There’s no better way to kick off the holiday season than with a festive gathering. Christmas is more than a time for gift giving. It’s a chance to reconnect with those you love most and create memories that will last throughout the new year.
Before you start compiling your guest list for this year’s holiday party, brainstorm a few unique party theme ideas that will excite and entertain your loved ones. If you’re in need of some inspiration, we’ve made a list of our favorite Christmas party themes. From sophisticated soirees to laid-back Christmas activities for the kids, you’re sure to find the perfect party theme for your seasonal celebration. Once you have a theme in mind, don’t forget to select a Christmas invitation to match, and explore our Christmas Store for ornaments, decorations, kitchenware and gifts.
1. A Royal Christmas
Source: Camille Styles
An elegant red and gold themed party is the perfect way to add a touch of sophistication to your holiday season. Make a delicious red punch and add red flowers and fruits to your centerpieces and decor.
2. Grinch-y Brunch
Although Christmas is a time to eat, drink and be merry, be a bit of a grinch and host a detox brunch. This is a great way to balance the inevitable overindulging around the holidays.
3. Our Favorite Things
Looking for a party idea that friends will love? Organize a “Favorite Things” themed celebration where guests gift each other some of their most cherished items. A good idea is to set a budget before your guests choose the items.
4. Modern Brights
Source: A Kailo Chic Life
Keep it simple this season with a modern holiday party. Decorate with white and pops of bright colors outside of the traditional Christmas color scheme.
5. Good Tidings Of Comfort
Spread good tidings of comfort and joy with a cozy and classic Christmas potluck. Have each of your guests bring their favorite comfort food to share and enjoy together. To make things easier, give everyone a general category like sweet, savory, appetizer or dessert.
6. Peppermint Swirl
Source: Kim Byers
It’s hard to beat a red and white theme for a Christmas party. Fill the table with red and white treats and sweets. Top off your setup with decorations and utensils in the same color scheme.
7. Mixology Soiree
If you need unique themes for parties this season, consider a mixology party at your home or favorite local bar. Serve some fun, frothy drinks or a few different Christmas cocktail recipes from around the world.
8. Frosty The Snowman
Source: Shutterfly
You can’t go wrong with good old-fashioned Christmas theme. A simple snowman holiday party, complete with frosty cake toppers and strings of snowmen hanging from the ceiling, is the perfect way to gather your loved ones this season.
9. Movie Night
Christmas party ideas with a fun activity everyone can enjoy are always a hit. Host a holiday movie night. Write some of your favorite Christmas films on strips of paper and have one of your guests choose what you’ll be watching for an extra element of excitement.
10. Letters To Santa
For a holiday party with kids, host a letters to Santa themed party. Set up a station with paper, envelopes, and supplies where they can decorate their cards and write their Christmas wishes.
11. Cookie Exchange
Source: Handle the Heat
If you’re looking for holiday party ideas with a festive activity, host a Christmas cookie exchange. Have each of your guests bring their favorite cookies and make it exciting by having everyone vote on their favorite recipe!
12. Ugly Sweater Christmas Party
There’s nothing like a little laughter during the holidays. Get silly with an ugly sweater making party this season. In the end, have your guests strut in their creations for an impromptu Christmas fashion show.
13. Wreath Making Competition
Christmas party themes that involve crafts are always fun. Gather your friends for a wreath making get together and turn it into a competition where you vote for the best design. Crown your winner the king or queen of wreaths!
14. Be-leaf In Christmas
Source: After Orange County
Great party theme ideas start with simplicity. Use your home’s decor and add some rich greenery and touches of red to host a mistletoe-themed party.
15. Donut Decorating Party
As you’re brainstorming Christmas themes this year, think outside the box. Instead of cookie decorating, host a donut decorating party for guests who can’t resist sweet treats. Set up frosting, sprinkles and candy to decorate.
16. Scrooge’s Black And White Party
Switch up your holiday color palette this season with a Scrooge Christmas party in black and white. Incorporate fun black and white patterns into your decorations and order non-holiday themed food and drinks like pizza, sliders or wings.
17. Santa’s Workshop
Source: The Cottage Mama
Throw a fun and festive Santa’s workshop themed Christmas party for the kids. Have elf hats and aprons ready for each of your little ones so they can play the part. Don’t forget to have plenty of hot cocoa and sweet treats for them to nibble on.
18. Santa’s Ho-Ho-Hoedown
Throw a country-themed party with a Santa’s Hoedown. Encourage your guests to wear their favorite country gear for some added fun. If you’re looking to add a unique spin, plan to have a beer tasting to start off the evening.
19. Winter Nutcracker
Christmas themes can be both simple and sophisticated. A Nutcracker theme is a fun idea for your kids or closest girlfriends. To tie in the theme, make some classic holiday recipes but label them with the theme in mind––Mouse King Cake, Sugar Plum Punch, Danish Croissants, etc.
20. Cookies For Santa
Source: Shutterfly
Get the kids together to decorate cookies for Santa. Make sure you have an array of cookies in seasonal shapes, like Christmas trees, stockings and candy canes. Then, set up a decoration station with festive and colorful sprinkles, candies, and of course, frosting!
21. Santa’s Mustache Bash
Get silly with a Santa’s mustache bash themed get together. Have everyone come in wearing their funniest version of Santa’s mustache. Encourage them to use different colors, textures and materials to make their ‘stache stand out.
22. Desserts First
Sweets are the star of the holiday season-–why not start with dessert first at your Christmas party? Invite your guests to a dessert tasting party and have your dinner after!
