There are only so many times you can attend an ugly sweater party before the theme gets a little old. This holiday season, think outside the box when it comes to hosting your annual festivities. From a hilarious reverse Christmas in July party to a warm and toasty get-together over cookies and cocoa, this list is chock-full of unique ideas for throwing the perfect party.
Reverse Christmas in JulyÂ
Christmas in July is a summertime favorite for parties and events. It’s fun to pretend it’s December during the hottest season of the year with a party that includes Christmas carols, gifts under a tree, and gingerbread cookies.
This year, do it backwards. Put together a beach-themed summery fest to bring the warm weather feel back to the most wonderful time of the year. Mix mojitos, toss around a beach ball, and exchange presents under a palm tree. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
A Christmas Craft Fest
It wouldn’t be a proper Christmas without the handmade touch. Invite guests to partake in any of the following craft party ideas – or all of them!
- Wreath Making: Grab a few wreath forms from the craft shop, and clip some greenery from your hedges. Offer up fun embellishments like pinecones and winterberry sprigs, and let your guests go wild.
- Christmas Tree Trimming: One of the most delightful parts of getting ready for the holiday season is decorating the tree. Make it a party with snacks and seasonal tunes while your friends untangle lights and hang ornaments.
- Christmas Cookie Decorating: With Christmas cookies, half the fun is in the decorating. Prepare cookie dough ahead of time; it’ll likely need to be refrigerated for a few hours before you roll it out. When guests arrive, provide cookie cutters, sprinkles, and colored sugar. As a bonus, bake up the pieces of a gingerbread house and have your pals help you put it all together.
- Gift Wrapping: Both fun and practical, a gift wrapping party is a perfect way to get this major holiday chore out of the way. Set up a station for ribbons, wrapping paper, and gift tags, and make sure to supply plenty of scissors and tape. Ask your guests to offer up their own gift decorations – bonus points if they’re handmade.
Throw A Party for Your PetsÂ
Your furry friends will love nothing more than dressing up and gathering together to share in the joy of the season. Well, maybe not – but you’ll get a kick out of it! Invite your friends and their dogs for a group photo of pups dressed as Christmas elves. Don’t forget to supply plenty of doggie treats – you might need them if you want full cooperation from all parties.
A Cookies and Cocoa Bar
There’s no way to go wrong with a table full of cookies. Host a holiday cookie potluck and set up a gorgeous dessert bar, including small paper gift boxes so guests can take home a few samples – that is, if any leftovers remain after the party’s over.
The cocoa bar should be the pièce de résistance of your holiday get-together. Offer up a multitude of mix-ins and treats so guests can create their own chocolate concoctions. Marshmallows, candy canes, and cinnamon sticks are all great ideas – but you can also turn up the energy with some tasty liquor mix-ins. Top it all off with green and red-striped straws for a simple but attractive finishing touch.
Final Touches: Cute Invitations and Classy Cards
A party’s not a party without friends and loved ones, so make sure guests know they’re welcome by mailing out paper invites well ahead of time. According to the designers at TinyPrints, you should match your custom invitations to your theme or décor for a classy touch. Sure, you could just send out a Facebook event request, but an attractive printed invitation on high quality paper will get your guests excited.
