10 Creative Ways to Celebrate the Holidays

The magic of the holidays is just around the corner, and you're probably planning ahead for how to make your Christmas party a memorable one. We're here to help by sharing our favorite creative and engaging holiday events that will keep spirits merry and bright all season.

1. Holiday Market and Craft Fair: Invite local artisans and residents to sell handmade crafts, holiday décor, and baked goods. This event is the perfect way to foster community interaction and support small businesses. Level up your event with a hot chocolate bar, live holiday music, or ornament-making stations for kids!

2. Deck the Halls - Door and Balcony Decorating Contest: Encourage residents to decorate their doors or balconies with holiday lights and décor. Offer prizes for categories like “Most Creative,” “Best Use of Lights,” or “Best Theme.” Host an evening tour where neighbors can walk around to admire the decorations with hot cider in hand.

3. Christmas Movie Marathon on the Lawn: Set up an outdoor or indoor movie screening area with classic Christmas movies like Home Alone or Elf. Provide cozy blankets, popcorn, and warm drinks. Make it a double feature and start with a kid-friendly flick, followed by a more adult classic later in the evening.

4. Santa’s Workshop: Kid’s Craft Corner: Set up a craft station where kids can create their own Christmas decorations, like handmade ornaments or stockings. Have volunteers from your church or support team come out to guide the activities. Add even more magic with a surprise visit and photo op with Santa or Buddy the Elf!

5. Christmas Cookie Bake-Off: Host a friendly cookie competition where residents bake and submit their best holiday cookies. Everyone gets to taste and vote for their favorites. Offer holiday-themed prizes or gift cards for categories like “Best Decorated” or “Most Delicious.”

6. Gift Wrapping Party for a Cause: Host a gift-wrapping station where residents can bring their presents to wrap. Charge a small fee per gingerbread house gift and donate proceeds to a local charity. You could also collect toys for Toys for Tots during the event.

7. Hot Cocoa and Holiday Storytime: Set up a cozy space with a hot cocoa bar and invite a local storyteller (or a resident volunteer) to read holiday classics like The Night Before Christmas. This is a perfect event for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Make it even cozier by encouraging kiddos to wear their favorite Christmas jammies.

8. Gingerbread House Building Contest: Provide gingerbread house kits and have residents (families or teams) compete to build and decorate the best gingerbread houses. Judge the winners and give out prizes for best overall, most creative, or best holiday theme.

9. Ugly Sweater and Mocktail Mixer: Host an ugly sweater party with festive holiday mocktails, eggnog, and for a fun twist, add in a surprise visit and photo op with the Grinch!

10. Christmas Karaoke: Host a festive karaoke party with only holiday songs! Encourage residents to show off their singing talents with classics like Jingle Bell Rock or All I Want for Christmas is You. Cap off a fun night with a holiday dessert bar.

Which event are you planning to host this holiday season? Drop us a comment with your ideas to put a creative twist on the classic Christmas party. As always, tag us (@aptlife) in your festive photos all season long!

Apartment Life Blog

10 Creative Ways to Celebrate the Holidays