15 Tips And Ideas To Help You Host A Cool Yule Christmas Party

It's that time of year again - Christmas is just around the corner and what better way to get in the zone than by planning an epic Christmas party to gather all your fave friends to partake of some Christmas spirit together. 

Of course the reality is that what would be better is having a party planner prepare and run the party for you!!!

But hey, if you're big on the idea of hosting the Christmas party to end all Christmas parties, but short on time to actually plan it, I've come up with a list of 15 party ideas that will make sure your party is epically festive without you having to bust a gut. 

15 Ideas To Make Sure Your Party Is Truly Epic

1. Set the Date - Early And In Stone

Chrismas is a busy time of year for many of us, so make sure to get in early with a Save The Date message so that everyone has your party in your diary or on their calendar.

I'd suggest getting the early-warning-message out the second Halloween is done and dusted!

If you want to be really fancy you can follow up with paper invitations to set the tone of the party. 

Send out the paper invites 3-4 weeks in advance, and don't forget to request RSVPs that include special dietary requirements to help with your planning.

2. Encourage Festive Attire

Get everyone in the holiday spirit by setting a dress code when you send out the invite.

Whether it's ugly Christmas jumpers, festive cocktail attire, or matching pyjamas, a themed dress code adds an extra layer of fun to your celebration and helps kick everyone into party mode from the off!

3. Deck the Halls With Ease

Unless you are going all out with a themed Christmas party, quickly and easily give your home or party venue a Christmas vibe by stringing up twinkling lights, fragrant garlands, and shimmering ornaments. 

If you're hosting the party at home, a strategically placed poinsettia or three will help shout 'Christmas'. Obvs a Christmas tree can also have the same effect!

Speaking of which, if you want to go all out with a wow idea for thrilling guests with... hang personalised ornaments for each guest on the tree. 

4. Curate a Merry Playlist

Decor aside, there is no better way to set the mood for a great Christmas party than by having an epic Christmas playlist.

Mix classic carols with current and classic holiday tunes to keep the festive spirit alive throughout the night.

Alternatively, how about starting with some really chilled Christmas carols and tunes at the start of the party.

Then segue into some absolutely classic Christmas hits that everyone loves, from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and current century...

Then round off the evening with some absolute upbeat Christmas bangers.

Top tip: Remember to keep the volume at a comfortable level for easy conversation, you can always pump up the volume towards the end of the night if everyone wants to dance. 

5. Bite-Size Beats Big Stuff

For larger gatherings, a buffet or selection of snack boards is your best bet.

Make your guests' lives super easy by making sure everything is bite-sized, there is nothing worse than trying to wrestle finger food and chat at the same time, all whilst juggling a napkin in one hand and a glass in the other.

Offer a variety of finger foods and hearty appetisers that cater to different dietary needs. Consider these crowd-pleasers:

1. Mini Sausage Rolls
2. Caprese Skewers
3.Bacon-Wrapped Dates
5. Parmesan-Crusted Mushrooms
6. Mini Yorkshire Puddings with Roast Beef
7. Pigs in Blankets
8. Mini Feta and Spinach Pastry Bites
9. Cheese and Herb Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
10. Mini Quiche Bites
11. Mini Brie and Cranberry Tartlets
12. Salmon Cucumber Bites
13. Mini Chicken Satay Skewers
14. Parmesan Shortbread Bites

Top tip: How about labelling each dish or platter withi a festive name card for a little touch of festive whimsy? 

6. Create a Show-Stopping Centrepiece

Impress your guests with a standout dish that'll have everyone talking.

A glazed ham, succulent turkey, or a vegetarian wellington can serve as the pièce de résistance of your buffet spread.

7. DIY Dessert Stations Rule At Yule!

No Christmas party is complete without a selection of delectable desserts. 

Dessert stations are where it's at right now, set everything out so guests can DIY their own sweet treats. 

• Gingerbread cookies
• Yule log
• Christmas pudding
• Chocolate truffles
• Candy canes

8. Spirit Up A Signature Christmas Drink

Keep your guests' spirits high with a signature Christmas drink for the party. 

Set up a hot chocolate station with various toppings to delight younger and teetotal guests, or prepare a batch of mulled wine to fill your home with warm, spicy aromas.

Consider serving one of these classic Christmas cocktails:

• Eggnog
• Cranberry Mimosas
• Spiced Apple Cider Mules

9. Bring The Jolity With Party Games

Keep the party lively with some festive games. Try these crowd-pleasers which are all in our Christmas Games Bundle:

1. Christmas Candy Dice Game
2. Christmas Find The Guest
3. Christmas Gift Exchange Dice Game
4. Christmas Maze Game
5. Christmas Movie Match (plus answer sheet)
6. Christmas Movie Trivia Quiz
7. Christmas Pictionary
8. Christmas Pictionary & Christmas Song/Movie Pictionary
9. Pin The Nose On Rudolph Game
10. Christmas Scattergories
11. Christmas This Or That Game
12. Christmas Trivia Quiz (plus answer sheet)
13. Christmas What's On Your Phone?
14. Christmas Word Scramble (plus answer sheet)
15. Christmas Word Search (plus answer sheet)
16. Christmas Would You Rather Game
17. Merry Christmas Around The World Quiz
18. Who Is Most Like Santa Game
19. Christmas Charades Prompts (30 prompts)
20. Finish The Christmas Carol Lyric Game
21. Christmas A-Z Race Game
22. Christmas Billboard No. 1 Or Not? Game

10. Host a White Elephant Gift Exchange

Add an element of surprise and laughter to your party with a White Elephant gift exchange.

Set a reasonable price limit that you know everyone can cope with and watch as guests swap and steal quirky presents.

11. Set Up a Photo Booth

Create lasting memories with a DIY photo booth. Set up a festive backdrop, provide props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and oversized ornaments, and let your guests snap away.

Top tip: Don't forget to create a unique party hashtag for social media sharing!

12. Plan a Cosy Corner

With a large group, it's always a good idea to create a chilled out space for those guests who want to kick back, sit down and relax whilst they chat.

13. Prepare a Kids' Corner

And speaking of corners... If your guest list includes kids, set up a dedicated area with age-appropriate activities.

Stock it with Christmas colouring books, holiday-themed crafts, and a screening of classic Christmas cartoons to keep them entertained.

Their parents will be eternally grateful!

14. A Final Flourish with a Favor

Send your guests home with a little piece of Christmas cheer.

Prepare goodie bags filled with homemade cookies, ornaments, or small festive trinkets as a thoughtful parting gift.

15. Keep Calm and Party On!

Just a last little word to help you actually enjoy the party yourself... 

Remember, the key to a successful party is a relaxed and happy host.

Plan ahead, but be prepared to go with the flow if things don't go exactly as planned. Your positive attitude will set the tone for a joyful celebration and allow you to relax into the party. 

So, put on your host hat, embrace the festive cheer, and get ready to throw the jolliest Christmas party of the year!

Before you go, you may also like...

• Christmas Movie Bucket List
• Awesome Group Games For Teens At Christmas
• Quick Fire Christmas Would You Rather Questions
• Simple Ways To Make Christmas Memorable For All The Family
• Christmas Family Bucket List
• Fun Christmas Eve Activities For All The Family
• Christmas Planning List Free Printable

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