12 Friendsmas Activities for a Cozy Christmas Night In
Friendsmas activities are a lovely way to give the evening a focus without making everyone compete. You can sit around a table, make something with your hands, and still have a proper catch-up. For a complete host plan, start with the Friendsmas inspiration guide.
I would choose one main project from this list and keep the supplies simple. These ideas are for adult friends gathering at home, with a mix of crafts, food experiences, and keepsakes that do not depend on everyone being artistic. To choose a theme for the gathering, browse these Friendsmas theme ideas.
Choose One Main Activity
For a short party, try bag charms, paper garlands, or notes to your future selves. Give scrapbook pages and cookie decorating a longer stretch. Plan crafts around drying time as well as making time, and explain any shared supply cost before friends agree to come. If your group would rather play, see these 15 Friendsmas games.
1. Paint Wooden Ornaments
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Allow: 30–45 minutes, plus the paint’s stated drying time
What you need: Unfinished wooden ornaments, water-based paint pens or acrylic paint, brushes, ribbon, scrap paper, and a protected work surface.
What to do: Give each person two or three shapes and suggest a small set of designs: stripes, initials, stars, or a tiny picture of a shared memory. Let paint dry as directed before adding another layer or threading ribbon. Write the year on the back.
Host’s tip: Choose wooden blanks for a same-evening project. If the finish is still tacky, leave the ornaments flat with the host and arrange collection.
2. Make Beaded Bag Charms
Allow: 30–45 minutes
What you need: Large-hole beads, cord that fits the beads, key rings or bag clips, scissors, and shallow trays.
What to do: Cut a length of cord with enough spare for tying. Loop it onto a key ring, thread the beads, then secure the end with a firm knot suited to the cord. Make one sample before the party so you know the bead holes and fastenings work together.
Host’s tip: A few letter beads let friends add initials or an inside joke. Keep beads and small parts away from pets and young children.
3. Start a Friendship Scrapbook
Allow: 45–60 minutes
What you need: A notebook or blank cards, printed photo copies, glue sticks, pens, and paper scraps.
What to do: Ask each person to bring three printed photos from the year. Give everyone a page and let them combine a photo, a short caption, and one memory they want to keep. Date the pages and put them into a shared album, or have each friend make a page to take home.
Host’s tip: Use copies of photos and tickets so originals stay intact. Get everyone’s agreement before sharing pictures of the finished pages online.
4. Decorate Cookies Together
Allow: 45–60 minutes
What you need: Fully baked, cooled cookies, prepared icing, sprinkles, parchment, trays, and take-home containers.
What to do: Set out a small icing palette and give each guest a parchment-lined tray. Decorate a few cookies each, leaving the wettest icing until last. Move the trays aside to set while you eat something savory, then pack the cookies without stacking damp designs.
Host’s tip: Check ingredient labels and allergies before setting up. Use separate utensils for each topping and let guests choose whether they want to exchange cookies.
5. Create a Tiny Ribbon Wreath
Allow: 30–45 minutes
What you need: Small craft wreath rings, assorted ribbon, scissors, and a longer piece for hanging.
What to do: Cut one ribbon strip as a test, fold it around the ring, and tie it in place. Adjust the length until you like the tail size, then cut the remaining pieces to match. Keep tying ribbon around the ring until the base is covered, and add a hanging loop.
Host’s tip: One friend can bring ribbon scraps and another the rings. A two-color version looks lovely, but a cheerful mixed-ribbon wreath works too.
6. Make a Paper Friendsmas Garland
Allow: 20–30 minutes
What you need: Colored paper, scissors, glue sticks or tape, string, and pens.
What to do: Cut paper into strips for a chain, or make simple flags for a string garland. Ask everyone to add a word, doodle, or favorite moment from the year before joining the pieces. Lay it out first so the colors are spread evenly.
Host’s tip: This is a useful first activity because it becomes the party decoration. Use a suitable removable hanging method and keep it away from lights and heat.
