Greenvelope's holiday open house invitation wording examples help you tell guests the three things an open house depends on: the hours your door is open, that they can come and go as they please, and whether you would like a reply. The examples below cover a holiday open house at home, a Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year's Day open house, an office or client open house, and a shop or studio open house.
Use the complete invitation examples as starting points, or borrow an optional opening line, a drop-in line, a text message, or an email subject line. Replace the names, dates, addresses, and menus with your own, then read the result aloud once; if it sounds like something you would say to a neighbor, it is ready. An open house is flexible about when guests arrive, but that is a separate question from whether you want an RSVP, and this guide covers both. For seated dinners, cocktail parties, and other December formats, see our holiday party invitation wording guide.
If you need wording right now, start here:
Holiday open house at [host names]' home
[Weekday], [month] [day], [year], [start time] to [end time]
[Street address], [City, State]
Drop in anytime for [food and drinks].
Please RSVP on this invitation by [reply-by date].
Jump to wording for your home, a Christmas open house, a Hanukkah, winter, or New Year's Day open house, an office or client open house, a shop or studio, or text messages and emails.
At a Glance
- Put the words "open house" and the full window, with a start and an end time, in the first few lines, so guests know they can arrive anytime within it
- Say that guests can come and go in plain words, such as "Drop in anytime between 2 and 6" or "Come for ten minutes or stay all afternoon"
- Name anything that happens at a set time, such as a tree lighting at 5 or a visit from Santa at 3, so guests who care about it can plan around it
- Decide whether you want replies, then say so. Ask for an RSVP when you are buying food by the head, or write "No RSVP needed" when you are not
- For a business, say who is invited (clients, neighbors, families, the public) and whether there is anything to buy
- As a planning guideline, send holiday open house invitations 4 to 6 weeks ahead. Set the RSVP deadline a few days before the earliest final-count deadline from your venue, caterer, or other vendor. Without a vendor deadline, about a week before the gathering is a useful starting point
What a Holiday Open House Invitation Should Include
When you make a holiday open house invitation on Greenvelope, use these nine details as a checklist; the time window and come-and-go line make the drop-in format clear, while any timed activities need their own details.
| Slot | What goes there | Example |
|---|
| Headline | The occasion and the words open house | Holiday open house at the Bennetts' |
|---|
| Host | Who is hosting, by name or business | Hosted by Priya and Sam |
|---|
| Date | Day of the week and full date | Saturday, December 11, 2027 |
|---|
| The window | A start time and an end time | 2 to 6 p.m. |
|---|
| Come-and-go line | Permission to arrive and leave anytime | Come when you can, stay as long as you like |
|---|
| Timed moments | Anything that happens at one set time | Santa arrives at 3 |
|---|
| Place | Address, or the floor and suite for an office | [Street address], [City, State] |
|---|
| What you are serving | Enough for guests to know if it is a meal | Cider, cookies, and soup on the stove |
|---|
| Reply line | Whether to reply, how, and by when | Please RSVP on this invitation by Saturday, December 4 |
|---|
Holiday Open House Invitation Wording for Your Home
Greenvelope's wording for a holiday open house at home leads with the window and the welcome, then says what is on the stove. For templates, explore holiday party designs on Greenvelope.
Casual drop-in for friends and family
Come when you can, stay as long as you like.
Holiday open house at the Bennetts'
Saturday, December 11, 2027, 2 to 6 p.m.
[Street address], [City, State]
We'll have cider on the stove and far too many cookies.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Saturday, December 4, so we know how much to bake.
Formal open house
Margaret and Thomas Whitaker
request the pleasure of your company
at a holiday open house
Sunday, December 12, 2027
at any time between three in the afternoon and seven in the evening
[Street address], [City, State]
Please RSVP on this invitation by Sunday, December 5.
Neighborhood open house
Neighbors, come on over.
Holiday open house at the Parks'
Sunday, December 19, 2027, 1 to 4 p.m.
14 [Street name], [City, State]
Kids, grandparents, and houseguests are all welcome. Just walk in; the door will be unlocked.
