Christmas dinner invitation: top view of people clinking their glasses

The Christmas decorations are hung, the menu is planned, and the guest list is made. You’re ready to send your Christmas dinner invitations. 

To help you spread the word, choose a design that matches your celebratory vibe. Are you serving a family-friendly meal? A cozy invitation with traditional holiday motifs is the perfect fit. Hosting a cocktail party with festive party food later in the evening for friends? A more formal invitation will help you set the tone.

In this guide, we’ll share some of our favorite designs and walk you through what to say in a Christmas dinner invitation.

10 Christmas Dinner Invitation Designs

When selecting an invitation design, think about the style and tone of the Christmas dinner you’re hosting:

  • For classic holiday charm: Rich greenery, holly, poinsettias, and subtle snowflakes are timeless symbols that make guests feel the warmth of the holiday season.
  • For festive and playful: Bright reds, greens, candy cane stripes, Santa hats, and jingle bell-inspired motifs bring cheerful energy — perfect for potluck or buffet-style gatherings.
  • For elegant and sophisticated: Metallic foils, embossed patterns, and minimalist or script fonts convey a refined, formal dinner party vibe.

Below, you’ll find a variety of Christmas dinner invitation options — from formal to cozy. With these online invitation templates, you can easily customize the design you like to better match your celebration. You can even browse our Christmas card collection or the holiday party invitations and transform them into the perfect dinner invite. 

1. Bubbly and Snow Invitation

Christmas dinner invitation: Bubbly and Snow Invitation

Design: Olivia Raufman Design

Toast to the season in style with this glamorous bubbly invitation. Featuring glittering gold bubbles and delicate snowflakes, this design pairs perfectly with evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres — or even a festive Christmas brunch if you’re hosting breakfast instead of dinner. Its sparkling details set a bright, elegant tone that’s sure to delight your guests.

2. Festive Plate Invitation

Christmas dinner invitation: Festive Plate Invitation

Design: TM Stationery

Bring a touch of timeless charm to your holiday celebration with this classy dinner plate invitation. Adorned with classic holly and elegant cursive lettering, it evokes a vintage feel that works beautifully for family dinners. This traditional design sets the stage for a warm, memorable, and merry Christmas holiday.

3. Eat, Drink, Be Merry Invitation

Christmas dinner invitation: Eat Drink Be Merry Invitation

Design: Hooray Creative

Set the tone for a fun yet sophisticated holiday gathering with this charming dinner invitation. The velvet-textured background, hand-drawn winter foliage, and subtle metallic accents create an elegant feel, perfect for an intimate Christmas dinner party.

4. Martini or Two Invitation

Christmas dinner invitation: Martini or Two Invitation

Design: Hooray Creative

Raise a glass to the season with an elegant, modern Christmas invitation featuring a festive martini illustration. Perfect for holiday cocktail parties or spirited gatherings, it sets a sophisticated yet playful tone. Guests will know an evening of cheer and celebration awaits.

5. O, Tannenbaum Invitation

O, Tannenbaum Invitation

Design: Claudia Owen

Celebrate the season with this sparkling Christmas tree invitation, available in either shimmering gold or silver glitter. It brings a festive, polished look to any holiday event. The glittery details add a touch of elegance that makes your invitation feel truly special.

6. Festive Geometric Tree Invitation

Festive Geometric Tree Invitation

Design: Jen Montgomery

This jewel-toned Christmas dinner invitation evokes a festive feel without leaning into the standard red and green color palette. The modern geometric tree design is chic and modern, making it ideal for more upscale Christmas dinners with friends or family.

7. Dashing Through the Snow Invitation

Dashing Through the Snow Invitation

Design: Colin Cowie

Bright watercolor details capture the joy and excitement of the holiday season with this classic Christmas invitation. A festive tower of gifts paired with a cheerful wreath makes this design ideal for all sorts of gatherings, from casual dinners to lively cocktail parties. Its playful, seasonal charm sets a warm and welcoming tone.

8. Vintage Christmas Invitation

Vintage Christmas Invitation

Design: Robinson Creative House

This 1960s-inspired Christmas cheer invitation brings retro holiday charm to your celebration. Hand-drawn vintage ornaments on the front and a cheerful Christmas scene on the back create a nostalgic, playful vibe. It adds a whimsical touch to your Christmas dinner invites.

9. Christmas Sapling Invitation

Christmas Sapling Invitation

Design: Noonday Design

This charming dinner invitation captures the cozy, nostalgic feeling of having a merry little Christmas. Featuring a watercolor tree sapling and hand-painted berries, it’s perfect for heartfelt gatherings filled with warmth, laughter, and simple holiday joy. Ideal for intimate dinners for family celebrations or with friends who feel like home.

10. Ornament Overload Invitation

Ornament Overload Invitation

Design: Sierra Lee Studio

Bring forth the warmth of the season with this handcrafted Christmas dinner invitation featuring a colorful, hand-illustrated tree adorned with ribbons, tinsel, and ornaments. Perfect for a cozy holiday meal with family and friends, its textured paper and die cut envelope adds nostalgic charm and a heartfelt touch to your celebration.

What Do You Say in a Christmas Dinner Invitation?

A Christmas dinner invitation should clearly convey all of the details about your upcoming holiday gathering, including date, time, and location, while setting the tone for your celebration. Whether you’re hosting a formal Christmas dinner party or a cozy evening with family by the fire, make sure your guests know what to expect and have all the essential details:

  • Specify the type of meal and get-together: Mention whether it’s a sit-down dinner, a casual potluck, or a cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres. You may even want to include the dinner menu on the back of the invite.
  • Include RSVP details: Guests should know how and when to respond. With Greenvelope, guests can respond “yes” in just a few clicks, and you can track RSVPs automatically.
  • Clarify attire or party theme: If you’re hosting a retro, formal, or themed dinner like an ugly sweater party, be sure to share details so guests know how to dress.

Christmas Dinner Invitation Wording

In addition to the details, the right wording brings your Christmas dinner invitation to life. It sets the mood for your celebration — warm and cozy for a family gathering or elegant and formal for an adult dinner party. Below, we break down these two styles with examples to inspire your own invitations.

Formal Tone

Formal invitations feature traditional wording like “cordially invited” or “request the pleasure of your company.” Here are some wording suggestions you can use for inspiration:

  • You are cordially invited to a Christmas Eve dinner at [Venue]. Kindly RSVP by December 10th.
  • Please join us for an elegant holiday dinner to celebrate the season on December 25 at (address).
  • Mr. and Mrs. (Name) request the pleasure of your company for a formal Christmas dinner at six o’clock in the evening.

Cozy Tone

Cozy invitations use warm, friendly wording and a relaxed presentation, creating an inviting, festive atmosphere. Try one of these wording ideas:

  • Join us for a cozy Christmas dinner by the fire — good food and laughter await!
  • Let’s gather for a Christmas feast filled with joy and holiday cheer.
  • The stockings are hung, the lights are twinkling — come join us for a Christmas dinner potluck.

Send Your Perfect Christmas Dinner Invitation

Make this holiday season truly memorable by pairing thoughtful wording with a festive, eye-catching design. Whether you’re hosting an elegant formal dinner or a cozy family gathering, choose an invitation that captures the spirit of your celebration.

Greenvelope has you covered with high-quality digital stationery throughout the Christmas season. Browse our customizable collections of Christmas dinner invitation cards, Christmas party invitation templates, Christmas cards, holiday greeting cards, and more.