder Mystery dinner is always a fun time (even around the holidays!). Buy a pre-made murder mystery set with a holiday theme, or if you’re feeling creative, feel free to put together your own.

SHOP MURDER MYSTERY KITS

Yes, you can definitely have a piñata at your holiday party. Buy or DIY a Christmas-themed piñata for your guests to take turns trying to break, and fill it to the brim with candy canes and other holiday treats.

Get the Christmas Piñata Party tutorial at Studio DIY.

Take everyone back in time with a retro-themed holiday bash. Deck out your tree with tinsel and old-school C9 bulbs and play some throwback Christmas hits for everyone to enjoy. You can even put A Christmas Story on in the background.

For a sophisticated afternoon, you can turn your home into a Christmas-themed tea parlor. Put out holiday-flavored tea and finger sandwiches, and serve up some treats for guests to snack on while they sip.

RELATED: 60 Easy Christmas Treat Ideas for Every Holiday Event

Even people who aren’t a fan of gingerbread cookies will have a blast decorating their own gingerbread people. Set out sprinkles, frosting, and candies, and see who can actually finish their cookie before eating it.

SHOP COOKIE CUTTERS

Take your guests to Scandinavia with a Nordic-themed holiday fête, which will make everyone feel oh-so cozy. Fun touches can include natural greenery, a neutral color palette with white and silver, and plenty of cute gnomes.