College Christmas party - ideas? Experiences?

[WanderingStar]

I'm 22 and I recently threw a great Halloween party... so I thought I'd throw a Christmas party, too! But this is a little harder to plan...

I didn't want to do the usual cheesy Christmas sweater party, and I'm not sure if I want to do a fancy cocktail party (though I might...) I've always been a fan of classy parties, but I may have to put that aside for my fellow peers...

Does anyone have any ideas for what sort of "theme" I could do? Or how to entertain the guests? We'll all be around 20, 21, 22, with a handful of people in their mid 20s.

Any suggestions would be great!

Thank you!

[Just Whisper]

Which category are your friends most likely to fit into?
Stand around and drink, get drunk, act silly?
Stand around and drink but have meaningful conversations?
Play group games and be a little silly?
Artsy crafty people?
Wide variety of friends... a little of each.
This might help with making suggestions.

[mekimare]

I'm assuming from your age that you're on a budget? I have had to improvise with limited funds, and although I think my chocolate fountain was a SOUND investment ;) , entertaining ain't cheap without creativity!

Just Whisper's right, the type of guests you have will color the kind of celebration you have. One common thread - lights!!! String lights all over to create a party feel - air lights are OK when it's an inside party!

If you want an elegant, stylish party, consider using tea lights around the house, or if you're worried they might get knocked over, you can always get the battery-operated ones. Floating candles are really classy and a little safer than having a flame completely out in the open. (You can fill a glass 3/4 with water and put the candle in, that way it reflects the water and glass, but is still semi-protected).

Are your friends foodies or will they eat whatever you set out? If you think they'd be into it, you could mix cookie batter before the party and then spread out a bunch of cookie pans and decorations, and let everyone decorate them...then bake them, and they'll serve as some of your food. (Plus it will keep them occupied while you're putting out chips or veggies or whatever.)

Oh one more thing:
Signature drinks are a great way to set the mood and keep the almighty liquor bill in check! I threw a New Year's Eve party last year and my Peach Fizz pitchers blew everything else I served out of the water!

[WanderingStar]

Well I'm pretty sure it will be a wide mix of people; the one common thing is we do all enjoy to drink and most likely get drunk. But we don't get really rowdy, we tend to mingle and dance and talk and play cards. But considering how well my Halloween party went, people have been spreading the word that there will be a Christmas party, so I wanna make sure it's good!

As for lighting, I was going to use tons of Christmas tree lights all over the house, and then use these great icicle lights, but put them up in the house and then get some green or red gauze to cover it so it looks like little stars in the hallway or something. And I was going to change out the light bulbs so that they're green and red.

Are streamers too tacky?

I was going to have us all decorate cookies, but I have a VERY small kitchen, and not a lot of table space in the living room... it could get SUPER messy. But my roommates and I will definitely be baking some for people to snack on. What are other good Christmas-y snacks, but that aren't sweet?

I'm definitely making some green and red jello shots, and then a hot punch of some form (just haven't decided what recipe to use!)

[mekimare]

But considering how well my Halloween party went, people have been spreading the word that there will be a Christmas party, so I wanna make sure it's good!

Nothing like a little pressure for your first Christmas party!

Gingerbread men aren't too sweet, and anything with cinnamon would be good for the season.

You could put mini marshmallows into little baggies, tie with festive ribbon and give out as favors.... as snowman p00p.... :D

[WanderingStar]

Pressure indeed! I'm gonna have to just let my imagination fly and do the best I can!

Hahaha, I like the marshmallow idea, that's cute.

Gingerbread is a great idea as well!

Here's hoping...

[Sickie Ickie]

Wandering, have you seen this page?

http://santasprojects.com/projdetail.php?category=Food

I really love the snowflake and penguins, as well as the apple tea lights, and candy cane vase. The rest of the food could be considered classy, too. This all depends on how much effort you want to put into your shindig.

Someone else here suggested a Christmas costume party. Dress as your favorite Christmas Character. Sounds like fun to me.

[WanderingStar]

OOh what a great page! I definitely will be putting in some serious effort... however cheap that effort may be :)

And the thought definitely crossed my mind to have a costume party... I think it would be super cute and lots of fun, and SO easy to do.

[Just Whisper]

Here are a few ideas for some games/activities that might be fun. You can customize them to fit your group of guests.


Wrapping Race

Supplies:

- Two rolls of wrapping paper
- Two spools of holiday ribbon
- Two rolls of tape
- Two identical sets of three different sized boxes.
- Two sets of scissors

Instructions:

1. Pit two teams against each other in a race against the clock to see which team can wrap presents faster. Begin by dividing the party into two wrapping teams.

