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I love getting together with friends during the holidays. A Friendsmas party is a great way to celebrate the season with your closest pals. It’s like Christmas, but with your chosen family.
There are so many fun ways to host a Friendsmas gathering. From festive themes and activities to delicious food and drinks, the possibilities are endless for creating unforgettable memories with friends. I’m excited to share some of my favorite Friendsmas party ideas that are sure to spread holiday cheer.
1. Secret Santa Gift Exchange
I love Secret Santa gift exchanges for Friendmas parties. They’re fun and budget-friendly. Here’s how to set it up:
First, I gather everyone’s names and have each person draw one randomly. It’s important to keep the selections secret.
Next, I set a spending limit. $20-30 usually works well for most groups. This keeps things fair for everyone.
I encourage people to make wish lists. This helps gift-givers choose something their recipient will really like.
On party day, we take turns opening gifts. It’s exciting to see who got what and try to guess who each Secret Santa was.
2. Ugly Sweater Contest
I love hosting an ugly sweater contest at my Friendsmas party. It’s a fun way to get everyone in the holiday spirit. I ask guests to wear their most outrageous Christmas sweaters.
I set up a voting station where people can pick their favorites. Categories like “Ugliest Sweater” and “Most Creative” keep things interesting.
I provide prizes for the winners – maybe gift cards or silly trophies. The contest always leads to lots of laughs as we check out each other’s tacky designs.
For extra fun, I sometimes have supplies on hand. Guests can add more decorations to their sweaters during the party. It’s a great icebreaker and gets everyone mingling.
3. Gingerbread House Decorating
I love hosting a gingerbread house decorating party with my friends during the holidays. It’s a fun and creative way to get into the festive spirit.
I set up a table with pre-made gingerbread house kits, icing, and lots of colorful candies for decorating. Each person gets their own house to design.
I make sure to have plenty of sprinkles, gumdrops, peppermints, and other sweets for everyone to use. Holiday music playing in the background adds to the cheerful atmosphere.
At the end, we all show off our unique creations. It’s always interesting to see how different each house turns out. This activity brings out everyone’s artistic side in a tasty way.
4. DIY Ornament Crafting
I love setting up a DIY ornament crafting station at my Friendsmas parties. It’s a fun activity that gets everyone in the holiday spirit.
I provide clear glass or plastic ornaments, along with paint, glitter, ribbons, and small decorative items. Guests can personalize their ornaments however they like.
I also set out some inspiration photos and simple instructions. This helps spark creativity for those who aren’t sure where to start.
At the end of the night, everyone has a unique ornament to take home as a memento. It’s a great way to make lasting memories with friends during the holidays.
5. Christmas Movie Marathon
I think a Christmas movie marathon is a great Friendsmas party idea. I’d pick a mix of classic and modern holiday films to show. Comfy seating is key – lots of pillows and blankets for everyone to snuggle up with.
I’d serve festive snacks like popcorn, cookies, and hot cocoa to munch on during the movies. To make it interactive, I could create a simple bingo game with common Christmas movie tropes for people to play along.
Between films, we could take quick breaks to stretch and chat about our favorite scenes. This laid-back activity is perfect for bonding with friends during the holiday season.
6. Holiday Cookie Swap
I love hosting a holiday cookie swap with my friends. It’s a fun way to share treats and recipes. I ask each person to bring a batch of their favorite cookies. We set up a table to display all the goodies.
During the party, we sample the cookies and chat. I provide drinks like hot cocoa and eggnog to go with the sweets. At the end, everyone takes home an assortment of cookies to enjoy later.
I also set up a packing station with boxes and bags for easy transport. It’s a sweet way to celebrate the season and try new recipes.
7. Hot Chocolate Bar
I love setting up a hot chocolate bar for my Friendsmas party. It’s a cozy, fun addition that lets guests customize their drinks.
I set out different cocoa mixes, from classic to peppermint or even spicy Mexican chocolate. Then I add toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, and candy canes.
For extra flair, I include flavored syrups and spices. Cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and vanilla extract are nice touches.
I make sure to have dairy and non-dairy milk options. To keep things festive, I use holiday-themed cups and napkins.
A small chalkboard sign adds a cute touch, listing the available options for guests.
8. Christmas Karaoke
I think Christmas karaoke is a great way to add fun to a Friendmas party. I’d set up a karaoke machine with holiday songs for everyone to sing along to.
Popular choices include “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” I’d make sure to have a mix of classic carols and modern pop hits.
For extra laughs, I might suggest a silly voice contest or have friends perform duets. Providing festive props like Santa hats or reindeer antlers can make the singing even more entertaining.
I’d keep the atmosphere relaxed so even shy friends feel comfortable joining in. Christmas karaoke is all about having fun together, not perfect singing.
9. Photo Booth with Fun Props
I think a photo booth with fun props is a must-have for any Friendsmas party. It’s a great way to capture memories and get everyone laughing.
I recommend setting up a simple backdrop and providing a variety of silly props. Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and elf ears are classic choices that always get people in the holiday spirit.
For added fun, I suggest including some oversized glasses, fake mustaches, and colorful wigs. Guests can mix and match props to create hilarious looks.