You don't need to bring a thing.
A quick yes or no on this invitation by Sunday, December 12, helps us plan the food.
Family open house with a timed moment
Cocoa, cookies, and a visit from Santa.
Join the Okafor family for a holiday open house
Saturday, December 18, 2027, 1 to 5 p.m.
[Street address], [City, State]
Drop in anytime. Santa arrives at 3 for photos, so come by then if the kids want to see him.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Friday, December 10, and tell us how many kids are coming.
First holiday season in a new home
New house, same us. Come see it.
Holiday open house at Priya and Sam's new place
Saturday, December 4, 2027, 3 to 7 p.m.
[Street address], [City, State]
Stop by anytime for a drink and the full tour. Please, no housewarming gifts.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Saturday, November 27.
Design pairing: Delicate Wreath by Robinson Creative House suits the formal wording, and Cozy Snowy Village by Becky Nimoy Stationery, an illustrated neighborhood lit up at night, suits a neighborhood or family open house.
Christmas Open House Invitation Wording
Greenvelope's Christmas open house wording names the holiday in the headline and gives guests a reason to pick their hour, whether that is carols, the tree, or the food. For templates, explore Christmas party designs on Greenvelope, or see our Christmas party invitation templates guide.
Christmas open house with carols
Merry, bright, and you're invited.
Christmas open house at the Delgados'
Sunday, December 19, 2027, 2 to 6 p.m.
[Street address], [City, State]
Come by for tamales and hot chocolate. We'll sing carols around the piano at 4.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Sunday, December 12.
Christmas Eve open house
Stop by for a little Christmas Eve cheer.
Christmas Eve open house
Friday, December 24, 2027, 3 to 6 p.m.
The Lindqvist home, [Street address], [City, State]
Soup, bread, and something sweet will be out all afternoon. Fit us in between your other stops, and bring the whole family.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Friday, December 17.
Tree trimming open house
Help us trim the tree at our holiday open house.
Come by anytime Saturday, December 4, 2027, between 4 and 8 p.m.
The Morales home, [Street address], [City, State]
The lights will be up and the ornaments out. Hang one, grab a plate, and stay as long as you like.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Saturday, November 27.
Design pairing: Festive Garland Arch by Noonday Design frames the wording in a greenery garland with a gold-effect bow, which suits any of the three.
Hanukkah, Winter, and New Year's Day Open House Wording
Greenvelope's open house wording works the same way for any winter gathering: name the occasion, then give guests the drop-in hours. A winter or New Year's open house is also a good choice when your guest list celebrates different holidays.
Hanukkah open house
Latkes are frying all afternoon.
Hanukkah open house at the Feldmans'
Sunday, December 26, 2027, 3 to 6 p.m.
[Street address], [City, State]
Come hungry and come anytime. We'll light the candles together at 5.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Sunday, December 19.
Winter open house, no holiday named
Come warm up with us.
A winter open house at the Chens'
Sunday, December 12, 2027, 2 to 5 p.m.
[Street address], [City, State]
Soup on the stove, a fire going, and no agenda. Drop in whenever suits you.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Sunday, December 5.
New Year's Day open house
Start the year on our couch.
New Year's Day open house
Saturday, January 1, 2028, noon to 4 p.m.
Jordan and Alex's place, [Street address], [City, State]
Black-eyed peas, cornbread, and strong coffee for anyone who stayed up too late. Pajamas are fine.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Monday, December 27.
Design pairing: Delicate Drawings by Tatjana Mai-Wyss suits a Hanukkah open house; our Hanukkah party invitation templates guide shows the rest of that collection. Quaint Snowy Village by Becky Nimoy Stationery, a snowy village scene with no holiday named, suits a winter open house, and Cheer in the New Year by Hooray Creative, which the artist describes as suited to a January event, suits New Year's Day.
Office and Client Holiday Open House Invitation Wording
Greenvelope's office open house wording says who is hosting, who is welcome, and that guests can stop by between meetings or on the way home. For templates, explore business holiday party designs on Greenvelope. For a seated company party or a team dinner, see our office holiday party invitation wording guide.
