The holiday season is a time for celebration, and what better way to celebrate than by throwing a festive party? Whether it’s for your friends, family, or coworkers, holiday parties are a great way to spread joy and bring people together. However, planning a successful holiday party can be a daunting task. From choosing a theme, to decorating, to deciding on entertainment, there are many factors that go into creating a memorable event. In this blog post, we will focus on one important aspect of holiday party planning: entertainment. We will provide you with creative ideas and tips to ensure that your guests have a fun and exciting time at your holiday party.
Games
Games are a great way to break the ice at a holiday party and get everyone involved in the festivities. They provide a fun and interactive experience for guests of all ages and are a great way to keep the party going. Here are some game ideas that are perfect for holiday parties:
Ugly Sweater Contest
Ugly sweater contests are a popular tradition during the holiday season. Encourage your guests to wear their most outrageous and tacky holiday sweaters and have a contest to see who has the ugliest one. You can even have different categories, such as “Most Creative” or “Most Festive”. This is a great way to get everyone in the holiday spirit and create a fun and lighthearted atmosphere.
White Elephant Gift Exchange
A white elephant gift exchange is a fun and budget-friendly way to incorporate gift-giving into your holiday party. Each guest brings a wrapped gift within a certain price range and places it in a designated area. Then, they take turns picking a gift and either keeping it or “stealing” a gift from someone else. This game always leads to lots of laughter and friendly competition among guests.
Holiday Trivia
Test your guests’ knowledge of holiday traditions, songs, and movies with a holiday trivia game. You can create your own questions or find pre-made ones online. Divide your guests into teams and award prizes to the team with the most correct answers. This is a great way to add some friendly competition and keep everyone entertained.
Holiday Charades
Charades is a classic party game that can be easily adapted to fit a holiday theme. Write down different holiday-related words, phrases, or characters on pieces of paper and place them in a bowl. Have one player pick a piece of paper and act out the word or phrase without speaking while their team tries to guess it. This game is sure to bring lots of laughs and create some memorable moments.
Christmas Karaoke
Everyone loves to sing along to their favorite holiday songs, so why not incorporate a karaoke session into your party? Set up a karaoke machine or use a streaming service with a holiday playlist and let your guests take turns belting out their favorite tunes. This is a great activity for all ages and will surely get everyone in a festive mood.
Music and Dance
No party is complete without some music and dancing. Holiday parties are the perfect opportunity to play some festive tunes and get your guests up and moving. Here are some ideas to make the music and dancing at your holiday party stand out:
Create a Holiday Playlist
Put together a playlist of all your favorite holiday songs and have it playing in the background throughout the party. Make sure to include a mix of classic and modern songs to cater to all tastes. You can also ask your guests to suggest songs to add to the playlist, which will make them feel more involved in the party.
Live Music
Hire a live band or musician to perform at your holiday party. This will add a special touch to your event and create a unique experience for your guests. Consider hiring a band that specializes in holiday music or a musician who can play a mix of holiday and popular songs. Just make sure to book them well in advance to ensure their availability.
Dance-Off
Get your guests on the dance floor with a dance-off competition. Divide your guests into groups or pairs and have them come up with a routine to a holiday song. The winner can be determined by a panel of judges or by having the other guests vote for their favorite performance. This is a fun and interactive way to get everyone involved in the music and dancing.
Holiday-Themed Dance Lessons
Hire a professional instructor to teach your guests some holiday-themed dance moves. This could be anything from Christmas carol line dancing to salsa moves to “Jingle Bell Rock”. This is a great activity for guests of all ages and will add some variety to the usual party music and dancing.
Food and Drinks
Food and drinks are an essential aspect of any party, and holiday parties are no exception. In fact, holiday parties are the perfect opportunity to incorporate festive treats and drinks that will leave your guests feeling satisfied and in the holiday spirit. Here are some ideas for food and drinks to serve at your party:
Holiday Cocktails
There are endless options for holiday-themed cocktails, from peppermint martinis to cranberry mimosas. Get creative with names and decorations for these drinks to make them stand out. You can also create a non-alcoholic version for guests who do not drink alcohol.