2. Give each team their supplies and give one minute for strategizing before letting the teams begin their mad wrapping.

3. The first team to wrap all three of their boxes completely with wrapping paper and ribbon are the winners.

__________________________________________________
Worst Holiday Presents - Two Truths and a Lie

Supplies:

- One piece of paper for each person playing the game
- Tape
- Pencils and pens

Instructions:

1. In this holiday version of the game ‘two truths and a lie', have each person write down two of the worst holiday presents they have ever received along with one made up ‘worst holiday present.' Make sure each person writes their name at the top of the paper.

2. When everyone is done, hang each person's piece of paper on the wall so everyone can read them over and have a good laugh. Everyone will spend the rest of the party guessing which horrible holiday presents were real and which are invented.

___________________________________________

White elephant gift exchange
These are always fun and sure to get a lot of laughs.
Have each guest bring a gag gift or something fun or funny. Set a limit like $5. so everyone can afford it. Then use the Dirty Santa gift exchange rules to play.

______________________________________________

Name That Holiday Tune

Supplies:

- CD player
- Holiday song CD
- Two bells

Instructions:

1. Divide the party up into two teams and give each team a bell.

2. Begin playing a holiday song and instruct the first person who can name the tune to ring their bell.

3. If they answer correctly, their team gets a point. If they guess incorrectly, the other team has a chance to give their answer for a point. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

________________________________________

A Message for our Troops
If you want to do something meaningful try this:
Provide several boxes of dollar store Christmas cards, set on a table with pens. Each guest can choose a card (or several) and write a message in the card to be sent (en mass) to our military overseas. This can be done also for Veterans Hospital patients, or patients in the Children's Hospital or whichever group you chose.

[WanderingStar]

WOW I love those games, they are perfect for this age group, particularly the gift exchange and the worst holiday presents.

But I do have a question - this makes me sound like such a dummy, but what exactly do you mean by "Dirty Santa gift exchange rules?" I have to say... never played... so the rules are?

[theedwin]

Great ideas JW!! I really like the one for the military!

[noelle_loves_christmas]

mix food colouring and make green and red vodka ;)

[Sickie Ickie]

don't they have natural colors in vodka like that? I know they have apple pucker and I'm sure they have a red one...

[Warrant2000]

Decorations. Put some extra class into what is typically another drinking gathering by adding classy decorations to your pad. Go to Michaels or a craft store and you'll get lots of inspiration. Jars with cinnamon sticks, oranges, apples, and gourds, garland around doorways and arches, wreaths for every door (use over-door hangers), spice-flavored room fresheners, table cloths and throws, Christmas village buildings, etc.

"Hi, My Name is..."

Using this (http://www.jokesunlimited.com/christmas_elf_name.php) or this (http://www.generator.name/christmas) site, have name stickers available when guests arrive. Type in their name, write it on their tag, and let them proudly were it the rest of the night! For extra flair, use sparkly fabric pens (available at craft or fabric stores) to write it on a piece of green or red felt that is pre-decorated with glitter and garland. Have a clip or pre-made button hole ready (avoid using safety pins as they don't mix with booze). After many drinks you'll probably hear, "I love you Binky Twinkle Toes! I love you, man!"

Guess How Many Candies In The Jar

Have a medium size jar filled with christmas candy, put a piece of paper and pen next to it. Guests guess how many candies are inside. Towards the end of the party, announce the correct number and the winner, who gets to take the candy and jar home.

Gift Bags

1 for each guest or couple. Put in some candy treats, cookies, an ornament, and a DVD of a classic Christmas movie.

Gift Exchange with Stealing

Like the White Elephant, the additional rule is that when it's someone's turn to pick a gift, they can either take a new one from the tree, or steal from someone else. If it's stolen, the person that is now empty hadned can also pick a new one or steal from someone else. Important rule is that each gift can only be stolen twice. On the second steal, it is locked out of play and belongs to that person.

Candy Ornaments

Look in my album (http://www.christmasfanclub.com/album.php?albumid=28) on how to make these. Be careful for molten-hot candy! Do these early so they have time to cool for the trip home. Wrap in colored plastic wrap and tie with a bow.

Candy House Making

This thread. (http://www.christmasfanclub.com/showthread.php?t=809) Pre-make small house buildings, set out a bunch of bowls of candy and frosting. Build to complete sweetness!

[WanderingStar]

GREAT ideas, thank you Warrent!

It's only a week away... goodness! Lots of ideas floating around though... I'll have to post some pics once I get going! I think the idea of lots of little flair here and there is perfect - it's better with an apartment with lots of angles!!

[WanderingStar]

OH and as for the Vodka - yes! They do have flavored Vodka, I'm pretty sure... a friend of mine is making green and red jello shots! Festive AND yummy!

[Warrant2000]

So how was the party, or has it yet to happen?

[Sickie Ickie]

I think this already happened.