Friendsmas Invitations: Designs, Wording Ideas, and Planning Tips

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and that means parties, gatherings, and fun with loved ones. If you’re in the holiday spirit and want to plan a get-together, consider a Friendsmas party. It’s the perfect excuse to get everyone together for a fancy or silly evening of festivities. 

Here, you’ll find tips for planning a Friendsmas party plus 10 our favorite invitation designs to get guests counting down the days to your event. We’ve also included fun phrases and ideas for what to write in your invitation.

Tips for Celebrating Friendsmas

Friendsmas is fast becoming a tradition for pals to get together during the holiday season. Think of it as Friendsgiving but at Christmas time.

Generally, it’s a potluck celebration where everyone brings a dish or beverage to share. The party typically takes place before Christmas, but if schedules are packed, you can host the event after the 25th too!

If you’re ready to plan a Friendsmas celebration this year, here are a few tips for ensuring a stress-free and successful event.

Plan Early

While the holidays are the happiest time of the year, they’re also the busiest. Friendsmas isn’t much of a party without friends, so start party planning early to make sure everyone can attend. Offer a few different dates and pick the one that works best for your group.

If you’re having trouble finding an evening that works for everyone, consider hosting a brunch or even an afternoon tea party instead. Most holiday parties are evening affairs so you’ll have better luck finding a morning time that fits your friends’ schedules.

Ask Guests to Bring a Dish

Potlucks are the best since you don’t have to worry about whipping up everything by yourself. You just want to make sure everyone brings something different. 

To make this easier, create a spreadsheet or sign-up list and share a link to it in your digital invitations. That way, everyone can add the dish they’re bringing so you don’t have duplicates. You can make suggestions in the list or break it down by appetizers, mains, side dishes, and desserts and let guests fill in what they’re bringing.

Deck the Halls with Decor

Set the scene for a magical event with holiday decor. Choose a party theme like winter wonderland, naughty or nice, or an ugly sweater party. Whatever the theme, grab plenty of party supplies to set the scene. Hang balloons, toss around some confetti and candy canes, and add twinkling holiday lights to create a festive mood.

Make a playlist of your favorite holiday songs to listen to as you chat late into the evening. For a friendsmas cocktail party, you can’t go wrong with Christmas jazz. Holiday classics are great if you’re planning an event with friends who are bringing young children along.

Offer a Few Activities 

Create a cheerful atmosphere by setting up activities and games to entertain guests. Set up a DIY “Design and Drink” station — all you need are some paints (or markers) and watercolor pads for participants to let their creativity shine. To add an element of competition, offer a prize to the person who paints the best (or worst!) Santa Claus or holiday town.

Another idea is to host a movie night where you all watch your favorite holiday classics. Cue up must-sees like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “A Christmas Story” or get silly with a horror take on the holiday with a film like “Krampus.”

Ready for even more fun? Host a cookie exchange, a white elephant gift exchange (or a Secret Santa) or a gingerbread house decorating contest. 

10 Merry and Bright Friendsmas Invitations 

Once you’ve nailed down some details about the party, it’s time to choose your Friendsmas invitations. When you choose paperless holiday evites, you’re free to customize as much (or as little) as you like with just a few clicks of a mouse. Here are 10 ideas to get you started.

1. Woodland Winter Friends Invitation

Design: Stephanie Ryan

Celebrate the warmth of good friends with this winter wonderland invite. Featuring a festive snowman and woodland bird in front of a snowy backdrop, it’s the perfect invite for a chill event. The supported backside includes space for RSVP details, potluck sign-up sheets, and a personalized message.

2. Wine & Wrap Invitation

Design: Jen Montgomery

This Christmas party invitation is all about fun, merry, and bright vibes. Host a wine and wrap party to spend time with friends and get all your present wrapping done at the same time. The invitation template comes in two artist-curated color palettes, but you can mix it up with a custom design. The white envelope is simple but playful thanks to a colorfully patterned liner.

3. Gouache Candy Cane Invitation

Design: Jackie Crawford

Host a friendsmas dinner party with this Christmas invitation. It features an opaque watercolor (gouache) candy cane and festive holiday lettering. The card also has a backside where you can include more detailed instructions for costumes (why not?!), potlucks, and gift exchanges.