Client open house
Thank you for a great year.
Please join the team at [Company name]
for a holiday open house
Thursday, December 9, 2027, 4 to 7 p.m.
[Office address], [City, State]
Stop by on your way home for a drink, a bite, and a look at what we've been working on.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Thursday, December 2.
Formal firm open house
The partners of [Firm name]
cordially invite you to a holiday open house
Thursday, December 16, 2027
at any time between four and seven in the evening
[Office address], [City, State]
Light refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Thursday, December 9.
Employees and their families
Bring the family by for some holiday treats.
[Company name] holiday open house
Friday, December 17, 2027, 3 to 6 p.m.
[Office address], [City, State]
Partners and kids are welcome. There's hot chocolate, a cookie table, and a photo corner, and you can come and go as your day allows.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Friday, December 10, and let us know how many are coming with you.
Team drop-in during the workday
Holiday open house in the third-floor kitchen
Thursday, December 16, 2027, 2 to 4 p.m.
Step away from your desk for cocoa, cookies, and a slice of Dana's pecan pie. Come for five minutes or stay the whole two hours.
No RSVP needed.
Design pairing: Classic Candy Cane Stripes by Jen Montgomery suits a relaxed office open house, and Golden Open House by Jessica Williams suits a client event.
Shop, Studio, and Small Business Holiday Open House Invitation Wording
Greenvelope's wording for a shop or studio holiday open house tells customers what is in it for them: first pick of the holiday stock, a thank-you, a treat, or all three. For templates, explore open house designs on Greenvelope.
Boutique shopping night
Sip, shop, and cross a few names off your list.
Holiday open house at [Shop name]
Thursday, December 2, 2027, 5 to 8 p.m.
[Street address], [City, State]
Stop in after work for sparkling cider, first pick of the holiday collection, and gift wrapping on us all evening.
No RSVP needed. Bring a friend.
Studio or gallery open house
The studio is open, and the kiln has finally cooled.
Holiday open house and sale at [Studio name]
Saturday, December 4, 2027, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
[Street address], [City, State]
Come see new work, meet the artists, and pick out a gift.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Saturday, November 27, so we have enough cider to go around.
Client appreciation open house
You kept us busy all year. Let us say thanks.
Client appreciation open house at [Business name]
Saturday, December 11, 2027, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
[Street address], [City, State]
Drop in for coffee, pastries, and a small gift from our team.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Saturday, December 4.
Open house with a toy drive
Shop a little, give a little.
Holiday open house and toy drive at [Shop name]
Sunday, December 5, 2027, noon to 5 p.m.
[Street address], [City, State]
Bring a new, unwrapped toy for [charity name] and take 15 percent off your purchase that day.
No RSVP needed.
Design pairing: Shopping Bag by Paper Raven Co. suits a boutique, and Doors Open by Sabrin Deirani, with its illustrated double doors, suits a studio or storefront.
Funny Holiday Open House Invitation Wording
Greenvelope's funny open house wording keeps the joke in the first line and the facts everywhere else, so nobody has to decode the time or the address.
We cleaned the house. Come see it before it's ruined.
Holiday open house at Mia and Ben's
Saturday, December 11, 2027, 2 to 6 p.m.
[Street address], [City, State]
Snacks, drinks, and a dog who will be thrilled to see you.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Saturday, December 4.
There will be cookies. That's the whole pitch.
Holiday open house at the Nakamuras'
Sunday, December 12, 2027, 1 to 5 p.m.
[Street address], [City, State]
Wear the sweater. You know the one.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Sunday, December 5.
Design pairing: Festive Cookies by Lisa Travis, a hand-illustrated cookie design, suits the cookie wording.
Holiday Open House Wording for Special Situations
On a Greenvelope invitation, the lines below go on the card or in the event details, depending on how much room the design leaves.
Short notice
Last-minute, low-key, and you're invited.
Holiday open house at the Reyes home
This Sunday, December 19, 2027, 2 to 5 p.m.
