'Tis the season for celebrating and no Christmas would be complete without a gathering with your nearest and dearest. Your Christmas party doesn't need to be an extravagant bash to make the most of the season either. This time of year is for spending quality time with family and friends, sharing small moments and making memories. If you're looking for a way to add extra 'wow factor' to your event, a festive theme can add even more fun, whether you're pulling together a quick brunch over the holiday or planning an intimate dinner party.
In this guide, we'll be sharing some of our favourite Christmas party themes for adults to help your guests get into the festive spirit, including:
- Hot chocolate themed party
- Christmas movie night
- Grinchmas party
- Traditions party
- Summer themed Christmas party
- Bring your own board night
- Christmas wonderland party
- Christmas crafternoon
- Gingerbread house decorating party
- Christmas murder mystery party
- Give-back party
1. Hot chocolate themed party
What would the Christmas season be without a few sweet treats? Hosting a chocolate-themed party is the perfect way to celebrate this time of year, especially if you and your guests can snuggle up with cosy mugs of hot chocolate made at your very own hot chocolate station. The best part is that this theme doesn't take much to pull off.
Simply dedicate a small space in your kitchen to your hot chocolate bar, such as a kitchen island, kitchen table, or a section of your worktop. Then, lay out small bowls or ramekins filled with toppings and additions. Whipped cream and marshmallows are popular options but don’t be afraid to think outside the box and include extra festive toppings. Crushed candy canes, nuts, cinnamon sticks, and biscotti will add a seasonal touch to your hot drinks. You can also offer boozy additions such as amaretto, Irish cream, brandy, and rum, for guests to help themselves if they wish.
To make your hot chocolate, combine milk and hot chocolate powder or flakes in a saucepan over a low heat, stirring continuously. It's often best to make your hot chocolate in a saucepan, as this will give you more control over the temperature. Once your hot chocolate is ready, pour it into large mugs for a satisfyingly cosy drink. If you like, you can add other festive additions to your hot chocolate as you warm it through, such as vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg — just follow our cinnamon-spiced hot chocolate recipe.
For a truly indulgent hot chocolate-themed party, you could also feature a chocolate fountain or fondue, complete with festive treats to dip. If you have time to bake, our pistachio biscotti, chocolate biscotti, and German lebkuchen or our mini robin biscuits would be perfect for this. If you don’t have time, something similar from your supermarket of choice will still be popular with your guests!
2. Christmas movie night
A cosy Christmas movie marathon is guaranteed to get everyone in the holiday spirit, so why not host a night in with your family and friends to watch your favourite festive flicks? Pick your greatest Christmas classics and gather around with a few cinema snacks such as Christmas star biscuits, vegetable crip peelings, and a serving bowl full of popcorn. Add a festive spin by making your own homemade popcorn flavourings such as cinnamon butter, golden syrup and orange, or white chocolate and dried cranberry.
Christmas cinema also provides plenty of inspiration when it comes to drinks for this party theme, so why not match your drink offering to your movie choices? For example, serve up some snowball cocktails to watch The Snowman, pair It's a Wonderful Life with some flaming rum punch, or a batch of hot chocolate for The Polar Express. If you like, you could do a combined Christmas movie and hot chocolate party theme.
For an added touch of fun, ask guests to come dressed as their favourite Christmas movie character, or in their cosiest Christmas jumper or PJs.
3. Grinchmas party
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a classic holiday story and a very popular Christmas party theme. If you're a fan of the book or the film then a Grinchmas party could be the perfect premise for your festive gathering. Fun and colourful is the way to go with a Grinch Christmas party theme, and you can easily add an elegant twist by decorating with a few subtle touches, so feel free to get creative.
Of course, green should feature heavily for this theme, so lay out a green tablecloth, put up green paper streamers and decorations, and decorate with pieces of green tableware. Alternatively, channel the magic and whimsy of Whoville with a whole spectrum of hues. Colourful ribbons can add instant drama and joy to a Christmas party table or room and, in addition to choosing recycled ribbons, they can be reused to finish off your gifts once your event is over.
Serve up Grinch-themed snacks like roast beast (our sticky roast gammon recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser), as well as Who-pudding. We have a cherry trifle recipe as well as a showstopping Eton mess you can whip up depending on your interpretation of Who-pudding. Just swap the fruit for winter berries or pieces of orange and fig to make your Eton mess festive.
4. Traditions party
One of the best parts of the festive season is getting to take part in our own annual traditions. So, why not use your party as an excuse to take part in your loved ones' favourite rituals as well? Ask guests to bring along something relating to a personal Christmas tradition. This could be a certain dish they enjoy over the festive season, a party game or activity they like to take part in, an outfit they wear every year, or any other tradition. Along with being an opportunity to share your own family rituals, this Christmas party theme is the perfect time to celebrate the small personal traditions that make the holiday season so special.
5. Bring your own board night
A bring your own board night (or a BYOB night) is a great Christmas party theme if you'd like to share your festive traditions or want to share the responsibility of catering your party. During a BYOB night, each guest brings a food board based on a specific theme or cuisine. The only rule is that it must fit on a wooden board or serving platter. For example, they might bring a cheese board, a dessert board, or a fruit board, but the more creative the better. You could choose to assign a theme to each guest or invite them to bring a board based around their favourite festive dishes. If each guest brings a board, you should have a fantastic feast to tuck into at your party. Don't forget to make your own board as well — our charcuterie board ideas include plenty of tips for creating a Christmas grazing platter.
