The holidays are a time to get together with family and friends. What better way to spend time with them than with a party?
Now there is the typical family and friends get together, where there are holiday decorations everywhere. Everyone has a few snacks to eat, drinks to share, and stories to tell.
But why not have a different spin on the traditional holiday party? Here is a list of holiday parties that you should have this year. Or, maybe you’re already going to one.
Ugly Sweater Party
As of late, Ugly sweater parties seem to be becoming a traditional party theme. But, that’s not a bad thing. It is an excuse to pull out that embarrassing sweater one of your relatives bought you for Christmas a few years ago, or was it last year? Not only do you have a story to tell, but you actually get use out of the thing.
Fun things to do at an ugly sweater party are to have everyone tell a story about their sweater, have a contest for the ugliest sweater, and maybe have an ugly sweater exchange.
If you have a small group of friends, ask everyone to sit in a circle and tell the story about how they got their ugly sweaters. Tell them they can spice up the details, add a dinosaur in there or two, and see what crazy stories people can come up with. I’m sure there will be lots of laughs.
To make your friends feel even better about themselves, hold a contest for the ugliest sweater at the party. Get out some paper, have everyone write down who they think has the ugliest sweater, and tally up the scores. The winner can get a prize, trophy, or just the title of the ugliest sweater owner!
Though you and your friends may not all be the same size, you can do an ugly sweater exchange. Bring sweaters that you or a family member has, that they do not want, and give it to someone at the party to wear. Someone wearing a sweater that is too small or too large, could make the party even better, or at least the pictures will be.
Holiday Movie Party
Everyone has a favorite holiday movie or two. You might usually watch it with your immediate family, but why not invite others to watch your favorite movies with you?
Bust out the TV, the Netflix or movie player, and the popcorn. Then you’ll be all set. Be sure you ask your friends to bring their favorites. You might learn something about your friend that you may not know.
To make the movie night more interesting, there are a few different ideas that you can try. Look up a list of the worst holiday movies and watch those instead of your favorites. You and your friends can laugh and groan over how ridiculous the movies are.
You can also try bringing back some odd or old movies that you love. Everyone can reminisce over the memories of those movies while enjoying them together.
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Decorating Party
Although there are many types of decorating, those are just more excuses to have a party!
You can do a Christmas tree decorating party, where you invite your friends to come over and help you decorate the tree. You can ask them to bring or make their own ornaments. That way it adds a special and personal touch to the tree. Then, when it is all done, gather everyone around to plug in the lights.
Another decorating party is a holiday cookie decorating party. Invite family and friends to bring some ingredients to their favorite cookies, or just use a sugar cookie recipe. Then you can mix and bake the cookies together so that when they are done everyone can have fun decorating the cookies. Have frosting, sprinkles, powder and anything else you might need available for the decorating.
If you want, you can have an all-out holiday decorating party. Bring down your decorations, invite the friends over, and let the madness ensue. Hopefully your friends will make everything beautiful, but you might want to keep the important things for yourself to set up, just in case.
Reverse Christmas in July Party
I’m sure you’ve heard of “Christmas in July” parties. In July, people dress up, decorate, and celebrate like it is Christmas time. However, maybe this year you should try a little spin on the July tradition.
Instead of celebrating Christmas in July, why not celebrate July in December, making a reverse Christmas in July party?
Decorate the house or venue with a tropical items like fruit punch, palm trees, sunglasses, grass skirts and floral clothing. Then play some summer tunes and you’ll feel like it’s July. You might even want to consider boosting up the heat so that visitors will get the full experience of a tropical paradise.
White Elephant Party
Many people have a party called, “Secret Santa.” This is a gift exchange party where a group of friends, family or co-workers write their names down on slips of paper, determine a spending limit, and purchase presents for the person on the slip of paper they received. However, the person receiving the present doesn’t know who got their name. Hence, why it is a secret.
However, people are now starting to get into a gift exchange party called, “White Elephant” party. This is a party where a few different events can happen. However, the rules are about the same.
White Elephant gift exchanges usually start off with everyone getting a number to start with. The first person gets to open a present and their turn ends. After that, when each subsequent person goes, they may either “steal” the present that the first person received, or they may open a new present of their own. This continues until all presents are done. It’s a fun and different way to exchange gifts.
There are a few different present types that you can do, too. One is that everyone just buys a random present that is nice and new. Another is that you give a used or unwanted item and then someone else can deal with that problem item. Unless you, sadly, get stuck with it again. You can also do silly or naughty presents that will be sure to bring laughter to everyone there.
Whatever party you go to or have, be sure to be safe and have fun!
Photo Credits:
All from Wikipedia Commons except White Elephant
White Elephant Photo from Nancy Dorsner on Flickr