Christmas-themed parties

Melissa Douse,Contributor

The holiday season is here and everyone is busy making plans to get together. But these celebrations also revolve around food. Everyone looks forward to lavish dinner spreads, mouth-watering meals, and having a good time. For this holiday season, let's help you set your dinner party apart by hosting a themed dinner party.

Here are five fun Christmas themes you could try.

• Christmas Appetiser Party

Like the Christmas cookie swap, invite your guests to bring their favourite home-made appetisers to share. If you are having a dinner party, you don't have to prepare appetisers, but this idea is also great if you just want to get together and have something to munch on over drinks.

• Christmas Sweater Party

Everyone at some point in their lives has received a Christmas sweater with snowmen, Christmas trees, and Santa Claus. In case you didn't, it's time to go out and buy one or make your own. Invite all your guests to dress up in those Christmas sweaters and come on over for dinner/drinks or whatever get-together you have planned. This theme is fun and is sure to create some buzz at your party - not to mention the priceless photos you will have.

• Christmas Carol Karaoke Night

We only sing carols once a year, so bring out the karaoke set or download karaoke videos from YouTube! Invite your friends over, make drinks, and sing all night rocking out to popular holiday jams.

• Christmas Costume Party

Who said you are only allowed to dress up on Halloween? Invite all your guests to dress up in costumes for a fun Christmas party. Or if you're thinking of something more formal, go for a Venetian masquerade ball theme and have your guests dress up in their best suit/dress wearing masks. This Christmas, get your guests involved and make your dinner party a hit by stepping out of the box and hosting a themed dinner party event.

• Christmas Cookie Swap

Nothing says the holidays more than cookies in the shape of Christmas trees, candy canes and gingerbread men. Don't prepare any desserts for your next soirée - instead have a cookie swap. Have your guests bring a batch of their favourite home-made Christmas treats to share. For the guests that don't bake, let them bring store-bought treats.

For more dinner-hosting tips, check out mycraziefoodie.net.

Have a question? We have your answer. Send your dinner hosting queries to mycraziefoodie@gmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com