What to Bring to a Christmas Party

Last updated: November 21, 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 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

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.
• Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread: Arrange pesto-filled bread rolls in a tree shape, served with marinara dipping sauce. Easy to transport and fun presentation.
• Mini Hot Chocolate Cheesecakes: Individual no-bake cheesecakes topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate drizzle in portable cups.
• Holiday Pinwheel Wraps: Tortillas spread with cream cheese, filled with spinach and red peppers, rolled and sliced to show festive red and green spirals.
• Peppermint Brownie Truffles: Bite-sized brownie balls rolled in crushed candy canes. They travel well and don’t need refrigeration.
• Sweet & Spicy Mixed Nuts: Glazed nuts with rosemary, cayenne, and brown sugar. Can be served room temperature and easily transported in mason jars.

Pro tip: Always check with the host about any dietary restrictions or allergies before preparing food. Read more about How to Cater to Different Dietary Needs at Your Party.

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.

Pro tip: If bringing alcohol, also include a non-alcoholic option for those who don’t drink. Read more about Mocktail Party: How to Host When You Don’t Drink Alcohol.

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.
• Scent Diffuser with Holiday Fragrances: A high-tech diffuser with a set of essential oils in classic holiday scents.
• Holiday Tea Collection: A selection of winter-themed teas (like peppermint, cinnamon spice, vanilla chai) in a decorative tin.
• Seasonal Jam Collection: A set of homemade or artisanal jams in winter flavors like spiced apple or cranberry orange. Monogrammed Serving Board: A beautiful wooden serving board with the host’s initial. Holiday Movie Night Basket: A cozy throw blanket, gourmet popcorn, and hot chocolate bombs in a decorative basket.

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 Christmas 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

Sample questions:

1. Find someone who already has their Christmas tree up
2. Find someone who has a December birthday
3. Meet someone who makes their own holiday cookies from scratch
4. Find someone who still believes in Santa
5. Meet someone who has an Elf on the Shelf tradition
6. Find someone who has spent Christmas in another country
7. Meet someone who opens presents on Christmas Eve
8. Meet someone who sends physical Christmas cards every year
9. Find someone who collects Christmas ornaments
10. Meet someone who has experienced a white Christmas

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 smart TV or laptop connected to YouTube, speakers, A list of popular Christmas songs, and a bowl with everyone’s names on folded paper slips.
How to play: Place everyone’s names in a bowl. Draw two names at a time and let them pick a song from your Christmas playlist. Search for “[song name] karaoke version” on YouTube, and let the duo perform! Keep drawing names until everyone has had a chance to sing.
Why it works: When people sing together, they forget to be shy! Pairing up takes the pressure off individual performers, and everyone bonds over sharing laughs and holiday cheer. Even those who claim they “can’t sing” end up having fun when they’re not alone in the spotlight.

Here are 5 super fun Christmas songs to sing to:

1. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” – Mariah Carey
2. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Gene Autry
3. “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” – Bruce Springsteen
4. “Last Christmas” – Wham!
5. “Santa Baby” – Eartha Kitt

Holiday Charades

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

10 sample words and phrases:

1. Wrapping presents
2. Christmas Tree
3. Stockings
4. Santa
5. Drinking hot cocoa
6. Snowman
7. Nutcracker
8. Sleigh
9. Reindeer
10. Mistletoe

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.

5 Christmas Movie Quote examples:

1. “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” From: Elf
2. “Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal” From: Home Alone
3. “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings” From: It’s a Wonderful Life
4. “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid” From: A Christmas Story
5. “Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see” From: The Polar Express

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.

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

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 1000 people host their first party.