Get your college holiday party off the ground with these planning tips and helpful suggestions. And make sure that you send off your fall college experience with great memories in the process!
Finals Week is here. You’ve made it through an entire semester, and whether you plan on returning in the spring or you’ve had enough of college life, now is a good time to reset your goals and have warm and festive times with the family you choose – your college friends!
If you’re looking for some creative and fun holiday party ideas for college students, then you’ve come to the right place! From ugly sweater parties to gingerbread house decorating, there are plenty of festive activities that will get everyone in the holiday spirit.
First, however, let’s examine what you should do when planning and executing your college holiday party. Let’s begin!
1. Make a list of all the people you want to invite – classmates, roommates, friends from other dorms
Planning who to invite to my upcoming birthday party has been the highlight of this week! I’m really looking forward to seeing all the different people I know, coming together to celebrate. First and foremost, I’m inviting all my classmates in my major – they’ve gotten me through so much and I couldn’t feel luckier to have a such robust support system.
Next, I’ll be inviting my roommates and closest friends that are in other dorms. They have always made time for me no matter how busy our lives get which is something I really appreciate – it’s going to be a blast!
2. Decide on a budget and figure out how much you can spend on food, drinks, and decorations
Planning a party can be tough. After you have your guest list, the next step is to decide on a budget and figure out how much you need for food, drinks, and decorations. This may seem like the hardest part of a successful event but it doesn’t have to be!
Take some time to think about what kind of atmosphere you want your party or event to have and determine how much money you can spend accordingly.
Not all party plans require an expensive menu or elaborate decorations – there are plenty of ways to create a successful and enjoyable gathering without breaking your budget. With some creative thinking, everyone will be able to have an amazing time without breaking the bank.
3. Choose a theme for your party – festive colors, ugly sweaters, or anything else that will get everyone into the holiday spirit!
If you’re looking for a theme to get your party guests in the spirit of the holidays, why not choose something that adds a bit of color? Bright festive colors like red, green, and white will surely help set the mood and create an atmosphere for your party.
It’s also a great way to get everyone involved as they can come dressed in their favorite holiday colors. You can even bring in colorful decorations like wreaths and garlands to help build on the overall ambiance.
Another fun idea is to tell guests to wear their most outrageous or ugly sweaters – this way they all have something unique to take away from the party while still being part of the festive spirit!
4. Create a playlist of holiday music to get everyone in the mood to celebrate
Creating a holiday playlist is the perfect way to get everyone in the festive spirit! Whether you’re having a party, decorating the house, or just relaxing, there’s something special about taking time out to enjoy some classic holiday music.
From traditional Christmas carols to contemporary tunes, your playlist should be sure to cover all bases and put everyone in a celebratory mood. Of course, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to choosing songs for your holiday music mix – just curate whatever speaks best to you or has special meaning for your family.
Plus, you can add as many new favorites as you come across every year so that your yuletide soundtrack only gets richer and better over time!
5. Set up a photo booth with props so your guests can take fun pictures together
Going to an event and coming away with a fun photo to remember it by is a great way to create lasting memories with your friends and family. Setting up a photo booth with props can be a simple and easy way to help everyone capture these moments! With the backdrop of your chosen location, adding props like hats, wigs, glasses and other fun items provides endless possibilities for creative poses you may have never thought of before. So don’t forget to set up that photo booth – your guests will thank you for it!
6. Have some games or activities planned so there’s never a dull moment – charades are always a hit!
When it comes to planning an event or gathering, it pays to be prepared! Have some games or activities scheduled so that the boredom doesn’t set in. One classic activity that never fails to entertain is charades.
Everyone loves getting involved and coming up with creative ways to portray iconic characters and objects. Whether you decide to keep score or just play for fun, Charades will make any event more exciting and engaging. Get the group together and let the hilarious charades commence!
Put Your College Holiday Party Into Action
You now know how to prepare for your college holiday party. Here are some concrete suggestions. Feel free to steal whatever you’d like!
Host a carol sing-along
Decorate cookies
Play holiday-themed board games
Watch festive movies together
Wrap presents for charity
Go on a holiday scavenger hunt
Cook together in a gingerbread house kitchen
Brace yourselves for some festive charades or Trivial Pursuit
Don’t forget about Secret Santa or White Elephant gift exchanges!
If you’re feeling especially creative, create handmade cards for your nearest and dearest friends, or make a DIY wreath of holly and pine cones by adorning your front door with decorations. More suggestions?
Create your own unique ugly Christmas sweaters from clothes you can find around the house – the uglier the better! There are also plenty of traditional party games that would still be fun today such as Musical Chairs and Pin The Tail on The Donkey.
For those who want something more sophisticated, you could set up Mystery Box challenges – type them into Google and you’ll have plenty of recipes to try out. Make sure everyone gets into the spirit of things by trying interesting takes on classic eggnog served in mugs with Bendy straws!
Finally, there’s nothing more enjoyable than setting the nighttime aglow with luminaries and candles – just don’t forget to blow them out when it’s time for bed!
Make Your College Holiday Party a Winner With These Tips
With these tips in hand, you’re sure to throw the best holiday party on your block! Your friends will be talking about it for months to come, and it will give you a well-deserved break before your actual break.
Above all, have a very happy holiday season. Now it’s your turn. Let us know what you’ll be doing and how your party went by commenting below.
Aric Mitchell's work appears regularly here at 4tests.com and across the web for sites, such as The Inquisitr and Life'd. A former high school teacher, his passion for education has only intensified since leaving the classroom. At 4tests, he hopes to continue passing along words of encouragement and study tips to ensure you leave school ready to face an ever-changing world.
