December Party Themes
December is basically party month! From cozy nights by the tree to full-blown holiday bashes, it’s the most magical time of year to gather with friends and family. Between the twinkle lights, festive music, and excuse to wear sparkly clothes or cozy pajamas, December gives you endless reasons to celebrate.
Whether you’re planning something fancy, family-friendly, or just plain fun, here are some December party theme ideas that will make this season merry, bright, and completely unforgettable.
1. Christmas Movie Marathon
There’s nothing quite like curling up under a blanket with a Christmas classic playing. Pick a few favorites, Elf, Home Alone, The Santa Clause, or The Grinch and make a whole evening of it!
Set up a popcorn bar with sweet and salty toppings, add some hot chocolate, and let everyone wear cozy pajamas or Christmas jumpers.
You can even make bingo cards with fun prompts like “Santa appears,” “snow scene,” or “Christmas song plays.”
Perfect for families, friends, or even a cozy date night at home!
2. Christmas Cookie Swap
Cookies and December go hand in hand. A Cookie Swap Party is easy to host and guarantees everyone goes home with a sweet assortment.
Each guest brings a batch (or two) of their favorite cookies plus the recipe. Set up a cute cookie display table with labels, festive plates, and to-go boxes so everyone can fill up a tray to take home.
Don’t forget to make some extras for tasting during the party because what’s better than cookies, coffee, and good company?
3. Ugly Sweater Party
A total December classic and always a laugh!
Invite guests to wear their most over-the-top, glittery, or downright ridiculous Christmas sweaters. You can give small prizes for categories like:
- Ugliest Sweater Ever
- Most Festive
- Funniest Design
Add some upbeat Christmas music, serve easy finger foods, and maybe play your Bible Family Feud or 5 Second Game for a bit of friendly fun.
4. Santa’s Workshop Craft Night
If you love DIY fun, a Santa’s Workshop Night is perfect!
Gather friends or family to make homemade ornaments, gift tags, or small gifts. Set up craft stations with supplies like glitter, paint, twine, and stickers.
Keep snacks simple hot cocoa, Christmas cookies, and festive punch. Add Christmas tunes in the background and let creativity take over.
It’s a fun way to slow down and enjoy the creative side of the season.
5. Winter Wonderland Party
Transform your space into a snowy paradise with white, silver, and icy blue decor.
Use snowflake garlands, fairy lights, and frosted balloons. Serve white chocolate-covered pretzels, marshmallows, and vanilla cupcakes for that “frosty” vibe.
You can make it elegant for adults or magical for kids either way, it feels like stepping right into a Christmas storybook.
6. Hot Cocoa & S’mores Night
Keep it cozy and simple with a Hot Cocoa & S’mores Night by the fire (or even indoors with a tabletop s’mores maker).
Create a cocoa bar with all the fixings marshmallows, whipped cream, candy canes, and chocolate syrup. Then, add s’mores ingredients like graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows for a little nostalgic fun.
You could even include your Drop Dead Dice Game or Would You Rather? for easy laughs between sips.
7. White Elephant Gift Exchange
If you love laughter and surprises, this one never fails!
Set a spending limit (like $10–$20) and let everyone bring a wrapped mystery gift. During the game, guests pick or “steal” gifts from each other it’s hilarious and lighthearted.
You can even give it a theme like “As Seen on TV,” “Kitchen Gadgets,” or “Something Cozy.”
Add snacks and festive drinks, and you’ve got a guaranteed night of fun.
8. Christmas Cocktail or Mocktail Party
Shake things up with a Christmas Cocktail (or Mocktail) Party!
Serve festive drinks like cranberry spritzers, peppermint mojitos, or sparkling apple mocktails. Add fancy garnishes like sugared rims or rosemary sprigs.
Decorate your space with candlelight, gold accents, and soft music for that elegant holiday vibe.
It’s perfect for adults who want something more relaxed but still festive.
9. Snow Day Party (Even Without Snow!)
If you live somewhere warm, this is your chance to pretend it’s snowing!
Decorate with fake snow, snowflakes, and icy blue balloons. Have a “snowball fight” using white pom-poms or soft foam balls.
For food, go for comfort mac and cheese, soup, hot chocolate, and cookies.
