15+ Awesome Outdoor Christmas Party Ideas For A Memorable Holiday
Published: 19/12/2023 | Updated: 19/12/2023It's that time of year again: Christmas, winter, and all the extra fun that comes with the festivities.
Who doesn't love this time of the year, the smell of fresh pine, the two feet of fluffy white snow covering every inch of your backyard, and the freezing cold weather as you wrap yourself in all those snuggly blankets you have?
The holiday season is a time for friends, family, and relaxation, and what's a better way to spend it than hosting a Christmas party?
There're tons of ways to make your Christmas party memorable and one of them is by hosting it outdoors.
Here are 16 of the best backyard Christmas party ideas that will make this holiday season much more fun than before!
1. A Fun Gift Exchange
Exchanging gifts is a classic Christmas tradition that can be a lot of fun when you put some effort into it.
There are lots of ways to host a gift exchange, but one thing all good exchanges have in common is that they involve giving everyone involved something special. Maybe something they've always wanted or something that they'll surely use in the future.
If you think that this idea is too classic for your taste, then here is a fun, crazy way to make a memorable gift exchange event:
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Make gifts with names on them like you usually do and put them under your outdoor Christmas tree.
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Make sure that everyone gets at least one item before starting!
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Offer each person two options: whether to keep their original gift without opening it or to trade it with another person in the room.
2. Bonfire with Yummy S'mores
When it gets cold and dark outside, nothing is more comforting than a bonfire and some s'mores!
You can easily create a cozy bonfire for your guests to enjoy and here is how:
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Purchase some wood logs or collect some twigs from around your yard.
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Get together with your family and friends to help create a fire pit by digging a hole in the ground.
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Place the twigs in the hole and build up some dirt around the sides.
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Set up an area where you can safely sit around the fire—make sure there's enough space for everyone to sit away from any potential danger!
3. Outdoor Movie Night
If you have a projector and a large-screen TV, you can set up an outdoor movie night!
Everyone will love being able to sit back and relax while watching their favorite movies—and if you get food stands or make some snacks for everyone, it'll be like a mini-picnic.
Here are a few details you could add to your movie night to make it extra cozy:
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Get blankets and pillows.
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Make hot cocoa or any other warm drinks.
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Bring some snacks and popcorn.
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Make sure that your seating area has a heater, a fire pit, or a bonfire.
4. Snowball Fight!
Snowball fights are a fun tradition to start in your family. You can have the snowball fight right after the gift exchange, or later in the day when everyone has warmed up a bit.
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Make sure you have enough snow for a snowball fight!
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Designate an area that's clear of cars and other objects where you'll be doing this activity.
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Remember that the street is not an acceptable place to have your battle royal because people could get hit by cars or slip on ice, so please avoid it if possible.
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Make sure you have enough snowballs for everyone at your party.
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Wear warm clothes, gloves, and hats, and bring extra clothes and towels.
5. Holiday Caroling
If you're looking for a fun activity to do with friends, family, and maybe even your neighbors, then try holiday caroling.
You can get into the spirit of Christmas by singing some festive songs together!
For this Christmas party idea, you'll need to plan out the route and lyrics of your songs. Choose a song that has a mutually agreed upon set of lyrics, such as "Jingle Bells" or "We Wish You A Merry Christmas."
If you don't know any carols, you could try learning one together as a group! Once you've chosen the song and have practiced it enough, divide it up into groups according to gender and age.
You can even boost the atmosphere by including some instruments and costumes for the carolers.
6. Christmas Photo Booth
If you have a digital camera or a Polaroid camera, set up a Christmas photo booth in your home. You can decorate it with garlands, tinsel, and lights to make it look festive. If not, don't worry!
A simple table with some wrapping paper and bows will do just fine. You can even make it from cardboard and decorated it as a Christmas present or even Santa's sleigh.
You can also find some free printable templates online. If you want to go all out, you could use the same materials for a 3D version of a Christmas tree!
7. Snowball Toss to Win a Prize
If you're planning a Christmas party, one of the most fun activities is to have a snowball toss. This game can be played with as few as two people and as many as 10.
The goal of the game is to get your snowballs from your side of the field into an opponent's bucket at the end of it.
You can make these buckets out of anything that will hold water or sand and then use tape to seal them off so nothing leaks out during play (otherwise, you'll have a mess on your hands!).
