Anticipating the Christmas season with my small group brings so much joy. We make a point to spend time together, even in the hustle. One of the most life-giving things we do is pack up our cars with delicious food, festive treats, and cozy pajamas for a holiday cabin getaway. While friends arrive and cars crowd in the cabin driveway, I am reminded of how important showing up in small group relationships centered on God’s Word have become in my day-to-day.
It’s nearly impossible for our entire group of women with crazy schedules and lives to secure a date to celebrate on the calendar. Those who can come are hopeful to meet with Jesus as we share late-night life stories about God’s faithfulness and close the night with the most hysterical gift exchange you’ve ever witnessed.
To accommodate for those who can’t get away overnight, a dinner party is scheduled in our homes to exchange our favorite things and celebrate the coming of Jesus.
As we welcome the Christmas season, gathering with our small groups can be a simple “sweater and sweets” theme at an already scheduled meeting or a special time set aside for a festive celebration!
Sometimes getting together can feel like another busy thing to do, but each time God shows up to restore our joy as we hope in Emmanuel—God with us.
Try these six ideas for Christmas parties to host to make memories and draw close to the Savior with your people.
1. Favorite Things Party
This party simplifies gift giving for everyone! Think of favorite items you love in any category such as skin care, cosmetics, devotional/Bible study, hair, snacks, books, magazines, or even organizational hacks.
- For large groups, do a numbered gift exchange and make a list of each item as they are unwrapped. At the end of the night, text the group the list of favorite things to have on hand for all to try themselves.
- For smaller groups (think 5–7) each guest brings a smaller favorite item to give to each person (within a set budget). At the end of the night, everyone leaves with a bundle of gifts from each other!
2. Christmas Lights Tour
Check your local area for neighborhoods decked out for the holidays and plan a Christmas lights tour together. There are so many different options to make the evening memorable and meaningful.
- Meet up for coffee to-go
- Finish the night with dessert
- Take baked goods to your church staff along the way
- Drop off gifts collected to a women’s shelter
3. Progressive Small Group—Appetizer Style
Find the gals in your group who would love to open their homes as a stop on a progressive tour for appetizers and holiday encouragement! Invite some of your group to share a devotional, special memory around Christmas, or teach the group how to make a craft or dish. You can keep this simple or expand the idea for your group!
4. Secret Sister for the New Year
Set up a Secret Sister name drawing for your small group members to pick a name for the entire year. To make the experience personal, have each member fill out a list of favorites, ongoing prayer requests, and any other information that would help the Secret Sister encourage her person. Each member of the group will get to pray specifically for her person, drop notes of encouragement in the mail, or leave small gifts at church in a special location. Keep it as creative or simple as you’d like!
5. Host a Prepare Him Room Watch Party
Join Kelly Minter for Prepare Him Room virtual event 2025! The Prepare Him Room Virtual Event is an invitation to intentionally make space to seek Jesus amid the holiday rush.
Throughout the event, you’ll be immersed in an atmosphere of worship, encouragement, and teaching that will inspire you to create room in your heart, home, and community for the transformative power of Jesus Christ. Join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, embrace the true meaning of Christmas, and prepare Him room.
6. Bless a Single Mom, Widow, or Homebound Church Member
Ask your woman’s minister for a name of a women who could use some Christmas cheer, practical support, or company. Come up with a plan to bless that person or family over the holidays. This could look like a quick drop in to deliver gifts, a meal delivery, or maybe even a small group Christmas caroling surprise!
ABOUT Jenny Holzknecht-Howell
Jenny Holzknecht-Howell has led in the local church for over twenty years, giving her all to family ministries across the country. Her best experience has grown from mothering her five favorite kids ages ten to twenty-five years old. Jenny’s home is a busy hub of conversations, cooking, and a side of crazy! She is passionate about connecting biblical hope with the hearts of women through writing and speaking. Jenny grew up in Alaska, so obviously her heart beats for mountains and a good snowstorm! Jenny has a B.S. in Education with a thirty-hour Bible & Theology ETA certificate from Toccoa Falls College, Georgia.
