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12 Fun and Festive Holiday Party Ideas

Sick of the same old holiday party formula? If you're looking for an alternative to egg nog, Christmas cookies and carols, we've got 12 fun ways to spice up your annual holiday bash (14 Photos)

Sara Gauchat on Dec 3, 2012 at 9:32AM

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Personalize your Party Dcor

“Entertaining should be fun for the guests and the hostess,” states Kennedy. And Christmas soirees should certainly be no exception. If retro is your flavor, choose a nostalgic Christmas theme to center your party around. (1950s holidays or a vintage Old West December 25th, perhaps?) “Your theme doesn’t even need to be Christmas-related. Anything goes,” Kennedy points out. So if you’re totally into garden gnomes, then you can fashion yourself a full-fledged garden-gnome Christmas party. The sky and your imagination are your only limits.

If you’re using existing decorations for a more traditional look, add something unexpected to catch the eye of your guests. Kennedy recommends adding some humor—enhance your garland by tucking an inside joke with your friends right into the greens. You could even give them a little something to chuckle about by incorporating your Christmas lights (just make sure your jokes are fire-safe).

For even more holiday party ideas, visit Holidaily!