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Awesome Christmas party ideas, with everything from themes to decorations

Here are the seven most festive Christmas party ideas, including party themes like a cookie feast or a boozy potluck

Written by
Jordi Lippe-McGraw
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It’s the time of year when you already have three soirees on your calendar for every Saturday in December, but these Christmas party ideas will make your bash seem like it came straight out of a winter wonderland. With party themes like tree trimming or a Christmas scavenger hunt, they’ll be much better than another stressful family gathering or awkward office party, we promise.

RECOMMENDED: See the full Christmas in New York guide

The best Christmas party ideas

Holiday Movie Marathon

Holiday Movie Marathon

Spend a night getting a little nostalgic with pals by cozying up and having a holiday movie marathon. White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street…. The list of holiday classics is endless. And no binge-watching session would be complete without some themed snacks. Order gourmet holiday popcorn from Pop Karma—this season’s flavors include Gingerbread Stout Caramel, White Truffle Cheddar and Sweet Cinnamon. 95 Orchard St (917-675-7450, popkarma.com)

Christmas Carol Karaoke

Christmas Carol Karaoke

Karaoke is a solid choice of activity when it comes to planning a fun night out, period. But instead of belting out your version of "Sweet Child o' Mine," get in the holiday spirit by hosting a modern version of caroling. Don’t bother going door to door—just get a professional quality karaoke machine brought to you through Porcci NYC, where packages range from a small get-together to a full-blown extravaganza. “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” anyone? 134 W 29th St (888-656-8889, porccinyc.com)

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Festive Alcohol Potluck

Festive Alcohol Potluck

This isn't your mother's church-basement potluck. Instead of asking your friends to cook their favorite dishes, get them to supply booze, mixers and favorite cocktail recipes for a night of communal debauchery. And don't worry about the heavy lifting; turn to Model Bartenders to hand-select a hot bartender to come to your party and whip up the drinks. The company can match any theme you desire—like hot Santas. 145 West 28th St (212-499-0886, modelbartenders.com)

Santa Scavenger Hunt

Santa Scavenger Hunt

When you think quintessential Christmas, you think New York. With the lights, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and countless decorations, there's truly no better place to get in the festive spirit, so go explore some (or all!) of these holiday hot spots on a scavenger hunt. If thinking of creative clues sounds like a hassle, Watson Adventures is hosting The Midtown Holiday Movie Locations Scavenger Hunt, where you'll visit locations from holiday movies like Home Alone 2 and Elf. Meet at 768 5th Ave(877-946-4868, watsonadventures.com)

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Tree-Decorating Party

Tree-Decorating Party

While having a Christmas tree in New York can be a bit challenging (Needles! Sap!), there's nothing quite like reminiscing over old ornaments with family—or drinking with friends as you get tangled in lights—as you decorate. Have your tree delivered from places Anthony Gallo Nursery, then just go nuts with the tinsel. 1909 Flatbush Ave (718-377-1046, gallogardens.com)

Christmas Cookie Bash

Christmas Cookie Bash

Even if you don’t decorate your apartment, you can’t object to cookie decorating (or, at the very least, cookie eating). If you want to leave your kitchen sparkling clean, or if you’re just a pastry newbie, you can get help with making custom cookies from Milk and Cookies Bakery in the West Village, which hosts private in-store parties where you pick a base dough and add in things like nuts, coconut and marshmallows. 19 Commerce St (212-243-1640, milkandcookiesbakery.com)

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Ugly Sweater Fashion Show
Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Yelp Inc.

Ugly Sweater Fashion Show

Those horrible gifts from Grandma can be put to good use at an ugly sweater party (don’t worry, she’ll never see the Instagram evidence). If you're lucky enough to have a fashionable g'ma and need to pick up a festive frock elsewhere, stop by quirky vintage store Rags-A-GoGo for a variety of options at some good-looking prices. 218 W 14th St(646-486-4011, rags-a-gogo.com)

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