If you're already planning to host a snowball fight, this activity could be a great idea.
8. Christmas Cocktail Party
A Christmas cocktail party is a fun option for your next get-together. Not only can you enjoy the drink, but there’s also plenty of food and entertainment to keep attendees engaged.
In addition, it’s another way to showcase some of your favorite holiday decorations!
You can choose from several different cocktails for the evening including Grenadine Punch, Minty Winter Fizz, Spiked Mulled Wine, or Hot Apple Cider Punch.
You could also make up a few of these drinks beforehand and serve them at different times during the party, so they don't all run out at once.
9. White Elephant Gift Exchange
A white elephant gift exchange is one of the most fun ways to celebrate the holidays. It's a great way to get together with your friends and family, have a good time, and share in giving gifts.
The white elephant game rules are simple: everyone brings one wrapped gift. Everyone sits in a circle, so everyone can see what everyone else has brought.
The person who goes first picks up any wrapped gift off the floor and opens it up. If you love what you got, then congratulations, you can keep it!
If not, you're going to pass on the gift to another person by handing it over to them while saying "White Elephant!"
10. Let The Kids Host Their Own Hot Cocoa Stand
This is a great way to teach your kids about the value of money and entrepreneurship while still enjoying a fun party!
Here is what you need to prepare for this project:
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Prepare 1 gallon of hot cocoa.
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Set up a table with cups, marshmallows, and spoons.
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Set up a sign to advertise the stand.
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Have each child sell the hot cocoa and collect money from customers.
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Make sure to clean up after all of the kids have finished selling their hot cocoas!
11. Decorate Your Yard With String Lights
String lights are a great way to decorate your yard during Christmas. They're inexpensive, easy to use, and can help you create an outdoor Christmas party theme.
If you don't want to worry about an outlet, invest in solar string lights instead.
Another idea would be to use red or white Christmas lights for a festive look.
12. Prepare For Christmas Weather With Some Covered Outdoor Space
Another great way to make the most out of your outdoor space is to prepare for the Christmas weather.
If you’re hosting an outdoor party, chances are that it will be on a day that's either freezing cold or blazing hot, so you want to make sure there are plenty of places available for people to find shelter from the elements.
Use a tent, canopy, or gazebo: These structures provide ample room while remaining portable and easy to set up.
They offer not only protection from the sun but also rain and snow storms because they have an enclosed top layer.
You can also add some Christmas decorations to these structures. Whether it means hanging garlands above their heads or attaching lights onto them, these structures will look festive with some beautiful decorations.
13. Host an Outdoor Dinner Party With Festive Food
Hosting a dinner party is an easy way to get your guests involved in the spirit of the season. You can even throw in some festive food for an extra-special touch!
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Make sure you have a covered outdoor space that you can use for your party.
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Decorate the space with Christmas lights and decorations, such as a Christmas tree and garlands strung across walls or railings.
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Place candles at each table setting as well—candles are especially pretty when they're flickering in the winter breeze!
14. Plan Some Fun Christmas Games
You can add some Christmas cheer to your holiday party by playing a few fun games.
These activities are perfect for all age groups and will ensure that everyone has a memorable time.
Here's a list of some games you might want to consider for some friendly competition:
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Pictionary
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Christmas charades
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Christmas memory game
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Guess Who
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Scavenger Hunt
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Christmas Movies Bingo
15. Don't Forget Your Christmas Tree
You can't have a Christmas party without the Christmas tree!
But don't just stop at putting up the tree in your home; make sure you bring one to your outdoor party as well.
It's a great way to add a festive touch to any setting and it is also a great excuse for guests to take photos and exchange gifts.
16. Hot Chocolate Bar
A hot chocolate bar is a great way to wrap up your winter party. Set up a table with all of the ingredients for hot cocoa, plus some fun toppings like marshmallows, chocolate chips, whipped cream, and candy canes.
Let guests make their drinks by choosing their favorite combination of ingredients! Your guests will love being able to customize their drinks!
There you have it,
We hope that this article has inspired you to plan memorable outdoor Christmas parties. And remember that it doesn’t matter if your yard isn’t big enough for all of these activities—just pick one or two and add some festive decorations!
All you need is to let the holiday spirit inspire you and you'll be enjoying the best holiday celebration this year!
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