10 Holiday Party Ideas That Your Guests Will Love
After a long year, we hope you’re unwinding, snuggling up, and sharing in cheer with loved ones during the holiday season. From the warm, welcoming scents of hot cider and pine to the twinkling lights and wreaths to the nostalgic holiday tunes blasting in every car and store, this season evokes a childlike wonder and serves as a prime time for you and your family to unleash your creativity. Whether you want to spice up old holiday traditions or start new ones, we wanted to share some creative ideas on how to throw a unique and unforgettable soirée this special season. Silly or sophisticated, we got you covered.
Ugly Christmas Sweaters & Cookie Shots
No better way to ring in Christmas than with ugly sweaters and shots. Once guests arrive in their fashionably unfashionable attire, it’s time to get the games, karaoke, and ugly sweater contest going.
ELP Style: Complement the cozy sweaters with a cozy ambiance – and the tackier the decor, the better. In action, this looks like Christmas-themed tableware, a milk-and-cookies bar with edible cookie shots, and your favorite retro Christmas film projecting in the background. And what party is complete without a photo booth with cheesy props (e.g. santa hats, boas, etc.) to capture the memories?
Holiday Olympics
For our competitive friends, show off your holiday spirit by competing in a series of holiday-themed games like a gingerbread house decorating contest, pin the nose on the snowman, and reindeer wrap. For more game ideas, check out this article: 25 Hilarious Christmas Games.
Pancakes & Pajama Party
Cinnamon spice pancakes and matching PJs? Yes, please. Socialize in a comfy and cozy setting this holiday season by inviting your friends and family to put on some matching PJs, decorate some Santa and Snowman pancakes, and gather around for a movie marathon of classic holiday films.
ELP Style: If you’re somewhere where the weather is warm, make the pajama party even cozier by doing an outdoor movie screening, complete with throw pillows, fairy lights, holiday decorations, and a fully stocked snack bar.
Holiday Dessert Swap
Is there a sweeter way to ring in the season? I think not. A holiday-themed dessert swap is perfect for those who love baking and decorating (or who want their homes to smell like cinnamon and cookies). Be sure to coordinate beforehand so that everyone brings a unique dessert and even encourage guests to bring copies of their recipes for recipe swapping. Whether it be brownie brittle, cinnamon buns, powdered donuts, or peppermint bark, get creative by putting a Christmas twist on classic recipes. If you need ideas for holiday desserts, check out this Delish article: 85 Holiday Desserts You Absolutely Have To Make This Winter
ELP-Style: We recommend setting up a milk bar – fully stocked with whole milk and plant-based milk options – to go with all the sweet treats.
Holiday Happy Hour
Become a bartender this season by inviting your friends and family over for a night of festive cocktail (or mocktail!) making. Grab your shakers, spices, and drunk holiday munchies and learn the art of making frosted Moscow mules, boozy eggnog, or peppermint white Russians.
ELP Style: When we host mixology classes, we supply guests with everything they need to prepare, mix, and shake some cocktails. Our classes are also hosted by talented instructors who conduct live demonstrations for everyone to follow along. At the end of our classes, guests are sent home with recipes and parting gifts so they can continue practicing mixology at home!
Holiday Greeting Card Decorating for Citymeals on Wheels
The holiday season is the perfect time to show gratitude and give back to your community. Volunteer your time decorating personalized holiday cards for elders or veterans through Citymeals or Holidays for Heroes. These organizations work with student, community, and corporate groups to craft handmade cards that are often delivered with a meal or food package to brighten the days of elderly neighbors and veterans.
Santa Party
Costumes don’t have to go away after October. Bring out the silly sides of your loved ones by hosting a Santa-themed costume party. Encourage attendees to be as creative as possible, and offer some ideas like vacation Santa, emo Santa, Santa’s reindeer, and elves, or even Grinch Santa). The costume party won’t be complete without a milk and cookie bar and a photo booth.
Classic Dinner Party or Potluck
You can’t go wrong with a classic dinner party. Keep the guest list intimate, but go all out with the decorations, music, and menu. Design a full menu or make it a potluck and invite guests to bring unique dishes for the party. Place cards, candles, and background jazz may sound formal, but they’re elegant touches to set a warm, inviting, and romantic mood.
ELP Style: If you live somewhere warm, bring the dinner party outside to the garden or backyard. Create a cozy and intimate ambiance by adorning the trees with string lights; decorating the table with real linens and table settings, candles, and winter greenery; and draping light blankets and pillows over each chair so that guests can stay warm and comfortable all night. End the night around the campfire and roasting marshmallows for some s’mores.
White Elephant or Secret Santa
White Elephant and Secret Santa gift exchanges are classic holiday favorites. Whether you’re gathering with loved ones at home or coworkers at the office, a gift exchange leaves guests relaxed, good-humored, and excited. If you’ve never heard of White Elephant before, learn how to play here: https://www.whiteelephantrules.com/
Paint & Sip
Channel your inner Picasso with a boozy holiday-themed art class.
ELP Style: Not only can ELP supply clients with delicious beverages of their choice, but our painting instructors will provide all the necessary art supplies and walk colleagues step-by-step through the process. If you really want to challenge your friends and family, pair the paint and sip with a mixology class.
