The holiday season is a magical time filled with family gatherings, festive activities, and joyful traditions. A Christmas-themed sleepover is a wonderful way to bring friends or family together, creating warm memories that will last long after the season is over. From holiday crafts to cozy movie marathons, a Christmas sleepover can be filled with fun, relaxation, and holiday cheer. Below are unforgettable Christmas sleepover ideas.

1. Set the Festive Scene

Transforming your home into a Christmas wonderland sets the stage for a cozy sleepover. Think twinkling fairy lights, festive garlands, and soft, cozy blankets. Use holiday-themed pillows and plush blankets in red, green, and white to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Set up a Christmas tree with ornaments, string lights, and perhaps even a small “sleepover tree” where each guest can hang an ornament they made or brought from home.

If possible, dim the lights and rely on Christmas lights and candles (or flameless candles for safety). These little touches create a magical holiday ambiance that makes everyone feel the Christmas spirit.

2. Holiday Pajama Party

Make the night feel extra special by setting a Christmas pajama dress code! Whether it’s matching holiday pajamas, onesies, or reindeer slippers, themed sleepwear adds to the festive atmosphere. Consider providing some inexpensive Christmas hats or antler headbands as a fun accessory for everyone to wear throughout the evening.

You could even turn it into a mini fashion show, with guests strutting down an imaginary runway and taking photos to capture the holiday spirit.

3. Christmas Movie Marathon

A holiday movie marathon is a must for any Christmas sleepover. Make a list of classic holiday movies, like Home Alone, The Grinch, Elf, The Polar Express, and A Christmas Story. Set up a cozy “movie theater” area with lots of pillows and blankets, and provide popcorn, candy canes, and hot chocolate with marshmallows for a true holiday movie experience.

To add an interactive twist, create a Christmas movie bingo game with popular holiday movie clichés, like “Santa shows up” or “character learns the true meaning of Christmas.” This adds a little competition and makes the viewing experience even more engaging.

4. Build a Blanket Fort

Transform the living room or a bedroom into a cozy blanket fort! Use blankets, sheets, and pillows to create a mini Christmas hideaway, complete with string lights and decorations. Not only is this activity fun to build together, but it’s also the perfect spot to huddle up for storytime, games, or quiet holiday chats.

The fort can double as a sleeping area for the night, making it extra special and memorable for guests. If it’s safe, you could add a small portable heater or blankets for warmth, so everyone stays cozy through the night.

5. Christmas Crafts and DIY Ornaments

Get creative with some holiday crafting. Set up a DIY station where guests can make their own Christmas ornaments, decorate stockings, or create handmade Christmas cards. Supplies like glitter, glue, colorful markers, paint, and small craft items will give everyone plenty of ways to make unique decorations.

One fun idea is to make “memory ornaments” by writing a favorite holiday memory or wish for the coming year on a piece of paper, then tucking it inside a clear ornament. Guests can take these crafts home as keepsakes, making your Christmas sleepover a memorable event.

6. Bake and Decorate Christmas Cookies

No Christmas gathering is complete without cookies! Set up a baking station with sugar cookie dough, cookie cutters, frosting, and holiday sprinkles. Let everyone roll out the dough, cut it into festive shapes, and decorate with colorful icing and sprinkles. Baking cookies together is not only a fun activity but also fills the house with that warm, sugary scent that feels like Christmas.

Once the cookies are baked and decorated, you can set up a small “cookie exchange,” where each guest takes home a few of everyone’s creations. Pair the cookies with a glass of milk or hot chocolate for a true holiday treat.

7. Hot Chocolate Bar

Create a hot chocolate bar with a variety of toppings and mix-ins. Offer whipped cream, marshmallows, candy canes, chocolate chips, and caramel drizzle. You can even set out flavored syrups like peppermint, vanilla, or hazelnut to give guests the chance to customize their drinks.

For an extra touch, provide some festive mugs that guests can use for the night (and even take home as a small gift!). The hot chocolate bar makes for a perfect midnight snack and can be enjoyed while watching movies, chatting, or relaxing.

8. Christmas Karaoke and Dance Party

A Christmas karaoke session is bound to bring out the holiday cheer! Create a playlist of Christmas classics and let everyone take turns belting out their favorite tunes. Whether it’s Jingle Bells, Silent Night, or All I Want for Christmas Is You, Christmas karaoke is a guaranteed laugh and creates a festive atmosphere.

For added fun, incorporate a mini dance party. Let everyone dance to holiday hits, and even include a “best Christmas dancer” prize. This lively activity will bring out plenty of laughs and make the night feel festive and joyous.

9. Gift Exchange or Secret Santa

Adding a gift exchange can bring a lovely personal touch to your Christmas sleepover. Arrange a simple Secret Santa gift swap where each guest brings a small, wrapped gift for another guest. Alternatively, organize a “White Elephant” gift exchange, where everyone selects a random gift, with the option to “steal” each other’s presents.

Keep the gift exchange light-hearted and fun, setting a small price limit to keep it budget-friendly. This adds an element of surprise and excitement and leaves each guest with a little memento of the sleepover.

10. Christmas Scavenger Hunt

If you’re looking for a more active idea, organize a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt around the house. Create clues or small challenges that lead guests to hidden “treasures,” like small wrapped candies, mini ornaments, or holiday trinkets.

A scavenger hunt is a great way to get everyone moving and can be tailored to suit both younger and older guests. It adds a sense of adventure and discovery, turning your home into a fun holiday playground.

11. Christmas Storytime and Countdown to Midnight

As the night winds down, gather everyone around for a Christmas story or two. Choose from classics like The Night Before Christmas or How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or go for family favorites and holiday tales from around the world. If you want, turn off all lights except the Christmas tree for a warm, magical atmosphere during storytime.

If your sleepover is close to Christmas Eve, have a small countdown to midnight to end the night on a high note. Set up a “midnight snack” with Christmas treats, and let everyone reflect on what they’re most excited about for Christmas morning.