This theme is especially adorable for kids’ parties and indoor school or church events.
10. Holiday Photo Booth Party
Everyone loves good photos in December!
Set up a DIY Photo Booth with a backdrop think tinsel curtains, fairy lights, or a Christmas tree scene. Add fun props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and signs that say “Naughty” or “Nice.”
You can even turn it into a mini competition for Best Group Photo or Funniest Pose.
It’s a great idea for any December get-together and doubles as your holiday card photo op!
11. Christmas Karaoke Night
For the family or friends who love to sing, this one’s a blast!
Create a Christmas playlist of karaoke hits from Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” to Jingle Bell Rock.
Add a fun prize for “Most Festive Performance” or “Best Team Duet.”
Serve appetizers and drinks, and let everyone’s inner rock star shine (off-key singing totally encouraged!).
12. Polar Express Pajama Party
This one’s a hit with kids and honestly, adults love it too!
Invite everyone to wear pajamas and host a Polar Express Movie Night. Serve hot chocolate, popcorn, and sugar cookies shaped like trains or stars.
You can even hand out “Golden Tickets” as invites and play a train whistle sound before the movie starts.
It’s sweet, cozy, and full of Christmas magic.
13. Christmas Card-Making Party
Turn the often-overlooked Christmas card tradition into a fun, social event.
Gather your supplies blank cards, stamps, washi tape, stickers, and pens. Set up a few tables for crafting, play music, and serve snacks.
You can even make it meaningful by writing cards to nursing home residents or soldiers overseas.
It’s creative, relaxing, and a great way to spread love this season.
14. Winter Spa Night
If you need a calm break from the December hustle, this is your theme.
Host a Winter Spa Night with cozy robes, face masks, and a few relaxing activities like manicures or DIY sugar scrubs.
Add soothing music, hot herbal tea, and maybe some scented candles.
This works beautifully for a girls’ night in festive but peaceful.
15. Candlelight Dinner Party
Sometimes, simple is best.
Host a Candlelight Dinner with elegant table settings, soft background music, and comfort foods. You can use natural touches like pine sprigs and cranberries for decor.
Whether it’s for family or close friends, it’s a lovely way to slow down and appreciate the season together.
16. Gingerbread House Decorating Party
You can never go wrong with gingerbread!
Buy kits or bake your own, and let everyone decorate their masterpiece. Add fun prizes for Most Creative, Most Festive, or Most Likely to Collapse (because there’s always one!).
Provide icing, candy, pretzels, and plenty of sprinkles. This is perfect for kids, but adults secretly love it too!
17. Christmas Game Night
If your family loves games, this is the perfect December gathering!
Play themed versions of your favorites like Christmas Family Feud, Holiday 5 Second Game, or Bible Trivia: Christmas Edition.
Add prizes for winners, snack boards, and holiday drinks.
It’s relaxed, easy to host, and full of laughter exactly what December should be.
18. Cozy Cabin Party
Even if you don’t have a cabin, you can create the feeling of one right at home.
Dim the lights, play soft acoustic music, and decorate with flannel blankets, pinecones, and rustic wood accents.
Serve hearty foods like soup, bread, and hot chocolate. You could even play a movie like The Holiday or White Christmas to finish the night.
It’s the perfect way to unwind with friends before the year ends.
19. New Year’s Eve Countdown Party
Round off December in style with a New Year’s Eve Countdown Party!
Go glam with sparkles, balloons, and metallic accents. Set up a photo booth, play party games, and hand out noisemakers for midnight.
Create a countdown playlist and serve fun finger foods and bubbly drinks (sparkling cider works perfectly for kids!).
As midnight strikes, raise a glass to new beginnings and all the memories you’ve made.
December is one big celebration waiting to happen from cozy nights by the fire to glitzy countdowns and everything in between. Whether you’re baking cookies, crafting gifts, or laughing through an ugly sweater contest, every get-together is a chance to create holiday magic.
So turn up the music, light the candles, and invite your favorite people over. Because in the end, the real joy of December comes from being together laughing, sharing, and soaking in all the warmth this beautiful season brings.
Here’s to a month full of sparkle, cocoa, and unforgettable memories.
