12 Outrageously Fun Christmas Party Themes You’ve Never Thought Of
Tired of the same old ‘White Christmas’ theme? Ready to ditch the boring red-and-green and shake things up this holiday season?
You’re in luck, I've put together the most fun, sometimes hilarious, wacky, and ahead-of-the-trend Christmas party ideas that’ll keep your guests talking long after the decorations are down.
Inspired by this year’s biggest films, Netflix sensations, and, of course, a certain Taylor tour, these themes are guaranteed to bring a fresh twist to your holiday spirit.
Whether it’s for family, friends, or coworkers, these ideas will inject originality and fun into your festivities.
From quirky costumes to playful activities, your Christmas party is about to get a serious upgrade.
Also read: Free 23 Page Christmas Planner Printable
Crazy Cool Christmas Party Themes That Are Anything But Basic
Ready to spice things up this season? I've gone extra on my first idea, as it's the one I'm going with this year....
Here's what's on the list:
So, let's get going...
1. Nobody Wants This Christmas Party
Inspired by Netflix’s hit show Nobody Wants This, this theme embraces the unexpected, with a quirky twist on the traditional Christmas party.
The goal? Have fun when things don’t go according to plan, all while rocking a So-Cal aesthetic and Valley Girl vibes.
How to Bring it to Life:
- So-Cal Meets Christmas Chic Décor: Think Kardashian-inspired glamour, but with a deliberately mismatched, quirky twist. Glam up with metallic balloons and sleek trees, but add in random, out-of-place items—like beach towels, inflatable pool floats, or a reindeer wearing sunglasses.
- Unexpected Playlist: Make sure the music is as unpredictable as the rest of the party. Use a mix of offbeat tracks from the show, throw in cringey 2000s pop hits, and sprinkle in a few ironic holiday classics. Anything that keeps guests surprised and laughing works!
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Dress Code: Iconic Outfits from the Show: Guests should dress up in some of the most memorable outfits from Nobody Wants This:
- Joanna, Morgan, and Esther’s Bat Mitzvah dresses—glamorous, over-the-top, and mismatched. Perfect for a quirky Christmas vibe. (Harper's Bazaar has done a great roundup of where to buy Joanna's outfits from)
- Miriam’s Dress (Post-Cut)—guests can channel Miriam’s famous dress disaster by wearing an outfit that looks hilariously too short or oddly cut.
- Or, keep it casual with So-Cal, Valley Girl chic—think oversized sunglasses, fluffy slippers, and anything that blends casual glamour with holiday flair.
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Games with a Twist:
- Worst Gift Exchange: Guests bring the most ridiculous, funny, or useless gifts they can find, and exchange them in a White Elephant game. The weirder the gift, the better.... and of course, wrap them up in OTT gift wrap.
- Santa's Mishap Relay: A fun game where guests race to complete holiday tasks while dealing with ridiculous mishaps—like decorating a tree blindfolded or wrapping presents with oven mitts on!
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Mismatched but Cool Food And Drink Mashups:
- Serve fusion dishes that combine So-Cal party classics with Christmas favourites. Think fish tacos with cranberry salsa, or mini avocado toast with festive toppings like smoked salmon or cranberry chutney.
- For something sweet, try churros dipped in peppermint chocolate or Christmas sugar cookies with citrus glaze to bring a California vibe to your dessert table.
- For drinks, go with palomas with a holiday twist (add a splash of pomegranate for a festive touch) or frozen margaritas with candy cane rims. Or, create a DIY kombucha and mimosa bar for a refreshing, laid-back So-Cal vibe.
2. 90s Holiday Throwback
The 90s are back in style a big way, so why not relive the glory days with a 90s-themed Christmas party?
Now clearly, the 90s was a whole decade and a lot went on in that decade.
So you could pick or choose your particular 90s vibe.
Maybe it's grunge, maybe it's BritPop/Cool Britannia...
How to bring it to life:
- Decorate with neon lights, lava lamps, and classic 90s movie and music posters that fit in with your take on the 90s
- Serve iconic 90s snacks like Dunkaroos, pizza bagels, and colourful cocktails (bonus points for Jell-O shots), use this list of iconic 90s snacks and drinks
- Playlists could feature 90s hits like the Spice Girls, *NSYNC’s “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,” and maybe even some Nirvana for edge. Search Spotify for 90s playlists like this one.
