13 Backyard Christmas Party Ideas for Sparkling Celebrations

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Family Around Table Having a Backyard Christmas Party

There's something magical about celebrating Christmas under the open sky, surrounded by the familiar comforts of your own backyard. As the holiday season approaches, what better way to infuse warmth and wonder into the festivities than by hosting a memorable Backyard Christmas Party? Imagine the soft glow of twinkling lights, the joyous laughter of loved ones, and the crisp winter air carrying the spirit of the season. 

From crafting delightful DIY stations to igniting a little friendly competition, these backyard Christmas party ideas will ensure your celebration is nothing short of extraordinary. 

Check out all of our rentals that can make your holiday one to remember.

Cozy Ambience Creation 

As the sun begins to set and the stars twinkle above, here are some ways to create an enchanting ambiance that captures the spirit of the season. 

1. Twinkling Lights and Gleaming Lanterns 

Single Cab Truck With Christmas Tree and String Lights

Delicately drape a web of string lights across fences, trees, and pergolas and scatter lanterns throughout your backyard. These Christmas event rentals will serve as both charming decorations and a functional source of illumination for the night. 

2. Rustic Elegance With Natural Elements 

Incorporate the beauty of nature with evergreen branches, pinecones, and twigs. Scatter them across tables, hang them as decorations, or even create wreaths to infuse a rustic charm into the setting. 

Consider adding a touch of whimsy by adorning the branches with twinkling fairy lights to give the illusion of fireflies dancing in the wintry night. 

3. Blankets and Cushions for Ultimate Comfort 

Arrange comfortable seating areas adorned with plush cushions and throws or drape cozy blankets over chairs and benches. Encourage everyone to wrap themselves in warmth as they mingle or engage in the night’s activities. 

Culinary Delights Under the Stars 

No backyard Christmas party is complete without a delightful spread of comfort foods and sweet treats. 

4. Hot Chocolate and Marshmallow Station 

Create a cozy corner dedicated to the beloved winter indulgence: hot chocolate. Provide toppings like whipped cream, sprinkles, and crushed candy canes for guests to customize their own cups. Alternatively, pair the hot chocolate station with a marshmallow bar, where guests can toast their marshmallows over a small fire or tabletop flame. 

You can rent a variety of bars from Ultimate Party Rentals – the ultimate Christmas event rental company.

5. Holiday-inspired Cocktails and Mocktails 

Embrace the holiday spirit by offering a selection of drinks inspired by the flavors of the season. Offer options like spiced apple cider cocktails, cranberry mimosas, or peppermint-infused concoctions. 

For the teetotallers, craft mocktails using ingredients like fresh fruit juices, sparkling water, and cinnamon garnishes. 

Festive Entertainment 

A memorable backyard Christmas party is one with joy, laughter, and shared experiences. 

6. Gingerbread House Decorating Competition 

Prepare a designated area with plain gingerbread houses and a variety of colorful frostings, candies, and edible decorations. Divide your guests into teams and let their creativity run wild as they design and decorate their gingerbread masterpieces. 

Award cheerful prize categories such as "Most Festive," "Most Creative," and "Best Overall Design." 

7. Winter-Themed Karaoke 

Who doesn’t love to sing or listen to Christmas carols? A sing-along session featuring beloved holiday tunes is sure to create camaraderie as everyone gathers to sing their hearts out and celebrate the spirit of the season. 

Set up a dance floor so people can dance to the karaoke.

8. Christmas Movie Nights 

Infuse the spirit of the season into your backyard Christmas party by celebrating the magic of Christmas through the silver screen. 

Choose a spot in your backyard where you can set up a large screen or projector and create a cozy seating area with cushions, blankets, and bean bags. Then, curate a lineup of classic and beloved Christmas movies and enhance the experience with an array of candy, cookies, and other movie-style snacks that guests can enjoy while watching. 

9. Costume Contest or Ugly Sweater Parade 

Add a touch of playful fashion flair to your backyard Christmas party by inviting people to participate in a costume contest or ugly sweater parade. 

Let your guests know in advance, such as on the invitation, that they should wear their most festive and tacky sweaters and holiday-themed costumes, and that there will be a prize for the best costume. To add an element of fun and laughter, have participants tell the story behind their sweaters. 

DIY Craft Stations 

Let your guests create unique keepsakes that will remind them of this festive gathering for years to come. Christmas event rentals for these activities can include crafting tables, chairs, and additional crafting supplies. 

