Christmas Party Planning on a Budget

Christmas party planning needs to begin weeks in advance. Begin with a list of Christmas party decorations, names of guests, party games, and food ideas that will be needed for the upcoming event. Keeping the party simple will allow for mingling when the guest arrive. Keep in mind simple does not necessarily mean plain.

Christmas Party Game Ideas

Planning Christmas party games for adults and children will keep the party flowing nicely. Adults can play more sit down games while children will want to be up and moving. Plan a game of 'Guess What's in the Stocking'. A few days in advance, fill a large stocking with Christmas items such as: a candy cane, tree ornament, walnut, star, small house shoe, etc. Fragile or breakable items should be avoided.

To play the game, have paper and pens ready near the stocking. Throughout the party, invite guests to feel, shake, and smell of the filled closed stocking and try to guess the items inside. Have them write down their guesses and place the paper in a designated area. The guest with the most correct answers will win the filled stocking.

Another game is to write down a Christmas word such as: Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer and see how many different words the guests can come up with using only those letters. A game children will like is 'Name That Christmas Carol'. Adults will be able to name older tunes while children can name the more popular tunes.

Christmas Party Decorations

Christmas party decorations do not have to be expensive. Fill a clear bowl with round Christmas tree ornaments and set around the room. For a more festive look, add a string of clear lights to the bottom of the bowl and plug in. Hang Christmas stockings around the room that can later be given away to children as prizes.

Surprise the children and fill the stockings with some candy canes or small Christmas toys. Purchase poinsettias and place them around the areas that the guests will be occupying. They are not only beautiful, but can be used as prizes for the winners of each game.

Christmas Party Tips

Invitations need to be sent out a week or more in advance. Holidays are hectic and many will need time to arrange their schedules for holiday gatherings. Decorate a large tree for the main party area and have two or more small trees decorated with white lights in other areas the guest will see.

Keep food simple and inexpensive by serving food that can be prepared in advance. Buy food in bulk and only serve finger foods and perhaps warm apple cider, coffee, and tea. By purchasing paper holiday party plates and colored plastic-ware, clean-up will be quick and easy.