- Guests should rock their best 90s gear—think overalls, chokers, and flannel, with Santa hats of course!
3. Bridgerton Christmas Party
Transport your Christmas party to Regency-era England with a Bridgerton-inspired holiday soirée.
This theme is all about elegance, glamour, and of course, scandalous, delicious gossip!
How to bring it to life:
- Decorate with opulent touches—think riffs on grand chandeliers, lavish floral arrangements, and gold accents
- Serve fancy finger foods like tea sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and sparkling wine, here are some ideas for a tea party menu
- Play a classical music playlist featuring holiday carols with a twist—string quartets or piano covers of modern songs
- For costumes, guests could wear Regency-era outfits—ladies in flowing dresses and gloves, gentlemen in tailcoats and cravats
- Set up a “scandal board” where guests can anonymously write playful, gossipy notes about each other
4. Mean Girls Christmas Party
Time to channel your inner Plastics! This theme is inspired by the iconic "Jingle Bell Rock" scene from Mean Girls. It’s all about sass, pink, and of course, that unforgettable holiday performance vibe.
How to bring it to life:
- Everything should be so fetch—decorate with pink lights, silver tinsel, and a giant mirror ball
- Serve candy canes (just don’t sit with anyone who didn’t give you one), use Mean Girls cupcake toppers like these, and a “Burn Book” cake centrepiece (here's a great tutorial on how to make one)
- Play the Mean Girls soundtrack and, of course, “Jingle Bell Rock” on repeat
- Have a “Jingle Bell Rock Dance-Off” to see who can recreate the iconic choreography!
- Dress code? Obviously, guests need to dress in their best Plastics-inspired outfits—pink Santa hats, short skirts, and all!
5. The Fall Guy Stunt Party
Inspired by the action-packed hit movie The Fall Guy, this theme is all about on-set Hollywood-style glam mixed with the hilariousness of everyone coming dressed as stuntmen (and women!).
I can just imagine a group selfie (Hollywood Oscars style) of everyone dressed up as Fall Guys!
How to bring it to life:
- Decorate with movie props like clapper boards, director's megaphones and movie star chairs, oh and how about a red carpets, and action-movie posters?
- Serve “Hollywood Cocktails” like festive martinis and themed snacks (popcorn, mini sliders, and movie-theatre candy) or set up a movie studio style food table
- Create a DIY stunt competition with safe, silly challenges (think obstacle courses or mini-stunt shows with foam blocks!)
- Encourage guests to dress like Hollywood stunt doubles—think aviator sunglasses, leather jackets (and helmets for extra points!)
Also read: 45 Creative Christmas Gift Exchange Themes That Sleigh!
6. Taylor Swift Christmas Party
If 2024 is the Year of Taylor, why not make your Christmas party Swift-themed? Get ready for a night of evermore-level vibes with a Taylor twist on holiday cheer.
How to bring it to life:
- Decorate with glitter, fairy lights, and lots of red (a nod to her famous album)
- Serve Tay-Tay themed snacks, there's a great list here, and serve Taylor Swift inspired cocktails.
- Create a Taylor-centric playlist, mixing her hits with classic holiday tunes for a festive vibe
- Host a karaoke session where guests can belt out their favourite Taylor songs
- For costumes, encourage guests to dress as their favourite “Taylor Era”—whether it’s the cowboy boots and sundresses of Fearless, or the sparkly leotards of her 1989 era. This Teen Vogue piece has a great roundup to work from.
7. Barbie Christmas Party
Inspired by the feel-good vibes of the Barbie movie, this party is all about pink, positivity, and a sprinkle of holiday magic. Time to create your own Barbie Dreamhouse Christmas!
How to bring it to life:
- Think pink—pink Christmas trees, sparkly pink ornaments, and lots of glitter
- Serve themed treats, take inspiration from this list of pink party food ideas, and cotton candy cocktails
- Play upbeat, fun tunes, mixing in some iconic Barbie movie tracks with holiday classics
- Encourage guests to come dressed as their favourite version of Barbie or Ken—whether it’s “Holiday Barbie,” “Astronaut Barbie,” or “CEO Barbie.”
8. Christmas in Outer Space
Why stay on Earth when you can take your Christmas party to the stars?
A ‘Christmas in Outer Space’ theme is perfect for sci-fi fans and anyone looking for an out-of-this-world experience.
