Virtual Christmas Party Ideas to Help You Celebrate

The need to social distance made virtual Christmas parties one of the most popular ways to spend the holidays last year. While more people are meeting in person this year, many have also discovered that having a holiday party online is a great way to celebrate with people both near and far.

With just a little bit of planning, an online party can be just as much fun as an in-person one. These fun and exciting virtual Christmas party ideas will help you get started.

Pre-Christmas-party mailer ideas

Coming up with engaging online Christmas party ideas is important, but if you really want to make an impact, you’ll also need to build some excitement around your event. These pre-party ideas will help you do just that. 

1. Virtual card exchange

Consider pre-sending traditional holiday cards in the mail, prior to hosting a virtual holiday party. Alternatively, you can challenge your guests to create their own cards online. This is an affordable way for everyone to get involved in the fun. Set a date a few days before the party for everyone to send each other their cards. During the party, you can even give out awards for categories like the most creative or funniest cards. 

2. Holiday swag bags

Consider purchasing Christmas stockings and filling them with candy, small bottles of liquor, or other small goodies. Send them to each attendee ahead of time with instructions not to open them up until they log onto the party. Then, everyone can enjoy opening their gifts together. 

3. Advent calendars

Advent calendars are a popular way to count down the days until Christmas. You can send out traditional ones to your guests or get creative and make calendars that count down to the day of the party instead. 

4. Holiday recipe exchange

Swapping recipes is a tried and true holiday tradition. Ask each guest to provide their favorite recipe a few weeks before the party, then put them all together into a digital book. Send it out to everyone and ask them to make one recipe to enjoy during the party. They’ll be thrilled to finally know how to make Aunt Sue’s famous baked brie or Grandma’s peanut butter cookies. 

5. Gingerbread wars

Send each virtual party guest their own gingerbread house kit, then challenge them to create their very best designs. During the party, let everyone vote and award prizes for the best-decorated houses. 

Set the atmosphere for your virtual Christmas party

Creating the right atmosphere is the key to throwing any great party. Since each guest will be enjoying your virtual Christmas party from the comfort of their home, it’s a great idea to encourage them to set the tone by dressing up, decorating, and making sure they have their favorite foods and beverages on hand.

1. Dress the part

The party will be more fun if everyone dresses up. Decide on a theme—from glitter and glam to holiday onesies—and encourage all your guests to dress the part. You can even get your pets involved by putting them in a holiday-themed dog sweater. 

2. Plan a virtual holiday cocktail party

Gather up some fun holiday-themed cocktail recipes and send your guests the ingredients ahead of time. All they’ll need to do is buy the alcohol before the party, and you can all enjoy a festive cocktail together. 

3. Make gourmet hot chocolate

If alcohol isn’t your thing or you want to create a more kid-friendly atmosphere, send out gourmet hot chocolate kits instead. Don’t forget to include fun toppings like fancy marshmallows, chocolate candy, and sprinkles. 

4. Deck the halls at home

Having plenty of Christmas décor set up in the background will really set the mood. Ask everyone to deck the halls and offer a prize for the best-decorated room. 

Virtual Christmas party activities

Spending time bonding and making memories is what holiday parties are all about! All of your guests are sure to love these virtual Christmas party ideas.

1. Make holiday ornaments together

When you put together your party kits, add some art supplies. During the party, set aside some time for everyone to decorate their own holiday ornaments. 

2. Enjoy a Christmas movie extravaganza

If you have enough time, choose a favorite holiday movie for everyone to watch together. Make sure you have a tasty beverage to enjoy and plenty of snacks like boxes of candy and your favorite flavor of popcorn. 

3. Decorate holiday cookies

Have each party guest make some simple sugar cookies, then use icing, frosting, and sprinkles to decorate them together. Everyone will have a blast comparing their creative designs. 

4. Design your own Santa hats

Wearing a Santa hat is a fun and festive way to get into the holiday spirit. It’s even more fun when it’s personalized! Send some glitter, glue, and other items in your party kit. During the party, set aside some time for everyone to create their own wearable Christmas masterpieces.  

5. Online white elephant exchange

A white elephant gift exchange is always fun. Just have each person choose a gift (like a home and garden item, a bottle of liquor, a food item, or a gag gift), and take a picture of it. Then everyone can “open” and “steal” the gifts just like you would in person. When the exchange is done, the gift giver can purchase the item and have it delivered or shipped to the recipient. 

Virtual Christmas party games

There’s nothing like a bit of friendly competition to liven up any party. If you need some inspiration for fun online games, check out these Zoom Christmas party ideas.

1. Holiday bingo

You can find lots of different bingo games online, so look for one that’s likely to appeal to your guests. You can give out gift cards as prizes to make it even more exciting. 

2. Virtual Christmas trivia

From the tradition of roasting chestnuts to the history of Krampus, there’s a lot to know about the holiday season. Have some fun and test your guests’ knowledge with a virtual Christmas trivia game. 

3. Charity competitions

If your guests aren’t motivated by prizes for themselves, consider allowing them to compete for donations to their favorite charity. Whether you make a cash donation or give dog food to a local animal shelter, this is a prize everyone can feel good about. 

4. Guess the gift

Naughty children (and some adults!) love snooping for their holiday gifts, which is what makes this game so much fun. Have each guest choose an item and wrap it up. Then, they should take several pictures, each with a bit more of the wrapping paper removed. Other players can also ask questions and get hints. The object of the game is to guess correctly before all of the gift wrap is removed.

5. Christmas tree decorating challenge

From Christmas lights and garland to gorgeous ornaments and bulbs, there are so many creative ways to decorate a Christmas tree. During the party, have each guest show off their tree and vote for the best. 

6. Ugly ornament contest

Most Christmas ornaments are beautiful, but there are always some exceptions. Have some fun by asking each guest to go on a quest for the ugliest ornament they can find. Let everyone vote and give a prize to the winner. 

Plan an unforgettable virtual Christmas party this year

Hopefully, some of these online Christmas party ideas have inspired and excited you. As you start planning your big day, consider using Instacart to help you with all of your shopping needs.

Not only can a professional shopper take care of your shopping list for you, but you can also save on shipping by having Instacart deliver party supplies to your guests as well.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Figaro Advent Calendar (1.76 oz)

Create a Treat Gingerbread House Kit (2.2 lb)

Winter Christmas Sweater (1 each)

Pillsbury Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough, Eat or Bake (30 oz)

ArtSkills Project Glitter, Bold Glitter (6 ct)

Chestnuts (16 oz)

Instacart

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