Ho! Ho! Ho! Organizing a Christmas party this holiday season? Spice it up with a unique and catchy theme to elevate the festive mood! After selecting one of the below Christmas Party Themes, get ready to throw on Santa hats and jingle bells to embrace the Christmas spirit. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for a reason.
From an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party to a White Elephant bash, there’s a nice variety of different Christmas Party themes to choose from.
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Christmas Party Themes
Here’s a list of 20 creative Christmas party themes, ensuring your celebration is both memorable and merry.
Don’t forget to check out our Party Supply Checklist and Party Food and Drink Calculator. As expert party planners and hosts, leave a comment below with any hosting-related questions you may have.
Christmas Classics
Looking for a theme that embodies the traditional joy and wonder of Christmas time? This first list of Christmas Party Name Ideas captivates the traditional festive season to help spread the holiday cheer.
Shimmer and Shine Wonderland
For those who love a white Christmas, this white winder wonderland theme is for you! Transform your space into a snowy paradise with white and silver decorations, fairy lights, snowflakes, and a dress code to match. Center it all around a beautifully adorned white and silver Christmas tree to perfect the nights creative theme.
Decor Ideas: Silver Fairy Lights, Winter-themed Throw Pillows, Light Up Birch Trees, and 3D Snowflakes.
The Nutcracker
Bring the classic Nutcracker tale to life with ballet-inspired decor, classical music, and maybe even a screening of the ballet itself. Throw on a Christmas Simmer Pot to envoke all the senses.
Game & Activities
Here are Christmas party ideas incorporating some holiday fun through games and activities.
Swap ‘Till You Drop Secret Santa
A traditional gift exchange where guests bring wrapped gifts to swap. Get creative with the gifting themes, like white elephant, gift cards or budget-friendly finds. This theme is great for office an office party, book clubs, etc.
Santa’s DIY Workshop
Host a DIY crafting haven for making unique Christmas crafts and decorations. Craft ideas include: ornaments, popcorn garland, hot cocoa bombs and more.
Batch Make In Heaven Cookie Swap
Guests bake and bring their favorite Christmas cookies or fudge to exchange with others. Might we suggest the easiest fudge recipe of them all – 3 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge.
Gingerbread Gala
Center your party around gingerbread house making and cookie decorating. Supply materials for a friendly competition in gingerbread house construction. This is a great activity if you’re looking for a way to work in teams. Don’t forget to come up with the perfect Christmas Team Names! You can also name your gingerbread houses.
Supplies: Check out all the cool themed Gingerbread houses to consider!
The Angels Sing
Host a fun-filled night of singing Christmas carols and popular holiday music in a karaoke setup. Popular Christmas Songs to karaoke: Baby it’s cold outside, Silent Night and White Christmas.
Christmas Movie Themes
Bring your favorite Christmas movie to life with a Christmas movie marathon. Guests come dressed as their favorite character to amp up the holiday spirit. Serve themed snacks while featuring back-to-back screenings of Classic Christmas movies.
Come Ride The Polar Express
Theme your party after the ‘Polar Express’ movie, with train-themed decor and a hot chocolate bar.
Decor and Goodie Ideas: Polar Express Gold Tickets, Wooden Whistles and Train Backdrop.
Elfing Around
Capture the magic of the movie ‘Elf’ with elf costumes, games, and North Pole-like decorations. Don’t forget a life-size cutout of Buddy the Elf and a multitude of colorful lights.
Funny Themes
My personal favorite category…. Christmas Party themes with a funny twist!
“Gaudy or Nice” Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Guests wear their most outrageous Christmas sweaters. Host a contest for the ugliest sweater and gift the ugly sweater party winner a ridiculous trophy. Invite guests with invitations
White Elephant Party
Similar to a classic gift exchange, a white elephant theme party is a festive gathering where guests exchange humorous, often impractical gifts! You can even make it into a game!
Previous white elephant gift ideas I’ve personally gifted: Christmas Story Lamp and Christmas Vacation Moose lights. The creative ideas guests come up with are legendary.
Christmas Aloha!
Combine traditional Christmas gear with Hawaiian tropical flair, and what do you get? An Aloha Christmas! Set the mood with Hawaiian shirts, palm trees Christmas lights, and a menu of tropical fruits and festive treats. Our Cranberry Jalapeno Dip will fit in nicely.
Adults Only Soiree
Here are a few “not for kids” themes if you’re looking to hire a sitter and let loose.
When Santa’s Away
Host an elegant evening with Christmas-themed cocktails, made with Cranberry Simple Syrup, and sophisticated appetizers.
Mistletoe and Martinis
Plan an adult-only soirée focused on fancy cocktails and mistletoe decorations. You can also adjust it to a “cocktails and candy canes” party to keep with the theme.
Christmas Themed Drinks: Coquito and Mulled Wine.
Costume Party
Christmas parties are the opportune time to host a themed costume party! Sure you can wear your regular gear to a winter party, but why do that when you can really ramp up the fun!
Blitzen’s Masquerade Ball
A formal affair with masks and elegant attire, perhaps with a live band. Add in some black and white balloon columns and velvet table covers to really set the bar high.
Roaring Twenties Christmas
Recreate the Gatsby era with jazz music, flapper dresses, and art deco decorations.
Christmas Smackdown: Jammies or Flannels
Opt for a casual and cozy gathering where guests wear their favorite holiday pajamas or flannel. This is a great idea for adults and kids alike!
Tidings and Tinsel Christmas
Choose a specific decade (like the 50s or 80s) and theme your party with corresponding decorations, music, and attire. This kind of party is always a hit.
Here’s Comes Santa’s Clause
Throw a Santa-themed bash where guest arrive dressed as Santa Claus himself or an elf! Bust out the red and white decor, and red solo cups, for a lively bash.
Kids Themed
Nothing brings out the holiday spirit as much as children. Here are a few great ideas if you’re looking for a fun party theme for kids:
Frosty Festivities
A cool, winter-themed party highlighting snowy decorations and frosty delights. Embrace a winter-themed party with snowy decorations and frosty delights. Who says you can’t serve snow cones in the winter? Let the kids come up with their “snowman name” to use for the day.
Candy Cane Carnival
Host a carnival-themed bash centered around candy cane stripes and sweet treats. Kids can rock their best red and white stripped threads and much on candy canes.
Reindeer Romp
Plan a playful, reindeer-themed party with related games and decorations. Fun reindeer games include Pin-the-tail on the red-nosed reindeer. Don’t forget to grab some reindeer poop for the goody bags.
Miscellaneous Themes
Here are a few “non-classic” holiday themes to consider if you’re looking to introduce different cultures or events not typically seen.
The 12 Tastes of Christmas From Around the World
Celebrate with decorations and dishes from different countries’ Christmas traditions. Celebrate diverse traditions with decorations and dishes from various countries.
Victorian Christmas
Step back in time with a Victorian-themed party, complete with period costumes and traditional decorations. Step back in time with a party themed around the Victorian era, featuring period costumes and traditional decor.
Whether it’s a whimsical elf party or a sophisticated cocktail night, these Christmas Party themes will surely make your Christmas season merry and bright, just as Santa would wish: “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”
