The Ultimate List: Christmas Party Foods, Games & Decorations

Are you hosting a Christmas party this year? If you are, then you might already be thinking about what to make and do, as well as how to decorate.

At Addition Financial, we love the holidays! We’ve put together this list of Christmas party food ideas, Christmas party game ideas and Christmas party decoration ideas to help you host the party that everybody will still be talking about in the New Year!

Christmas Party Food Ideas

No holiday party is complete without an array of delicious food. Here are some Christmas party food ideas to make this year’s party a memorable one.

1. The holidays are about indulgence but many of your guests will appreciate a healthy option. This crudité vegetable wreath is easy to make and shows off the colors of Christmas!
2. Cheese is a holiday staple. Instead of the usual cheese plate, why not make this festive Christmas tree cheese board instead?
3. Cut pizza dough into festive shapes with cookie cutters and make mini pizzas! You can even let guests make their own!
4. These cheerful guacamole bites can be made in just minutes and – bonus! – they’re gluten free.
5. Put out big pots of regular and vegetarian chili and an array of toppings, such as cheese, sour cream, onions, guacamole and crumbled tortilla chips. Let guests build their own bowl.
6. Whip up a batch of peppermint hot chocolate in your slow cooker. Serve it with marshmallows, sprinkles and a candy cane to stir with.
7. For dessert, melt milk, dark and white chocolate and put bowls of each next to large pretzel sticks. Add some fun holiday toppings (sprinkles, edible glitter, nuts, etc.) and have guests decorate their own pretzels.

These are just a few ideas. Don’t be afraid to get creative and let your holiday spirit shine through!

Christmas Party Game Ideas

Planning Christmas party games for your guests to play can be lots of fun. Here are some ideas that you may want to try out at your holiday party.

1. Pin the Tail on the Reindeer. This is a variation on the game we all played as kids. Make a fluffy reindeer tail out of a pom-pom or yarn and hang a picture of Rudolph on the wall. Kids can take turns trying to place the tail and you can give out prizes.
2. Holiday Trivia. There are ways to make trivia games work for people of all ages. Kids can answer questions about kid-friendly holiday movies while adults take on more difficult questions about holiday traditions around the world, song lyrics or anything else you can think of.
3. Christmas Scavenger Hunt. This is a great way to keep kids busy. If the weather permits, you can even have it outside. Write out a list of clues and hide a cool holiday prize at the end. The first kid to find it wins!
4. Christmas Charades. Charades can be fun for people of all ages to play together. To prepare, simply write different holiday-related things (characters, movie names, holiday songs, etc.) on slips of paper and put them in a bowl. Everybody draws a slip of paper and acts out whatever is on it. Give prizes for the best characes.
5. Guess the Gift. Wrap some different items and have guests guess what’s in them based on the size and shape of the package and how they sound when shaken. (For obvious reasons, stick to non-breakable items.)

Find more fun Christmas party game ideas here.

Christmas Party Decorating Ideas

Whether you’re throwing a themed party or just hosting an open house, holiday decorations play a big role in creating a fun atmosphere. Here are some creative holiday decorating ideas to try this year.

1. Paper bag luminaries are a wonderful way to welcome your guests to the party. You can line them up on your front walkway or steps. Find out how to make them here.
2. Pile gold and silver ornaments on a big platter. Tuck in some sprigs of greenery for a quick and easy holiday centerpiece.
3. Have the kids make paper snowflakes, spray them with craft glue, sprinkle with glitter and suspend them from the ceiling to create a winter wonderland.
4. Have a retro Christmas tree with strung popcorn and cranberries, clove-studded oranges and decorated gingerbread people.
5. Put twinkle lights in unexpected places, such as your guest bathroom.
6. Make some festive napkin ring holders using holiday ribbons, candy canes, ornaments or greenery. Find some specific ideas here.

These are just a few ideas. You can find lots more ideas here.

Your Christmas party this year can be one you’ll remember always if you use these Christmas party food, game and decoration ideas.

Need help saving for your Christmas party? Click here to learn about Addition Financial’s holiday savings accounts.