7. Write a Note to Your Future Self
Allow: 20–30 minutes
What you need: Paper, pens, and envelopes.
What to do: Invite everyone to write about one thing they enjoyed this year, something they want to make time for next year, and a small hope for their future self. Seal and date the envelopes. Each person can take theirs home or ask the host to return it at next year’s gathering.
Host’s tip: Keep the notes private unless a guest chooses to read a line aloud. Skip grand resolutions; a tiny wish is enough.
8. Build a Shared Recipe-Card Collection
Allow: 30–40 minutes
What you need: Blank cards, pens, and a favorite recipe from each guest.
What to do: Ask friends to bring a recipe they are happy to share, with the original source noted if it came from a book or website. Write the recipe name, source, and a short note about why they like it. Add a hand-drawn border and make copies for friends who want them.
Host’s tip: Personal family recipes can be written out with the owner’s permission. For published recipes, keep the card to the title and a source link or book page reference.
9. Host a Hot Chocolate Tasting
Allow: 30 minutes
What you need: Two or three prepared hot chocolate options, small cups, water, labels, and a few toppings.
What to do: Label the drinks clearly, including ingredients, and pour small portions at a comfortable drinking temperature. Taste the plain versions first, then experiment with toppings. Ask everyone to describe their favorite combination or give it a café-menu name.
Host’s tip: Make one option suitable for the dietary needs in your group. This can stay a relaxed tasting without scores or a winner.
10. Make a Friendsmas Memory Envelope
Allow: 30–45 minutes
What you need: A large envelope or small box, cards, pens, photo copies, and paper decorations.
What to do: Give each friend a card for a highlight, a funny harmless memory, and something they appreciated about the group. Add a group photo if everyone agrees, decorate the envelope, and write an opening date on the front.
Host’s tip: Agree who will keep it and whether the contents can be read aloud next year. Leave out private information, anything irreplaceable, and food.
11. Set Up a Gift-Wrapping Social
Allow: 45–60 minutes
What you need: Gifts guests already need to wrap, paper, reusable gift bags, tape, scissors, tags, and ribbon.
What to do: Ask each guest to bring a few gifts for people outside the party and any spare supplies they can share. Clear a large surface, keep gifts grouped by owner, and help each other with awkward shapes or neat corners.
Host’s tip: Write the recipient on each tag before moving to the next package. Do not bring a surprise gift for someone who will be sitting at the table!
12. Make a Group Photo Keepsake
Allow: 20–30 minutes, with printing done in advance or afterward
What you need: One agreed group photo, paper frames or blank cards, pens, glue sticks, and decorative paper.
What to do: Choose a photo everyone is comfortable using. Print copies before the party if you already have one, or take a new photo and finish the keepsakes later. Decorate paper frames with names, the year, and small details from the evening.
Host’s tip: A printer is optional: decorate the frames during the party and send the photo afterward. Let friends keep or share their own copy as they prefer.
An Easy Friendsmas Craft-Night Plan
- Before friends arrive: Protect the table, divide supplies into small trays, and set out one finished sample.
- First 20 minutes: Get drinks, eat a few snacks, and explain the project.
- Next 45 minutes: Make ornaments, charms, or scrapbook pages together.
- While things dry: Eat dinner or take a group photo.
- Before everyone leaves: Label finished pieces, pack what is dry, and agree how unfinished items will get home.
Keep food and drinks on a separate surface from paint, glue, and tiny craft supplies. If you have limited table space, eat first and bring out the project after clearing the plates. For shareable dishes and drinks, see these easy Friendsmas food ideas.
Also read: easy hot chocolate recipes for a cozy drinks station.
For a wider mix of things to do over the holidays, explore my Christmas games and activities.
The finished project does not need to be perfect. A slightly lopsided ornament with the year on the back may turn out to be the one you most want to keep.
Hello, I’m Luci, founder of Mums Make Lists. The site is full of useful and fun ideas for life and seasonal celebrations. Plus a growing selection of instantly downloadable fun printables and party planners. Read more.