[Street address], [City, State]
Nothing fancy: cocoa, cookies, and whoever can make it.
Please RSVP on this invitation by Friday, December 17, so we know how much to make.
Two windows, one for families and one for adults
Two shifts, one open house.
Holiday open house at the Santos home
Saturday, December 18, 2027
Families with kids: 2 to 4 p.m., with cookie decorating
Grown-ups: 6 to 9 p.m., with something stronger than cocoa
[Street address], [City, State]
Kids are welcome in the afternoon; the evening is adults only. Please RSVP on this invitation by Friday, December 10, and tell us which session or sessions you'll attend.
A new date after bad weather: a direct update to guests you already invited
New date for our holiday open house.
The snow won, so we've moved it to Sunday, December 19, 2027, 2 to 6 p.m.
Same house, same cider, same open door.
Please let Mia know at [phone or email] by Thursday, December 16, whether you can make the new date.
Send the update directly as well as editing the invitation, and record confirmed answers manually on the Track page.
Single lines for common requests:
- No gifts: "Please, no host gifts. Having you here is plenty."
- A donation instead: "If you'd like to bring something, we're collecting canned goods for [food bank name]."
- Kids welcome: "Bring the kids. We'll have a craft table set up for them."
- Adults only: "We're keeping this one adults only. We hope you can make it."
- Bring a guest: "Houseguests and plus-ones are welcome; just include them when you reply."
- Parking: "Park on the street or in the lot behind the building."
Holiday Open House Text Message and Email Wording
Greenvelope can send your holiday open house invitation by email or by text message in supported countries. The examples below are personal messages you can send yourself, not edits to Greenvelope's delivery text; they use this guide's 2027 dates. Send each guest or household their own personalized invitation link; copying a guest's personalized link is not available in Trial Mode.
Text message lines
Holiday open house at ours on Saturday, December 11, from 2 to 6 p.m. Drop in whenever you can. Details and RSVP: [personalized invitation link]
Stop by [Company name] on Thursday, December 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. for a holiday drink. Please RSVP by December 2: [personalized invitation link]
Holiday open house at [Shop name] on Thursday, December 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. Cider, gift wrapping, and new stock. No RSVP needed. Bring a friend. Details: [personalized invitation link]
Email subject lines
Holiday open house, Dec 11: drop in anytime from 2 to 6
You're invited: the Bennetts' holiday open house
Stop by our office on December 9 for a holiday toast
Sip and shop: holiday open house at [Shop name], December 2
A short email invitation
Subject: Holiday open house on December 11
Hi [first name],
We're having a holiday open house on Saturday, December 11, 2027, from 2 to 6 p.m. at [Street address], [City, State]. Drop in whenever you can for cider, cookies, and a chance to catch up.
Please RSVP by December 4 on your invitation: [personalized invitation link]
Hope you can make it,
[Host names]
For the follow-up to guests who have not replied, our RSVP reminder texts guide has lines for one week before and the deadline day.
Lines to Mix and Match
Greenvelope's open house line bank covers the lines that change from one open house to the next. Take one from each group and the invitation is nearly written.
Openers
- Come when you can, stay as long as you like.
- Our door is open. So is the cookie tin.
- Neighbors, come on over.
- Thank you for a great year.
- Sip, shop, and cross a few names off your list.
Come-and-go lines
- Drop in anytime between 2 and 6 p.m.
- Come for ten minutes or stay all afternoon.
- Stop by on your way home.
- Fit us in between your other stops.
- No set arrival time; the door is open from 1 to 5.
Timed moments
- We'll light the tree at 5.
- Santa arrives at 3 for photos.
- Carols around the piano at 4.
- A short toast at 6, then back to the snacks.
What we're serving
- Cider on the stove and cookies all afternoon.
- Soup, bread, and something sweet.
- Light refreshments will be served.
- Snacks and drinks, not a full meal, so plan dinner around us.
Reply lines
- Please RSVP on this invitation by [reply-by date] so we know how much to make.
