The holiday season is the perfect time to host a party that brings friends and family together. With a little creativity, you can make your event truly unforgettable. Below are three trendy and fun holiday party themes—complete with décor, menu, and activity ideas—to help you host a celebration that wows your guests.
A Winter Wonderland theme transforms your space into a magical snowy retreat. Stick to whites, silvers, and icy blues to create a frosty ambiance. Use string lights, LED candles, or icicle lights for a soft glow. Fill clear vases with faux snow and silver ornaments or add white branches spray-painted with glitter for centerpieces. Hang snowflakes from the ceiling or use a white carpet or faux fur rugs for a snowy effect. For the menu, serve peppermint martinis or hot cocoa with candy cane stirrers, snowflake-shaped sugar cookies, mini quiches, cranberry brie bites, roast turkey with cranberry sauce, or a creamy pasta bake. Finish with vanilla cupcakes topped with coconut flakes or a white chocolate fondue station. Activities could include a snowflake-making craft station, a photo booth with snowy props, and holiday karaoke featuring classic winter songs like "Let It Snow" or "Winter Wonderland."
An Ugly Sweater Extravaganza adds humor and lighthearted fun to your holiday party. Use a bright and bold color palette with reds, greens, and golds, and set up backdrops with tinsel garlands and oversized ornaments for a playful, tacky vibe. Cover tables with mismatched holiday-themed tablecloths and create an award area with ribbons or trophies for the "ugliest sweater" winners. Serve spiked eggnog or holiday sangria alongside appetizers like pigs in a blanket, holiday deviled eggs dyed green and red, and sliders. For the main course, offer a hearty chili bar with various toppings, and for dessert, include cookies decorated in "ugly sweater" designs or a DIY gingerbread cookie station. Activities can include an "Ugliest Sweater" contest with prizes, holiday trivia or charades with a festive twist, and a group sweater-making station where guests can decorate blank sweaters with ornaments and pom-poms.
For a cozy and nostalgic vibe, host a Festive Movie Night featuring holiday classics. Arrange cozy seating with blankets and throw pillows in holiday patterns and use string lights or battery-operated lanterns for a warm glow. Hang a projector screen outdoors (if the weather allows) or create an indoor cinema experience with a red carpet leading to the "theater." Serve mulled wine or a holiday punch in mason jars, popcorn with holiday-themed seasonings like cinnamon sugar or white chocolate drizzle, hot pretzels, and candied nuts. A "build-your-own" pizza bar with festive toppings like red and green peppers adds to the fun, while desserts such as candy cane brownies, red velvet cupcakes, or holiday popcorn balls round out the menu. Activities could include a holiday movie trivia game before the film starts, letting guests vote on which classic holiday movies to watch, or setting up a hot cocoa or s'mores bar for intermission.
Whether you’re channeling the icy elegance of a Winter Wonderland, embracing the quirky fun of an Ugly Sweater Extravaganza, or opting for the warmth of a Festive Movie Night, these themes are sure to create a memorable holiday experience for your guests. With the right combination of décor, food, and activities, your party will be the highlight of the season! What theme will you try this year? Share your ideas and photos with us at Purple Tulip Events—we’d love to feature your party inspiration!