6. Christmas wonderland party
Hosting a winter wonderland-themed Christmas party at home is a delightful way to bring even more holiday magic to your gathering. Transport your guests to a snowy paradise by draping your buffet table in all white — you can cover the table in a white tablecloth or bed sheet, bunching it up slightly in places to give the illusion of freshly fallen snow. White or grey tableware will add to the frosty scene, particularly our Studio Grey and Kiln pieces. You can add some wonder to your wonderland by weaving some fairy lights between your dishes and dotting around a few candles. Finally, finish the look off with a few springs of holly displayed in a small glass.
Comfort food will warm up your guests in the 'snow', and you can serve up simple, hearty dishes such as bean stew or our maple bourbon cream sweet potato soup, or ask guests to bring their favourite home comfort meal in a potluck style celebration. If you're looking for a showstopping dessert, our baked Alaska recipe will be perfect for your winter wonderland-themed Christmas party.
7. Christmas crafternoon
If you're looking for a Christmas party theme with a purpose, then you might consider hosting a Christmas crafternoon. Gather your closest friends and family for an afternoon (or evening) of festive crafts. Whether you make homemade paper decorations, such as Christmas crackers and paper chains, craft your own Christmas cards, or take part in some festive baking, this party theme is bound to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. Your guests will also have a small memento to take home. For an extra sustainable twist, turn your crafternoon into a 'trash to treasure' party, asking guests to bring unwanted items that everyone can use in their Christmas crafts.
All that DIY is thirsty work so don't forget to serve up some festive refreshments. Mulled wine and hot toddies will add extra cosiness to your Christmas evening, and you can try non-alcoholic mulled wine alternative plus other holiday mocktails. Don't forget some Christmas nibbles too. Small party foods will be best for a crafternoon, so your guests can eat while their hands are busy. Our star-topped mince pies would be perfect for the occasion.
8. Gingerbread house decorating party
A gingerbread house decorating party is the ultimate Christmas DIY project, and you can invite your loved ones round to help you decorate one of your own or their own individual gingerbread houses. If you're feeling competitive you could host a competition for the best decorated gingerbread house.
You can make your own gingerbread from scratch or buy a gingerbread house kit from your local supermarket. Some kits come with the ingredients to make your own biscuits, while others come with the biscuits pre-made ready for building. Most gingerbread house kits also come with royal icing and a few sweets to decorate your house with, but you might choose to add even more decoration options so your guests can let their creativity run free. For example, you may wish to put out a few tubes of coloured icing, plus bowls of marshmallows, desiccated coconut, candy canes, and small edible cake decorations. Serve up warm and comforting drinks like our mulled cider to get everyone feeling some festive cheer.
9. Christmas murder mystery party
If you're looking for a Christmas party theme with a twist, why not host a murder mystery party? Whether you opt to buy a murder mystery kit or make your own storyline, this is a great way to get everyone involved in a fun and thrilling activity during a cosy night in.
Assign everyone a character to play and serve up some deliciously murderous dishes such as pigs in blankets with a blood-red cranberry dipping sauce and a batch of our cranberry and pomegranate punch. You can add an extra festive spin by choosing a Christmas theme, such as murder at the North Pole or murder on the Polar Express. If you and your guests are up for a challenge, you could also dress up as your assigned character — perhaps choosing to wear one item of clothing that embodies your character. For even more theme, food, and hosting ideas, take a look at our top tips for hosting a murder mystery dinner party at home.
10. Summer themed Christmas party
It's the most wonderful time of the year, but if you're dreaming of warm sunny beaches rather than a white Christmas, why not host a summer themed Christmas party? This fun Christmas party theme idea is bound to subvert your guests' expectations and make your event one to remember for years to come.
Throw it back to seasons past by serving up your favourite summery snacks with a festive twist. Our mango sorbet with amaretto crumbs offers all the tropical sweetness of the summer with the Christmas taste of amaretto. Serve your drinks in brightly coloured glassware such as our Modern Deco carafe and gin glasses to finish off the look.
Alternatively, focus your theme even more by choosing a specific location to transport your guests to. For example, you could choose a Hawaiian Christmas party theme, asking guests to dress in their favourite hot weather outfit and handing out leis as everyone arrives. To create the atmosphere of a festive luau, fill your home with tropical scents like the pineapple, pomelo, coconut, and peach notes of our Kiln range of home fragrances.
11. Give-back party
For a Christmas party that means more, a give-back party will help you celebrate the season of giving while taking care of your local community. Ask guests to bring along one or two (or more if they can) old but gently used items to place in a donation box. At the end of the party, gather everything up and deliver it to your local charity shop.
We're proud to partner with Shelter as part of our 'Relove with Shelter' campaign. If you have any old or un-needed tableware, you can donate it to your local Shelter (either in person or via post).
Alternatively, donate some gifts to your local Christmas present appeal, either through a charity or your local council — check online to see which items they're most in need of. You can ask guests to bring along some Christmas gifts and host a wrapping party, complete with Christmas songs and plenty of festive snacks.
Whatever theme you go for, a successful Christmas party is about spending time with loved ones, creating lasting memories, and spreading festive cheer. Whether you opt for a hot chocolate party or a charitable evening at home, the right tableware can elevate your celebration to a whole new level.
From elegant Christmas party themes to whimsical winter celebrations, tableware sets the stage for your chosen theme and adds that extra touch of magic to your event, no matter if you choose one or two key pieces or a full dinnerware set. So, when you're ready to start preparing for your holiday gathering, don't forget to explore a wide array of handmade tableware and serveware options to match your theme and make your Christmas party a truly unforgettable experience for you and your guests.
For even more festive tips, take a look at our guide to having an eco-friendly Christmas for advice on celebrating more consciously. Looking for the perfect present? You can shop our gifts by interest to find something your loved one is sure to cherish. You might also be interested in our guide to making a gift hamper.