How to Host a Christmas Open House

A Christmas Open House is so much fun because the party goes on and on and on and on! I don't know about you, but I like that. I have more one on one time to spend with friends and family when they stop in at their leisure versus hosting a large crowd all night. A holiday open house party is a great idea for a company holiday party.

1. Send Your Holiday Open House Invitation

Personalize Your Party! Any Holiday Invitation will do. What's most important are the times. Don't forget to include start and finish times and the words "OPEN HOUSE." Otherwise, people will think it's a regular party, and plan on staying the entire time!
Throw in some Christmas confetti just for fun!
Send out a personalized Holiday Open House Invitation

Here is some fun wording for Christmas Open House Party Invitations:

Come get your Jingle On at our Christmas Open House!
Let's get together for some holiday cheer, for Christmas Day is almost here!
All we want for Christmas is for you to join us at our Christmas Open House
It's that time of year again, and Santa's on his way... so join us for an Open House and a little frolic and some play

If you are going to have a theme or activity at the party, let your guests know on the invite so that they can be prepared. Here are a few fun suggestions:

Gift exchange (white elephant or secret Santa)
Ugly Sweater Contest
Cookie exchange
Potluck/recipe exchange
Scavenger hunt
Ornament exchange
Request donations to charity - your guests will enjoy the opportunity to help those less fortunate during the holidays

2. Decorate Your Home and Your Guests For The Holidays

Your usual décor is fine. Add a few fun touches like a Custom Christmas Banner.
Make sure to have enough mistletoe on hand and don't forget to give your guests nametags if this is a mixed crowd of friends, family, co-workers and others! Everyone on hand will certainly appreciate that!
Welcome your guests with a drink. Glasses of champagne on the front table or punch are good options, because they don't require mixing a drink for each new guest. Just refill as needed.
Lights and candles will go a long way in creating a glow for your party room. Place any candles out of the way so that they don’t get knocked over.
Don't just decorate your party, decorate your guests. They'll have more fun and imagine what the pictures will look like! Have Santa Hats for everyone to wear.
Here are a few more easy decorations that work well for a casual open house party:
- Christmas Scene Setters - Creat a backdrop for your party. Great on blank walls... I love to put these behind the food tables or to create a photo op for pictures!
- Red and Green Tissue Balls - These go with everything and bring a dramatic pop of color to a space.
- Things that light up... for a party in the evening I love to add a few light up elements. Whether you have them outdoors to welcome your guests, or near an important place to draw your guests attention (like the bar) you can't go wrong with lights at Christmas. Try light up balloons or luminary bags.

3. Plan your Open House Menu

Use traditional Holiday themed paper goods to add a splash of panache to your fete and to keep clean up easy.
You'll want to serve finger foods-nothing you have to cut or have trouble eating or that is messy and can get all over you. There's nothing worse than standing there with a plate, silverware and a glass of wine! Make it easy on your guests and on yourself-let them graze and not chow down! Here are a few of my go-to favorites:
- Pigs in Blankets
- Cheese Balls and Logs
- Baked Brie
- Crab Cakes
- Stuffed Mushrooms or Cherry Tomatoes
- Crudites and Dip
- Bruschetta
- Cheese Platter
- Hot Spinach Dip
- Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
- Crab Dip
- Classic Shrimp Cocktail
- Pizza Bites (thin crust pizza cut into smallish pieces)
Don't forget eggnog and a holiday punch.

4. Set up some fun Christmas Activities

You may want to have a "Message to Santa" board for everyone to sign and for others to read as they enter.
Have a "build your own eggnog sundae bar" just for fun. Cookie decorating is fun and they can take the cookies with them when they leave. Set up different areas in the house for people to go and do-if they don't want to, they won't. If they do, they'll have a ball!
Personalize Your Party! Or you can use one of our Christmas Photo Ops turning your guests into an elf, Santa, or even a Christmas bulb and more. Ho ho ho!
Karaoke is another great activity for an open house party. Buy, rent or borrow a karaoke machine and serve a up a list of festive songs for your guests to sing.

5. Hand Out Favors to Say "Thanks for coming!"

Make it yourself favors at Holiday time are always appreciated. Buy tins and fill them with Christmas cookies, gingerbread men or brownies; pack cookies and/or foil-wrapped kisses and bells in cellophane bags and tie-off with red and green ribbon
Personalize Your Party! Have favors in a basket by the door for people to take as they are leaving. Here are a few custom favors: