17 Christmas and Holiday Party Invitation Wording Examples
Are you looking to ring in the coming holiday season with a festive bash? Or perhaps you’re interested in throwing an intimate holiday dinner party for your closest friends and family leading up to Christmas Eve? Either way, the Christmas season is a perfect time to reconnect with loved ones—and what better way to get everyone together than throwing a party?
Of course, the type of party you’re throwing will ultimately determine how your holiday invitations should be written. If you’re struggling to put your holiday cheer into words, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Read on for some helpful tips and tricks to get the perfect Christmas and holiday party invitation wording every time!
Party planning tips and tricks
Whether this is your first holiday party or you’ve been around the party planning block a time or two, one thing is certain—there are a few important factors to consider during the planning phase, including:
— Determining your location: If you’re hosting an intimate holiday affair, your warm and cozy living room might be the perfect setting. However, if you’re planning a more extravagant event with a larger group of partygoers, a festive lodge or an outdoor park (pending the weather conditions) could be an excellent venue for a larger crowd.
— Creating a guest list: As the host of this holiday party, you have the option to invite naughty and nice guests (if you please). Knowing the number of guests you plan to invite is helpful because it may be a deciding factor in your choice of venue—so make your list and check it twice.
— Establishing a theme: It goes without saying that a holiday party will have cheery and bright vibes. That being said, having a specific holiday theme can create a special, enchanting atmosphere for your party. It also decides other important aspects of your party, from what your invites look like to the decor you’ll use to infuse the atmosphere with your holiday motif.
— Planning ahead: Once you’ve determined important factors like the party’s venue, theme, and who’s on the guest list, it’s time to send out the invites with plenty of time to spare. Try to send them at least a month ahead of time. This gives your guests ample time to make arrangements so they can RSVP and attend your fabulous holiday soiree.
#1 Save the date invitation
Between work parties, visiting hometown friends, and making time to enjoy the season, your holiday calendar can get busy faster than an outlet store on Black Friday. Fortunately, there is a way to ensure everyone marks their calendars for your upcoming event: save the dates.
Save the dates are often used when planning a big event well in advance, like a wedding. That being said, save the dates aren’t limited to this type of get-together. If you’re throwing a holiday party several weeks (or even months) in the future, don’t be afraid to send out save the dates to your potential guests! This will give people a chance to request time off, clear their schedule, or even get a babysitter if they have little ones at home.
If you’re crafting a save the date for your next holiday shindig, try wording your something like this:
It’s time for our annual
HOLIDAY PARTY!
Saturday, December 14th at 8:00 PM
Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s that time of year again. We’re so excited to see everyone! Once we have a headcount, we can start a list for food and also a secret Santa list for the kids.
With a save the date, you may want to request an RSVP from your guests—especially for large events. The good news is that Paperless Post users can easily track their guests’ invitation status with our digital RSVP tracker—thus taking the guesswork out of your holiday party planning.
“Starry Wreath” by Paperless Post.
#2 General holiday party invitation
For a good old–fashioned holiday party, your invitation shouldn’t be too complicated. All you’ll really need is the address and date details, along with some cheerful wording and a festive design.
To craft a simple, to-the-point holiday party invitation, consider wording it something like this:
Happy Holidays!
You are invited to
Alex’s Holiday Party
Saturday, December 7
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Our house, 205 Church St.
RSVP by 12/1
If you want to get a little more creative with your opening line, you can try adding something seasonally appropriate, such as:
Come in from the cold
The season is here for warm company
& plenty to drink.
Join us at the Shade residence
Saturday, December 8th
at 8 PM
“Making Merry” by Paperless Post.
3. Funny holiday party invitation
If you’re hosting a fun and laid-back holiday party, humor is a great way to make your invitation stand out. Whether your theme is Fireside Roasting and Toasting or something a little tamer, like a Worst Present Ever Party, you can create a witty, smirk-inducing invitation. Try wording similar to the following (or come up with your own witty invite):
We’re making a list & checking it twice—
We won’t say if you’re naughty or nice, but
You are invited to our holiday party!
Tuesday, December 18th
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
832 Holly Lane
#4 Holiday lunch
In the mood for a get-together that’s a little more casual? Look no further than a holiday lunch! This party idea is a simple and tasty way to spend time with loved ones for some quick daytime fun. Plus, a holiday lunch is also an opportunity to chow down on a few delicious holiday foods, without going overboard and cooking an entire turkey dinner.
