30 Christmas Party Ideas for Home and Work

A great Christmas party is less about spending and more about atmosphere: warm lighting, good food, a playlist that keeps going, and one or two games that get everyone laughing. Whether you are hosting at home or organising the office do, these 30 ideas will help.

Party ideas at home

1. Mulled wine and mince pie open house — set a window of a few hours and let people drop in.
2. Christmas jumper night with a prize for the most outrageous jumper.
3. Festive film night with blankets, popcorn and a classic everyone knows.
4. Bring-a-dish Christmas dinner — you cook the main, guests bring sides and pudding.
5. Wreath-making evening with greenery from the garden.
6. Gingerbread house competition for kids and grown-ups.
7. Christmas cocktail or mocktail masterclass with three easy recipes.
8. Carol singing round the piano — or a karaoke playlist.
9. Cheese and port evening with a good selection from a local deli.
10. Pyjama brunch on Christmas Eve morning.

Family gatherings

1. A Boxing Day walk and pub lunch.
2. A board game tournament with a trophy that is passed on each year.
3. Present-wrapping party with music and mince pies.
4. Christmas Eve box for the kids — pyjamas, a book and hot chocolate.
5. A family quiz with rounds for every generation.
6. Make your own crackers with jokes you write yourselves.

Office Christmas party ideas

1. Festive quiz with mixed teams so departments mingle.
2. Christmas lunch at a local restaurant — book early, December fills fast.
3. Bowling, darts or crazy golf for something active.
4. Secret Santa swap at the party. See our Secret Santa gift ideas.
5. Office bake-off with a festive theme.
6. Charity raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.
7. Christmas jumper day linked to a charity fundraiser.
8. Daytime party — easier for parents and people with long commutes.

Themes that are easy to pull off

1. Winter wonderland — white, silver and fairy lights.
2. Traditional British Christmas — crackers, paper crowns and a cheese board.
3. Nordic hygge — candles, blankets, mulled wine and cinnamon buns.
4. Retro Christmas — tinsel, 1970s party food and a vinyl playlist.
5. Black tie — for a grown-up evening.
6. Christmas around the world — guests bring a dish from a family tradition.

A simple planning timeline

Four weeks before: set the date, budget and guest list. December weekends book up quickly, so send a save-the-date early.

Three weeks before: send invitations and book anything you need — a venue, a caterer or a quiz host.

Two weeks before: plan the menu and shopping list, borrow extra chairs and glasses, and sort the playlist.

One week before: order food deliveries, buy prizes and decorations, and confirm numbers.

On the day: set up early, light candles, put the music on and enjoy it.

Food and drink that keeps everyone happy

Offer at least one vegetarian and one alcohol-free option, label anything with nuts, and keep food easy to eat standing up: sausage rolls, cheese straws, mini Yorkshire puddings, crudités and mince pies. Make sure guests have a safe way home, especially from office parties.

Wording for invitations and toasts

Need words for an invitation, a card or a toast? Our Christmas messages and Christmas messages for colleagues have short lines you can use as they are.