How to host a Christmas Eve party
Christmas Eve is the perfect opportunity to gather loved ones and celebrate the holiday season in a relaxed, festive setting.
(Basically, it’s the perfect opportunity to get pissed)
Whether you’re hosting a cozy family get-together or a larger party with friends, there are many ways to make this night special.
From planning a delicious menu to creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere, here’s how to host a memorable Christmas Eve party.
1. Set the Scene with Christmas Eve Decorations
To make your home feel truly festive, start by decking out your space with holiday decorations. For Christmas Eve, it’s all about creating a cozy, magical vibe.
Tree Decorations: A beautifully decorated Christmas tree should be the focal point of your gathering. Add twinkling lights, colorful ornaments, and a star or angel on top to complete the look.
Candles and Lights: Use candles (safely!) to create a warm, welcoming glow. Battery-operated fairy lights also add a magical touch to mantels, walls, and even the dinner table.
Garlands and Wreaths: Hang garlands around the doorways or along the walls. A Christmas wreath on the front door adds a festive touch as guests arrive.
Themed Table Settings: If you're serving a meal, consider a Christmas-themed table setting. You can go for elegant golds and reds or a rustic winter wonderland theme with greenery, pinecones, and simple white dishes.
As well as the classic. for a specific ‘Christmas party’ vibe, I’d also make sure you have these…
For when people take photos, fringe and props…
For the party vibes I’d also make sure you have some balloons…
Finally, people will likely get bored with nothing to do so have something like this at the ready…
2. Create a Holiday-Themed Drink Station
No Christmas Eve party is complete without a few festive drinks. Set up a drink station where guests can help themselves or be served a special holiday cocktail.
Signature Cocktails: Consider making a Cranberry Moscow Mule, Eggnog, or a Mulled Wine. These drinks have holiday flair and will set the tone for the evening.
For this, I’d recommend;
Non-Alcoholic Options: Don’t forget those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages. You can offer hot chocolate with toppings, apple cider (serve it warm or cold), or a festive punch.
For this I’d recommend these Christmas mocktails or this non alcoholic mulled wine.
Hot Beverage Station: A DIY hot chocolate bar or mulled cider station allows guests to customize their drinks with toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, and chocolate shavings.
3. Plan a Festive Menu
The food you serve at your Christmas Eve party will set the tone for the night. Plan a spread that’s easy to eat, allows for mingling, and offers a variety of flavors to suit all tastes.
Appetizers: Choose appetizers that guests can snack on throughout the evening. Mini sliders, cheese boards, stuffed mushrooms, or pigs in a blanket are great options.
Main Course: If you’re having a sit-down meal, consider traditional holiday dishes such as roast turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
If you want something lighter or quicker, a festive charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, nuts, and fruits works well.
Desserts: No Christmas Eve party is complete without a selection of delicious desserts. Think gingerbread cookies, peppermint bark, or a classic Yule log. If you’re feeling creative, you can even make a DIY cupcake station.
Potluck Style: If you have many guests, consider asking them to bring their favorite holiday dish to share. This way, you get a variety of food, and it makes the planning less overwhelming.
4. Create a Playlist of Holiday Tunes
Music is a key part of setting the right mood for your party. While classic Christmas carols are a must, mix in some upbeat holiday hits for a fun atmosphere.
Classic Christmas Songs: Include timeless classics by Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. These songs evoke the traditional Christmas spirit.
Modern Holiday Hits: Add a few newer tracks by artists like Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, or Ariana Grande to keep the energy lively.
Instrumental Music: For a more relaxed vibe during dinner, consider playing instrumental versions of Christmas songs or soft jazz.
Custom Playlist: You can even create a playlist tailored to your guests’ preferences. The mix of holiday cheer and familiar tunes will make the party feel personal.
5. Plan Fun Activities and Games
Christmas Eve parties can be relaxed, but you’ll still want to keep your guests entertained with some fun activities. Here are a few ideas that will get everyone involved:
Christmas Trivia: Create a holiday-themed trivia game. You can include questions about Christmas movies, songs, history, or pop culture. Consider dividing guests into teams for a competitive edge.
Secret Santa Gift Exchange: A fun twist on a traditional gift exchange, Secret Santa can be a hit at a Christmas Eve party. Set a small budget and draw names ahead of time.
Christmas Charades or Pictionary: These are classic party games that never fail to get people laughing. Play them with a holiday twist by using Christmas movies, songs, or traditions as prompts.
Christmas Photo Booth: Set up a photo booth with fun props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and holiday signs. Guests can snap pictures to remember the night.
For my full list of games check out this list.
6. Encourage Guests to Dress Festively
Part of the fun of hosting a Christmas Eve party is encouraging guests to dress up. You can make it more fun by suggesting a particular style or theme.
Christmas Pajamas: For a laid-back, cozy vibe, invite guests to wear their favorite Christmas pajamas or loungewear. This adds a casual, fun touch to the evening. - Think slumber party vibes.
Holiday Sweaters: Encourage everyone to wear ugly Christmas sweaters, or even host a contest for the most outlandish or creative sweater.
Formal or Semi-Formal: If you’re planning a more elegant evening, consider asking guests to dress up in holiday-inspired cocktail or formal attire. Think red and green dresses, velvet suits, or even festive accessories like scarves and ties.
For ideas on what to wear, check out these style guides…
7. Send Guests Home with Festive Favors
Give your guests a little something to remember the night by. Christmas party favors don’t have to be extravagant, just something small and thoughtful will do.
Mini Christmas Trees or Ornaments: Personalized mini trees or a cute ornament from the night can be a keepsake your guests will appreciate.
Holiday Goodies: Consider giving away homemade cookies, hot cocoa kits, or small jars of holiday jam or preserves.
Scented Candles: A holiday-scented candle, such as cinnamon, pine, or vanilla, is a practical and thoughtful gift that your guests can enjoy at home.
8. Wrap Up the Night with a Toast
As the evening winds down, make sure to toast the night’s success with your guests. A celebratory drink, like champagne or a final round of hot cider, is a great way to finish the evening on a high note.
Don’t forget the gift giving
Also as it is the season of giving I’ve put together a few specific gift guides to check out…
And don’t forget everything else
Finally do check out…
Final Note
Hosting a Christmas Eve party is all about creating a relaxed, fun, and festive atmosphere.
Whether you’re going for a traditional celebration or a more modern take on the holiday, the most important thing is to ensure your guests feel welcomed and enjoy the evening.
With the right mix of decorations, food, music, and activities, your Christmas Eve party will be one to remember for years to come.
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