Celebrating anyone’s birthday should be fun, but celebrating Jesus’ birthday should be extraordinary. Planning and executing the best possible Christmas party for your youth group adds a festive flavor to your ministry and sets the tone for the holiday season. Here are some helpful tips that will help you create a meaningful, memorable, and entertaining youth group Christmas party.
1. Choose the Best Date
Nearly everyone is in a party mood during the Christmas season. Students’ schedules are filled with family events, church events, school events, and more in this season of celebration. Choose your date and time carefully so that your students can attend. Some groups hold their party on the night of a regular youth group meeting, while others schedule it for a weekend. Whatever date you choose, make sure it accommodates as many students as possible.
2. Choose the Best Location
If you want to save time and energy on decorations, host your Christmas party with a church member, parent, or leader who decorates their home inside and out. If this is not an option, you can choose to decorate your normal meeting space. Operate within your budget to create a festive setting for your party.
3. Promote in the Best Way
At this point in the year, you may already have a system for sending information to your students. You can communicate through texts, phone calls, or their favorite social media platforms. If “snail mail” still works for you, send printed invitations. Promote your party well ahead of time, and make sure the information is easily accessible.
4. Provide the Best Food
Students love snack foods. If you want to be fancy and unique, you can find great ideas on the internet. Or you can stick to common (but tasty) snacks that will satisfy your students. Hot chocolate, cider, popcorn, chips, candy, caramel apples, cake, and cookies are some popular favorites.
5. Recruit the Best Personnel
Find the right people to fill important roles for each element of the program. Your leadership team can help recruit parents or other church members to volunteer. Each person should be committed to fulfilling their roles with excellence.
6. Set the Tone with the Best Greeters
The greeters at the door are the first people your students will see, and they should make everyone feel welcome at the party. Choose your greeters wisely. You can recruit students, but make sure they understand their role.
7. Create the Best Christmas Playlist
Fill your party space with music that glorifies Jesus and proclaims His birth. If you do not already have an audio setup, bring a Bluetooth speaker and a device to play the music. Brainstorm with your team or recruit someone with a passion for music to create the playlist.
8. Have the Most Fun with the Best Activities
Ideas abound for creative Christmas activities. For example, why not incorporate a photo booth? Ask someone to take pictures of everyone as they enter, or set up a place for students to pose in front of a Christmas backdrop. Have some festive Santa hats, beards, elf hats, reindeer antlers, and other dress-up options ready for some fun pictures.
A gift exchange is another fun and exciting activity for any Christmas party. Choose your favorite way to exchange gifts or use the White Elephant gift exchange method. If you know ahead of time who will be coming to the party, try a Secret Santa exchange. Whatever you do, include everyone by setting a modest price limit. Five dollars is a good place to start, but you should still have extra gifts ready in case there are students who cannot participate.
9. Play the Best Games
Brainstorm engaging games to bring fun and laughter to your Christmas party. Hundreds of game ideas for student Christmas parties are available online.
10. Give Out the Best Prizes
If your budget allows for it, buy gift cards and find a unique way to give them away. Other prizes could include baked items, candy, or gifts from a local store.
11. Sing the Best Songs
If your group loves music, set aside time to sing Christmas carols. Ask someone who knows the songs and enjoys singing to lead this special time.
12. Most Importantly, Present the Best Message Ever
A short but impactful devotional message should be the most important element in any Christmas party. It is important not to miss this opportunity to engage your students in a meaningful time of Bible study. If you have visitors or students who do not know Jesus Christ, you may choose to present a gospel-centered message.
There is no “one size fits all” solution for student Christmas parties; but by planning ahead, you can find the best resources and ideas for your youth group. As you hold Christmas parties year after year, students will eagerly anticipate attending this event with their friends. This December, make it your ambition to host the best Christmas party ever.
Steve Gledhill is the Word of Life Area Missionary for the Western and Gulf States of the United States. He and his wife, Susan, have served with Word of Life for 41 years. They currently live in Yuba City, California.