The teenager stage is so tough, because all of the sudden, the age-old, magical Christmas traditions you do as a family each year—taking pictures with Santa, decorating the Christmas tree, writing letters to Santa, etc.—suddenly receive an eye roll and a dramatic huff. How do you make Christmas special for your teen? Holiday parties can be a great way for your teen to connect with their peers, be creative, and start their own traditions. Try planning a holiday party with these helpful, simple tips and tricks that have your teenager in mind.
Setting the Scene: Creating a Teen-Approved Holiday Atmosphere
First and foremost, keep it casual and let your teen help plan. You might be tempted to micromanage, but if you give them options and they have a say in all the things—what y’all do, the decor, food, games, and more—they will be more likely to take ownership and make the most of it.
Decor Ideas
Maximize the Christmas decor throughout your house! But it can be fun to add a little extra decor throughout the house too. Here’s a few ideas:
- Cozy winter theme with fairy lights, candles (LED), garlands
- Photo corner with a DIY backdrop (snowflakes, metallic streamers, holiday props)
- Hot cocoa or beverage bar as both décor and activity (Can I get a YUM?!)
Music & Mood
Play a teen-curated playlist (maybe double-check it, though). I’m never above asking Alexa for some fun Christmas tunes, though. Turn music into a festive activity with a karaoke setup or silent disco headphones. (You can always get creative with a hairbrush and a Youtube video, just saying…)
Festive Food & Snack Ideas
What’s a party without food?! Food can also be a great activity too. Whether you’re looking for light snacks that people can munch on at their own leisure or a more interactive experience (hello, cookies galore!), you’ll find some fun ~festive-ities~ below:
Build-Your-Own Stations
- Hot cocoa bar with toppings
- DIY nacho or slider bar
- Holiday mocktail mixer table
Teen-Friendly Finger Foods
- Mini charcuterie cups
- Flatbread pizzas
- Festive popcorn mixes
Cookie Decorating Competition
Set up decorating stations for gingerbread men or sugar cookies. (You can buy some off Amazon if you’re not wanting to bake them before the party!) Make sure to have lots of icing and sprinkles options.
Holiday Cookie Swap
If you’ve never been to a cookie swap, they’re the best. Each teen will bring their own batch of cookies (ideally homemade) and then you swap so everyone has at least one of each! A sugar-addict’s dream.
Sugar & Spice… Tell Me Something Nice
Have everyone vote for their favorite or do a “blind” taste test. A few categories include best flavor, most creative, and best presentation.
Packaging Ideas
- Simple gift bags, mason jars, or holiday tins
- DIY tag-making table with markers, ribbons, stickers
Game Ideas Teens Actually Enjoy
Active or Icebreaker Games
They may feel silly to teens sometimes, but a good game can really get them out of their moodiness and enable them to be themselves! Plus, you can add a holiday spin many classic icebreakers.
- Holiday Scavenger Hunt (indoors or around the neighborhood)
- Minute-to-Win-It Challenges (candy cane picks, ornament stacking, etc.)
- Gift Wrap Relay—race to wrap odd-shaped items
Chill but Fun Group Games
- White Elephant with a Twist (themes: funny socks, $10 gifts, thrift-store finds)
- Holiday Trivia (pop culture + seasonal questions)
- Werewolf/Mafia, Codenames, or Telestrations with holiday prompts
Creative Games
- DIY Ornament Contest using craft supplies
- Holiday Lip Sync Battle
- Snowman Building Challenge (real snow or toilet-paper version)
Craft & DIY Stations
If your teen is a fan of crafting or getting creative, they might love the ideas of creating something at their party. A party favor, of sorts.
- Ornament painting or wood-slice decorating
- Holiday card-making for family or community service
- Personalized mug decorating (oil-based paint pen
Photo & Memory-Making Ideas
If you didn’t take a pic, it didn’t happen. Get creative with the photo opportunities!
- Polaroid or instant film station
- “Best Holiday Outfit” mini-fashion show
- Digital slideshow of photos from throughout the year
Low-Budget or Small-Group Options
If, at the end of the day, all your teen wants to do is have some friends over for a movie and popcorn, that’s okay too. Keeping it simple is often the best decision—after all, they probably just want to hang out and talk! (And eat while talking. Ha!)
- Movie night + holiday pajamas
- Board game marathon
- Cozy bonfire & s’mores (weather permitting)
Parent Tips
- Set clear start/end times (or else you’ll be up all night wondering when they’re going home!).
- Keep supervision low-key but present.
- Food allergy reminders are important! Ask your teen if anyone is allergic to anything, and ask their friends when they come too just in case.
- If they’re playing outside, be wise and cognizant to take outdoor activity safety measures if applicable.
Let your teen lead and express themselves. The goal is for them to have fun, not for it to be a “perfect” party. Merry Christmas (and good luck!)
