But how do you make your Friendsmas party stand out? Whether you’re hosting your first Friendsmas or you’re a seasoned pro looking to mix things up, we’ve got you covered. Here are 11 fun and unique Friendsmas party ideas to make this year’s celebration one to remember!
1. Host a Holiday Movie Marathon
There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than by watching festive movies. Hosting a holiday movie marathon is a cozy and relaxed Friendsmas idea that everyone will love. Set up a comfy space with blankets, pillows, and fairy lights to create a warm atmosphere.
Pick a lineup of classic holiday films like Home Alone, Elf, and The Grinch, or let your friends vote on their favorites. To make it even more special, create a hot chocolate bar with various toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, and candy canes.
You can also hand out “movie bingo” cards where everyone can mark off popular holiday tropes like “snowy scene,” “Santa sighting,” or “Christmas carol.”
2. Potluck Dinner with a Twist
One of the best parts of Friendsmas is sharing a meal together. Instead of putting all the cooking pressure on one person, host a potluck dinner. Each friend can bring a dish, but with a twist: assign different countries to each guest and have them bring a Christmas dish from that country!
This global theme adds a unique spin to the traditional holiday meal and gives everyone a chance to try something new. From Italian panettone to Mexican tamales, your Friendsmas table will be full of diverse and delicious flavors.
To add even more fun, ask everyone to share a story or fact about the dish they’ve brought.
3. DIY Ornament Exchange
If you’re looking for a fun activity that also serves as a keepsake, consider a DIY ornament exchange. Before the party, ask each friend to make a homemade ornament. It could be as simple or as intricate as they like.
At the party, hang all the ornaments on a tree and have each guest pick one at random to take home. This not only makes for a memorable gift exchange but also ensures that everyone goes home with something personal and handmade.
To take the pressure off, you could even provide craft supplies at the party and let everyone make their ornaments together!
4. Friendsmas Pajama Party
If you and your friends are all about comfort, why not turn your Friendsmas celebration into a pajama party? Encourage everyone to come dressed in their coziest holiday PJs. You can even host a “best pajamas” contest with small prizes for categories like “most festive” or “most creative.”
Set up a snack station with popcorn, cookies, and holiday-themed drinks like eggnog or mulled cider. Play classic board games, holiday trivia, or even have a gingerbread house decorating contest. The relaxed vibe of a pajama party makes it perfect for those who want to enjoy a low-key yet festive celebration.
5. Secret Santa with a Twist
Secret Santa is a popular gift exchange game, but you can add a fun twist to make it more unique. Instead of buying traditional gifts, why not try a White Elephant Secret Santa?
In this version, everyone brings a quirky, funny, or even “regifted” item wrapped up as their Secret Santa gift. Guests take turns choosing a wrapped gift or stealing an already opened one. This creates a fun and unpredictable element to the gift exchange, with plenty of laughs along the way!
Alternatively, you can set a theme for the Secret Santa gifts, such as “homemade only” or “gifts under $10” to make it even more challenging and creative.
6. Christmas Karaoke Night
If your friend group loves music, hosting a Christmas karaoke night is a sure way to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Set up a karaoke machine or use a karaoke app on your TV, and let everyone take turns belting out their favorite Christmas carols.
You can create a festive atmosphere with twinkling lights, microphones, and Santa hats. Encourage your guests to perform solo, in duets, or even form holiday singing groups for a competitive twist. To add to the fun, give out awards for “best performance,” “most festive,” or “funniest song choice.”
7. Cookie Decorating Contest
For friends who enjoy a creative challenge, host a cookie decorating contest as part of your Friendsmas celebration. Before the party, bake batches of sugar cookies in fun holiday shapes like stars, stockings, and Christmas trees.
Set up a decorating station with colorful icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations. Each guest can decorate their cookies and enter their creations into different categories like “most creative,” “most festive,” or “best overall.”
Once everyone has finished, you can either have the group vote or appoint a guest judge to pick the winners. The best part? Everyone gets to eat their tasty creations at the end!
8. Host a Christmas Craft Party
If your friend group loves getting crafty, host a Christmas craft party where everyone can make their own holiday-themed creations. Set up tables with craft supplies like glue, scissors, paint, and glitter. Provide ideas for easy DIY projects like Christmas wreaths, personalized stockings, or holiday cards.
This activity is not only fun but also allows everyone to make something personal to take home or gift to someone special. Plus, crafting together is a great way to bond and share laughs throughout the evening.
You can also make the event more structured by having everyone follow a specific craft tutorial or keep it freeform for creative expression.
9. Ugly Sweater Party
The ugly sweater party has become a classic holiday tradition, and it’s perfect for Friendsmas! Encourage your friends to show up in their most outrageous, over-the-top holiday sweaters. You can even make it a competition by offering prizes for categories like “ugliest sweater,” “most creative,” or “most festive.”
To add even more fun, set up a photo booth with holiday props so everyone can take silly pictures in their sweaters. Pair the party with festive music, snacks, and holiday drinks for an unforgettable Friendsmas celebration.
10. Christmas Trivia Challenge
Test your friends’ holiday knowledge with a Christmas trivia challenge. Divide your guests into teams and prepare a series of questions about Christmas movies, songs, traditions, and history. You can even add a few personal questions about past Friendsmas celebrations to make it more fun and nostalgic.
To keep things competitive, offer small prizes for the winning team. Trivia challenges are a great way to keep your guests entertained while encouraging some friendly competition.
11. Friendsmas Scavenger Hunt
For an interactive and energetic Friendsmas party idea, plan a Christmas scavenger hunt. Create a list of holiday-themed items or tasks that your friends need to find or complete. These can include things like:
Finding a specific Christmas ornament in the house.
Taking a selfie with a Santa decoration.
Wrapping a present in under two minutes.
You can divide your friends into teams and give them a time limit to complete the tasks. At the end of the hunt, the team with the most points wins a prize. This activity adds an adventurous and fun element to your Friendsmas celebration!
Final Thoughts: Hosting a Friendsmas to Remember
Friendsmas is all about celebrating the holiday season with your closest friends in a fun and meaningful way. With these 11 unique Friendsmas party ideas, you can create a memorable gathering that everyone will enjoy. Whether you go for a cozy movie marathon or an adventurous scavenger hunt, the key is to make it personal and festive.
At Otao Kitchen, we believe that food brings people together. If you’re looking for a unique way to host your Friendsmas, why not book one of our cooking classes? You and your friends can bond over delicious food, learn new skills, and enjoy a festive meal together. With options ranging from dumpling-making to sushi rolling, we have something for everyone. Make your Friendsmas 2024 an event to remember by celebrating with us at Otao Kitchen!