I don’t know about you, but I am absolutely obsessed with Christmas. I love the time spent with family, the decorations, and buying or receiving presents, of course! Another one of my favorite things is throwing holiday parties. You not only get to spend time with friends and family, but you also get to decorate and eat fantastic holiday food. There are many ways to throw a killer Christmas Party, but here are a few of my favorite ideas to get you started.

Theme: The first step in planning a party is deciding on a theme that you and your guests will enjoy. The overall theme will obviously be about Christmas, but there are many creative twists that you can add to your average winter party. A popular theme is a seasonal movie night, but why not spice it up by making it an outdoor movie night? All you need is a white sheet, projector, speakers, and Christmas movie of your choice, and you are good to go! Be sure to put out lots of warm blankets, because it is pretty chilly at night. More ideas include: an Ugly Sweater Party, Cookie Swap, or a Formal Christmas Party.

Decorations: Well, it’s Christmas, so this should be pretty simple! Just think red, green, gold, and white decorations.  If you choose to do a formal theme, don’t forget to have a creative and festive centerpiece! Candles are stunning at Christmastime, as are sparkling lights used inside. Garlands and holly wreaths will also add a festive touch to your party.

Food: Now for my favorite part… the dishes served at holiday parties. It will definitely vary depending on what your theme is and how many people you choose to invite. A popular Christmas dinner is ham or turkey served with mashed potatoes and other sides. You could also choose to do something much simpler that can feed a crowd, such as pasta, Mexican food, or even pizza! Be sure to have plenty of snacks and refreshments in case your guests get hungry throughout the night. Hot chocolate, coffee, and other refreshments are also great things to have around. Popular desserts include Christmas sugar cookies, cake, truffles, and pretty much anything with peppermint involved.

Activities: My favorite party game is the White Elephant gift exchange. This game is perfect for any Christmas theme, and works well with both small and large groups. There are also different variations of the game, such as just using gift cards or gag gifts. A Secret Santa is also a fun and creative way to give and receive gifts. For a younger crowd, you could even have a station where they could decorate their own Christmas cookies. Another idea could be to have a photo booth with props and a backdrop for your guests to take pictures.

When planning a party, don’t be afraid to get creative and try new things! With unique ideas, your guests are sure to have a blast this winter season because of your unforgettable Christmas party.