Businesses may also utilize the idea of a holiday lunch, especially if they’re not planning a full-blown office holiday party. No matter who you’re inviting to this afternoon affair, you can craft a simple holiday invitation with the following wording:
Please join Maria for a
Holiday Lunch
Thursday, December 12th
12 o’clock at The Harbor Bistro
Kindly reply.
It’s important to note that replies are needed—especially if you’re making a reservation at a restaurant. This is a card that should be sent out a few weeks in advance, that way, you can prepare for the number of people who will be attending.
If you want to kick things off a little earlier than lunch, you can also opt for a holiday brunch instead! Wording for your brunch invitation can look something like this:
Seasons Eatings
Please join us for a holiday brunch at our place
Sunday, December 21st
At 11:30 AM
Our patio
*Come thirsty for cranberry mimosas.*
#5 Holiday dinner party
On the other hand, maybe you are looking to kick it old school with a classic holiday dinner party. The most basic wording for this type of holiday invitation can be written as follows:
Please join us for a
Early Christmas dinner party
Saturday, December 21st
7 p.m.
450 Ocean Avenue
Kindly reply.
On the other hand, you may want to get a little more specific when planning a dinner party. For example, a potluck event may have invitation wording like this:
Deck the halls
Please join us for a potluck Christmas feast
On Friday, the twenty-fourth of December
At seven o’clock in the evening
The Randall home
Please RSVP with your chosen food item.
#6 Formal seated dinner party
While many holiday dinner parties tend to be pretty casual, some may opt for a more traditional, seated dinner. In this case, it’s important to specify the type of event you’re throwing on the invitation.
For a formal dinner party, consider wording your invitation in this way:
Please join us
for a seated dinner
December 21st, 6 p.m.
Hosted by Jacob and Aaron
1145 North Orange Grove Ave
RSVP by December 1st
*Formal attire is suggested.*
“Mistletoe Accent Flourish” by Rifle Paper Co. for Paperless Post.
#7 Boozy & schmoozy
The Christmas season is all about eating, drinking, and being merry, right? So, why not imbibe and feel alive this season by hosting a boozy and schmoozy holiday cocktail party?
For this kind of Christmas party theme, opt for an invitation that highlights the liquid portion of the evening, with wording like this:
Join us for a Christmas cocktail (or two)
Saturday, December 15th at 8 o’clock
The Burrow, Oxfordshire
Festive attire
Please RSVP
“Golden Ticket” by Paperless Post.
#8 Holiday movie night
Holiday movies are a great way to cozy up with loved ones and get in the seasonal spirit. While a movie marathon is perfect for a long snow day, if you’re inviting guests over, it may be helpful to stick to one feature for the night. The wording for your movie night Christmas invitation may read something like this:
Join Ken and Jada
for an evening of
holiday cocktails, good food, and cheer…
And of course,
a viewing of the world’s greatest film ever made, “Love Actually.”
Sunday
The Fifteenth of December
At 5 p.m.
111 South Beach Drive.
“Fab Bauble” by Paperless Post.
#9 Girls’ night out
Missing old friends who you haven’t seen in a while? Take advantage of the holiday season by putting together a holiday-themed girls’ night out! This is a fun way to get your friend group together, even when busy schedules get in the way. Send out an all-girls Christmas party invitation with the following message:
Girls’ Night Out
Annual Christmas Party
Malibu Venues in La Brea Plaza
Wednesday, December 6, at 8 p.m.
Don’t forget to bring a $10 gift for the gift exchange.
“Gingerbread Chalet” by Paperless Post.
#10 Cookie decorating
Hosting a cookie party is a delicious way to get in the Christmas spirit and get loved ones together-plus, who doesn’t want an excuse to chow down on some baked goods?
You can word your cookie decorating invitation with something simple, such as:
Come decorate cookies, enjoy food and drink, and make some merriment.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 from 2 – 4 P.M.
Generously hosted by the Johnsons at their home
9873 Railroad Ave.
“Tasty Truck” by Paperless Post.
#11 Cookie exchange
If you really want to ramp up the quality of your cookie party, try opting for a homemade cookie exchange. Everyone will get a chance to show off their baking skills (or show off their sweet tooth) and go home with a hefty cookie haul.