Picture glowing decorations, metallic vibes, and a futuristic twist on all things festive.
How to bring it to life:
- Deck out your space with silver streamers, glow-in-the-dark stars, and neon lights
- Serve cosmic cocktails with dry ice for that smoky effect
- Offer snacks that feel futuristic—freeze-dried treats like astronaut ice cream or galaxy-themed cupcakes
- Play an electronic, synth-heavy playlist to get everyone in the galactic groove
- Costume-wise, think space suits, galaxy-print outfits, or shiny alien headbands!
9. Christmas Villains Party
Who says Christmas has to be all about being nice?
Channel your inner mischief-maker with a Christmas Villains Party, where guests come dressed as their favourite holiday bad guy:
- Harry & Marv (The Wet Bandits) – Home Alone
- The Grinch – How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Ebenezer Scrooge – A Christmas Carol
- Krampus – Krampus (2015)
- Oogie Boogie – The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Mr. Potter – It’s a Wonderful Life
- Jack Frost – The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
- Hans Gruber – Die Hard
- Heat Miser & Snow Miser – The Year Without a Santa Claus
- Burgermeister Meisterburger – Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
How to bring it to life:
- Dark, moody décor—black trees, red candles, and dim lighting to set the villainous tone
- Serve “Grinch Punch” (green, sour punch) and “Coal Cookies” (dark chocolate)
- Play a “Naughty or Nice” game where guests confess their funniest holiday mischief
- For costumes, guests can dress as the Grinch, Krampus, Scrooge, or any villain from their favourite holiday tales!
Also read: 15 Tips And Ideas To Help You Host A Cool Yule Christmas Party
10. Emily in Paris Christmas Party
Inspired by the stylish life of Emily Cooper, this Emily in Paris Christmas theme is all about chic Parisian elegance with a touch of whimsy and holiday spirit.
How to bring it to life:
- Think Paris at Christmas—decorate with twinkling fairy lights, mini Eiffel Tower decorations, and lots of red and black accents
- Serve French-inspired food like macarons, mini croissants, and champagne cocktails
- Create a playlist with a mix of French pop and classic Christmas carols
- Have a photo booth with Paris-themed props (think berets, croissants, and sunglasses)
- Encourage guests to dress in their most fashionable outfits—think Emily’s bold, colourful wardrobe with chic holiday accessories
11. Ugly Sweater Fashion Show
Ugly sweater parties are great, but why not turn it into a runway competition? The uglier, the better—bonus points for creativity and lights!
How to bring it to life:
- Set up a mini runway (DIY with wrapping paper) and let each guest show off their sweater
- Award prizes for categories like “Most Hideous,” “Best DIY,” and “Most Likely to Blind You with Lights”
- Serve festive snacks like gingerbread cookies and peppermint hot cocoa
- Crank up the holiday jams—play both traditional carols and upbeat pop
- Everyone should come in their most outrageously ugly sweaters—tinsel, lights, and all!
Also read: 16 Fun Christmas Party Games For All The Family
12. Past Presidents of the USA Party
Election year vibes are in the air, so why not make it a presidential Christmas party?
Guests can dress as past (or current) U.S. presidents for a fun, history-filled twist on the usual holiday party.
How to bring it to life:
- Decorate with American flags, stars and stripes, and portraits of past presidents with Santa hats photoshopped on
- Serve “Presidential Punch” and snacks inspired by White House menus—think classic American fare like mini burgers and apple pie
- Play historical trivia games, but with a festive twist (like matching the president to their favourite Christmas tradition)
- For costumes, guests can show up as any U.S. president or first lady—think Abraham Lincoln with a candy cane, or Teddy Roosevelt in a Santa suit!
I hope that at least one of these themes sparks your imagination and helps you plan and host a wonderful Christmas party...
Oh and just to say, for those of you thinking that Netflix’s hit show Baby Reindeer sounds like a perfect, festive Christmas party theme... it’s probably best to leave this one off your party list. Some things are better enjoyed from the safety of your couch, with the lights on!
Before you go, you might also like...
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- 104 Fancy Dress Party Themes: The Ultimate A-Z List Of Costume Party Ideas
- 25 Magical Fun Christmas Party Themes To Make Your Party Sparkle
- 90s Party Ideas: The Coolest Guide to Throwing a Nostalgic Bash
- Ring In The New Year With One Of These Sparkling Brilliant Party Themes
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