

Puttin’ on the Ritz: Dress for the Occasion Organize a winter party with an online sign up! S AMPLE. It’s a classic party theme! Bring over several dozen of your best homemade goodies, and go home with a delicious variety to share with holiday guests and your family. No talk of sales, wrapping or recipes allowed! Offer non holiday-themed food such as Chinese takeout or margaritas and watch a chick flick. The Scrooge party is an escape from holiday hustle and bustle and cheer. Formal events are fun, but sometimes you need a break from the dress, heels, hose, makeup, and those look-your-best party Spanx! This also gives people an excuse to try out those adult-size holiday onesies. Don’t wrap alone - host a wrap and (w)rum! Invite the girls to bring their gifts and wrapping supplies, and serve delicious hot rum toddies to make this holiday endeavor something to look forward to. Is there a Christmas chore that gets you down? Maybe addressing the Christmas cards? Invite the girls over to work on cards over some easy appetizers and holiday tunes, and turn a chore into a party. Girls Night: Make Time For A Ladies-Only Party Genius tip: If you host a Christmas Auction, use SignUpGenius to let guests share what they plan to donate, so that bidding excitement can start even before the party! SAMPLE Donate the money to a charity or a family in need. Invite each guest to bring an unwrapped toy to donate, and then auction off the toys to the highest bidder. You can invite the crew over after a day of meaningful labor for tool-themed Christmas cookies and cocoa. Organize a group of friends for an afternoon of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. Provide snacks for the pooches and their people and a prize for best-dressed pet! Encourage each pet owner to bring a toy, food or cash donation for the local shelter. Invite fellow animal lovers to a party at the local dog-friendly park. Encourage participation with some signature Vegas cocktails. Invite friends to come over for a night of cards, dice and Vegas-style fun! Then, donate a percentage of the proceeds to a local charity.

Do you have a friend in their first apartment or home? Perhaps there is someone you know who lost a home to a flood or fire this past year? Host a Trim My Tree party and invite each party guest to bring an ornament to help provide Christmas for a family in need. As a bonus, ask one of your guests to dress as Santa’s helper and make a big show out of collecting the donated gifts.

Donate the gifts to Toys for Tots or to a local family in need. Ask each guest to bring a gift to fill Santa’s sleigh. For extra fun, have everyone dress as a favorite character! Invite guests to bring a children’s book to donate to the local library, school or literacy center. ‘Tis The Season For Giving: Parties With a Purpose Get started with one of these 40 holiday themes to spark your party planning. If you’re planning a holiday party and hoping for ho-ho-ho instead of ho-hum, then plan a theme party! The more focused you are the better.
