Christmas Party Ideas 2026
Plan the ultimate Christmas party with our complete guide — holiday games, gift exchange ideas, festive food and drinks, winter decorations, and a step-by-step planning timeline for families, friends, and coworkers.
December 25 · 8 Activities · 8 Food Ideas · Budget Guide
A Christmas party brings holiday magic with festive games, seasonal food, and warm decorations. The best Christmas parties feature a mix of classic activities — cookie decorating, White Elephant gift exchanges, holiday trivia, and carol singing — paired with themed food like gingerbread, hot cocoa bars, and candy cane treats. Whether you're hosting a family gathering, office party, or kids' celebration, start planning 3-4 weeks before and budget $75-200 depending on your guest count.
$75-$220
Budget Range
8+
Activities
8
Food Ideas
5 Steps
Planning Timeline
🎄 Activities & Games
8 ideas for every audience — from calm crafts to active games.
Family Gathering
Multi-generational holiday celebration
White Elephant Gift Exchange
CalmThe classic holiday game — everyone brings a wrapped gift ($15-20 limit). Take turns picking or stealing from others. Hilarious chaos guaranteed.
Cookie Decorating Station
CalmPre-bake sugar cookies in holiday shapes (trees, stars, gingerbread men). Set up icing, sprinkles, and candy for decorating.
Holiday Trivia
CalmTest knowledge of Christmas traditions, movies, songs, and fun facts from around the world.
Ugly Sweater Contest
CalmAward prizes for the ugliest, most creative, and most festive holiday sweater. Bonus: DIY ugly sweater station.
Jingle Bell Toss
ModerateToss jingle bells into buckets at different distances. Each bucket is worth different points.
Christmas Carol Karaoke
ActiveSet up a karaoke station with classic holiday songs. Award prizes for best performance and most enthusiastic singer.
Gingerbread House Building
CalmProvide kits or supplies for building gingerbread houses. Teams compete for best design, most creative, and most likely to collapse.
Santa's Workshop Craft Station
CalmMake ornaments, gift tags, or holiday cards at a craft table with supplies for all skill levels.
Friends / Friendsmas
Holiday fun with your chosen family
White Elephant Gift Exchange
CalmThe classic holiday game — everyone brings a wrapped gift ($15-20 limit). Take turns picking or stealing from others. Hilarious chaos guaranteed.
Cookie Decorating Station
CalmPre-bake sugar cookies in holiday shapes (trees, stars, gingerbread men). Set up icing, sprinkles, and candy for decorating.
Holiday Trivia
CalmTest knowledge of Christmas traditions, movies, songs, and fun facts from around the world.
Ugly Sweater Contest
CalmAward prizes for the ugliest, most creative, and most festive holiday sweater. Bonus: DIY ugly sweater station.
Jingle Bell Toss
ModerateToss jingle bells into buckets at different distances. Each bucket is worth different points.
Christmas Carol Karaoke
ActiveSet up a karaoke station with classic holiday songs. Award prizes for best performance and most enthusiastic singer.
Gingerbread House Building
CalmProvide kits or supplies for building gingerbread houses. Teams compete for best design, most creative, and most likely to collapse.
Santa's Workshop Craft Station
CalmMake ornaments, gift tags, or holiday cards at a craft table with supplies for all skill levels.
Kids' Party
Santa-approved activities for little ones
Cookie Decorating Station
CalmPre-bake sugar cookies in holiday shapes (trees, stars, gingerbread men). Set up icing, sprinkles, and candy for decorating.
Holiday Trivia
CalmTest knowledge of Christmas traditions, movies, songs, and fun facts from around the world.
Ugly Sweater Contest
CalmAward prizes for the ugliest, most creative, and most festive holiday sweater. Bonus: DIY ugly sweater station.
Jingle Bell Toss
ModerateToss jingle bells into buckets at different distances. Each bucket is worth different points.
Christmas Carol Karaoke
ActiveSet up a karaoke station with classic holiday songs. Award prizes for best performance and most enthusiastic singer.
Gingerbread House Building
CalmProvide kits or supplies for building gingerbread houses. Teams compete for best design, most creative, and most likely to collapse.
Santa's Workshop Craft Station
CalmMake ornaments, gift tags, or holiday cards at a craft table with supplies for all skill levels.
🍽 Food & Drink Ideas
8 themed recipes and serving ideas for your Christmas party.
| Item | Themed Name | Category | Prep Time | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot Cocoa Bar Self-serve hot chocolate with toppings: marshmallows, whipped cream, peppermint, chocolate shavings, and caramel. | Santa's Hot Cocoa Station | Drink | 15 min | 12 |
Gingerbread Cookies Classic gingerbread cookies with royal icing — perfect for decorating as a party activity. | — | Dessert | 1 hour | 24 |
Christmas Tree Veggie Tray Broccoli and vegetables arranged in a tree shape with a star cheese topper. | — | Appetizer | 15 min | 12 |
Candy Cane Bark White and dark chocolate bark with crushed candy canes and festive sprinkles. | — | Dessert | 20 min | 16 |
Mini Meatball Sliders Mini meatball sliders with cranberry sauce on pretzel buns. | Reindeer Sliders | Main | 30 min | 12 |
Eggnog Punch Creamy eggnog punch with nutmeg — add rum for adults, keep virgin for kids. | Jingle Juice | Drink | 10 min | 10 |
Cranberry Brie Bites Puff pastry cups filled with melted brie and cranberry sauce. Elegant and easy. | — | Appetizer | 25 min | 24 |
Snowman Cake Pops White cake pops decorated as snowmen with pretzel stick arms and candy scarves. | — | Dessert | 45 min | 24 |
🎨 Decorations
6 decoration ideas grouped by area, with DIY options and cost ranges.
Table
Christmas Tree Centerpiece
DIYA mini decorated tree as the table centerpiece, surrounded by wrapped mini presents.
$15-30
Stocking Place Settings
DIYMini stockings at each place setting with a name tag and small candy cane.
$10-20
General
Fairy Light Canopy
DIYWarm white fairy lights draped across the ceiling for a magical winter atmosphere.
$10-20
Snowflake Window Clings
DIYPaper or plastic snowflakes on windows for a winter wonderland feel.
$3-8
Entrance
Wreath Welcome
DIYDecorated wreath on the front door with a "Merry Christmas" bow.
$10-25
Photo Backdrop
Holiday Photo Backdrop
DIYRed and green backdrop with a "Merry & Bright" banner, tinsel, and oversized ornaments.
$10-20
📅 Planning Timeline
Your step-by-step countdown to Christmas party day.
4 Weeks Before
- Set date and send festive invitations
- Plan gift exchange rules and budget
- Choose party theme (ugly sweater, cookie exchange, etc.)
- Order decorations
2-3 Weeks Before
- Confirm guest list and dietary restrictions
- Plan menu and order specialty items
- Buy gift exchange supplies
- Create a holiday playlist
1 Week Before
- Buy groceries
- Bake cookies and gingerbread
- Set up decorations (tree, lights)
- Prepare make-ahead food
Day Before
- Final decorating touches
- Prep remaining food
- Set up activity stations
- Wrap any host gifts
Day Of
- Set up hot cocoa bar
- Final food prep
- Queue holiday music
- Light candles and welcome guests
💰 Budget Guide
Estimated total: $75–$220 for 10–15 guests.
| Category | Low | High | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & Drinks | $40 | $100 | A hot cocoa bar is cheap and impressive — $15 feeds 15 people |
| Decorations | $15 | $50 | You already own most Christmas decorations — just rearrange them for the party |
| Activities & Games | $0 | $25 | White Elephant and trivia cost nothing — gingerbread kits are $5-10 each |
| Gift Exchange Budget | $15 | $25 | Set a clear limit ($15-20) and communicate it on the invitation |
| Favors | $5 | $20 | Decorated cookies or candy cane bundles make perfect take-home treats |
| Total | $75 | $220 |
🎂 Throwing a Christmas Birthday Party?
If someone's birthday falls near Christmas, combine the themes for a celebration they'll never forget.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
6 common questions about planning a Christmas party.
What are the best Christmas party games?
Top Christmas party games include White Elephant Gift Exchange, Cookie Decorating Station, Holiday Trivia, Ugly Sweater Contest, Jingle Bell Toss, Christmas Carol Karaoke, Gingerbread House Building, and Secret Santa. Mix quiet activities (decorating, crafts) with social games (trivia, karaoke).
What food do you serve at a Christmas party?
Christmas party essentials include a hot cocoa bar, gingerbread cookies, candy cane bark, mini meatball sliders, cranberry brie bites, eggnog punch, and a Christmas tree veggie tray. The hot cocoa bar is the easiest crowd-pleaser — just heat cocoa and set out toppings.
How do you plan a Christmas party on a budget?
Budget Christmas party tips: host a potluck where each guest brings a dish ($0 food cost), set up a DIY hot cocoa bar ($15), use existing Christmas decorations, play free games (trivia, White Elephant with re-gifted items), and bake cookies as favors. Total: $30-50 for a full party.
What are good Christmas party themes?
Popular Christmas party themes include Ugly Sweater Party, Cookie Exchange, Gingerbread House Building Contest, Holiday Movie Marathon, White Elephant / Yankee Swap, Friendsmas Potluck, and Winter Wonderland. Pick a theme that matches your group — silly for friends, festive for family.
How many people should you invite to a Christmas party?
For a sit-down dinner, invite 6-12 guests. For a casual cocktail or open house party, 15-30 works well. For a kids' party, your child's age + 2-3 friends is a good rule. Make sure your space can comfortably fit everyone with room for activities.
When should you have a Christmas party?
The best time for a Christmas party is the first two weekends of December — people are in the holiday spirit but not yet overwhelmed with commitments. Avoid the week of Christmas (too busy) and Thanksgiving weekend (too early). A Friday or Saturday evening works best for adults; Saturday afternoon for kids.
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