From the very first year that we were together, two years prior to us getting married, my wife and I have hosted a Christmas party for our friends and family. Since I do not work a traditional job I don’t get an office Christmas party. So we decided to have one of our own and it is something that we, and our guests, look forward to each and every year. For each party we try out new Christmas party ideas and we also make improvements to some old Christmas party ideas. Some things that you think would be a big hit are not and other things that sound expensive and corny wind up being cost effective and quite popular.

The first Christmas party idea we ever had was giving gifts to all of our guests. Our Christmas parties usually have between 30 and 40 guests so that sounds like a small fortune to buy gifts for every, right? In reality people are touched by, and pleased with, the simplest and most inexpensive gifts. For example, every year we try and get “stand by gifts” for people we don’t know too well or in case one of our invited guests brings a friend. Last year we were shopping at one of the large department stores and saw a shelf with the mini-Slinky on it. A whole bunch of them for $1 each. We bought 30 of them and wrapped them up and gave one to every guest. Those little toys were one of the best Christmas party ideas we ever had. Sure we had other gifts for people but everyone just kept playing with the mini-Slinky. So sometimes it isn’t how much you spend on the gifts, but rather what the gifts are that makes them a hit.

One of our Christmas party ideas that bombed was separating the activities to different rooms. We have a large family room with a fireplace that we traditionally use for the entire party. About 3 years ago we tried moving the annual Christmas party card game to the living room and allowing the people that just wanted to talk to have the family room. That Christmas party broke up faster than any of the others and we decided to never split the party up again. People don’t seem to mind being squeezed into a single room to enjoy a Christmas party. So my advice to you is to set up one room for your party and leave it at that.

Food for a Christmas party is always an expensive proposition. Here are some quick ideas to help keep the food bill down for your Christmas party. Don’t buy a deli tray from your local supermarket. If you buy a nice, inexpensive, tinfoil platter and populate it with meats bought in bulk from the deli you will almost cut the cost in half compared to buying a pre-done deli tray. Try and offer as many home made foods as you can. It may be easier to have a restaurant or supermarket prepare the food for you but you can but your bill in half if you do it yourself. Meatballs, roast beef in gravy, macaroni salad are all cheaper if you do it yourself. I’ve also noticed that people seem to enjoy party food more if it is made by hand. If you go the extra step and make some very decorative Christmas cookies as well I can guarantee you will have people asking when your next Christmas party will be starting in July.

Christmas parties are a lot of fun to host if you know how to do it right. Make sure you learn lessons from each party and apply those lessons to the next one. Over the years you will find that hosting the annual Christmas party for your friends and family is something you will cherish the rest of your life.