Hot Chocolate Bar
Set up a hot chocolate bar with different flavors, toppings, and mix-ins for your guests to customize their own cozy drink. This is a great option for a winter party and will be a hit with both kids and adults. You can also include some boozy options for the adults, such as spiked hot chocolate.
Festive Snacks and Treats
No holiday party is complete without some festive snacks and treats. Some ideas include a cheese and charcuterie board with holiday-themed ingredients, a hot cider and donut station, or a build-your-own gingerbread house station. You can also ask your guests to bring their favorite holiday dish to share, creating a potluck-style party.
Cookie Decorating Contest
Get your guests in the spirit of decorating by having a cookie decorating contest. Provide plain sugar cookies, frosting, and different toppings for guests to decorate their own cookies. Give out prizes for the most creative, festive, and delicious-looking cookies. This is a fun activity for all ages and will satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.
DIY Decorations
Decorations are an important aspect of any party, as they set the mood and create a festive atmosphere. However, buying decorations can be expensive, and it’s not always easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. That’s why DIY decorations are a great option for holiday parties. Here are some ideas for DIY decorations that will add a personal touch to your event:
Paper Snowflakes
Paper snowflakes are a classic winter decoration that is easy to make and adds a charming touch to any party. There are many tutorials available online, or you can come up with your own designs. Hang them from the ceiling, use them as place settings, or scatter them around the room for a wintery effect.
Pinecone Centerpieces
Collect pinecones and spray paint them in metallic colors like gold, silver, or copper. Place them in a bowl or arrange them on a platter for a simple yet elegant centerpiece. You can also add glitter or other decorations to the pinecones for a more festive look.
String Light Garlands
String lights are a must-have for any holiday party. Instead of just hanging them around the room, get creative and make garlands out of them. You can wrap them around a wreath, drape them over a mantel, or hang them vertically from the ceiling. This will add a warm and cozy ambiance to your party.
Candy Cane Place Cards
Make your own place cards with candy canes. Simply attach a small card with your guest’s name to a candy cane with some festive ribbon. This is an easy and inexpensive way to add a personal touch to your table settings.
Mason Jar Luminaries
Mason jars are versatile and can be used in many different ways for holiday decorations. One idea is to create luminaries by filling mason jars with fake snow and placing a tea light inside. You can also paint the outside of the jar with a holiday design or wrap it in festive ribbon.
Gift Exchange Ideas
Gift exchanges are a popular tradition during the holiday season, and there are many creative ways to incorporate them into your party. Here are some gift exchange ideas that will add an extra element of excitement to your event:
Secret Santa
The classic Secret Santa game involves drawing names and buying a gift for the person whose name you drew, without revealing your identity until the gift is opened. This is a great option for a group of friends or coworkers who want to exchange gifts without breaking the bank.
White Elephant Grab Bag
Similar to the White Elephant gift exchange mentioned earlier, this version involves setting a price limit and having each person bring a wrapped gift within that budget. Then, everyone takes turns choosing and unwrapping a gift, with the option to steal someone else’s gift if they prefer it. This is a fun and entertaining way to exchange gifts and can lead to some hilarious moments.
Secret Snowflake
This is a variation of Secret Santa where instead of buying individual gifts, everyone brings one gift that can be used by anyone. Gifts could include things like a board game, movie tickets, or a gift card. Then, everyone draws a number and takes turns choosing a gift from the pool. This is a great option for larger parties or families.
Ornament Exchange
For this gift exchange idea, everyone brings a holiday-themed ornament and takes turns choosing and unwrapping one. Not only does this add to your guests’ ornament collection, but it also serves as a thoughtful and memorable gift exchange.
Conclusion
Entertainment is a crucial part of any successful holiday party. By incorporating some of the ideas mentioned above, you can ensure that your guests have a fun, interactive, and memorable experience at your event. Remember to choose activities and games that cater to all ages and preferences, and to keep the theme of your party in mind when planning the entertainment. Happy party planning!
