Hosting a holiday open house brings together friends, neighbors, and family for a cozy, relaxed get together that’s easy to plan and fun to enjoy. Unlike a traditional sit down event, you get to spend more time chatting with guests and less time fussing over seating charts. Here’s my approach to throwing a memorable Christmas open house that will get everyone in the holiday spirit.
Creating the Perfect Holiday Open House Atmosphere
The vibe of an open house is a little more low key and come and go so people can pop in, grab a bite, stay as long as they like, and enjoy good company. For a two hour party, I set the tone by making my house bright, warm, and welcoming. My favorite way to appeal to all the senses is by focusing on these easy tricks:
- Scent: Holiday scented candles in pine, cinnamon, or vanilla make the house feel cozy right when guests walk in.
- Sight: Twinkling lights on the porch, string lights over windows, and a tree in the living room instantly feel festive. I love putting garland on stair rails and kitchen cabinets too.
- Sound: Soft Christmas music playing in the background does wonders to set a cheerful mood. I use a playlist with classics and instrumentals to keep it upbeat but not overwhelming.
- Taste: A spread of sweet and savory finger foods means there’s always something for everyone, which I’ll get into below.
- Comfort: Even at a mostly stand and mingle party, I like to provide a few comfy spots for older guests or anyone who needs a break.
Invitations and RSVP Details
Open house invites are more casual. I like using e-invites for quick replies, or paper invitations for a classic touch. Make sure to note the two hour time window and clearly say “come and go as you like!” If you prefer an adults only or kid friendly party, mention that too. Asking for an RSVP by a certain date helps with food planning, so I always include that detail.
How to Handle Kids and Plus Ones
If you’re fine with children attending, it’s helpful to mention if there will be activities or a separate spot for kids to hang out. If you’d rather keep it adults only, a note like “Adult gathering, thank you for arranging childcare” is polite and clear. If a person is single or dating someone, put Plus One on their invitation to make sure they are welcome to bring a date.
Planning Your Menu: Sweet & Savory Holiday Favorites
The beauty of an open house menu is keeping things easy to eat, so guests can fill a plate with a few bites or come back for seconds. Everything here is either make ahead or comes together fast. I set everything out buffet style in the kitchen or dining room so everyone can help themselves and mingle. Here are my go to party classics with a little info on each:
- Sausage Balls: Cheesy, savory, and always a hit. I use a tried and true recipe with sausage, Bisquick, and sharp cheddar, baked until golden. Serve warm with small forks or toothpicks.
- Tenderloin & Biscuits with Radish Sauce and Mustard: Small fluffy biscuits with beef tenderloin slices. I offer little bowls of creamy radish sauce and classic yellow mustard for people to doctor their own.
- Cheese Ring with Strawberry Jam: This is an old school Southern favorite. The sharp cheddar cheese ring is molded in a Bundt pan, then a well of strawberry jam in the middle gives a sweet and salty bite.
- Fruit Tray Shaped Like a Christmas Tree: Layered rows of green grapes, kiwi, strawberries, starfruit, and blueberries, with a row of clementines for the trunk. Top with a starfruit for the treetop.
- Vegetable Tray with Ranch Dip: Keep it simple with broccoli, carrots, celery, and cherry tomatoes arranged around a bowl of creamy ranch.
- Pecan Pie Dip with Vanilla Wafers: Creamy, sweet, and nutty, this dip gets topped with chopped pecans and is perfect for dunking vanilla wafers.
- Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies: Soft, chewy cookies with mint chips and chocolate morsels, nestled onto a tray, often one of the first things to go!
- Turtle Brownie Squares: Gooey brownie bites topped with caramel drizzle and a sprinkle of pecans. I cut these into small squares so people can sample more than one treat.
If you want to add a hot food station, you can include a slow cooker soup or chili, which doesn’t need much effort but feels comforting, especially on a chilly night.
Holiday Punch Recipe (NonAlcoholic)
This punch comes together in five minutes and looks colorful in a big punch bowl. Here’s what I use:
- 1 liter ginger ale
- 1 liter cranberry juice
- 2 cups pineapple juice
- Fresh cranberries and sliced oranges for garnish
Mix juices together, pour over ice, add ginger ale just before guests arrive for fizz, and float fruit on top. Offer bottled water alongside the punch. As an upgrade, have a pot of hot apple cider or hot cocoa on hand for extra winter flavor.