- A quick yes or no on this invitation by [reply-by date] helps us plan.
- No RSVP needed. Just come.
- Let us know by [reply-by date], and if you can't make it, we'll miss you.
Do You Need RSVPs for a Holiday Open House?
On Greenvelope, you can do it either way: keep the RSVP on and ask guests to reply, or turn the RSVP off and send the invitation as an open welcome. Flexible arrival does not settle the question. Ask for replies when you are ordering food or drinks by the head, when space is tight, or when a caterer needs a count. Skip them for a shop open house or a workday drop-in where a rough guess is good enough, and write "No RSVP needed" so guests are not left wondering.
If you do collect replies, you can also learn when guests plan to arrive. Add a multiple choice survey question to the RSVP page, such as "About when do you expect to stop by?" with one option for each hour and a "Not attending" option; questions appear after a guest selects an RSVP response. Arrival-time answers can help you spot a busy window, but they do not add anyone to the attendance count. Base your expected headcount on guests marked attending plus additional guests recorded in their RSVPs. Add known family members as named household guests and configure plus-one allowances for additional guests. RSVPs do not close automatically at the deadline; closing them is a separate manual action.
For a business open house that is open to the public, you can also post the invitation's shareable link in a newsletter or on social media. Sharing a public registration link does not, by itself, identify everyone who received it or show which of those people has not responded, and a shareable link cannot be created in Trial Mode.
How to Choose a Holiday Open House Invitation Style
When you choose a design and wording on Greenvelope, match both to the gathering, whether it is a family afternoon, a client reception, or a shop event.
- Family, neighbors, and kids: casual wording, a first line that sounds like you, and a clear note about what is at a set time
- A dressier evening or a mixed guest list of friends and colleagues: formal wording with the time spelled out, and the menu described in a short line
- Clients and business contacts: a thank-you in the first line, the company name in the second, and a reply date so you can order
- Customers and the public: explain what is happening, give the hours, and say whether a reply is needed. Skip RSVPs only when you do not need an attendance estimate
- Guests who celebrate different holidays: call it a holiday or winter open house and leave one holiday's imagery off the card
When to Send Holiday Open House Invitations
For Greenvelope holiday open house invitations, use these planning starting points: 4 to 6 weeks ahead for a holiday-season gathering, since December weekends fill early, and 1 to 3 weeks for a casual drop-in for neighbors. Set the RSVP deadline a few days before the earliest final-count deadline from your venue, caterer, or other vendor. Without a vendor deadline, about a week before the open house is a useful starting point and leaves time to shop.
Where the schedule allows, this guide recommends a reminder about one week before the reply date, a brief final note on the reply date, and one personal follow-up one or two days later. Contact only guests who have not replied, using one channel per guest for each round. You can send or schedule RSVP reminder emails to guests who have not replied and have an email address on the guest list, while a phone-only guest gets a text through the Message Center in supported countries or a personal text asking them to reply on the invitation. Set up each reminder yourself; entering an RSVP deadline does not schedule it. In the personal follow-up, give the final date and time you need an answer, for example: "We're sending our final numbers to the caterer on [final-count date]. Could you RSVP on your invitation by [time] on [reply-by date]?" Our timing guide has the windows for every occasion, and our holiday party planning timeline puts them on a December calendar.
How to Send a Holiday Open House Invitation Online
On Greenvelope, choose an invitation design, replace the sample wording with yours, and enter the date with both the start and the end time. Add your guest list, decide whether to collect RSVPs, then preview the invitation, send yourself a test, and check it on a phone. Confirm the guest list, reply-to address, links, and calendar details before sending by email or by text message in supported countries, now or on a scheduled date. If the date or hours change, cards can be edited up to five months after sending, and existing links show the updated card; tell guests directly as well.
Single mailings start at $19 for a guest list of up to 20 people, with pricing based on list size and no subscription required. Paid accounts start with 500 text messages, with more available to purchase; additional text messages and optional custom design services cost extra. A trial send to up to 10 people needs no credit card. For the full process, see how to send holiday party invitations online.