Since this is a pretty specific type of party, you’ll want to make sure the instructions are clear on your Christmas invitation template. Christmas invitation wording may look something like this:
Join us for a holiday cookie swap
Sunday, December 15 at 12 p.m.
485 Main Street
This is an opportunity to gather good friends and meet new ones. Please bring 4 dozen cookies of your choice so that everyone can go home with an assortment of cookies.
You’re encouraged to bake your own, but it’s not required. Please do bring a copy of the recipe/ingredients in case anyone has dietary concerns. We will have refreshments and food.
We’re so excited to celebrate the holidays with everyone.
Please RSVP
“Gift Swap” by Paperless Post.
#12 White elephant party
Of course, we can’t talk about holiday parties without mentioning the classic white elephant gift exchange. White elephant refers to a gift exchange where each person draws a number and chooses a wrapped gift when their number is called.
You’ll want to include a few key details—such as:
Cindy Lou Who invites you to a
White elephant gift swap
Saturday, December 13th at 4 PM
21 Mount Crumpit Way
Please bring a gift valued at fifty dollars to swap!
#13 Holiday ornament party
Finally, we have the family-friendly option of a holiday ornament exchange party! Guests can bring a homemade or store-bought ornament, depending on their preference. If you’re looking to get a few decorative elements into your seasonal celebration, try sending out invitations with the following message:
Holiday ornament exchange
Saturday, December 24th at 8:00 PM
Luke & Carley
332 Evergreen Lane
Raleigh, North Carolina
Bring a wrapped ornament to swap (and your sweet tooth).
#14 Winter Wonderland party
Usher in the Christmas spirit with a winter wonderland party. If you live in a place that frequents bouts of snow for months on end, you can incorporate a few nostalgic holiday pastimes into your theme, like sledding, building snowmen, and the obligatory snowball fight.
Not expecting snow this year? You can create your own winter wonderland indoors with a plethora of white decor and a hot cocoa station, complete with extravagant toppings for the children and alcoholic additions for the adults.
Try using Christmas party invitation wording with something snowy-themed like this:
Walk into a winter wonderland!
Saturday, December 15th at noon
Top of St. Nick’s Hill
Wear your warmest clothes and put your competitive foot forward for an afternoon of sledding, snowball fights, and a snowman competition.
The winners will receive bragging rights and the ugliest of Christmas sweaters.
#15 Holiday talent show
Do you have a secret talent you’ve been hiding from your friends and family? With a holiday talent show-themed party, it’s your time to shine like the Christmas tree topper you are.
From acapella caroling to extreme bow-wrapping abilities—or if you’re really lucky, a Mean Girls reenactment of “Jingle Bell Rock”—you and the rest of the partygoers can display your holiday talents on the stage for all to enjoy.
Here’s a little inspiration for your Christmas invitation wording:
Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell ROCK
Join us as we rock out for our first annual holiday talent show party.
Bring your best holiday-inspired talent
Or cheer on your favorites from the sidelines
With a strong cup of eggnog
Thursday, December 20th at 7 p.m.
121 CandyCane Lane
#16 Christmas character party
You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen. You also know countless other famed holiday characters thanks to decades of Christmas reruns on cable television. From the quintessential Santa Clause to the enigmatic Grinch, the sky’s the limit on who you can become at this special character-themed Christmas costume party.
Looking for the perfect invitation wording? Look no further:
Come one, come all
But come as someone else—your favorite Christmas character!
Friday, December 21st at 6 o’clock
9242 Sandy Street
#17 12 days of dip party
Put a fun spin on the classic (and never-ending) Christmas Carol, The 12 Days of Christmas. Instead of a partridge in a pear tree, you can have buffalo chicken dip—and barbecue shrimp dip, broccoli and cheddar cheese dip, and whatever other delectable dips your guests concoct for your holiday party.
Your Christmas party invitation wording might look similar to this:
On the first day of Christmas,
My best friends gave to me
Their very favorite dip for all to see (and taste).
Join us for a very merry afternoon full of drinks, dips, and a downright delectable good time. Be sure to bring a homemade dip for everyone to sample. Please note if it contains nuts.
Saturday, December 4th
2 p.m.
Our place
Find the perfect invitation wording with Paperless Post
When it comes to writing a holiday party invitation, you’re going to want Paperless Post in your corner. With thousands of designs and a digital RSVP tracker, it’s never been easier to invite all your friends and family to your next holiday party. Get in the holiday spirit today, with Paperless Post!