4. Oh What Fun! Invitation

Design: Lori Danelle

Oh the joy of celebrating the happiest time of the year with your besties! Use this friend’s Christmas party invite to get the party started with good vibes and holiday cheer. Choose from three different colors to match your party theme.

5. Festive Favorites Invitation

Design: Hooray Creative

This holiday party invitation card is all about festive faves. From candy canes and hot cocoa to mulled wine and Christmas cookies, it has it all. Use the invite for a Friendsmas Christmas party, office cocktail party, or even a pre-New Year event.

6. Delicate Evergreen Border Invitation

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Want to host an elegant Friendsmas party where everyone gets dressed up in their finest attire? This glam invite is the perfect match. Pine boughs and gold foil accents set a sophisticated tone for a swanky Friendsmas celebration. You can also use it for other events like a baby shower, bridal shower, or bachelorette party around the holidays.

7. Let’s Get Crackin’ Invitation

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Mix and mingle with your besties, old and new, at a Friendmas party using this festive invite. Featuring three colorful nutcrackers and clever messaging, it’s a surefire way to excite for an evening of gifts, food, and fun.

8. Make Spirits Bright Invitation

Design: Robinson Creative House

Bust out the egg nog, peppermint schnapps, and Kahlua for a festive Friendsmas party that’s all about the holiday spirits. This spirited invite sets the scene for the event with seven retro-themed bottles and fun phrases to toast the season.

9. Let’s Get Ugly Invitation

Design: Lisa Travis

‘Tis the season for an ugly sweater party — or two! Invite guests for a hilarious holiday season with this silly invite. A hideous sweater takes center stage in five vibrant color options. Add a quick blurb about the event and hit send to check this task off your to-do list. 

10. On Crack invitation

Design: Jen Montogmery

Is Christmas your Super Bowl? Go overboard this year with a “Christmas on Crack” Friendsmas party and use this crafty invite to let guests know if they’re on the naughty or nice list. Choose from artist-designed red and green color palettes or mix it up with your own custom hues.

Wording Ideas for Your Friendsmas Invitation

Once you pick out your Friendsmas invitation, it’s time to add your message. Whether you’ve chosen a funny invite or a sophisticated design, match your words to the theme of the evening. 

Here are some wording ideas for silly, fun, and fancy Friendsmas invitations.

• Oh deer, Christmas is here! That means it’s time for the annual Smith cocktail party. Dress in your finest and come ready to sip craft cocktails and enjoy a smattering of holiday fare.
• Come celebrate the most wine-derful time of the year at our Friendsmas wine party. We’ll have a wine tasting followed by a gift exchange and cookie decorating.
• Immerse yourself in Christmas cheer at this year’s Friendsmas event. Wear comfy Christmas pajamas, bring a snack, and get ready for a holiday movie marathon.
• Ready for an elfin’ good time?! We’re hosting a Friendsmas dinner party this year and we can’t wait for you to join in on the fun.
• ‘Tis the season for tipsy fun and cookie decorating. You’re invited to an evening of Christmas cocktails, holiday desserts, and silly games for a Merry Friendsmas.
• Dash on through the snow to my place for a Friendsmas party you won’t forget! We’ll start with some snacks then hit the slopes (really just the hill behind my house) with some sleds. Once we’re chilled to the bone, we’ll head inside for hot chocolate, snacks, and good cheer. 
• Let’s get lit with a Friendsmas party at my pad. We’ll decorate Christmas cookies, hang some lights, and have tons of merry Christmas fun.

Invite Pals to Your Friendsmas Party with Festive Designs

With these tips and ideas, your friends are sure to be marking their calendars and counting down the days until your Friendsmas celebration. Decide on a theme, make a guest list, and plan what kind of food, drinks, and activities you want to include. 

When you’re ready, choose a Friendsmas invitation to announce the big event. Start by browsing Greenvelope’s collection of holiday invitations to find a design that speaks to you.

Customize the design and instantly send it off to friends via email, social media, or text. No need for pricey cardstock or postage.

Need more ideas for your holiday party? Continue browsing our Stationers blog where you’ll find ideas for Christmas celebrations. From games and food to party themes and more, it’s easy to create a memorable holiday event.