So, I've decided to host a Christmas Party and don't know what to include as far as food and entertainment.

Question

I am going to have a Christmas party at my house, but I've never done this before and I'm not sure if there are some games to play, or if people are to bring gifts, and what kind of food to have. I would like some ideas please. Thanks.

FYI the party is for adults. Children will be there, but they are 2-8 and will be in the playroom.

Answer 1

Well, you do not say what age group so, that is kind of hard. Finger foods, such as chips, dips, appetizers..like chicken wings, poppers, cheese sticks,sub sandwhiches cut up into small servings, pizza, finger foods and things like that are easiest and everyone can serve themselves. Have punch, coffe or drinks in a tub with ice like soda's, bottled water etc. for people to serve themselves. Make things easy on yourself so you can enjoy the party too. You might have different conversation areas set up like some area's for games and just some areas just for talking. There are some really fun games on DVD, there are games like Taboo, gestures etc. that are fun for groups. Ask your guests to bring a favorite game, but do make sure you have some on hand in case they forget. Some people are hard to drag into a game so make sure you have conversation areas set up for the fuddy duddies who don't like to participate....hope you have fun.

Answer 2

It all depends on how many people will be attending. If the total head count will be over 12 it may be easiest to have finger foods. A mixture of cold and warm. As well as various cut up fruits, veggies, cheeses, and carvings. Wine, beer, water, and juices.

If it's under 12 people then, a baked chicken dish, with mashed potatoes or potato soup, a green salad, a vegetable dish, and apple tartlettes. Ask folks to bring there own finger food enough for 10 and a small gift per person valued under $10. More than 12 people games can take a long time. White elephant gift exchange. Or if everyone likes to drink wine, have everyone bring a bottle of wine but in a brown paper bag. Do taste testings and vote on the best wine.

allrecipes.com is a great source.

Answer 3

As far as entertainment goes, it is important to shake things up every once in a while. Nobody likes playing the same party games over and over, so research or come up with some fresh game ideas that your guests will love.

One easy way to be creative is to incorporate technology within your holiday party. No matter what kind of theme or vibe your Christmas party has, you can always use technology to entertain your guests.

Here are a few ideas of what you can do:
* Live stream the party. That's right--live streaming your holiday party is the perfect way to maximize your attendance and make the atmosphere feel more lively.
* Play Christmas music AND videos. Instead of the common tradition of playing Christmas music during your party, you can make things more engaging by setting up your TV or a projector to play Christmas music videos.
* Incorporate technology in your party games. You can host a quick video making game, or a "guess the Christmas movie scene" contest, or even a "Try not to laugh--Christmas edition" challenge. Whatever you decide to do, make it fun and make it hip!

I got these ideas from the following article. I totally recommend checking it out for some more cool ideas; it's worth the read: https://valoso.com/blog/christmas-party-video/

Most importantly, do not stress too much over your party. Planning and preparing are certainly important, but Christmas parties are supposed to be a fun time of togetherness, not an overwhelming or expensive chore.

I hope this helps, and good luck!

Answer 4

Well its depends if its for adults or teenagers or little kids. I'm guessing adults, so how can you go wrong with Christmas Cookies? Maybe watching the movies you liked watching as kids would be an activity?
For teens, Secret Santas (having the people coming bring a gift for someone else that is drawn from a hat, and leaving little surprises in their locker during the week).
For little kids, practically anything. Pin the tail on Santa, a visit from Santa, Watching Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, decorating cookies.

Answer 5

Adults are often not crazy about games that are formal. But for a cocktail party, the mixers that I will give you links to give the people something mildly challenging to work together on and warm up to eadh other.

That's why they are called mixers as they are meant to get the group warmed up to each other and mixed together.

If you search for bowtie christmas party games on google or yahoo you should get to a bowtieproducts site that will give you 4 new original games that will help make your nite fun.

If links work in the answer blocks here's the link

http://www.bowtieproducts.com/christmas_...

there is also some party giving advice you may enjoy.

My wife and I made up the puzzles and many people really enjoy them.


I hope they work out well for you

John Griffin

Answer 6

Here are my favorite things to serve at a party: guaranteed to have the best Christmas party ever!!

Mini Falafel sandwiches
Assorted Sushi and Maki Rolls
Shrimp Quesadillas (cut into wedges)
Italian Antipasti (Olives, Cheese, Eggplant, Salamis)
Cheese Fondue
Macaroni Salad
Indian Samosas and Pakoras
Fresh Fruit
Cupcakes
Lichido Lychee Punch

Answer 7

Hire a babysitter to keep the kids happy and fed and contained in the playroom or playing outside (if your climate allows). Have crafts and games planned to keep them busy. (They could paint ornaments, decorate cookies...)

A meal is easier to serve than a whole bunch of appetizers, believe me. Some menus you may consider include:

Italian: Lasagna, Big Green Salad, Garlic Bread, Tiramisu or Italian Cream Cake

Mexican: Chicken Enchiladas or King Ranch Chicken Casserole (or Beef and CHicken Fajitas w/ onions and bellpeppers), Red Rice, Refried Beans, tortillas, toppings, chips... Mexican Wedding Cookies and Flan for dessert (or maybe a Tres Leche Cake)

Cajun: Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, Red Beans w/ Sausage or Ham, Steamed Rice, Garlic Bread or Cornbread, Deviled Eggs, Bread Pudding or Mississippi Mudd for Dessert.

Answer 8

Try going retro and doing a fondue party! Cheese fondue, chocolate fondue, Hot oil fondue... scour the net for recipes.

As far as gifts go, you could do a $5 gag gift exchange. Everyone brings one, everyone takes one home.

Games? See how many Christmas songs everyone remembers, or share funny Christmas stories.
Just relax and have a good time.

Answer 9

I just decided to have one too. I'm doing it as a sunday brunch party though.

Gifts? You dont ask for them if thats what you mean. Most people bring a hostess gift though because they were invited.

Games? Adults like to chat and eat moreso then play games.

Food? This depends on when you are doing it. Are you serving dinner or just appetizers?

Answer 10

Here are my time tested recommendations :)

FOOD: since this is a turkey type of holiday buy one of those young turkey breasts (only the breast of the turkey) and then thaw it and debone/de-skin it. Cut the breast meat into small chunks and wrap each piece in a strip of bacon, securing it with a tooth pick. Fry the turkey/bacon popper in oil until bacon is done, and then put a whole tray of them into the oven for about 20 minutes on 300 degrees to ensure that the turkey is cooked through...IT's SOOO Easy!!! If you want a dipping sauce, take 1 cup cranberry juce and add 3/4 cup of sugar and cook that down over meduim heart to make a simply syrup.

Also, take a couple of cans of different kinds of nuts and roast them on a cookie sheet until you can smell them. While they cook, add spices like garlic, onion, celery salt, cayenne pepper, and cajun seasoning to a pan with some olive oil in it. Heat that up and them drizzle it over the freshly roasted nuts for a flavor packed munchy snack.


ENTERTAINMENT: Hang MistleToe sporadically throughout the house in not-so-obvious places. Holiday Sharades are a fun way of keeping things light. And if your group likes to drink, then I have some drinking games too....IM me for those :) You can also play timelss games like UNO and poker. We like to make up our own card games with wacko rules (like everytime you play a jack you have to stand up and say "mmmmm, good" like the cambells commercials and if you don't you get a penalty card)


Good Luck!

BTW....that turkey thing can be done as a meal by using the whole breasts uncut and securing the bacon with twine......yummy! And what's even better is that it takes less than half the time of cooking a whole turkey!