Youth Christmas parties are filled with games, snacks, goofy gifts, and lots of laughter. Teens often become little kids at the holidays, eager to gather under the Christmas tree and create new memories.
In youth ministry, a Christmas party is a wonderful way to celebrate Jesus’ birth, enjoy fellowship, and welcome guests. Encourage youth group members to invite friends or classmates. Then kick off the event with some Christmas-themed icebreakers to get to know one another.
For youth Christmas parties that include any kind of exchange (gifts, cookies, ornaments), keep extras handy in case someone forgets or shows up at the last minute.
Need suggestions for pulling off epic youth Christmas parties? We’ve collected some of our favorites, including fresh twists on classic holiday party ideas. Merry Christmas to you and your youth group!
14 Theme Ideas for Youth Christmas Parties
Get into the spirit of the season with these party suggestions:
1. Christmas Karaoke
First, break out the holiday tunes and microphones. Then challenge kids to some rounds of karaoke. This idea for a youth Christmas party works great in conjunction with decorating the church or youth room for the season.
2. Ugly Christmas Sweaters
Gawdy holiday apparel abounds. If you want to be different, swap out ugly Christmas socks. Or have kids bring a pair of “festive” (aka ugly) holiday socks for a gift exchange.
3. Grinchy Games
Let out your inner grinch with some fun (and funny) Christmas activities for youth. For example, have kids each determine their Grinch name!
4. Christmas Movie Marathon
Host a low-key Christmas party that involves binging on favorite holiday flicks. Be sure to preview them ahead of time—and to have the proper permissions in place.
5. Wrap Party
Invite teens to get their gift-wrapping done as a group. Better yet, have teens offer to help wrap presents for parents of young children. Or teens can host a children’s ministry Christmas party while parents shop and wrap gifts on their own.
6. Christmas Photo Ops
Set up photo props so you can take holiday photos of your youth group members. Once you have a snapshot worth keeping, let kids get silly with their cameras.
7. Christmas Scavenger Hunt
This takes a bit of planning, but resources are available online. Weather permitting, head outside and take kids on a memorable seek-and-find adventure.
