Love it or hate it, Christmas isn’t going anywhere. The decorations, the gifts, the hanging with family and friends, all these aspects and more can mean finding a delicate balance between tradition and what you really love. Having spent some time on this recently, we want to make an argument for getting weird with your hosted Christmas party. What about going a different way, and involving betting, gaming, or other forms of entertainment for a new and unique experience?
Getting Weird with it
When making a plan you first have to narrow down a basic direction. The first we’d recommend is taking a more relaxed approach to sticking to the Christmas theme, by trying in something outside of the box. For the sake of fun, mischief, and some friendly competition, consider something like betting on the latest Christmas number 1 odds. Think Mariah Carey is a lock, or are you going the long-bet with Jess Glynne? Either way, friendly ribbing could make such an idea a lot of fun. Even better, the winner could be able to present their choice as a theme song, able to be played as much as they like throughout the night.
On a funnier end, you could also try games like seeing how many small decorations you could clip to people without them noticing. Give each person a signature item and at the end of the night count who has the most successful clips for the ultimate prize. No mirrors or phones, though, that’s cheating. Even without money on the line, bragging rights can be the best gift of all.
Alternatively, you could adopt more recent entertainment interests into a broader theme. For example, have your friends or family been big fans of TV series like the Mandalorian? In this case, finding cheap Star Wars themes supplies is easy, and combining them with Christmas hats and Santa beards can be as ridiculous as it is hilarious. This is especially true when the impersonations come out after a few drinks. Maybe skip the Star War’s Holiday Special, however, unless you’re a glutton for punishment.
Making your Plan
Whether you choose something like betting, games, or a general entertainment theme, the best idea is always to plan as far ahead as possible. Having a group of people show up to a party unfamiliar with a theme or goal can be a major let-down, so keep this in mind.
If you choose to go the betting route, this planning could involve setting up one central account or range of accounts before the big day. This would let players guide their bets, leading to even more satisfying victories. For those who want to try games, ensure you have all the parts needed for your maximum possible number of guests, perhaps with a few additional pieces for unannounced visitors.
When adopting a theme, letting people know well ahead of time lets them select their costume carefully, but it can also allow you to pick up odds and ends to tie everything together.
Whatever avenue you do end up taking, remember the ultimate goal of Christmas is to bring people together. Themes and games are always fun, but these should only serve as an addition to a good time, not as a primary source. However you spend your Christmas holidays, we here at DefPen wish you good luck, Merry Christmas, and happy holidays.
