Christmas Entertaining Ideas

Nothing says “welcome” or “I love you” quite like a well set table, delicious food, good company and games. Picture a cold and or snowy day and you have been traveling. You have finally arrived to their home. They open the door and smells of delicious food wafts into your nose and you feel the warmth as you shed your layers. Now you hear the pitter patter of little feet coming to eagerly greet you. Your host invites you to sit and rest while they put the finishing touches on the food. You peek into the dining room and see a beautiful table scape. All the young ones remind you that you will be playing games tonight. You can now relax and enjoy the holiday! This is a happy scene, yes?

I am excited to share some holiday entertaining ideas that should make your holidays more merry and bright! Below are menu ideas, table setting ideas and fun games to play while the whole gang is together.

Menu Ideas for a Crowd

pie bar

meat and cheese platters

typical feast of meat, potatoes, salad, deviled eggs

hot chocolate bar

Christmas Table Settings

Okay, so this is probably the most elaborate one because it requires some artistic prowess. The center decor is pretty easy with greenery and pomegranates, but the name and side art is likely not something I could duplicate. But, the plates, napkin and napkin holder make my heart happy.

This is stunning and easy! Burlap runner, some greenery, white flowers, and clear plates and tableware easily bought from Costco or Sam’s Club

You can see I like to keep things simple. This napkin is folded into a tree and the color is brought in with the cup of juice and tablecloth. If you don’t already have china I suggest getting white…so versatile!

I love the monochromatic simplicity of this table. White flowers, tablecloth, napkins, and candles with tiny gingerbread houses are so lovely.

Dollar store candle holders turned unique with felt Christmas trees glued on. A few greens and snowflakes add to the color scheme and texture on the table. Notice that napkins are a pattern in all the tables. Do you own fabric napkins?

The mason jar is a life saver. Add some epsom salt, cranberries greenery and candles to the table and then add your chargers and nicest plates and Christmas table is set.

This is a super simple way to dress up a table if you have modern dishes. Write your guests names down on an inexpensive bulb and you have place cards and a small gift. Win-win! The paper trees are great because they are always inexpensive and easy to customize to the colors you have to work with already.

I am a sucker for black, white and gold, so this table scape makes me really happy. The garland and pine cones are an easy way to add beauty, even if you don’t have the black and white table linens.

I love that everything inside of this dish is natural. Add some pops of red with faux cranberries or holly and you are set.

If you already have a Christmas wreath, use it and add some pretty candles to the center and viola, you have a table centerpiece. Use a contrasting tablecloth and now you are fancy.

Super inexpensive option to add some holiday cheer. Let the kids help make snowflakes and then glue them to paper bags or a long piece of paper.

Game Ideas

Christmas Carol Pictionary: Same as regular pictionary but using ideas and images from popular Christmas carols. You could also adapt it for Christmas movies if that is easier for your family.

Card Games: Spoons, Crazy 8s, Uno,War

Never Have I Ever
This is one of my absolute favorite games, but it must be played with at least a dozen people, preferably more. The concept is similar to musical chairs in that there is one less chair than there are people. Arrange the chairs in a circle looking inward. One person stands in the middle and announces one thing that they have never done. For instance, the person in the middle might announce, “Never have I ever ridden in a hot air balloon.” Anyone who has ridden in a hot air balloon would then get up, leaving their chair unoccupied, and find a new chair. The person in the middle would also find a chair. Whoever is left without a chair is the new person in the middle and will take a turn announcing what they have never done. Source.

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