Fresh and Festive Christmas Party Themes.The holiday season provides the perfect opportunity for hosts to don their entertaining hats and create cherished memories with friends and family. While the annual gatherings are always special, it’s common to rely on tired decorations, such as traditional color schemes like red and green or silver and gold. This year, why not switch things up and infuse a fresh and festive vibe into your Christmas party by exploring one of these innovative Christmas themes. By selecting one of these fresh Christmas themes for your holiday party, you can breathe new life into your celebrations and create a memorable atmosphere that adds a modern twist to traditional festivities.
Hosting a Holiday Speakeasy: Unveiling Merry Mystery
What could be more entertaining During the Holiday Season than a clandestine gathering featuring exquisite artisanal cocktails and an air of jovial intrigue? Event planner Amy Shey Jacobs, founder of Chandelier Events in New York City, suggests channeling your inner Peaky Blinder and inviting your guests to a secret password-protected holiday speakeasy, complete with a craft mixologist who can expertly craft and teach the art of making seasonal drinks.
To fully immerse yourself in the spirit of the Prohibition Era, set the mood with a jazz playlist that evokes vintage vibes, and serve your libations in an array of vintage decanters and glasses, the more eclectic, the better.
Elevate the experience by filling a bathtub with bottles of gin and Champagne as a playful nod to the past. If you’re feeling particularly inspired, consider hiring a photographer to capture timeless black-and-white photos of your guests as a unique and memorable holiday gift.
Cozy Ski Chalet Celebration: Embracing Alpine Charm
For a delightful twist on your traditional winter wonderland gathering, host a ski chalet-themed party that’s filled with warmth, eggnog, and snug togetherness.
This concept retains many of the beloved elements of a classic winter celebration but infuses it with a refreshing and elevated ambiance.
Liz Curtis, founder of Table + Teaspoon and an event planner, recommends immersing your guests in the ski chalet experience with faux snow, striking mountain range balloon installations in earthy brown and green at the base and snowy white at the summit, and fun shot-skis for those who like to keep the party lively.
You can also introduce rustic log decor, whether it’s a substantial log bar or smaller logs artfully arranged on your snack table.
Encourage your guests to fully embrace the après-ski theme by suggesting an appropriate dress code—such as an all-white ensemble or ski jackets—and consider distributing charming faux-fur earmuffs as party favors.
To add to the cozy atmosphere, offer mini-indoor s’mores kits for roasting marshmallows, completing the ski chalet experience with a touch of alpine charm.
Moody Glam for the Holidays: Embracing Elegance in Dim Light
Dark and intimate spaces have the remarkable ability to evoke a sense of cozy intimacy and timeless glamour.
According to Yaz Quiles, founder of POP! By Yaz and an event planner, a moody glam Christmas theme offers a perfect balance between comfort and elegance, and it’s easier to achieve than you might think. This theme also provides your guests with the perfect excuse to don their holiday finest.
To set the stage for this captivating atmosphere, begin by dimming the lights, strategically placing flickering candles throughout your space, and layering a range of luxurious textiles and accents.
Think plush velvet linens, understated matte metal flatware, hints of radiant gold, and the centerpiece—a resplendent white christmas tree that sparkles against the dim backdrop.
Extend the theme to your bar, where dark spirits, smokey undertones, and richly hued elixirs with natural garnishes become the stars of the show, serving up swanky cocktails with style.
Complement these drinks with delectable sweet and savory offerings, such as baked brie adorned with cranberries and pecans, and lamb chops drizzled with pomegranate molasses, creating a feast of indulgence that perfectly complements the mood of the evening.
Spice Up the Holidays with a Chili Cook-Off
For those who adore food and have culinary talents to showcase, consider hosting a flavorful chili cook-off this Christmas—it’s bound to become the highlight of the season.
According to event planner Amy Shey Jacobs, this potluck-style gathering invites your friends, family, and colleagues to bring their culinary prowess to the table by preparing their best chili recipe, offering a fun and diverse range of options, including meat, turkey, and vegan varieties.
To create the perfect ambiance for this culinary showdown, dedicate a table for crock pots, set up a voting booth for fair judging, and provide an assortment of red wines to complement the chili.
Extend the theme to your Christmas tree by adorning it with cooking and chili-themed ornaments, chili-shaped string lights, and vibrant red garlands that infuse the space with a festive flair.
When inviting guests, Jacobs recommends sending a note that includes a charming wooden spoon or oven mitt, adding a thoughtful and thematic touch to the event.
To make it even more engaging, you can offer prizes for the best chili, cornbread, cocktails, or chili pairings, ensuring a spirited and delicious competition that will be remembered for years to come.
Elevate Your Holiday Decor with Traditional Winter Prints
While red and green have long been associated with Christmas, you can capture the festive spirit without relying on this classic color pairing.
The key is to embrace traditional winter prints instead. According to Liz Curtis, one way to achieve a “more is more” aesthetic is by layering various versions of tartan in different colors, incorporating buffalo-check textiles, introducing striped Pendleton blankets, and adding touches of faux fur throughout your decor.
Encourage your guests to participate in the festive atmosphere by tastefully mixing and matching these prints, infusing your space with a vibrant and unconventional yet charming ambiance.
For a striking design element, consider using wrapping paper adorned with these winter prints to cover a large cardboard wall, measuring 6 x 6 feet.
This transformed wall can serve as an eye-catching photo backdrop, creating a major design moment that’s sure to be a hit with your guests.
*The information is for reference only.
