What’s cosier than a festive Christmas party with your closest friends and family? Christmas is the ideal time to spend quality time with your nearest and dearest, even if you only see some of them once a year! So why not make your Christmas get together special? Having a Christmas party is a great way to make the most out of the festive spirit.
The tree lights are on, the chocolate oranges are out and A Muppets Christmas Carol is on TV. But what else do you need to eat, drink and be merry? Well, having a Christmas party at home is the perfect excuse to don your Santa hat and get the jingle bells out!
But, no one wants a lump of coal left in their stocking from Santa for throwing a gloomy party, so, to help out, we’ve put together a list of some of the best festive Christmas party ideas to have at home!
Christmas Games & Activities For Your Party
No family Christmas party is complete without some festive party games and entertainment! Who doesn’t want to see uncle John fall over during a game Twister, or Shirley from across the road lose a game of Pie Face?
However, there are some more DIY Christmas themed games and activities that will also leave your guests in hysterics! Homemade party games add to the fun and cheer of the celebration if the games have a handmade or authentic touch. For some inspiration, take a look at these suggestions for Christmas games and activities ideas.
Snowman Bowling
Even if it’s not a white Christmas, this fun game can be made with toilet rolls, giant marshmallows, tin cans or even pillows.
Candy Cane Hunt
Everyone loves a scavenger hunt, especially if it involves sweet treats! Read the article to know how to organise it right.
Christmas Cheer Pong
A Christmassy twist on the original beer pong! Or you can go further and add a glamorous touch to your Christmas party with a Prosecco Pong game (girls will love it 💓).
Marshmallow Madness
Who can create the best marshmallow Christmas tree at the party?! This cool Christmas game idea can be turned into a hilarious competition for friends and family!
Pin The Nose on The Reindeer
A great Christmas party idea for children and adults!
Guess How Many Christmas Treats
Fill a jar or clear container full of sweets and give a prize at the end of the party to the person whose guess is closest to the right amount.
Holiday Hoopla
Make your very own hoopla for your Christmas party games and just watch it get competitive!
Beard Decorating
Decorative beards may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Christmas, but if any of your friends or family attending your Christmas party have impressive beards, why not make it Christmassy?!
Christmas Bingo
Bingo… but Christmassy! Check this beautiful printable Christmas Bingo.
Christmas Movie Projector
For guests who are a little younger, older, or just want to chill, why now use a projector to showcase some of the best Christmas movies in your home? You could choose from classic Christmas movies such as:
- Elf (2003)
- The Grinch (2018)
- A Muppets Christmas Carol (1992)
- Home Alone (1990)
- The Santa Clause (1994)
- White Christmas (1954)
- Jingle All the Way (1996)
- Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
- The Polar Express (2004)
Doughnut December
Food eating contests are always a favourite at parties, but by hanging doughnuts from a string you can get your friends and family involved in a hilarious Christmas party game. As well as a classic opportunity for some priceless Snapchat videos!
Bauble Decorating
Having a decorating station for baubles is a great Christmas party activity that everyone can do! This is a great Christmas activity idea if children are attending your party, or you could even hold a ‘make the worst decoration’ competition with your friends.
Reindeer Games
Hop, skip and jump your way to a merry Christmas! Give your guests an obstacle course or direct them through different dance moves for a hilarious Olympics style party game with a jolly twist!
Pass the Parcel
Who doesn’t want a Christmas present?! This classic game is the perfect Christmas party idea for any Christmas get together. It’s also great fun to think of Christmas gift ideas to wrap up for the game!
Human Christmas Tree
Great for a really fun party game to get the whole house involved! Using materials such as wrapping paper, tinsel, baubles, toilet roll, glitter and whatever else you can think of, you can host a competition to make the best human Christmas tree and give out prizes to the winners!
Make Your Own Drinks Bar
Giving your guests the option to make their own unique drinks and elaborate cocktails allow them to get involved in the party prep and ensures that everyone gets a drink of their choice! You can choose from as many different spirits or soft drinks as you like and creation station for fruit, sweets, edible glitter, candy floss, whipped cream, sugar, salt, you name it!
If you want to be really extra about it, you can even give your guests their own personalised cocktail glass each!
Santa’s Sack Race
The Christmas game idea will have your guests dashing around the garden faster than Rudolf chasing a carrot! Make Santa proud!
