The Most Fun and Festive Christmas Party Ideas to Try This Year (2024)

Hosting a holiday party is one of the best Christmas traditions because it lets you celebrate the season with family and friends. But if you are at a loss for a theme or fun new element to spruce your gathering up, we've got you covered. Here, you'll find all the inspiration you need with a list of the best Christmas party ideas! You'll find creative themes like a retro party or creating a bonfire that can be enjoyed by all ages. Plus, there are activities for little ones, Christmas games adults will enjoy, and festive party favors to help make your merrymaking that much... well, merrier!

If you're looking for fun activities, set up a Christmas cookie decorating station for guests to create their own masterpieces or host a karaoke night with holiday hits that everyone can sing along to. The little ones will enjoy watching classic Christmas movies as part of a marathon or writing letters to Santa—you can supply them with stickers and stamps to give their notes a little extra flair. And if you're looking for quirky dress code ideas that adults and kids alike will have so much fun with, tell everyone to wear Christmas pajamas (the Drummond family wears matching sets every year!) or ugly Christmas sweaters. That one is always a hit! Spreading holiday cheer has never been easier thanks to these Christmas party themes and ideas. So go on and deck those halls. It's time to party!

Invite friends and family over to organize and go caroling around your neighborhood. It will fill everyone with cheer, and then they can head back to your house for a co*cktail party or nice dinner to relax after the event.

Christmas trivia, old fashioned card games, all those board games you played as kids―any and all games are welcome! It allows everyone to just have a relaxed day of fun. All you have to do is add some snacks and drinks for a good old time!

Another kid friendly idea is to have them all create cookie plates for Santa. They could decorate the plates themselves as a craft or simply assemble platters from pre-made cookies. You can also help them write their letters to the big man!

There are so many ways to show your loved ones you care during Christmas time, but cards are arguably the best. Set up a holiday card crafting station with all you need to make a beautiful card. It's great for kids and adults alike! And if you don’t know what to write, check out our Christmas card messages.

The Christmas traditions of yesteryear are so nostalgic and joyful. Make classics like Jell-O desserts and decorate your home with vintage ornaments and bottlebrush trees.

Give everyone an activity that they can take home or regift to someone else. There are tons of DIY wreaths that look gorgeous hung on your door, or over your mantel.

You may have heard of SantaCon in New York, where everyone dresses up as different versions of Santa. Host a hyperlocal SantaCon at your house!

Whether you cook a big brunch on Christmas Day like Ree does, or you host one at your house the weekend before, gathering your loved ones for the most delicious meal of all will be so much fun. Add Ree's eggs Benedict strata or her famous cinnamon rolls to the menu.

If you don't look forward to wrapping presents every year, then make things a little bit more fun by turning the task into a party! Have friends over and offer a wide array of wrapping paper, gift tags, and cute bows and ribbons. A glass of bubbly or two wouldn't hurt either!

When the weather outside is frightful, a crackling bonfire is just so delightful. Bundle up with friends, make batches of hot chocolate, and get cozy!

Round up your friends and family and make a night of putting up your Christmas tree decorations. (You can thank them with small bites and Christmas co*cktails!) Those string lights will be untangled in no time.

If Christmas elegance is your cup of tea, then this is the theme for you! Invite your loved ones over for a chic afternoon tea party filled with seasonal teas, Christmas snacks, and holiday desserts.

The spooky stuff isn't just for Halloween. Host a Christmas-themed murder mystery dinner with one of these fun game kits that take their inspiration from office holiday parties and ugly Christmas sweaters.

Who says you have to hit the slopes to enjoy après ski-themed activities? Decorate your space with faux fur blankets, plaid pillows, and other rustic touches and ask your guests to dress in their favorite cozy staples. You can serve mulled cider, bourbon hot chocolate, and other winter co*cktails.