It's no doubt the holiday season brings about full schedules throughout many homes across the country. From gift-giving to family gatherings, church-going to holiday meals, there's so much to keep track of and to try and remember. It can be extra pressure if you're the one hosting the holiday - whether for your workplace, family or friends, it's not always easy to know how to entertain everyone as the host.
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That's why we've created this list of the ultimate Christmas party ideas - for both adults and for kids. That way, you can keep everyone entertained while also still enjoying yourself as the host!
It might be an obvious choice - but "ugly" Christmas sweaters are never out of style! Have your guests don their best and most extravagent Christmas sweater for some real holiday fun. If your friends or family are the competitive type, make it a competition by having everyone vote for their favorite sweater.
Level up your Christmas party by entertaining your guests by reciting the history of the ugly Christmas sweater or watching "My Christmas Hero" on Pure Flix, which also features an ugly Christmas sweater party!
Nothing warms you up more than a hot cup of cocoa! Allow your guests to customize their own by providing a plethora of toppings to add to their cocoa. Ideas include marshmellows (of course), whipped cream, sprinkles, candy canes, gingerbread biscottis ... get creative!
Pair your hot cocoa bar with a viewing of "A Belgian Chocolate Christmas," that features the rich history of holiday chocolate-making in Belgium.
Don't feel like you have to do all the preparations and cooking on your own - get everyone involved by asking your guests to bring one of their favorite traditional holiday dishes. That way, all your guests can feel like they have a piece of home with them while celebrating the holidays with you!
This Christmas party idea reminds us of the charity dinner at Angel's Fare that Mandy put on during the holidays after acquiring the ownership of her late aunt's food bank in "A Christmas Blessing." Mandy's potluck helps bring the community together in a beautiful way during the holiday season.
If you're having trouble finding a time during the holidays to get everyone together, change it up this year by having your party as a brunch! This way, your guests' evenings are still free and clear to participate in other holiday festivities. Whip up some pancakes, toss bacon on the griddle, scramble some eggs and put on the coffee and enjoy your friends and family's company over some delicious breakfast! ('Cause who says no to breakfast food?)
If you're looking for a way to shake up present-gifting, then a white elephant party is the way to go! This way, everyone only has to worry about bringing one present rather than a personalized present for each person. Plus, it's a great way to get in some extra laughs during the holidays! And really, is it ever truly the Christmas season without attending at least one white elephant party?
We all have that one neighbor who bakes for days and days, making a multitude of Christmas cookies for the whole neighborhood. Instead of turning your kitchen into the next Keebler factory, host a Christmas cookie swap, where every guest has to bring one batch of their favorite Christmas cookie recipe. Then, everyone meets up to exchange and try a new Christmas cookie! It's a great way to lessen the stress of holiday baking on everyone!
If you're looking for some new baking recipes to try, our Faith & Home team has some wonderful delicious treats for you to make!
This activity can be done by going door to door or by staying warm inside your house. These days, chunky karoke machines aren't necessary anymore - you can buy a wireless karoke microphone for a relatively affordable cost, and you're good to go! If you're a competitive bunch, rate each performer by applause - the person who receives the loudest amount of cheers wins!
If you want to keep the musical theme for your Christmas Party, you can also watch "I Heard the Bells," "Fourty-Seven Days with Jesus," or "It's Christmas Again" to keep the tunes going!
Read Also: 8 Ways to Keep Christ in Mind this Christmas
Afraid with all the holiday festivities you won't have time to wrap all your presents (especially without the kids around)? Host a wrap party! Provide tape, scissors and wrapping paper (or ask everyone to bring a roll) and get a-wrapping! This Christmas party idea is a great way to catch up with your friends while still checking things off your holiday to-do list.
The holiday season is also a season of giving - though we know sometimes not everyone has the means to give as much as they'd like. Ask your family and friends to bring one toy or item to donate to your holiday party, so that you all can make a collective contribution to a local charity. This allows everyone an opportunity to give this season without the stress. Just coordinate a one-time drop-off of all the donations you've gathered and you're all set to go!
The Salvation Army is known for their red kettles, giving trees, and their strong presence throughout the holiday season. Our partnership with them will be highlighted in the Christmas movie, "Get Him Back for Christmas," starring Alexa and Carlos PenaVega and can be found on our sister cable network, Great American Family this holiday season.
Of course no Christmas holiday would be complete without a Christmas movie night! Need some recommendations? Don't worry, Pure Flix has the most original faith and family Christmas content available— offering more meaningful and quality stories than we’ve ever had, to celebrate Christmas as it’s meant to be.
It's always great to have some Christmas party options that are easy and fun for the kids as well! Here's some great party options to celebrate Christmas with the kids:
Kids love nothing more than frosting and getting messy! Bake some sugar cookies (either from a mix, scratch or the freezer break-n-bake), buy some white frosting and dye it red and green and some different types of sprinkles, and set up a table where the kids can decorate as many cookies as their heart desires. You'll get many different and wonderful variations of sugar cookie decorations and keep the kids entertained for a day!
Keep the children busy with this Christmas party idea! Send the kids on a scavenger hunt around the house (or the neighborhood, if you want to get them out of the house!). Here's one idea: use the "12 days of Christmas" song as inspiration of gifts to hide for the children to find - the one with the most gifts wins them all!
Read Also: 15 Christmas Activities for Children
Have the children write notes to troops and soldiers overseas who won't be able to see their families during the holidays, thanking them for their service. Collect the letters and send them to either A Million Thanks or Support The Troops, two organizations who will make sure your letters are delivered to service members.
Nothing warms you up from the inside out like a bonfire and some delicious s'mores! This Christmas party idea will definitely keep the inside of your house clean while still keeping the children occupied (and full!). Besides, no winter is complete without at least one bonfire and toasted s'more, right?!
Need an easy Christmas party idea for the children? Have them all show up in their favorite pair of holiday pajamas, order some pizza, throw some pillows in the living room and turn on a Christmas movie! Pizza is always a welcomed treat - regardless of the holiday - and Great American Pure Flix has some great Christmas movie options for children as well.
However you and your loved ones chose to celebrate the holiday season, we pray that this will be a joyful time of year for you all, celebrating and remembering the reason for the season in your festivities. Want more fun party ideas? Subscribe to the Great American Pure Flix Insider email newsletter to get articles like this and more sent straight to your inbox.