I feel like so much of the time the holidays start to get really… obligatory. It’s a lot of juggling days spent with family members and trying to accommodate everyone in your life’s schedule and afterwards you feel like you need a vacation. A great way to remedy this is by throwing a shindig for you and your friends with all the fun and none of the stress your actual holiday ceremony might put on your shoulders. Here we have some quality low-cost party ideas for you and your friends as an excuse to enjoy all that the holidays have to offer — namely sweet, sweet calories — without worrying about what your in-laws might think. 



1. YouTube-watching party. This year a few friends and I are holding a party around the 3-D TV at my friend’s house that’s connected to the Internet. Through our phones we can queue up our prepared (or unprepared) arsenal of funny videos while we eat, drink and stay merry with sweets and holiday-themed drinks.

2. Cookie decorating party. The cookie part doesn’t have to trip you up, so you can tailor this theme according to how crafty you feel like being. The attire can be the guests’ best aprons and everyone can bring some cookie cutters or icing. Sugar cookie dough is around $3 a tube, and icing is cheap, too. Have some party punch, some dragees on hand, and a game of Twister on the itinerary (burn a few calories!) and see where the sugary night takes you.

3. Board game party. I know sometimes all I’m looking for is an excuse to behave like a child around the holidays. Board games are never a bad idea, but there are some that aren’t party appropriate. Monopoly, I’d stay away from. Apples to Apples, on the other hand, gets better the more ridiculous you make it. Project some old movies on the wall, play some music, get some holiday treats set out and some bubbly flowing, and Pictionary, charades, or Yahtzee will be the best night you’ve had with friends in a while!

4. Holiday potluck and movie party. If you’re the type who likes to keep it low-key, a gathering of friends with classic holiday movies might be just right. Home Alone, Love, Actually or The Nightmare Before Christmas are a few of my favorites — but inviting friends to bring a variety of meal options (not just sweets) and gathering around to watch some movies is a great couples event or just an inexpensive gathering of friends. If your friends aren’t into the movie thing, try a white elephant gift exchange!

5. Murder mystery party. My friend throwing the YouTube party once threw a murder mystery party, too. Yep, that’s me sassing the camera above. Done right, they are the most fun themed party I’ve ever known to exist, and if your friends are hams like mine, it’s a winner every time. A murder mystery party theme and all of its components usually cost around $30-$40 online, and they give you all the instructions to carry the night off without a hitch. There can be TONS of guests or just a handful, and giving people roles ahead of time and having just enough themed beverages to get everyone relaxed and into character upon arrival are the keys to a memorable murder mystery party.
How do you celebrate the holidays with your friends? What are your favorite theme parties you’ve attended?