Get Crafty for Christmas
Plan an afternoon or evening to do crafts. Make Christmas cards, pour candles, stamp gift wrap, or create decorate pine garlands or wreaths. Or have someone show everyone how to put together a beautiful Christmas centerpiece. As the host, you should plan to supply the "fixings", have hot glue guns ready, and offer decorative touches. But each guest can create something that will go in their home that they can take with them when they leave.Bake Up a Storm
Gather friends together to assemble gingerbread houses or decorate Christmas cookies. Have frosting in lots of colors, decorations, and candies on hand. Unless you have a grand, large kitchen, it might be best to keep the group to 4 or 5, so you won't be bumping into each other. Be sure to offer something nourishing to eat.The Great Outdoors
Organize a sports activity such as walking or hiking, cross country skiing, or ice skating. Invite everyone to your home to thaw out with warm soup, cider, sandwiches, a wiener roast in the fireplace, and visiting.Prepare Joint Gifts
Instead of everyone giving the classroom teacher or team coach a small gift, pool your resources and put together a group gift. Parents can get together and decorate a beautiful basket, arrange cookies, add cherished gift cards, and a picture of all the kids. As the host of such a party, you can offer a tasty brunch and have Christmas carols playing. Gather around the Christmas tree and have fun while you're thinking of others who have done so much through the year!Dessert Parties
When my children were younger, I'd plan a big party for families and friends after the school Christmas program. I'd make dozens of cookies in the days after Thanksgiving and freeze them. Then when the day came, I'd arrange beautiful trays of goodies, add hot and cold cider, and be ready. Careful planning ahead of time made these dessert parties a great success year after year.Caroling, Caroling Party
Plan a yummy supper for guests, then go out caroling through the neighborhood. Or stay at home and sing carols with friends around the fire. Ask someone to play the piano or violin and have copies of Christmas carol words ready to hand out. You'd be surprised how much people enjoy singing Christmas carols!"Movies at Home" Party
Plan a stay-at-home party. Buy or rent a classic Christmas movie, such as "A Christmas Carol," "Christmas Story," or "It's a Wonderful Life." Prepare lots of popcorn and hot chocolate or soft drinks. Get out blankets, turn the lights down, and enjoy a film in your own home. Then talk about your Christmas traditions when the movie is over.Formal Christmas Tea
Prepare a classic tea party for the ladies or "little ladies". Ask everyone to "dress to the nines" and come to enjoy. Get out your most beautiful china and silver. Include tea cakes, scones, tiny sandwiches with crusts cut off, and several flavors of tea.Here Comes Santa Claus Party
What child doesn't love a visit with Santa? Plan a party for the neighborhood children or the children of your friends. Hire a Santa to visit, take requests, and hand out small gifts. Ask each child to bring a gift to share with another. Be sure to have games to play or crafts to do when Santa leaves. Offer a Santa hat to each child, read a wonderful Christmas story, or have each child write a note to Santa to put out on Christmas Eve.
There are probably lots of other ways to celebrate Christmas with a party. It's a wonderful time of year to entertain friends and create memories. Your friends will be coming back year after year!
Find more fun ideas for Christmas Parties.
More Holiday Ideas Christmas Index | Centerpieces | Choose a Tree | Christmas Design | DIY Projects | Gifts | Guests | Top Picks | Storage | Tables | Themes | Decorating Tips | Tree Decor | Wreaths