23. Mama Bear Tea Party
Source: The Kitchen Prep
Gather your best friends and their little ones for a mama bear tea party playdate this holiday season. Set up a table with delicious finger food and tea for both mommas and kids to enjoy.
24. Trim The Tree
Christmas party ideas are best when they bring all your loved ones to do something together. Gather around for a tree trimming celebration and have everyone decorate the tree together.
25. Piñata Christmas Party
A colorful and glitzy holiday fiesta is the perfect way to spice up the Christmas season. Fill a piñata with Christmas candies, and don’t forget some festive margaritas with gold-sugared rims.
26. Boozy Christmas Brunch
Source: Shutterfly
Themed party ideas can be as simple as a holiday brunch. This fun and festive idea is great for an adult holiday party. Offer berry mimosas, spiked punch and eggnog to set the right atmosphere.
27. Holidays At The Beach
Go bold this holiday season with a holiday beach themed party for your closest friends and family. Have everyone wear their favorite nautical or beach outfit and pass out flower leis as party favors.
28. Make It Rein
Host a Vegas-themed or game night Christmas party. Set up a few stations to play different games like poker, dominoes, darts and bingo. For some healthy fun, use candy and baked goods as currency or prizes.
29. Christmas Classics
Source: Pizzazzerie
A classic red and green Christmas gathering is always a hit. Create an elegant ambiance with a sleek red tablecloth, and then add fresh greenery and sprigs of spruce to top it off.
30. Down To The Wrapper
Looking for a fun and functional Christmas party theme? A last minute gift wrapping party is perfect for friends who shop down to the wire. Have everyone bring different materials to share and get your Christmas party wrapping done in no time.
31. Vintage North Pole
Source: The House that Lars Built
Throwback to Christmases long, long ago with a blast from the past themed holiday party. Keep it simple by printing black and white silhouettes of old buildings and vintage cars. Add some color with vintage glass soda bottles and utensils.
32. Candyland Christmas
Transport your kids into a magical world this holiday season with a Candyland themed party. Draw inspiration for your decorations from the classic board game, like the gingerbread-shaped playing pieces and larger than life lollipops and candy canes.
33. Frozen Christmas
A Frozen themed party is perfect for the holiday season. Your kids will devour sweet treats inspired by one of their favorite animated films, like snow cones and marshmallow snowballs. Construct a blue and white cardboard castle for playtime, and your Frozen themed party is sure to be a hit.
34. Classic Plaid
Source: Lolly Jane
When decorating for your Christmas party, you don’t have to sacrifice style. A classic plaid and burlap theme is both festive and chic. Elevate your holiday table with a plaid runner and take your desserts up a notch with a berry trifle cake.
35. Parisian Christmas
Gather your nearest and dearest and channel your inner Parisian with a French-themed Christmas party. Set up a table with delicious french parties and desserts and go for gold and glittered decorations.
36. 12 Tastes Of Christmas
Have your guests each bring an appetizer, entree, dessert or drink to put together a list of 12 different tastes. Create a sheet for everyone to sign up and avoid any repeat food or drinks.
37. Santa’s Elves
Source: Shutterfly
You don’t have to be a DIY expert to host an ornament making themed party. Encourage your guests or their kids to come in their best elf getup and put together an ornament decorating station for a fun activity.
38. I Only Have Ice For You
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping for a holiday happy hour with your nearest and dearest. Serve some cold, frothy cocktail drinks and cover your home in white Christmas decor for an icy look.
39. Ornament Exchange
Source: Shutterfly
Christmas games for adults can be as simple as a classic Christmas ornament exchange. Have friends bring beautiful ornaments to swap. Make sure your guests go home with a special gift by setting up a gift wrap station so they can take their new decoration home in style.
40. Taste & ‘Tinis
Tis the season to host a holly jolly holiday party for your closest friends and family. Make it lighthearted, festive and silly with fun martini recipes and hors d’oeuvres. Add decorations in classic Christmas colors, like red, green and white.
41. Gingerbread House
Source: Shutterfly
Take a break this holiday season and invite friends over for an afternoon of decorating gingerbread houses. This is a great theme for a holiday party with kids as it keeps them entertained and they get to take their beautiful gingerbread houses home.
42. Nightmare Before Christmas
A cult classic holiday film like the Nightmare Before Christmas makes the perfect theme for your next party. Have your guests play the part by dressing as different characters from the movie.
43. Christmas Carol-oke
If you can’t wait to sing some Christmas classics, host a karaoke night for an entertaining get-together. Have your guests write down their favorite holiday songs and carols to pick out from a bowl.
44. Rudolph’s Forest
Source: Hostess with the Mostess
Create an ultra-cozy vibe with a simple, rustic holiday gathering this season. Decorate with woodland accents and plaid patterns to set the mood. Serve simple yet delicious snacks and desserts for your guests to enjoy the outdoors by the fire.
45. White Elephant
A classic theme that’s always a hit with friends, family and co-workers is a white elephant Christmas party. Simply ask your guests to bring a wrapped anonymous Christmas gift if they wish to play.
Final Thoughts on Christmas Party Themes
Whichever theme you choose, your guests will have a blast celebrating the holidays with you. Once you’ve sent out your invites, put together a quick party planning checklist to keep track of all the details including food, drinks, entertainment, Christmas party games, utensils, and any other supplies. Finally, make sure you order your Holiday cards while you’re already in the Christmas planning spirit.
