Top 10 Ideas to Make Sure Your Christmas Party is Awesome

So you’re hosting a Christmas party this year. Excellent. Have you ever done this kind of thing before? Not everyone is cut out for the job. It takes people skills, a whole lot of planning, and a bit of extra money. You’ve got all those things? Fantastic.

Have you thought about what your guests are going to do once they arrive? Eating, drinking and conversing are good for a family-size Christmas dinner, but not enough for a party. You need activities – games, contests, that kind of thing. It’s like a Super Bowl party without the football. Or is it? Here are 10 activities to pump up your Christmas party, depending on the crowd you’re trying to bring in.

1. Football

   If your party happens to be on the same day as one of the college football bowl games – like this Saturday, for example – you can throw the game on and keep it muted, as a conversation starter. No bowl game? Stick with the virtual Yule Log.

2. Ugly Sweater Contest

   Hand out prizes for people who show up sporting their ugly Christmas sweaters. Or, for extra credit, get a bunch of red and white paper and assorted other materials, and see which team of guests can build and model the best costume – within 15 minutes.

3. Pin the X on the Y

   It’s the old children’s game with a twist: instead of pinning the tail on the donkey, you pin it on the reindeer. Or you pin the red nose on the reindeer. Or on Santa. Extra fun for tipsy adults, provided no sharp objects are used.

4. How Many Candy Canes on the Tree?

   Put as many candy canes on your Holiday Tree as you can manage. When your guests come in, have them guess how many canes there are. Get them to write their answers down with their name and put the paper in a ballot-style box. Open up the box at some point (right after the requisite toast is good) and figure out who won the prize.

5. Photo Booth

   Set up a spot where your guests can have photos taken. Give them some props to work with – Santa hats, antlers, giant cardboard cut outs they can stick their heads in.

6. Rudolph Drinking Game

   Show the classic 1964 movie version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Every time Rudolph’s nose glows red, take a shot.

7. Scavenger Hunt

   Make a bunch of ornaments and hang them all over the place. See how long it takes for your guests to find specific ones. There are tons of ornaments you can print off the Internet and whip up in a jiffy.

8. Christmas Bingo

   Instead of numbers, the squares on the Bingo card have certain Yuletide experiences on them, like “I got a pony for Christmas.” A great way for your guests to learn more about each other.

9. Texas Ho-Ho-Hold ’em

   An easy one for the poker-loving crowd. Play your usual cash game, but if you win a hand with 7-2, you get a bonus Christmas present.

10. Caroling

    ‘Tis the season. If you’re lacking a piano, rent out a karaoke machine and get people yodelling to their favorite Christmas tunes. It’s best to pull this one out after everyone’s loosened up with a few drinks.