A Flexible Plan for Christmas Party Goods

The worst Christmas party I attended had every Christmas item the host could find. Santa plates, reindeer napkins, snowman cups, a Christmas tree tablecloth, a Santa banner, a reindeer centerpiece, and a snowman cake topper. The table looked like a Christmas store. A Christmas party needs a few festive items and good food. The rest is overbuying.

Christmas party goods are the supplies and decorations needed for a Christmas party, including plates, napkins, cups, tablecloths, banners, and centerpieces. The best Christmas party goods are simple, functional, and festive. The worst are overbought and underused.

The short answer: buy red and green plates, napkins, and cups. Add a tablecloth and a banner. Skip the themed centerpieces and the character items. The birthday party decoration kit in red and green gives you a tablecloth, banner, and balloons. The flaw: the kit is birthday-themed. Use the red and green items and skip the “Happy Birthday” banner.

The Essentials

Plates, Napkins, and Cups

Red and green plates, napkins, and cups. Solid colors, not character-themed. The flaw: solid colors are less festive than themed items. Add a few themed accents (a Santa cake topper, a reindeer banner) if you want more festivity.

The Tablecloth

A red or green tablecloth. Solid color, not Christmas-print. The solid color is more elegant and can be reused for other parties.

The Banner

A “Merry Christmas” banner or a simple greenery garland. The banner sets the theme. The garland is more elegant.

The Optional Items

The Centerpiece

A small Christmas tree, a candle arrangement, or a bowl of ornaments. The centerpiece is the focal point of the table. The flaw: themed centerpieces (Santa, reindeer) look like a store. Use a simple arrangement instead.

The Balloons

Red and green balloons. The flaw: balloons are more birthday than Christmas. Use them only if the party is for kids.

The String Lights

Warm white string lights for ambiance. The lights are the most important decoration. They make any room feel festive.

What to Skip

Skip the Santa plates, reindeer napkins, and snowman cups. They are overbought and underused. Skip the Christmas-print tablecloth. A solid color is more elegant. Skip the themed centerpieces. A simple arrangement is better. Skip the character cake toppers. A plain cake with a candle is enough.

The Verdict

Christmas party goods work when they are simple, functional, and festive. Red and green plates, napkins, and cups. A solid color tablecloth. A banner or a garland. String lights for ambiance. The most common mistake is buying every Christmas item available and ending up with a table that looks like a store. Buy the essentials. Skip the themed items. The food and the company are the party.

FAQ

What Christmas party goods do I need? Red and green plates, napkins, and cups. A solid color tablecloth. A banner or a garland. String lights for ambiance. Skip the themed items.

How much should I spend on Christmas party goods? $20 to $30 for plates, napkins, cups, and a tablecloth. $10 for a banner or a garland. $10 for string lights. Total: $40 to $50.

Should I buy themed Christmas plates? Skip the Santa, reindeer, and snowman plates. Solid red and green is more elegant and can be reused. Add a few themed accents if you want more festivity.

What tablecloth works for a Christmas party? A solid red or green tablecloth. Skip the Christmas-print tablecloth. The solid color is more elegant and can be reused for other parties.

What centerpiece works for a Christmas party? A small Christmas tree, a candle arrangement, or a bowl of ornaments. Skip the Santa and reindeer centerpieces. A simple arrangement is better.

What should I skip for Christmas party goods? Santa plates, reindeer napkins, snowman cups, Christmas-print tablecloths, themed centerpieces, and character cake toppers. Buy the essentials. Skip the themed items.

How do I make a Christmas party feel festive without overbuying? String lights, candles, a solid color tablecloth, and a garland. The lights and the candles do more for the atmosphere than any themed plate.

References

• Party City, “Christmas Party Supplies,” partycity.com
• Oriental Trading, “Christmas Party Decorations,” orientaltrading.com
• The Bash, “Christmas Party Ideas,” thebash.com