The holiday season is coming on full force, and aren’t we are A favorite things party for Christmas brings together friends and family to share their top picks, whether that’s cozy holiday treats, beloved movies, or cherished memories.
What is a favorite things party for Christmas? Each guest chooses something that has a special place in their heart, allowing everyone to learn more about each other’s favorites. From homemade goodies to thoughtful gifts, these small treasures spark a lot of conversation and help everyone to get to know each other. It kind of runs in the same way as a Christmas cookie exchange party.
Whom Do You Invite to a Favorite Things Party?
You can invite whomever you want to a favorite things party! However, it does make sense to invite guests of similar age, gender, interests, etc. to increase the chances that the gifts will appeal to the majority.
Although I have always hosted my favorite things Christmas party as a ladies night in Christmas party idea, I do know that some parties include men or even whole families. One of my friends’ Sunday school groups hosts a favorite things party for couples each year.
How Many People Can I Invite?
These parties are typically kept on the smaller side. But you could invite a larger group if you wished – just as long as you don’t expect guests to bring gifts for 20 people. Even with a group of 20 people, you can organize things so each guest bring five gifts and return home with 5 gifts.
Five Main Points to Consider Before Hosting a Favorite Things Party
Overall, there are five main things to consider before you send the first invitation:
- Theme or no theme? (Read more below.)
- Price point for each gift
- How many gifts does each guest bring? (For our party featured here, we focused on $5-5-5. Each guest brought five $5 gifts and went home with five gifts.)
- Will you allow guests to choose their own gifts or have guests do a name draw for gifts?
- When should you set the date?
To create a memorable favorite things party, I focus on establishing a theme, the general rules of play, setting a date, and crafting a casual but energetic atmosphere. Scroll along for all the details!
Planning Your Favorite Things Party
Choosing a Theme for Your Favorite Things Party
If you want to just plan a general favorite things party – where each guest is free to bring whatever he/she wants, then go for it!
Or, if you want to narrow down a more specific favorite things theme, you can also do that. But if you are going to narrow down a theme, you need to let guests know about that in advance.
Here are some ideas for specific themes:
- Favorite Color: Use colors that represent each guest’s top color.
- Christmas Decor: Each guests brings one of her favorite Christmas decor pieces (ornament, bottle brush tree, etc.) for each guest.
- Favorite Beauty Products: Encourage guests to bring a favorite beauty product for each guest. (This is the theme you see featured here in these photos.)
- Foodie Favorites: Center around favorite holiday foods or treats.
Once I’ve chosen a theme, I think about how it can influence everything from food to games. Inviting guests to dress according to the theme can also enhance the experience. Encourage festive clothing!
Setting the Price Point for Gifts
- To keep the gift exchange fun and organized, I set clear rules in the invitation. First, I determine a price limit for gifts; usually, I choose something accessible like a $5 to $10 range rather than the higher price point of $20 to $30 (as you will find at some favorite things parties). This ensures everyone can participate without feeling pressured to spend too much. I feel guests are more likely interested in participating if they are spending $25-$50 rather than $100-$150.
- If you want to keep it under $5, you certainly can. Just remember that will inflation, $5 doesn’t get what it used to! However, in the photos I am featuring today from this particular party, I set the limit at $5, and guests brought the cutest things! The “popsicle” bath salts, purchased from a local craft fair, were $3.50 each. The nail polishes were just under $5 each.
How Many Gifts Should Each Guest Bring?
I typically have each guest bring five gifts. Even if you have a larger group, as I mentioned above, you can still have each guest bring five gifts and go home with five gifts.
In the invitation, I specify the party theme, instructions, and how many gifts to bring, making it clear how many gifts the guests need to purchase. Sometimes, I ask them to wrap their gifts.
Other times, I just say to bring them. Then, we set them on pretty chargers on my dining table (as you see in these pictures) – one charger per person – to keep the gifts out on display.
But whichever way you choose to go – wrapped or unwrapped – be sure to mention that in your invitation.
How Do the Guests Pass Out and Select Gifts?
There are multiple ways to handle gift selection/distribution at a favorite things party for Christmas. Some hosts allow guests to choose their own five gifts from an overflowing table of gifts.
I prefer to use a drawing method to determine which guests get which gifts. Each person writes their name on five slips of paper upon arrival and places them in a pretty bowl I set out. (Scroll on down to my free favorite things party printable below and print out everything you need!)
Once we are ready to start the gifting, I usually start myself. I stand up and give a spill about the gift I brought – why I chose to gift it and what my attachment to it is. Then, I pull five random names from the bowl. I pass my five gifts out to those five guests. Then, I ask for a volunteer to go next. We continue until all guests have passed out the five gifts they brought. Each guest should take home five fun new gifts!
Set the Date and Time Frame
I like to send invitations at least three weeks in advance.
Picking the right date is crucial. I usually opt for a weekend evening in December since most holiday festivity is in full swing. But November has been becoming a hot month for Christmas events also – even though some people may wish to not go full Christmas until Thanksgiving.
Personally, I usually set my party for around three hours – from around 6:30 to 9:30, etc. We spend the first hour eating and cocktailing. The second hour is for opening gifts, and then we continue to mingle and visit for the last hour. If I include some other games (which I do some years but not others), I usually save those for the last hour or so. You definitely want to make sure you don’t run out of time for the gifts, after all!
Setting Up the Favorite Things Party
In planning my favorite things party for Christmas, I focus on the details that ensure an enjoyable atmosphere. Key elements include the exchange rules, engaging activities, and delectable food and drink.
Decorations and Music
Creating a festive atmosphere is essential for the enjoyment of the party. As with any Christmas party I host, I like for my house to be all decked out in full festive mode! The trees are bright, the stockings are hung, the bottlebrush trees have taken over the place…you get the idea!
Music also plays a big role. I curate a playlist of holiday favorites and classics to keep the energy high. A welcoming atmosphere ensures that everyone feels comfortable and excited to celebrate.
Before the party, I print my favorite things party printables. Some of them I frame for cute party decor.
Party Activities
To create a lively atmosphere, I incorporate various activities. One of my favorites is a trivia game focused on Christmas traditions and favorite things. It’s entertaining and encourages connections among guests.
You can do so many fun games – like one of the many versions of the toilet paper candy cane game, the unwrap the ball of surprises game, etc.
Food and Drink Ideas for a Favorite Things Christmas Party
For my party, I prioritize a mix of comfort foods and festive treats. I prepare my reindeer charcuterie board or my Santa charcuterie board filled with cheeses, meats, crackers, and seasonal fruits. This provides a variety of flavors for guests to sample.
Note: Whenever I set the gift price point low, I encourage guests to bring their favorite treats to share too. This way, we aren’t just sharing our favorite gifts, but also our favorite snacks! But on the one occasion I set the gift price point higher ($25-30), I did not ask guests to bring food. It just seemed like too much. Instead, I just served a few appetizers on my own and kept the menu simple.
I also like offering holiday-themed cocktails and mocktails. Drinks like this Jack Frost holiday cocktail, peppermint hot chocolate, or cranberry spritzers add a festive touch. Consider fun gin cocktails or whiskey cocktails too. Having non-alcoholic options ensures everyone has something to enjoy.
Desserts are a must, so I prepare simple desserts such as cookies or mini cheesecakes. These are easy to manage and can satisfy sweet tooth cravings.
Don’t Forget to Print Your Free Favorite Things Christmas Party Printables!
Just download your free Favorite Things Party printables here. Cut them out and frame some of the ones you want to display. Cut the name strips into strips for your guests to use upon arrival! That’s it!
Have a merry good time!
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