The Christmas season means spending time with the family, whether it’s Christmas dinner or a Christmas party. It can also be stressful, especially if you think you need to find the perfect idea to entertain everyone and make them happy – and you don’t have much time to do so! Luckily, we’ve got your back!
Here are 7+ fun ideas to update your Christmas family dinner (or even create your own Christmas party) that will help you keep the holiday spirit alive while everyone has fun together at the same time. Use these ideas as inspiration and adapt them to your own family dinner!
Interesting Theme Costume
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and of course, a Christmas theme party. Why not throw your own themed costume party for Christmas? You can do it at home or as a potluck with friends. Plan ahead and get creative with your costume – you might want to arrange groups so that everyone can have a chance to dress up. Have prizes for the best costume ideas and encourage friendly competition! Everyone will love taking pictures while they’re wearing their costumes (just make sure no one gets too drunk). Some fun Christmas costume themes can include:
- Winter Wonderland
- Santa’s workshop
- Ugly Christmas sweaters
- The spirit of Christmas past, present, and future
- Etc.
Don’t forget the food! You can even reflect your theme in your choice of Christmas dishes, such as focusing on meals that fit the general idea. Meringues, for instance, can work wonders in a Winter Wonderland theme.
Photo Booth Props & Ideas
Looking for the best props for your Christmas photos? There are plenty of simple ideas that can give the extra oomph to the party.
- A sign that says Photo Booth with a big smiley face on it
- A stand-up cutout of a snowy background (or whatever kind of winter theme you’re going for)
- A sign that says Happy Holidays! with big snowflakes falling behind the words
- Two signs that say Merry Christmas! in different fonts, one at the top and one at the bottom
But if you’ve decided to go for a special theme, it can be great to look for matching photo booth services. For example, the Winter Wonderland theme is the perfect opportunity to call a vintage photo booth service and create memorable moments together.
White Elephant Gift Exchange
This year, try a White Elephant gift exchange. The game is popular in US offices and is sometimes also called Dirty Santa Gift Exchange. This game will work best if you have a large group of people, but it can also be played with two or three people. The rules are simple: everyone has to bring a single wrapped gift and place them in a pile where they remain anonymous. The first player chooses a random gift, which gives each player afterwards the option to choose an unwrapped gift or steal a gift from a playmate. Take turns selecting a present and opening it. If you get the present that you’ve already opened in the past, you can choose another one or steal someone else’s (if you open theirs first). The only rule is that each person can only steal from one other person per round. It can be a fun way to get around guests who struggle with gift anxiety around Christmas!
Themed DIYs To Make Your Meal Fancy
Dinners can be a great time for the family, with everyone gathered at one table to share good food and the company of loved ones. There are several ways you can set the mood for this special occasion, such as picking a theme for your Christmas meal. One way is by using DIY table decorations or fun place settings and dishes. Here are some ideas:
Try to create a seasonal colour palette with rich reds and greens, and gold throughout your dishes. You can even find edible gold leaves in shops.
Start your meal off with appetisers such as cheese cubes and vegetables on toothpicks cut and garnished to look like Christmas trees.
Complement the costume theme through a tailored menu.
Games And Activities for Everyone to Enjoy
A fun game to play with the family at Christmas is Santa’s Says. One person is chosen to be Santa and has to do whatever the other players say, as long as it’s not mean or inappropriate. This can be a lot of fun for people who are shy and don’t like having attention on themselves. It also gives you a chance to take turns playing with all your family members because every player gets to be Santa at some point. Another way to make Christmas dinner more interactive is by drawing or writing a Christmas story together as a family while everyone eats their meal.
Home Improvements That Enhance the Party Atmosphere
When it comes to home improvements, the sky is the limit. With these quick and easy ideas, you can transform your living space into a festive wonderland in no time. Plus, these improvements are so good that they’re worth investing in even if you don’t have a party this year:
- Paint the walls in your favourite colour. Painting is a quick way to make a room feel new again, plus it will complement any decorations you plan on putting up! If you’re feeling extra festive, add some lights or a fresh garland as well! The possibilities are endless with just some paint!
- Change the flooring. Sometimes all it takes is installing new flooring for an old room to feel like new again. Indeed, while flooring is one of the most understated improvement works, it can transform your party area at home, helping guests feel comfortable and relaxed.
- Move your furniture. Little changes can go a long way, such as moving your sofa across the room or trying out new placements for the bookshelves. You can reinvigorate your interior and make your guests feel like they’re coming to a brand-new home!
New Recipes To Try Out This Year
Are you sick of the traditional Christmas turkey? With living costs going up and the general festive mood going down; as a result, it can be nice to look for something different that doesn’t break the bank. After all, cooking the traditional Christmas dinner can be stressful and time demanding. There’s no need for that!
Spicy Korean fried chicken, for instance, is a simple and quick dish that brings a new flavour to the home. The typical spicy mix combines brown sugar, gochujang (a Korean chili paste that can be found in y our usual grocery shop), ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. You can adjust the spiciness of the sauce to ensure everybody will enjoy it! You can serve your chicken with roasted sweet potatoes, another staple of the Korean cuisine.
Homemade ravioli is not as time demanding as you think. You can prepare the dough in advance and fill your ravioli a few minutes before serving. A serving of homemade mushroom and mascarpone ravioli in delicious broth is a delicate and easy starter for a meal with an Italian twist.
Finally, last but not least, if you want Alpine inspiration, it may be the right time to invest in a raclette or fondue dish. The French Alps typically celebrate Christmas with a board of charcuterie, boiled or baked potatoes, melted cheese, and condiments. It’s a stress-free and convivial way to share a meal as a family!
Share Memories on Social Media Before and After the Party
Kids these days are all about documenting every moment of their lives, so why not have them share their memories before and after the party? Encourage them to take as many photos and videos as they want by setting up a Christmas party hashtag.
#ChristmasWithTheJones
#CNJMeetSanta (with your children’s names)
#TheJonesDoChristmas2020
Sharing photos and videos of the Christmas planning and then the party can be an exciting way to get your guests engaged and looking forward to the event. Besides, you might find that many guests will be joining the fun and sharing their Christmas countdown with your hashtags.
These will be fun for everyone – even the adults. It will also help you remember what went well and what didn’t. And if there’s something that didn’t go so well, share it with your guests! They’ll appreciate your honesty. Besides, you can learn valuable lessons for the next Christmas party!
In conclusion, it’s time to change the traditional Christmas party and make it a fun and enjoyable moment for everyone, including the host! Many hosts admit to finding the Christmas period stressful as there is so much to prepare and many expectations to meet. Therefore, coming up with your own Christmas twist can considerably lower your stress levels. Firstly, it means doing something new and unexpected, so you don’t have to worry anymore about your turkey being compared to the one your grandmother used to prepare in the old days. Secondly, it will put a smile on your face throughout the preparation and planning, so you can welcome your guests feeling relaxed and settled. Finally, you can be sure guests will talk about your party for years to come!
*This is a collaborative post