Fancy Costume Competition
Who said it needs to be Halloween for fancy dress? Asking your guests to come in Christmas themed costumes is brilliant way of getting everyone in the yuletide mood before they’ve even arrived at your party!
You can even make a competition out of it and see who arrives in the most creative Christmas fancy dress!
Christmas Photo Props
Christmas is a special time of year when all your loved ones come together, and we all know that this doesn’t happen very often! So, why not take the opportunity to get some fun and festive group photos?
Creating fun photo props, scenes and funny poses can really help to make some wonderful Christmas memories with your friends and family, and the photos will be yours keep forever. Take some inspiration for Christmas themed photos, here:
Christmas Playlist
Absolutely no Christmas party can go without the perfect Christmas playlist! From Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree to serenading your love with All I Want for Christmas is Yooooouuu!
Grab Nana by the hand and waltz around the kitchen to Frank Sinatra, or even play musical chairs to some festive Justin Bieber! Who can resist a good Christmas song? Luckily, if you don’t have time to put a Christmas playlist together, we’ve got one sorted for you:
Christmas Party Food & Drinks Ideas
People spend all year looking forward to Christmas dinner and Christmas party food! It’s the best time of year for indulgence, so giving your Christmas party guests a feast for both the eyes and the stomach will ensure that your festive bash goes down a treat!
With so many Christmassy foods to choose from, there’s sure to be something for everyone on the menu. Whether you’d prefer to cook a full turkey dinner to gobble up or create fun Christmas party nibbles for a buffet, the options are endless!
Check out these delicious ideas for Christmas party food and try not to feel peckish!
Appetizers
- Delicious Mini Tomato Tart
- Easy Antipasto Wreath
- Cheesy Puff Pastry Stars
- Pull-Apart Christmas Tree
- Beef Tenderloin Crostini with Whipped Goat Cheese and Pesto
- Italian Cheese Log
Christmas Meal
- Best Turkey Ever
- Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon with Lemon Cream Sauce
- Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes
- Spanish-Style Barbecue Leg of Lamb
- Crispy Pan Potatoes
- Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Christmas Desserts
- Gingerbread Amaretto Chocolate Tart
- Peppermint Mocha Chocolate Cupcakes
- Reindeer Cookie Balls
- Tropical Fruit Trifles
- Mary Berry’s Fruit Mince Pies
- Chocolate-Peppermint Crackle Cookies
Of course, no Christmas party at home is complete without the all-important Christmas cake! Take a look at these amazing Christmas cake ideas to help get your bake on (or off!)
- Festive Yule Log
- Gingerbread Orange Layer Cake
- Christmas Cake
- Red Velvet Christmas Tree Cake
- Delicious Christmas Tree Cake
- Vegan Lemon & Elderflower Cake
Christmas Drink Ideas
Don’t forget to put the sherry into the merry, the beer into the cheer or the wine into the… glass? After all, what’s a Christmas party without a little tipple?! Have a look at these great Christmas drink ideas for some (g)inspiration! ✨
- Glühwein – German Mulled Wine
- White Christmas Mojito
- Iced Cinnamon Whiskey Chai
- Christmas Mimosas
- Gin & Sparkling Apple Juice
- Spicy Pomegranate Moscow Mule
- Cinnamon Bourbon Apple Cider
- Caramel Apple Mocktail
- Sparkling Christmas Rosé
Christmas Gifts
Even if you can’t afford to go all out and buy everyone at your party a lavish gift, it may be a nice idea for your family and friends to each bring a small surprise gift at a set budget. This means you can create a jolly pile of presents looking cosy under the Christmas tree, and give one to each of your guests as they begin to leave the party. You can choose to either gift store-bought or homemade Christmas presents, even if on the tightest of budgets. Here are some small Christmas gift ideas to help with inspiration.
So there you have it! Poptop’s guide to throwing an amazing at-home Christmas party! Through all of the excitement of cooking up the food, doing the decorating and organising the party games, don’t forget to relax and have fun!
If there’s anything you’d like to hire in the professionals for, Poptop are here to help! Perhaps you’d like to hire a professional caterer, a photo booth or even some extra entertainment for your work Christmas party? Sign up to Poptop and take a look at the great event suppliers we have in your area!
We have so many amazing events suppliers listed on our website you may even find something you didn’t know you needed for your party!
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Marketing Manager at Poptop – UK Leading Events Planning Concierge Service