37 Low-Key Christmas Party Themes That Spread Major Holiday Cheer

Formal Christmas parties are fun but not always easy on your wallet or schedule. There are invitations to send, decorations to hang, drink menus to plan — the list goes on and on. By the time your event rolls around, you might feel depleted instead of in the holiday spirit.

Our advice? Skip the large and laborious gathering in favor of something more relaxed. Here are our favorite easy and festive Christmas party themes and ideas and that will delight your family and friends — and help you create unique holiday memories. From cookie decorating with a '90s twist to Christmas karaoke and pampering parties, we've got you covered.

Tired of the traditional red and green hues? Theme your Christmas party after the other colors of the rainbow. You can use saturated bottle-brush trees, pom-pom garlands, streamers, painted nutcrackers and glassware to get your palette across, then challenge your family and friends to wear outfits that fit the color scheme.

Cozy up couch-side with a cranberry cocktail, candied popcorn and your closest friends to view all of the holiday classics. Sure-fire crowd-pleasers include: It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and, of course, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Have yourself a very merry movie marathon, and take a sip every time Santa appears on screen.

Have yourself a merry little Santa Paws Party, complete with social pups and Christmas cookies made for dogs. (Yep, it's just as cute as it sounds!) While the humans enjoy hot cocoa and biscotti, the dogs can dig into homemade chicken and sweet potato biscuits. And, of course you should offer seconds to all the good girls and boys!

Whether your friend group prefers Dirty Santa or to exchange gifts that the recipient will actually use, a casual get-together is the perfect time to make the swap. And, don't forget the package is part of the present. Need pointers so you can wrap like a pro? Check out our top Christmas gift-wrapping tips.

Give young holiday party guests a space of their own with our ideas for setting a candy-themed kids' table. From the cookie-covered centerpiece to edible place cards that double as a fun craft project and take-home favor, kids of all ages will love this activity- and treat-filled table that (bonus) leaves adults free to relax and catch up over cocktails or coffee nearby.

Tempt your loved ones with a good time and a good cause by hosting a holiday toy-drive party. The price of admission? One toy per person. You can choose from larger organizations (like Angel Tree and Toys for Tots) or local charities, and send out one of our age-appropriate gift guides as a reference point. Leave a large donation box by your front door, and let guests know how many items were contributed at the end of the night.

Bust out the cowboy boots and host a Western-inspired holiday bash. Think buffalo check and plaid patterns, natural wood, warm hues and a ten-gallon hat or two used as decor.

If they're going to belt Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" anyway, you might as well make things interesting. Supply drinks and a karaoke machine, then tap your friends as the evening's entertainment. And, if you really want to dial up the fun, craft some of our festive photo booth props for the stars to grab before they hit the stage.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that your holiday table setting can be any color you want. That's right! Mix it up this year and set a guest-impressing table using any color that makes you happy.

Roast turkey and whipped potatoes are great and all, but sometimes tacos and tequila are just the ticket to spice up the holiday season. Dangle mistletoe over doorways, prepare some chunky guacamole and stock up on plenty of salt and lime to grant your guests an extra-festive fiesta!

Move over, White Elephant gift exchange. There's a new Christmas party activity in town. This year, invite your family and friends to participate in the inaugural Reindeer Games. Draw inspiration from our favorite holiday party games, linked below, and divide everyone into teams to play "Jingle Bell Toss," "Who Sang It?" and "Holiday Movie Madness."

Buffet service not only frees the host from spending the entire party in the kitchen, it also creates a more casual feel that promotes mingling and conversation. Be sure to provide a variety of options so guests with food allergies or dietary restrictions will be satisfied, too.

Follow along with friends to make some festive and easy Christmas stockings. (Because no mantel is complete without them!) To sweeten this holiday party idea, send everyone home with goodies like homemade cookies or hot cocoa mix.

If you're blessed with a spacious front porch, pull up a few rocking chairs for a snug spot to slow down from the holiday's hustle and bustle. Cover chairs with plush pillows and throws to encourage friends to sit for a spell and catch up over cocoa.

Move over, dry and crumbly cookie exchanges. Make visions of sugar plums dance in their heads by whipping up our guest-impressing Christmas dessert board. While it may look like a lot of work, our 3-in-1 cheesecake recipe and our endlessly customizable shortbread recipe ensure you can create multiple flavors of treats from a single base recipe.

Offer your holiday guests a healthier option with our tips for assembling a sweet-meets-savory board that pairs crunchy veggies with fresh fruit and a variety of flavorful cheeses. Arranged in the shape of a vintage ornament, complete with a tasty, yogurt-based dip at the center, this seasonal spread is both festive and fabulous.

It's easy (and affordable) to execute this festive party theme. All you need is old-school tinsel to add to your tree, mantel garland and anywhere else that could use a little extra sparkle. Then serve up some seasonal sips, like these editor-approved cranberry martinis.

This year, treat guests to decadent hot chocolate — made even better with booze. Invite your closest comrades over, and surprise them with a tasting of what can only be described as “liquefied Christmas joy.” Some of our favorite alcoholic additions to classic hot chocolate include (but, are not limited to): whipped cream vodka, peppermint schnapps and a rich, caramelly bourbon.

