Last updated: October 17, 2024
The holiday season is upon us, and you’ve been invited to a Christmas party.
But what should you bring?
Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered with this guide to the best food, drinks, and gifts to bring to a Christmas party in 2024.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Crowd-pleasing food ideas that are easy to prepare
- Festive drink options for all preferences
- Thoughtful host gifts.
- Fun party games to liven up the gathering
- Tech-savvy additions
Let’s dive in and make sure you’re the guest everyone’s glad to see arrive!
Why you should listen to me: My name is Nick Gray, and I’m the best–selling author of the party handbook The 2-Hour Cocktail Party. I’ve hosted hundreds of parties all over the world. After making it a habit, I can easily host a gathering and make new friends with no sweat. I’ve been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and New York Magazine once called me a host of “culturally significant” parties.Food
When it comes to party food, you want something that’s both tasty and simple to transport. Here are some ideas:
- Charcuterie Board in a Jar: Layer meats, cheeses, nuts, and dried fruits in a mason jar for an individual, portable charcuterie experience.
- Holiday Sushi Rolls: Create festive sushi rolls with red (tuna) and green (avocado) fillings.
- Cranberry Brie Bites: Use phyllo pastry cups filled with brie and topped with cranberry sauce for an easy, elegant appetizer.
- Vegan “Meatballs”: Plant-based meatballs in a cranberry-BBQ sauce will satisfy vegans and meat-eaters alike.
- 3D-Printed Cookie Ornaments: Use a food-safe 3D printer to create intricate, edible cookie ornaments.
Pro tip: Always check with the host about any dietary restrictions or allergies before preparing food.
Drinks
Bringing a drink to share is always appreciated. Consider these options:
- Spiced Apple Cider Concentrate: Bring a bottle of homemade concentrate that can be mixed with hot water or wine for an instant warm drink.
- Kombucha Mocktail Kit: Assemble a kit with flavored kombuchas, fruit juices, and garnishes for custom non-alcoholic drinks.
- Molecular Mixology Set: Bring a kit with tools and ingredients to create fancy “molecular” cocktails at the party.
- Color-Changing Gin: Bring a bottle of gin that changes color when mixed with tonic for a magical touch to G&Ts.
Remember: If bringing alcohol, also include a non-alcoholic option for those who don’t drink.
Host Gifts
A thoughtful host gift can make a lasting impression. Try these ideas:
- Smart Christmas Ornament: A Wi-Fi enabled ornament that can display personalized messages or photos.
- Plantable Thank You Card: A card embedded with seeds that can be planted after the holidays.
- Customized Spotify Playlist: Create a unique Christmas playlist and gift it digitally or on a retro-style cassette-shaped USB drive.
- Scent Diffuser with Holiday Fragrances: A high-tech diffuser with a set of essential oils in classic holiday scents.
Party Games
Offering to bring a game can help break the ice, get the party going, and encourage guests to mingle and get to know each other better.
Here are 5 practical and easy-to-implement games that will get everyone mixing and mingling:
Holiday Icebreaker Bingo
What you need: Printed bingo cards and pens
How to play: Create bingo cards with squares like “Find someone who has visited 3+ countries” or “Meet someone who makes their own eggnog.”
Why it works: Guests mingle to fill their cards, encouraging conversations with new people.
Two Truths and a Lie
What you need: Nothing! Just willing participants
How to play: Each person shares three statements about their holiday experiences or traditions, with one being false. Others guess the lie.
Why it works: It leads to interesting discussions and reveals fun facts about guests.
Christmas Carol Karaoke Roulette
What you need: A smartphone with a karaoke app and a speaker
How to play: Use a digital wheel to randomly select participants and holiday songs. Pairs or small groups perform together.
Why it works: It fosters teamwork and shared laughter, even among those who’ve just met.
Holiday Charades with a Twist
What you need: A bowl with holiday-themed words or phrases written on slips of paper
How to play: Players act out the words, but must partner with someone they haven’t met before for each round.
Why it works: It encourages guests to interact with new people in a fun, low-pressure way.
Christmas Movie Quote Match-Up
What you need: Printed cards with famous Christmas movie quotes (two cards per quote)
How to play: Give each guest a card as they arrive. Throughout the party, they must find the person with the matching quote from the same movie.
Why it works: It gives guests a mission that encourages circulation and introduces a topic of conversation.
Pro tip: As the game-bringer, offer to facilitate these activities. This takes pressure off the host and positions you as a friendly, approachable guest who’s helping everyone have a good time.
Remember, the goal of these games is to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels included and has the opportunity to make new connections. Choose games that match the party’s vibe and the guests’ personalities for the best results.
Tech-Savvy Additions
Add a modern touch to traditional items with these tech upgrades:
- LED Light-Up Ugly Sweater: Wear a sweater with programmable LED lights for a eye-catching conversation starter.
- Smart Serving Tray: Bring your dish on a tray that keeps food at the perfect temperature and tracks how much is left.
- Digital Guestbook App: Offer to set up a digital guestbook where attendees can leave messages, photos, and videos for the host.
- Nano-Mist Sanitizer: A pocket-sized device that sprays a fine mist of sanitizer, perfect for germ-conscious guests.
- Instant Language Translator: Useful for diverse gatherings, this device can translate conversations in real-time.
Conclusion
Bringing the right item to a Christmas party can make the event more enjoyable for everyone.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Opt for easily transportable, crowd-pleasing foods
- Bring both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options
- Choose a thoughtful, unique gift for the host
- Consider bringing a party game to break the ice
- Add some high-tech flair to traditional party items
The best thing you can bring to any party is a positive attitude and willingness to engage with others. Happy holidays and enjoy the festivities!
In my book, The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, I provide helpful guidance on how to host a great party for any event. I wrote this book to support anyone interested in meeting new people.
When is your party? Send me an email and I will give you some bonus tips, including a pre-party checklist that you can print out. Plus, I’ll answer any question you have, free of charge. I love talking about parties, and I’m on a mission to help 500 people host their first party.
