I don’t know about you, but when I think of Christmas parties, I think of warm, toasty get-togethers with family and close friends. A cozy fire complete with sentimental stories. Do we ever really let a year go by without mentioning, “You’ll shoot your eye out kid” from “A Christmas Story”?

Or maybe your idea of a Christmas party is a little more like “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”? Well, maybe not quite that eventful- but here are a few ideas to start your holiday season off right!

Christmas parties are thrown for a wide variety of guests, and each should be considered in order to be a success. Christmas parties can be for family, friends, office co-workers, or one big combined party. Here are some ideas for different guests in mind:

Activity Ideas

• Christmas caroling party. Go caroling in the neighborhood and invite the group to your house afterward for hot chocolate and desserts.
• Potluck dinners. Arrange for everyone to bring a dish to share. It not only makes it easier for you, but your guests get to try new dishes and show off their culinary skills.
• Christmas around the world potluck dinner. Have guests bring dishes that reflect their ethnicities and countries of origin.
• Volunteer at a charitable organization. Arrange for your group to gather needed items for a charity, such as a hunger center. Get the real “reason for the season” going and give back to the community. Come back to the hosts home and share your experiences over coffee.
• Holiday lights tour. Caravan through local neighborhoods and enjoy the festive lights and decorations.
• Cookie baking parties. Get a large group together and bake up a storm. Divvy up the desserts to each guest so that each has a variety to have for their own holiday guests.
• Christmas craft creations. Have each guest be responsible for one craft to make, including the purchase of supplies. Each guest will demonstrate how to do the craft, and other guests will try to make their own. If you have 15 guests, each will go home with 15 new Christmas crafts to decorate their homes.
• Kid friendly. Any Christmas party can cater to kids by having a separate area for Christmas videos, crafts, and Shirley Temples.

Games

• Pin the nose on Rudolph

• What’s in the bag? Take a bag and put in Christmas items such as a stockings, candy canes, etc. Each guest reaches her hand in the bag and must guess the item. The best guesser wins a prize.

• Christmas trivia. Test your knowledge about popular movies, TV, pop culture, and other trivia.

• Christmas bingo. Create a bingo card with a Christmas-related theme in the middle, such as a snowman.

• Christmas word scramble. Think of words such as reindeer, stocking, etc, and scramble them on a small cardboard page.

• Name that tune. Play a Christmas CD and the first to guess correctly, wins a prize.

I hope these Christmas party ideas helped spark some fun ideas for your upcoming celebration!

About The Author

Dee Schrock has put together hundreds of theme party tips and fun ideas for easy (and budget conscious!) party planning.

Visit her website http://www.fun-theme-party-ideas.com/christmas-idea-party.html for tons of popular theme party ideas, including decoration, costume, game, and party drink ideas, as well as printable invitations.

Easily the best way to find Party Games and Ideas is to obtain a copy of the free “Gifts For Kids” Guide which describes with illustrations hundreds of specially selected gift ideas including party games.

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Christmas - games, parties and fun! Who can resist the joys of the holiday season all the decorations, traditions, contagious cheer and endless parties! If the holiday spirit has swayed you into hosting a Christmas party you’ve come to the right place! With a little planning you can host a memorable Holiday soiree that will be remembered long into the new year!

It’s Just Around the Corner - Plan Early!

In case you haven’t noticed (but we’re sure you have), the month of December is crazy busy and gets crazier as Christmas comes near. Best advice on this topic is to PLAN EARLY! Planning in November will assure you have time to organize the party and still tackle your own Christmas “To-do” list. You’ll also be able to get the invitations out before your guest Christmas calendars fill up.

Mind the Pocketbook - Set a Budget

The first, and most important, step is to set a budget! Determine how much you can comfortably spend. Setting a budget (and sticking to it) will not only keep some Christmas cash in your pocket but will also help guide your party planning decisions.

The Whole Crew and Aunt Sue Too - Make the Guest List

Be realistic about how many guest you can handle. Take into account the size of your place and the work involved in entertaining a group. Remember too that ’tis the season to be jolly and someone will likely bring an extra guest or two. Better to have a shorter list of closest friends and family unless you plan to have some hosting help and can afford to feed and entertain a larger crowd.

Any Day Now - Choose a Day and Time

‘Tis the season for full social calendars so choose your date early and wisely. If possible, it’s best to give guest at least three weeks notice. Saturday is usually the best day for most people to attend but Sunday can be good too. Remember to consider your schedule, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the party and tend to your Christmas “To-do” list.

It’s All about the Food - Plan the Menu

Your budget, guest list and party time will help guide this step. You can choose a potluck event a catered affair or anything in between. Perhaps a formal dinner and invite guest to bring their favorite dessert. The only rule on party food is the time of the party. If the hours of your party include the dinner hour you should serve heavier entree foods. Evening parties can serve lighter to heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Don’t forget the beverages! Alcoholic drinks are not mandatory so don’t feel obligated to serve them. Perhaps wine options are a better fit for your affair. If you do offer alcoholic drinks be sure to have alternatives for those who don’t drink and designated drivers. Keep the bar drinks simple to avoid the added work of playing bar-tender and the extra expense of stocking the bar. Should any of your guests have one-too-many be sure they do not drive home.

Get the Party Started - Plan the Fun

Above all else your Christmas party should be fun! Plan fun activities to get the party started and keep it going.

- Christmas party games. Games are a great way to get your guest talking and mingling.

- Trim the tree. Have all your tree decorations out and let your guest trim your tree.

- Christmas caroling. Take the party outside and sing carols for your neighbors.

- Decorate cookies. Prepare a table with cookie icings and sprinkles and let your guest decorate the cookies. They get to take their decorated cookies home.

- Exchange gifts. Either secret Santa or grab bag style. Be sure to include this on your invitations along with a spending limit.

Ya’ll Come - Send the Invitations

Now that the party plans are in place, it’s time to send out the invitations. Remember, three weeks notice (or more) is best so get those out ASAP!

It’s the Thought that Counts - Party Favors

This is not always necessary but it is nice to give each guest some small token of thanks for their attendance. This can be as simple as a slice of cake to-go to a beautifully wrapped party favor gift. Again the watch cry is…budget!

Count Down - Final Steps

Shop for decor and party accessory items 2 weeks before. This will give you time to find any items that prove hard to locate. If you plan to order Christmas party games or other party supplies online, shop three to four weeks before the party.

Buy Food items and beverages the night before the party. Also, prepare any food that can be prepared ahead of time the night before. This will give you time to decorate, prepare food and get ready for your guest.

There you have it, plans for a event full of Christmas party games and merriment! Have fun and remember, no matter what the budget or theme your guest will appreciate the time spent sharing the season’s joys with family and friends Above all else, keep it fun and you can’t go wrong!

Terri Hunziker founded GamesAndLetters.com. Games and Letters provides hundreds of print-and-play games — Christmas party games, bridal shower games, baby shower games and more! For immediate access to hundreds of fun games and ideas for your next party, visit, gamesandletters.com

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