Common Holiday Open House Invitation Mistakes
- No end time. "Starting at 2" tells guests when to come but not how late is too late. Give the full window.
- Leaving the drop-in format unclear. A holiday party can take several forms. Use "open house" and a come-and-go line when guests can arrive and leave throughout the stated window.
- Hiding the timed moment. If the tree lighting is at 5, say so on the invitation so guests can arrive in time.
- Leaving the reply question open. Guests are not sure whether an open house wants an RSVP. Ask for one or say "No RSVP needed."
- Not saying what is served. Guests cannot tell whether to eat first. One line about the food settles it.
- A business invitation that reads like an ad. Lead with the welcome and the thank-you, then mention the sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is good holiday open house invitation wording?
Greenvelope's examples follow one pattern: a warm first line, the words holiday open house with the host's name, the date with a start and end time, the address, a line about the food, and a reply line. For example: "Holiday open house at the Bennetts', Saturday, December 11, 2027, 2 to 6 p.m., [Street address], [City, State]. Drop in anytime for cider and cookies. Please RSVP on this invitation by Saturday, December 4."
What should a holiday open house invitation say?
On a Greenvelope invitation, include the host, the words open house, the date, a start and end time, the address, a come-and-go line, anything that happens at a set time, what you are serving, and whether you want a reply. The window and the come-and-go line make the drop-in format clear.
How do you say guests can come and go on an open house invitation?
Greenvelope's examples use plain lines such as "Drop in anytime between 2 and 6 p.m.", "Come for ten minutes or stay all afternoon", and "Stop by on your way home". Pair the line with a start and end time so guests know the full window.
Do guests need to RSVP to a holiday open house?
On Greenvelope, that is the host's choice: you can collect RSVPs or turn the RSVP off. Ask for replies when you are buying food by the head or space is limited, and write "No RSVP needed" when a rough guess is enough. Either way, say which on the invitation.
How long should a holiday open house last?
A 3 to 4 hour window is a useful starting point, such as 2 to 6 p.m. Choose hours that fit your plans and what you are serving. Guests can stop by briefly or stay longer within that window.
How do you word a Christmas open house invitation?
Greenvelope's Christmas examples name the holiday in the headline, give the window, and offer one reason to pick an hour. For example: "Christmas open house at the Delgados', Sunday, December 19, 2027, 2 to 6 p.m. Come by for tamales and hot chocolate. We'll sing carols around the piano at 4."
How do you word an office or client holiday open house invitation?
Greenvelope's office examples open with a thank-you, name the company, and tell guests they can stop by between meetings or on the way home. Include the floor or suite, what is being served, and a reply date if you are ordering food. Say whether partners and children are welcome.
How do you word a holiday open house invitation for a shop or small business?
Greenvelope's shop examples lead with what customers get, such as first pick of the holiday collection, gift wrapping, or a small thank-you gift. Keep it to five or six lines, give the hours, and write "No RSVP needed. Bring a friend." unless you need a count.
How far in advance should you send holiday open house invitations?
For Greenvelope invitations, a useful planning guideline is 4 to 6 weeks ahead for a holiday-season open house, because December weekends fill early. A casual drop-in for neighbors can go out 1 to 3 weeks ahead. Set the RSVP deadline a few days before the earliest final-count deadline from your venue or caterer; without one, about a week before the gathering is a useful starting point.
How do you say no gifts on a holiday open house invitation?
Greenvelope's examples keep it to one friendly line near the end, such as "Please, no host gifts. Having you here is plenty." If you would like to point guests toward a cause, add "If you'd like to bring something, we're collecting canned goods for the food bank."
Can I send a holiday open house invitation by text message?
On Greenvelope, yes. You can send the invitation by email or by text message in supported countries, and guests can reply on the invitation without creating an account. Paid accounts start with 500 text messages, with more available to purchase.
What is the difference between a holiday open house and a holiday party?
On a Greenvelope invitation, use "open house" to signal a holiday party with flexible arrival and departure times. Give a start and end time, then list any scheduled activities separately.
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