Don’t forget a camera or smartphone to take the photos. You could even use an instant camera so guests can take home physical copies as party favors.
10. Tree Trimming Party
A tree trimming party is a festive way to celebrate Friendmas. I like to set up an undecorated Christmas tree as the centerpiece.
I invite friends to bring their favorite ornaments to hang. This adds a personal touch to the tree.
For snacks, I serve easy finger foods like bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts or a warm soup. These keep hands free for decorating.
To create a cozy atmosphere, I string fairy lights around the room. I also play holiday music in the background.
For a fun twist, I sometimes provide craft supplies so guests can make their own ornaments to add to the tree.
11. White Elephant Gift Exchange
I love adding a White Elephant gift exchange to my Friendmas parties. It’s a fun way to swap presents and create some laughs.
Everyone brings a wrapped gift, usually with a set price limit. We draw numbers to decide the order.
The first person picks and unwraps a gift. Then each next person can either steal an opened gift or choose a new one to unwrap.
I set a limit of 2-3 steals per gift to keep things moving. Funny, quirky gifts often get the most attention and trades.
It’s always entertaining to see what creative and silly gifts people come up with. The exchange adds an element of surprise and friendly competition to the celebration.
12. Christmas Bingo
Christmas Bingo is a festive twist on the classic game. I love using it at my Friendmas parties. It’s easy to set up and fun for all ages.
I print out bingo cards with Christmas-themed images or words. Snowmen, reindeer, and Santa are popular choices. I make sure each card is unique.
For calling out items, I use a bag of small objects that match the card images. It adds a tactile element to the game.
Prizes can be small Christmas treats or ornaments. The excitement builds as players get closer to “Bingo!”
This game is great for breaking the ice and getting everyone in the holiday spirit.
13. Holiday Trivia Night
I love hosting a holiday trivia night for Friendsmas. It’s a fun way to test everyone’s knowledge of Christmas traditions, movies, and songs.
I create categories like “Santa’s Workshop,” “Festive Films,” and “Jingle Bell Tunes.” Each team gets a festive name and a small whiteboard to write answers.
I make sure to include questions for different difficulty levels. This keeps it challenging but not frustrating. Prizes for the winning team can be holiday-themed treats or small gifts.
It’s always a hit and gets everyone in the Christmas spirit. Plus, we all learn new holiday facts to share at future gatherings.
14. Themed Potluck Dinner
I love organizing themed potluck dinners for Friendmas. They’re fun and take the pressure off one person to cook everything.
I suggest picking a theme like “Christmas Around the World” or “Favorite Holiday Movies.” Each guest brings a dish that fits the theme.
For a global theme, someone might make Italian panettone while another brings Swedish meatballs. For movie night, dishes could be inspired by classics like “Home Alone” or “Elf.”
I always create a signup sheet to avoid duplicate dishes. I also ask guests to bring recipe cards to share. It’s a great way to try new foods and bond over our culinary creations.
15. Festive Pajama Party
A festive pajama party is a cozy way to celebrate Friendmas. I suggest inviting everyone to wear their favorite holiday-themed sleepwear.
To set the mood, I’d use soft blankets, fluffy pillows, and warm string lights. A hot cocoa bar with marshmallows and toppings adds a sweet touch.
For activities, I recommend holiday movie marathons or board games. Gingerbread house decorating is another fun option that fits the casual vibe.
Comfort foods like mac and cheese or cookies make perfect snacks. The relaxed atmosphere lets friends unwind and enjoy quality time together during the busy season.
16. Candy Cane Hunt
I love organizing a candy cane hunt for Friendmas parties. It’s a fun activity that gets everyone moving and laughing.
I hide candy canes all around the house or yard. Some are in plain sight, while others are tucked away in trickier spots.
I give each guest a small bag to collect their finds. Then I set a time limit and let everyone loose to search.
The person who finds the most candy canes wins a special prize. But really, everyone’s a winner since they get to keep and enjoy the candy canes they find.
This game works great for all ages. It’s especially fun when done at night with flashlights for an extra challenge.
17. Holiday Gift Wrapping Station
I love setting up a gift wrapping station at my Friendsmas party. It’s a fun, interactive activity that gets everyone in the holiday spirit.
I lay out a variety of wrapping papers, ribbons, bows, and tape on a large table. Scissors and gift tags are essential too.
For a cozy touch, I add a small hot cocoa bar nearby. This lets guests sip while they wrap.
I find that playing festive music in the background adds to the cheerful atmosphere. It’s great to see friends chatting and helping each other as they wrap presents.
This station is perfect for last-minute gifters or those who enjoy the wrapping process. It’s always a hit at my Friendsmas gatherings.
18. Christmas Caroling
I love the idea of going Christmas caroling with friends for Friendsmas. It’s a great way to spread holiday cheer in the neighborhood. We can practice a few classic carols beforehand to sound our best.
I suggest bundling up warm and bringing thermoses of hot cocoa to sip between songs. We can make it extra festive by wearing Santa hats or reindeer antlers while we sing.
After caroling, we can head back home for cookies and more hot drinks. It’s a simple but magical Friendsmas activity that gets us in the spirit. The shared experience of singing together creates wonderful memories.
