October 29, 2026

Christmas party invitation wording for every kind of party

Christmas party invitation wording, from formal dinners to ugly-sweater parties, cookie swaps and open houses, plus the lines for gifts, kids and dress code.

December fills up fast. A Christmas party invitation has to land early, say clearly what kind of party it is, and answer the questions guests always ask: do I bring a gift, can the kids come, what do I wear? Here’s what to include, wording for every kind of Christmas party, and when to send it.

What to include

What kind of party it is: a dinner, a cocktail party, an open house, a cookie swap.
Date, start time and end time. For an open house, a window.
The address, with parking notes for a crowded street.
How and when to RSVP.
The answers to the usual questions: gifts, kids, dress code, whether to bring a dish.

When to send it

Send Christmas party invitations three to four weeks before, and earlier for a party in the second or third week of December, when calendars are fullest. A save the date in early November helps for a big annual party. For a work party, four to six weeks.

Sample wording: formal or elegant

The pleasure of your company is requested at a Christmas dinner, [day], [date], at seven o’clock, [place]. Cocktail attire.

Please join us for a candlelit Christmas Eve supper, [date] at [time]. Kindly reply by [date].

[Host names] invite you to an evening of carols, cocktails and good company, [day], [date], [time] to [time].

Sample wording: warm and simple

Come celebrate the season with us! Christmas party at the [Last name] home, [date], [time].

Join us by the tree for food, drinks and holiday cheer, [day], [date], at [time].

Our house, our tree, our favorite people. Christmas party, [date] at [time].

Sample wording: fun and casual

Deck the halls and bring your appetite. Holiday party, [date] at [time].

Eat, drink and be merry, at our place, [date].

Ho ho ho, come on over. [Date] at [time]. Ugly sweaters strongly encouraged.

Cocoa, cookies and too many carols. Join the fun on [date].

Sample wording: an open house

Drop by anytime! Holiday open house, [date], from [time] to [time]. Come for a cookie, stay for a visit.

Our door is open: stop in for a drink and a hug between [time] and [time] on [date].

Sample wording: a themed party

Ugly sweater: “Wear your worst sweater. Prizes for the ugliest, the tackiest and the one that lights up.”
Cookie swap: “Bring a dozen of your favorite cookies, plus the recipe. You’ll go home with a mix of everyone’s.”
Gift swap: “Bring a wrapped gift under $[amount] for the white elephant swap. Fair warning: stealing is allowed.” The white elephant rules post has the steals, the limit and versions to try.
A Posada: “Join us for Las Posadas: the procession at [time], then tamales and ponche.”
Brunch: “Pajamas welcome at our Christmas morning brunch.”

Lines for the practical parts

Gifts: “No gifts, please; your company is the present.” Or, for a swap, the price limit.
Kids: “Little elves welcome!” or “This one’s for the grown-ups.”
Dress code: “Festive attire,” “Holiday sparkle encouraged,” or “Come as you are.”
Potluck: “We’ll have the ham; bring a side or a dessert to share.”
Parking: “Our street fills up fast; park on [street] and walk over.”

A work Christmas party

Keep it inclusive and clear:

Many workplaces say “holiday party” so everyone feels welcome, even if it’s on the Christmas calendar.
Say whether partners are invited.
Give the end time; people need to plan getting home.
If there’s a gift swap, keep it optional and set a modest limit.

How letsparty helps

The Christmas party invitations page has the designs, from candlelit dinners to ugly sweaters.

For a potluck or a cookie swap, the food sign-up lists what’s needed and who’s bringing what, so you don’t end up with eight plates of sugar cookies. For an annual party, Copy party brings back last year’s guest list and details, and Your year reminds you in time to send. There are Christmas designs from a candlelit supper to an ugly-sweater party, and snow can fall over the invite once it’s open.

Wording tips

Name the kind of party in the first line, so guests know what they’re dressing for.
Give an end time, or a window for an open house.
Answer the gift question before anyone has to ask.
Send it before the other invitations do.

The free wording ideas tool has more lines for holiday parties.