Lisa Rosenberg MS, MBA

Holiday Hosting Guide for Fun Family Gatherings

It’s the most wonderful time of the year to host a party. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner or a larger celebration, enjoy stress-free party planning with this guide! From holiday party themes to fun games and simple appetizers, you’ll find ways to keep everyone entertained throughout the evening.

Holiday Party Theme Ideas

Choosing the right theme sets the tone for your entire celebration. These three versatile holiday party themes work for various occasions throughout the season, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.

Pajama Party

We could all use more time in pajamas this month! This versatile, casual theme works equally well for a brunch or late-night party.

For entertainment, plan some karaoke, board games, or a movie marathon. For your menu, consider brunch items or breakfast for dinner with a mimosa bar and hot cocoa station, or just keep it simple and order a couple of pizzas

Ugly Sweater Party

For this fun theme, ask guests to don their most outrageous holiday sweaters and have a contest for the ugliest sweater.

You may want to whip up some ugly sweater cookies for on-theme treats or set up a cookie decorating station for guests to design their own. Be sure to have a photo op—including festive props—so you can capture the memories in a group photo!

Black and Gold Gala

Feeling fancy? Host a glamorous and sophisticated Black and Gold Gala, with a dress code of elegant black and gold attire. Decorate your party space with black and gold accents and bring out the gold-foil-wrapped chocolates. This color scheme also works well for New Year’s Eve parties.

4 Holiday Games for Family Gatherings

Add some friendly competition (and guaranteed laughs) to your holiday party with these gift exchanges and games.

1. White Elephant Gift Exchange

To host a white elephant gift exchange, ask guests to bring a wrapped present and let guests swap, steal, and try to get the best one.

Rules:

Everyone participating brings a wrapped gift, which is placed in a central location at the beginning of the game.
Each person in the group draws a number to determine the order in which they will choose gifts.
The first player selects a gift from the pile and opens it.
The next player either chooses a new gift from the pile or “steals” a previously opened gift. If a gift is “stolen,” the person whose gift was taken can either choose a new gift or steal from someone else.
The game continues until everyone has a gift.

Tips for a successful game:

Set a budget for the gifts—a good tip for all these games!
To keep the game moving, set a limit on the number of times a gift can be stolen (usually up to three times).
Consider having a few extra gifts on hand in case someone forgets to bring a gift or brings a friend.
If it fits the personality of your group, encourage people to choose funny gifts.

2. Holiday Musical Chairs

In this mashup of Musical Chairs and Hot Potato, players pass gifts around the room until the music stops.

Rules:

Everyone brings a small, wrapped gift and sets it in a pile by the DJ (likely the host streaming music from their phone).
Arrange everyone in a circle and have the DJ hand someone a gift.
When the DJ starts the music, players pass the gift. The person holding the gift when the music stops gets to open it. Once a guest has opened a gift, they step out of the circle to watch (or dance) along.
Repeat until everyone has received a gift.

Tips for a successful game:

The designated DJ can add unexpected pauses for more fun.
Aim for songs that people know—holiday music mixed with some favorites.
Encourage nonbreakable gifts.
For larger groups, pass more than one gift at a time to speed up the game.

3. Gifts by Number

Gifts by Number is a simpler gift exchange that still adds a nice element of surprise and anticipation as gifts are sequentially unwrapped.

Rules:

Each guest brings a wrapped gift, and the host assigns a unique number to them.
Participants draw a number from a hat or bowl.
Players retrieve the gift marked with the number that corresponds to the number they drew.
Once everyone has their numbered gift, guests take turns unwrapping them in numerical order.

Tips for a successful game:

Keep track of who brought each gift when you assign the unique numbers to avoid guests choosing the gift they brought.
Be sure to set a budget limit for the gifts—usually around $25 maximum.

4. Gingerbread House Competition

Let your festive flair and creativity flow with a gingerbread house decorating competition. This hands-on activity brings out everyone’s inner artist and creates edible works of art.

Rules:

Provide pre-baked gingerbread house kits for each team. (Assemble the basic structure in advance to save time during the party).
Set up decorating stations with plenty of candy, icing in various colors, and a sturdy cardboard base or cake board for each house.
Divide guests into pairs or small teams to encourage collaboration.
Give teams about an hour to decorate their gingerbread house while upbeat, festive holiday music plays in the background.
When time is up, ask guests to vote individually for their top three houses. (Guests cannot vote for their own creation.)
Award prizes such as movie tickets or gift cards to the winners.

Tips for a successful competition:

Pre-assemble the gingerbread structures the night before to avoid construction delays during the party.
Provide piping bags or squeeze bottles for easier icing application.
Include a variety of candies in different colors, shapes, and sizes for creative options.
Consider categories like “Most Creative,” “Best Use of Candy,” and “Sturdiest Structure” to ensure multiple winners.

Simple Appetizers for Your Holiday Party

Get the party started with these simple and delicious appetizers that require minimal prep time but deliver maximum flavor.

Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

This crowd-pleasing appetizer features garlicky bread loaded with melted cheese. Simply slice the bread in a crosshatch pattern, stuff with butter, garlic, and cheese, then bake until golden and bubbly.

Fantastic Spinach Artichoke Dip

This creamy, cheesy dip is packed with flavor and requires minimal prep, thanks to Spice World Minced Garlic and Spice World Easy Onion. The dip is best served warm, so prepare it as guests arrive. Serve it along with your favorite chips, crackers, and raw veggies.

Sweet Noodle Kugel

This traditional Jewish holiday casserole has a creamy, custard-like texture. You can serve it as a side dish, a dessert, or even for breakfast. Plus, it’s equally delicious warm or cold!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some inclusive holiday party themes?

Inclusive themes celebrate togetherness rather than specific holidays. Pajama parties, ugly sweater contests, and black-and-gold galas work for guests celebrating various traditions.

How can I make holiday hosting less stressful?

Prepare appetizers ahead of time using Spice World’s convenient products, ask guests to contribute dishes, and plan holiday games for family gatherings that require minimal host involvement.

What’s the best way to prepare make-ahead dishes?

Most dips, casseroles, and baked goods can be prepared 1-2 days in advance. Store in airtight containers and simply reheat before serving.

How do I plan for dietary restrictions at my holiday party?

Ask guests about dietary needs when they RSVP, offer vegetarian options and gluten-free choices, and label dishes with common allergens.

How can I organize a fun gift exchange for guests of all ages?

White elephant gift exchanges and holiday Musical Chairs work wonderfully for mixed ages. Set a gift budget of $15-$25, choose family-friendly items, and clearly explain rules before starting.

What’s an easy dessert to serve for mixed dietary needs?

Sweet Noodle Kugel can be made with dairy-free alternatives. Or set up a hot cocoa bar where guests can customize drinks with various milk alternatives and toppings.