Easy Alcohol Options
If you decide to add alcoholic drinks, beer and wine are the easiest to serve and allow guests to help themselves. For cocktails, stocking a simple bar with vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, and mixers like soda, tonic water, and juices covers the basics (about one drink per guest per hour). Hiring a bartender is helpful if you expect a crowd or want guests to try something fancier. Mulled wine in a slow cooker is another great self serve option.
Recipes and Food Presentation Tips
Most of these recipes don’t need exact measurements to taste great, but I always follow a few pointers:
- Sausage Balls: Mix 1 pound hot sausage, 2 cups Bisquick, and 2 cups shredded cheddar. Roll into balls and bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes.
- Tenderloin & Biscuits: Bake biscuits the day ahead and warm just before serving. Prep radish sauce by mixing sour cream and finely grated radish with black pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Bake a tenderloin the day before and when cool slice into the right size pieces for the biscuits. Just wrap in foil, store in refrigerator overnight, then reheat in the oven in the foil.
- Cheese Ring: Combine 2 cups sharp cheddar, 1 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup mayo, a little garlic powder, and paprika. Press into a greased Bundt pan and chill, unmold, and add jam to center.
- Pecan Pie Dip: Blend 8 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup, and 1 cup chopped pecans. Top with more pecans and caramel sauce.
I set up trays at various heights with a few small holiday decorations and label each dish. Keeping the food in the kitchen or dining area lets people walk around and mingle with a snack in hand. If you want your table to really pop, use cake stands, stacked platters, and bowls in festive shapes or colors.
Decorating Timeline and Prep Plan
Staying organized is really important for a smooth party. Here’s the prep schedule I use:
- 3-4 Days Before: Deep clean the house (bathrooms, kitchen, floors), prep invitations, and confirm RSVPs. Create your playlist or cue up a few hours of Christmas songs.
- 2 Days Before: Shop for food, drinks, and any lastminute decorations. Double check for plenty of napkins, cups, and serving utensils. Pick up extra ice if you don’t have much freezer space.
- 1 Day Before: Make dips, cookies, brownies, and cheese ring. Arrange trays, wash serving dishes, and chill drinks. If using flowers or greenery, set arrangements in cool water overnight.
- Morning Of: Bake sausage balls, assemble fruit and veggie trays, prep biscuits, set up decorations, and start background music playlist. Do a final tidy up of living spaces.
- Before Guests Arrive: Light candles, turn on all the lights, fill punch bowl, and set out place cards or food signs. Greet guests at the door with a big smile!
Table Themes and Tablescape Tips
The table is one of the first things people see, so it pays to create a scene that fits your style. Some of my favorite themed looks include:
- Classic Red & Green: Layer a red tablecloth with pine garland down the center, mini tree decorations, and gold candles. Add holiday plates and napkins for a bold, fun vibe.
- Winter Wonderland: White or silver runner, glass hurricane vases with fake snow and pinecones, a few sprigs of greenery, and clear plates. LED string lights add extra sparkle.
- Rustic Lodge: Use a plaid runner, wood trays, burlap napkins, and natural greenery cut from the yard. Add some wooden coasters and deer ornaments.
If you want to make the food the showpiece, keep the rest of the décor minimal so the colors and variety really shine. Add a few height variations for interest and try scattering a handful of ornaments or tiny wrapped boxes around serving dishes.
Welcoming Guests and Farewell Favors
Greeting each guest as they walk in starts things off on the right foot. I like to show people where to put coats, where the food and drinks are, and point out seating for anyone who needs it. Before anyone heads home, I offer a simple take home favor, maybe a bag of homemade cookies, a mini jar of jam, a holiday soap, or an ornament. I’ve even made ornaments with guests’ last names using a paint marker for a tiny personal touch. If kids are attending, let them help decorate favors for a fun activity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Open Houses
Do I need to serve a full meal?
You don’t need a full meal. Small bites keep things easy, casual, and great for mingling.
What’s the best time for a Christmas open house?
Late afternoon or early evening usually works well, but midday on a weekend is popular too.
How do I keep the decorations simple but festive?
Pile on string lights, light a few candles, and put a wreath on the door. Tray up some ornaments for a centerpiece.
Hosting a holiday open house really just boils down to tasty food, a welcoming atmosphere, and relaxed company. Everyone’s there to celebrate the season, so don’t stress. Enjoy the party along with your guests!