10. Personalized Ornament Stations 

Prepare a designated area with a variety of craft supplies, such as plain ornaments, paints, markers, ribbons, and glitter. This activity is not only for children. Provide examples and inspiration for a variety of ornament designs, from simple to whimsical, to ensure that there is something for everyone. 

11. Cookie Decorating Area 

People Decorating Christmas Cookies and Gingerbread Man

Create a cookie decorating station where guests can channel their inner bakers. Offer freshly baked cookies in various shapes and sizes, plus colorful icing, edible decorations, sprinkles, and toppings. 

Consider having a “cookie contest" where guests can vote on the most creative edible masterpieces. 

Capturing Moments of Joy and Laughter 

12. DIY Photobooth 

A DIY photo booth adds an extra layer of fun and interactivity to your backyard Christmas party. It's a space where guests can express themselves, let loose, and create snapshots that they'll cherish for years to come. 

Craft a captivating backdrop and provide an assortment of festive props such as Santa hats and reindeer antlers. Remember that you can get Christmas event rentals like photography equipment, props, and backdrops to elevate your booth. 

Giving Back and Charity

13. Charity Drive for Necessities 

As the holiday season fills the air with warmth and compassion, consider infusing your backyard Christmas party with a spirit of giving back and spreading goodwill. 

Invite guests to contribute food, toys, or clothing items that will benefit those in need, and set up a collection station at the party. You could also invite a representative from a local charity organization to attend and share information about their mission. 

This thoughtful gesture not only amplifies the joy of the festivities but also reminds us all of the true essence of the season. 

Host the Party of The Season With Ultimate Party Rentals 

As you prepare to host a backyard Christmas party that's filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories, remember that the right equipment and decorations can enhance every aspect of the occasion. 

Planning a holiday event in the Nashville area? Ultimate Party Rentals is here to bring your vision to life with everything from cozy seating arrangements to projectors and themed decorations. No minimum order! Explore our extensive catalog to find the perfect Christmas party rentals for your party and contact us today. 

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There's something magical about celebrating Christmas under the open sky, surrounded by the familiar comforts of your own backyard. As the holiday season approaches, what better way to infuse warmth and wonder into the festivities than by hosting a memorable Backyard Christmas Party? Imagine the soft glow of twinkling lights, the joyous laughter of loved ones, and the crisp winter air carrying the spirit of the season. 

From crafting delightful DIY stations to igniting a little friendly competition, these backyard Christmas party ideas will ensure your celebration is nothing short of extraordinary. 

Check out all of our rentals that can make your holiday one to remember.

Cozy Ambience Creation 

As the sun begins to set and the stars twinkle above, here are some ways to create an enchanting ambiance that captures the spirit of the season. 

1. Twinkling Lights and Gleaming Lanterns 

Single Cab Truck With Christmas Tree and String Lights

Delicately drape a web of string lights across fences, trees, and pergolas and scatter lanterns throughout your backyard. These Christmas event rentals will serve as both charming decorations and a functional source of illumination for the night. 

2. Rustic Elegance With Natural Elements 

Incorporate the beauty of nature with evergreen branches, pinecones, and twigs. Scatter them across tables, hang them as decorations, or even create wreaths to infuse a rustic charm into the setting. 

Consider adding a touch of whimsy by adorning the branches with twinkling fairy lights to give the illusion of fireflies dancing in the wintry night. 

3. Blankets and Cushions for Ultimate Comfort 

Arrange comfortable seating areas adorned with plush cushions and throws or drape cozy blankets over chairs and benches. Encourage everyone to wrap themselves in warmth as they mingle or engage in the night’s activities. 

Culinary Delights Under the Stars 

No backyard Christmas party is complete without a delightful spread of comfort foods and sweet treats. 

4. Hot Chocolate and Marshmallow Station 

Create a cozy corner dedicated to the beloved winter indulgence: hot chocolate. Provide toppings like whipped cream, sprinkles, and crushed candy canes for guests to customize their own cups. Alternatively, pair the hot chocolate station with a marshmallow bar, where guests can toast their marshmallows over a small fire or tabletop flame. 

You can rent a variety of bars from Ultimate Party Rentals – the ultimate Christmas event rental company.

5. Holiday-inspired Cocktails and Mocktails 

Embrace the holiday spirit by offering a selection of drinks inspired by the flavors of the season. Offer options like spiced apple cider cocktails, cranberry mimosas, or peppermint-infused concoctions. 

