12 Memorable Things to Do at a Christmas Party

Sunshine, beach days and backyard barbeques—it can only mean one thing: the festive season is upon us! Whether you’re planning an intimate backyard BBQ or coordinating the annual office bash, finding Christmas party ideas, like a hands-on wreath making workshop or a competitive gingerbread house contest, is all about making memories and spreading genuine cheer.

But let’s face it, the usual routine of lukewarm canapés and predictable small talk can sometimes feel a little... less than magical. This year, ditch the dull and inject some genuine fun and creativity into your holiday celebration.

We've gathered 12 of the most memorable things to do at a Christmas party to ensure your celebration is anything but ordinary.

1. Shake and stir your way to joy with a cocktail (or mocktail) masterclass

What’s a party without a festive drink? Elevate your beverage game by hosting a cocktail or mocktail mixology class. An experienced bartender will guide your group through shaking, stirring and muddling drinks like a pro. Whether it’s a spicy margarita or a sophisticated espresso martini, everyone gets to sip on their own creations and leave with a cool new skill. Plus, for those who prefer to keep it alcohol-free, a dedicated mocktail class is just as much fun!

2. Celebrate the Christmas season with a wreath making workshop

Wreaths are quintessentially festive, and there's nothing quite as satisfying as hanging a decoration you made yourself. In a Christmas wreath making class, you can work with traditional evergreen boughs, native Australian flowers or dried florals for a long-lasting keepsake. This is a wonderfully calming activity that allows everyone to chat while they create, and they'll all walk away with a beautiful decoration for their front door or office cubicle.

3. Indulge your sweet tooth with cookie decorating

Few things evoke the holiday spirit like the smell of fresh cookies. Instead of just eating them, make the decoration process the main event! A Christmas cookie decorating class is a universally loved activity. Select from pre-baked treats, bowls of brightly colored icing, sprinkles, candies and edible glitter and decorate away! You can even turn it into a friendly competition with categories like ‘Most Festive,’ ‘Most Artistic’ or ‘Ugliest Christmas Cookie!’ It's delicious, colourful and appeals to all ages and skill levels.

4. Create your own festive masterpiece at a paint and sip class

For a relaxing yet engaging activity, consider a festive paint and sip class. A friendly teacher can guide your group step-by-step to paint a seasonal scene—think snowy landscapes, Rudolph portraits or twinkling Christmas trees. The ‘sip’ part (whether it's wine, sparkling cider or beer) keeps the mood light and fun. It's an excellent choice for colleagues or friends who need a moment of creative unwinding before the new year.

5. Slow down and reconnect at a terrarium making workshop

Bring a little piece of nature indoors for the winter with a terrarium making class. These miniature gardens are a stunning, low-maintenance way to add greenery to any space. Our workshops provide all the materials—glass vessels, soil, pebbles, moss and tiny plants—and an expert to guide you through building your tiny ecosystem. It's a relaxing and grounding activity that's perfect for escaping the holiday rush, and the finished product is a unique piece of home decor that will thrive long after the party is over.

6. Gingerbread house decorating contest

Is your family or team all in different places this Christmas? Jump on an online gingerbread house decorating class! Here, you’ll get pre-assembled DIY kits and an overwhelming amount of candy and icing to decorate. Bonus points: Move past the simple decorating and turn it into a high-stakes, team-based competition! Divide your guests into teams and give them a time limit. The winner is decided by a panel of judges (or a collective vote)! 

7. Spread connection and cheer at a block printing/card making workshop

Ditch the generic store-bought cards and create something truly personal. A block printing or card making workshop is a wonderful way to gather your guests for a session of focused yet relaxed creativity. With an instructor, you’ll learn the art of carving simple designs onto blocks, inking them and pressing them onto high-quality paper to create a set of bespoke holiday cards. Everyone leaves your party with a stack of handmade cards and a new technique they can use for years to come—a truly thoughtful touch for the holiday season.

8. Decorate your own cute candles

If you’re looking for a delicate and delightful craft, a candle painting class is a unique Christmas party idea. Candles are a staple of cosy winter decor, and hand-painting them elevates their charm. Your friends and family can learn techniques to paint festive scenes, elegant monograms or intricate patterns onto unscented pillar or taper candles. This quiet, detailed work is a lovely opportunity for focused conversation, and the painted candles make fantastic personalised gifts or beautiful additions to a holiday table setting.

9. Festive trivia challenge

Test your guests' knowledge of all things Christmas. Create team names and fire off questions about classic Christmas movies (like Elf or Home Alone), holiday traditions around the world, famous songs and even company history (if it's a work party). Offer small, silly prizes for the winning team, like bragging rights or a box of gourmet chocolates.

10. ‘Christmas around the world’ potluck feast

Ditch the formal catering and make the food part of the activity. Invite guests to bring a dish that represents a Christmas or winter holiday tradition from a specific country or culture. You might end up with panettone, buñuelos or seafood. Ask each guest to give a brief, fun explanation of their dish. It’s a delicious way to learn about different traditions and enjoy a diverse spread. 

Need some cooking inspiration? Browse through our range of cooking classes here.

11. DIY ornament workshop

Set up a craft station where guests can create their own personalised ornaments. This is a lovely, low-pressure creative outlet. Provide simple ceramic baubles, clear glass balls to fill with glitter or mini lights or wooden cutouts. Supplies like paint, glitter glue, stencils and personalised vinyl stickers make it a truly custom experience. 

If you’d like a DIY kit ready to go, The Brush Bar offers a Christmas ornament painting kit, where you can paint your own festive designs on wooden coasters.

12. Make your own colourful Turkish mosaic lamp

For a truly dazzling and memorable experience, gather your guests for a Turkish mosaic lamp class. Under the guidance of an artisan, you'll learn the ancient craft of creating geometric patterns using colourful, hand-cut glass pieces. By the end of the class, you can take home your own mosaic lamp or candle holder, ready to add some light to your room!

Ready to get stuck into planning? Plan the best xmas party ideas with this guide.