3 Simple Holiday Party Activities You Should Try This Year

I have been a grateful guest at several holiday parties this year and I wanted to share party ideas that I felt went very well.

Shadow Nativity Play:

This idea is so simple, yet incredibly effective and moving. Set up your stage area, (it doesn't have to be too big) stretch a sheet or cloth in front of the stage and put a bright light behind the actors. The sheet will hide the details of the costumes and faces giving them a simple shape. Shepherd bathrobes don’t have to match, the props can just be cut out of cardboard, or anything to make the shape you want. Dress up the kids or your friends as actors. You can have the partygoers sing carols as the play progresses. It doesn’t take much practice, but it is a moving event.

Cozy Christmas Morning Breakfast:

Invite friends over and pretend it is Christmas morning, an extended morning with no pressure to get to the presents. Pajamas help set the mood. Play music, share yummy breakfast treats. We kept them small so you could try lots of different flavor blasts. Encourage guests to bring pillows, blankets, and soft things to cuddle with. Watch a movie, play games do a puzzle just unwind a little early this season.

Chef Share:

I love this one. You pick a recipe that you like, it can be a special drink, an appetizer or some fun dessert. The trick is to choose a simple recipe that is easy to teach. Get the ingredients for each guest or you can have them bring ingredients. Then you have the chef show you how to make the holiday treat. Our party featured a fun drink and each guest was assigned to bring a mug that we liked. We laughed and followed the building of the drink and used the stories behind our selected mugs to break the ice.

There are a bunch of ideas out there. I think simplicity is one of the big tricks to a successful holiday party. So often I have an idea, but if it gets too big I get intimidated and abort. So keep it simple so it doesn't add too much more stress to your season and then go for it.