The holiday season is a time of celebration, joy, and coming together. For students, a holiday party can be a highlight of the school year—a chance to relax, have fun, and bond with their classmates. For teachers, it’s an opportunity to create a positive, festive atmosphere in the classroom while reinforcing a sense of community. If you’re planning to schedule a student holiday party, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make it a memorable and inclusive event for everyone.

Step 1: Choose the Right Date and Time

The first step in planning a holiday party is selecting the date and time. Consider your school’s calendar and any upcoming events, such as exams or performances, to ensure your party doesn’t conflict with other activities. Ideally, the party should take place toward the end of the school day, giving students a chance to wind down after a day of learning. It’s also a good idea to avoid scheduling the party too close to the last day of school, as students (and teachers) may already be distracted with holiday preparations.

Pro Tip: If your school has half-days or early dismissals around the holiday season, consider holding the party on one of those days to maximize time for both the party and clean-up.

Step 2: Decide on the Type of Party

Before you dive into planning, think about what kind of holiday party you want to host. Do you want a simple, low-key celebration with snacks and music, or a more structured event with games, crafts, and activities? Your decision will depend on the age group you teach, your time constraints, and the interests of your students.

Here are a few popular types of student holiday parties:

• Holiday Craft Party: Students can make their own holiday decorations, cards, or gifts for friends and family. This type of party is especially fun for younger students and allows them to get creative.
• Game and Activity Party: Plan a series of holiday-themed games, such as a scavenger hunt, trivia quiz, or relay race. This is a great option for active classrooms that enjoy movement and friendly competition.
• Food and Treat Party: Focus on holiday snacks, desserts, and drinks. You can ask students to bring in treats (with guidelines for allergies), or organize a cookie-decorating station where students can design their own edible creations.
• Movie and Pajama Party: For a more relaxed vibe, have students wear pajamas and watch a holiday-themed movie. You can serve popcorn and hot chocolate while students enjoy the film.

Step 3: Plan Inclusive Activities

When planning your student holiday party, it’s important to keep inclusivity in mind. Not all students celebrate the same holidays, and some may not observe any holidays at all. Consider making your party more about the spirit of togetherness, fun, and the changing seasons, rather than focusing on one specific holiday.

You can include activities that reflect different cultural traditions, or you can opt for a more neutral, seasonal theme. Winter-themed games, snowman-building contests, or gingerbread house decorating are examples of activities that everyone can enjoy, regardless of their background.

Pro Tip: Check with students or their parents in advance to understand any preferences or sensitivities around holiday celebrations. This ensures that everyone feels comfortable and included.

Step 4: Organize Food and Drinks

No party is complete without snacks! Depending on your classroom’s preferences and any dietary restrictions, you can decide whether to bring in treats yourself, ask students to contribute, or partner with parents for a potluck-style snack table.

Popular holiday treats include:

• Cookies and cupcakes (holiday-themed decorations are a fun touch)
• Fruit and veggie platters
• Chips, crackers, or pretzels
• Hot chocolate or apple cider
• Candy canes, popcorn, or festive snack mixes

If you’re asking students to bring in food, make sure to send home a sign-up sheet and encourage families to consider any allergies or food restrictions within the class. Labeling foods that are nut-free, gluten-free, or dairy-free helps ensure that all students can enjoy the treats.

Step 5: Plan Games and Activities

Once you’ve decided on the theme and structure of your party, it’s time to plan the activities. Whether you opt for classic holiday games or invent your own, the key is to keep students engaged and having fun. Here are a few ideas for games that are always a hit:

• Holiday Bingo: Create bingo cards featuring holiday symbols, words, or characters. Hand out small prizes for winners.
• Snowball Toss: Set up a simple target (like a bucket or bin) and have students toss white “snowballs” (cotton balls or crumpled paper) into it.
• Pin the Nose on the Snowman: A festive twist on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” game.
• Secret Santa or Gift Exchange: If you choose to do a gift exchange, set a low price limit and offer guidelines to ensure fairness. Consider non-material exchanges like “Secret Compliments,” where students write kind messages to their classmates instead of giving gifts.
• Holiday Charades: Write down holiday-themed actions or characters on slips of paper for students to act out while the class guesses.

Pro Tip: Keep the activities lighthearted and fun, and have extra games on hand in case you need to fill more time than expected.

Step 6: Decorations and Music

Decorating the classroom can add to the festive atmosphere and get students into the holiday spirit. Keep decorations simple but cheerful, like paper snowflakes, garlands, or string lights. You can also turn decorating into an activity, having students make their own holiday or winter-themed crafts to display around the room.

Music is another easy way to create a fun and festive mood. You can play a variety of holiday songs, from classic tunes to modern hits, or let students request their favorite seasonal songs. Just be sure the music is appropriate for all students and doesn’t exclude any particular holiday or tradition.

Step 7: Involve Parents and Guardians

If possible, involve parents and guardians in the planning or execution of the party. They can help with set-up, bring in snacks, or even assist with managing activities. Sending home a letter or email outlining your plans for the holiday party will keep families informed and give them the opportunity to contribute if they wish.

Involving parents can also help foster a sense of community between the school and families, making the party feel like a collaborative event.

Step 8: Manage Time and Transitions

To ensure that your holiday party runs smoothly, have a clear schedule in mind. Decide how long each activity will take and allow time for set-up and clean-up. Consider starting with a fun game or craft, moving on to snacks, and ending with a final activity or small gift exchange.

Be mindful of transitions between activities to avoid chaos or downtime. Having a clear plan and backup activities will help the party stay organized while keeping the energy up.

Step 9: Clean Up and Wrap Up

Before the party ends, make sure to leave enough time for clean-up. You can turn this into a group effort by assigning tasks to students, like throwing away trash, wiping down tables, or organizing leftover supplies.

As a final touch, you can give students small, inexpensive favors, such as pencils, stickers, or candy canes, as a reminder of the fun they had at the holiday party.

Conclusion: A Memorable Celebration for All

Scheduling a student holiday party is a wonderful way to bring your class together, celebrate the season, and create lasting memories. By keeping the party simple, inclusive, and well-organized, you’ll ensure that every student feels included and leaves the celebration with a smile.

With thoughtful planning, fun activities, and the right festive spirit, your classroom holiday party will be a highlight of the year for students and teachers alike. So go ahead—spread the cheer, and make this holiday season a memorable one for your students!