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Simple Christmas Party Ideas Anyone Can Do

November 13, 2024 by Leslie

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. To learn more, please read our disclosure and privacy policy

The holiday season is upon us, and the thought of hosting yet another elaborate Christmas party might be stressing you out. Between decorations, the menu, and a guest list that keeps growing, the fun of the season can start to feel more like a chore.

Instead of running around trying to juggle everything, why not keep things simple? Let your regular holiday decorations add the cheer to your home and set up a simple buffet table with delicious treats against a very colorful, but simple Christmas party backdrop.

Embrace the simplicity, and watch as your guests bask in the warmth and joy of the season without the fuss!

Simple Christmas Party Pin Image.

About the Party:

  • What Was the Occasion? Christmas Party
  • How Many Guests Did You Have? About 20
  • Where Was the Party Held? At home

Simple Christmas party buffet.

Christmas Party Decorations

The decorations at our Christmas Party were very simple, but still of enchanting and filled with charm and warmth. Here’s a closer look at some of the details:

  • Backdrop: A crisp white sheet served as a simple yet elegant backdrop, providing a clean canvas for vibrant accents.
  • Table Setup: The table was covered with a white tablecloth featuring a playful black and white buffalo check pattern, offering a rustic touch and contrasting beautifully with the white ceramic serveware.
  • Greenery Wreath: A lush greenery wreath added a touch of natural beauty and festivity, embodying the spirit of the season.
  • Glass Garlands: Delicate beaded glass garlands draped gracefully, catching the light and adding a touch of sparkle.
  • Fluffy Accents: The fluffy underside and edging of the tablecloths provided a cozy texture, reminiscent of freshly fallen snow.

These decorations perfectly captured the essence of a simple yet colorful Christmas celebration, making every guest feel welcome and at-home amidst the holiday cheer.

Party buffet with charcuterie, shrimp, pork tenderloin and more.

Christmas Party Food

The feast at our Simple & Colorful Christmas Party was filled with simple and easy food that still provides a delicious array of flavors to pleased every palate:

  • Shrimp and Crab Claw Platters: Served on a tiered tray, these were a hit with all the guests (even the kids!)
  • Fresh Fruit Christmas Tree: Colorful fruit pieces twirled around a styrofoam cone was both colorful and delicious.
  • Vegetable Platter: One of my favorite staples. You can even make a Christmas vegetable tray look like a Christmas tree if you want.
  • Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin: Juicy and seasoned to perfection, this tenderloin was a hearty main course for any festive menu.
  • Rustic Bread Rolls: Whether guests just wanted a roll with butter, or to make a tasty sandwich with the pork tenderloin, these rolls were the perfect accompaniment.
  • Sausage and Cheese Platter with Crackers: A simple yet satisfying assortment that kept the savory cravings at bay.
  • Large Cheese and Pesto Torte: This grand creation, molded bya bundt pan, was a rich and creamy indulgence infused with holiday flair.

Pesto Christmas cheese torte shaped like a wreath.

What I would change?

The one thing I would change is the fruit tree. While it looked very pretty, here’s why I won’t make one again:

  • Trying to keep plastic wrap around the cone to keep it food safe was a huge pain.
  • The toothpicks had a hard time getting through the plastic wrap and into the styrofoam
  • It took between 2 and 3 hours of active effort to to get the fruit on the tree, which is far longer than what I want to spend when making any party recipe.
  • The guests had a hard time removing the fruit and toothpicks from the styrofoam.

Christmas Fruit Tree on a white plate.

More Christmas Party Ideas to Consider:

  • Toddler Friendly Milk and Cookies Themed Christmas Party
  • Christmas Themed PJs and a Movie Party
  • The Best Appetizers for Christmas
  • 40+ Deliciously Fun Christmas Desserts
  • Free Printable Christmas Scavenger Hunt
  • Free Printable Christmas Bingo Cards

A greenery wreath with beaded garland behind.

Don’t let the rush of the holiday season keep you from gathering friends and family. You don’t have to go all out with extravagant decorations or fancy dishes to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. With just a few simple touches, you can host a simple, yet festive Christmas Party that will leave your guests feeling merry and bright.

To make it even easier, grab my Christmas planner, which has planners for everything Christmas, from party planning to present shopping. You won’t regret it.

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Filed Under: Blog, Christmas, Holidays, Parties, Parties

About Leslie

Leslie is the passionate party planner in her family. Living with metastatic breast cancer since 2022, she is determined to find a way to continue making amazing parties for her kids that don't leave you exhausted. To do that Leslie combines the experience she learned working for a professional event planner with the reality of a busy family life to create party inspiration that the average mom can reproduce and be proud of.

Comments

  1. Amy says

    November 16, 2025 at 6:09 am

    Leslie, this menu and party ideas look so beautiful and delicious!! Just wondering, do you happen to have recipes to go with the menu? I bought the party planner. Thanks!

    • Leslie says

      November 17, 2025 at 5:09 pm

      Thanks so much Amy! Most of the food was store bought. The biggest things we made were
      – the fruit Christmas tree: looks great, but a huge pain to make
      – My husband grilled the herb crusted tenderloin. This recipe is similar – https://www.spendwithpennies.com/herb-crusted-pork-tenderloin/
      – I made the cheese and pesto torte. This recipe: https://playdatesparties.com/ornament-cheese-ball-christmas/ but made in a bundt pan.

      Hope that helps and that you have an awesome party. I also have a LOT more holiday recipes in my Christmas archives right here: https://playdatesparties.com/category/holidays/christmas/

I love helping busy moms create DIY parties that aren’t overwhelming. Here you'll find crafts, recipes, and fun printables you can use to create a celebration you’re proud of that you get to enjoy too! Read More
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Looking for a little more creativity in your life? From Play Dates to Parties is the place for you!

Hi there! I’m Leslie! I love helping busy moms create DIY parties that aren’t overwhelming. At Playdates to Parties, you'll find crafts, ready-to-use cut files, recipes, and fun printables you can use to create a celebration you’re proud of that you get to enjoy too!  {Read More}

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