For the teetotallers, craft mocktails using ingredients like fresh fruit juices, sparkling water, and cinnamon garnishes. 

Festive Entertainment 

A memorable backyard Christmas party is one with joy, laughter, and shared experiences. 

6. Gingerbread House Decorating Competition 

Prepare a designated area with plain gingerbread houses and a variety of colorful frostings, candies, and edible decorations. Divide your guests into teams and let their creativity run wild as they design and decorate their gingerbread masterpieces. 

Award cheerful prize categories such as "Most Festive," "Most Creative," and "Best Overall Design." 

7. Winter-Themed Karaoke 

Who doesn’t love to sing or listen to Christmas carols? A sing-along session featuring beloved holiday tunes is sure to create camaraderie as everyone gathers to sing their hearts out and celebrate the spirit of the season. 

Set up a dance floor so people can dance to the karaoke.

8. Christmas Movie Nights 

Infuse the spirit of the season into your backyard Christmas party by celebrating the magic of Christmas through the silver screen. 

Choose a spot in your backyard where you can set up a large screen or projector and create a cozy seating area with cushions, blankets, and bean bags. Then, curate a lineup of classic and beloved Christmas movies and enhance the experience with an array of candy, cookies, and other movie-style snacks that guests can enjoy while watching. 

9. Costume Contest or Ugly Sweater Parade 

Add a touch of playful fashion flair to your backyard Christmas party by inviting people to participate in a costume contest or ugly sweater parade. 

Let your guests know in advance, such as on the invitation, that they should wear their most festive and tacky sweaters and holiday-themed costumes, and that there will be a prize for the best costume. To add an element of fun and laughter, have participants tell the story behind their sweaters. 

DIY Craft Stations 

Let your guests create unique keepsakes that will remind them of this festive gathering for years to come. Christmas event rentals for these activities can include crafting tables, chairs, and additional crafting supplies. 

10. Personalized Ornament Stations 

Prepare a designated area with a variety of craft supplies, such as plain ornaments, paints, markers, ribbons, and glitter. This activity is not only for children. Provide examples and inspiration for a variety of ornament designs, from simple to whimsical, to ensure that there is something for everyone. 

11. Cookie Decorating Area 

People Decorating Christmas Cookies and Gingerbread Man

Create a cookie decorating station where guests can channel their inner bakers. Offer freshly baked cookies in various shapes and sizes, plus colorful icing, edible decorations, sprinkles, and toppings. 

Consider having a “cookie contest" where guests can vote on the most creative edible masterpieces. 

Capturing Moments of Joy and Laughter 

12. DIY Photobooth 

A DIY photo booth adds an extra layer of fun and interactivity to your backyard Christmas party. It's a space where guests can express themselves, let loose, and create snapshots that they'll cherish for years to come. 

Craft a captivating backdrop and provide an assortment of festive props such as Santa hats and reindeer antlers. Remember that you can get Christmas event rentals like photography equipment, props, and backdrops to elevate your booth. 

Giving Back and Charity

13. Charity Drive for Necessities 

As the holiday season fills the air with warmth and compassion, consider infusing your backyard Christmas party with a spirit of giving back and spreading goodwill. 

Invite guests to contribute food, toys, or clothing items that will benefit those in need, and set up a collection station at the party. You could also invite a representative from a local charity organization to attend and share information about their mission. 

This thoughtful gesture not only amplifies the joy of the festivities but also reminds us all of the true essence of the season. 

Host the Party of The Season With Ultimate Party Rentals 

As you prepare to host a backyard Christmas party that's filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories, remember that the right equipment and decorations can enhance every aspect of the occasion. 

Planning a holiday event in the Nashville area? Ultimate Party Rentals is here to bring your vision to life with everything from cozy seating arrangements to projectors and themed decorations. No minimum order! Explore our extensive catalog to find the perfect Christmas party rentals for your party and contact us today. 


Michelle Fuqua

Michelle has been in the event rentals business since 2008 when she started The Ultimate Party Store to provide affordable and high-quality party decorations for any event. After dabbling in providing table and chair rentals, Michelle opened Ultimate Party Tents and Events, fully committing to providing everything anyone would need for an event in the Nashville-Hendersonville area. As a local business owner, she gives back to her community by volunteering her time to local organizations and events.