You’re decking the halls, you might as well deck the front door while you’re at it! Ask friends to join in on an afternoon of cocktails and catch-ups, while crafting one-of-a-kind Christmas wreaths to hang on their front doors this season.

Compete with friends and find out who has the design chops to give plain gingerbread house kits the sweetest curb appeal. Transform your tasty abode into a cute farmhouse, log cabin, Cape Cod or Victorian. Royal icing and candy are essential building materials, while multiple bottles of pinot, cabernet and Chianti should also be on hand for a good time.

Gift your guests a helping of holiday cheer first thing in the morning with a boozy brunch-inspired Christmas party. Bust out the holiday plates and deck the dining table with holly, pine and other greenery. Then serve something sweet and savory, like chicken and waffles or a tower of made-from-scratch cinnamon rolls. And, of course, make the star of the show big-batch mimosas or a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar.

Turn up the volume and up the ante this year with a laid-back, '90s-inspired holiday cookie party. Have friends break out their shiniest velour tracksuits and come prepared to trick-out some gooey sugar cookies. The soundtrack? Dig out your favorite holiday CDs from the '90s or stream your Christmas go-tos. You can whip up an entire batch of our Christmas cookies and cut them into fun shapes using our go-to recipe.

Spread some serious holiday cheer by leading a Christmas light parade through your neighborhood. Get your running or biking group in on the fun, and wrap everyone's arms, legs or wheels in multicolor lights for an electrifying convoy. (Santa hats, tinsel and jingle bells are also welcome attire.) Once you've completed the circuit, invite the group back to your house for cookies and hot chocolate.

Throw a festive holiday fête that only looks fancy with our tips for turning grocery-store staples into easy-to-munch snacks. Mix up a big-batch cocktail so you're free to mingle and serve foods that don't have to be kept warm and can easily be served buffet style. This way, partygoers can snack as they wish while the focus stays on chatting and enjoying each other's company.

With presents to buy and travel plans to arrange, the holidays can be exhausting. So why not build R&R into your busy schedule by hosting a small pampering party? Throw on a favorite movie or playlist, break out the face masks and nail polish, and call your friends for a much-needed night in.

Encourage friends to wear the most outrageous Christmas onesie they can find and join you for a Pancakes + PJs holiday party. Lure them from their sleep with the earthy coffee aroma and the hissing and popping of bacon on the stove. Pile their plates high with stacks of fluffy pancakes and gather 'round the kitchen table for one holly-jolly breakfast.

Bust out the glitter, paint and pom-poms, and invite friends over for a DIY ornament party. Christmas music blasting in the background is a must, and the crafting table should double as a judgment-free zone.

Try our faux-cross-stitch trick to get plain stockings ready for the Santa's arrival. Friends will love crafting a monogrammed stocking to use as handmade holiday decor or to give as a gift — especially since these personalized stockings look just like the hand-stitched version but come together much quicker and without needle and thread.

Christmas sweaters — no matter how tacky — are wardrobe staples during the holiday season. Throw a DIY ugly sweater party with your pals and prepare for the fun (and photo opportunities) ahead. Reference our guide, below, and supply guests with glue guns, puff paint, ribbons and gaudy holiday appliqués.

Make the typically tedious holiday chore into a chore-no-more by throwing a BYOB (Bring-Your-Own-Bow) wrapping party. Promise pals a booze-stocked bar cart, curated charcuterie board and festive wrapping paper, aplenty. All they’ll need to bring? Ribbons, bows and a bundle of holiday gifts ready for wrapping.

Skip the usual cookie swap and host a friendly Christmas Cake-Off, instead. Ask fellow bakers to prepare their most popular babkas, bundts, genoises and more, then pass out paper and pens for judging. Together, you can award points for presentation, flavor, creativity, etc. Our Birch Bark Yule Log Cake will definitely secure you the top spot.

Bring a taste of the slopes to your home by hosting an après-ski-themed Christmas party. All you need are a few cozy buys (like faux fur blankets, hand-hooked pillows, vintage skis, spruce or balsam candles, etc.) and a roaring fire. Serve mulled wine or hot toddies for good measure.

Everything is more fun with friends, including writing Christmas cards. Send warm wishes to your loved ones (or even someone in the hospital or stationed overseas) by hosting a holiday card-writing party. You can provide the paper, scissors, glue and glitter. Your pals can get inspired by our top handmade holiday card ideas.

Let your inner artist shine through and host a pallet-painting Christmas party. Rustic wood pallets are easy on the wallet and look right at home on the front porch, foyer or even hanging on a wall. Supply friends with pallets, paintbrushes and a constant flow of pinot for a fun and crafty afternoon.

Let the season's most mischievous character be your muse and throw an Elf on the Shelf®-themed Christmas party. Set the dress code as head-to-toe red (think pajamas and onesies), and stage the doll as a chef or bartender in the kitchen or a special guest in the photo booth. Need a little more inspiration? See our full list of creative poses and props below.

For a sober soirée, why not throw a cheeky Toast to the Holidays party? Bring everyone together for mouthwatering crostini topped with arugula, smoked salmon, ricotta, hot honey, hazelnut spreads and more.