Christmas Party Invitation Wording for Office and Family Parties
Christmas party invitation wording for office parties, family gatherings, open houses and gift exchanges, with lines for dress codes and RSVPs.
December calendars fill up fast, so a Christmas party invitation needs to be clear and sent early. Here is wording for office parties, family gatherings, open houses and gift exchanges, plus short lines for dress codes, plus-ones and RSVPs.
What to include on a Christmas party invitation
- Who is hosting. A family, a team or a company.
- Date, start and end time. An end time matters for office parties and anything on a weeknight.
- Location. Address, plus parking or public transport notes.
- Food and drink. Dinner, snacks or a buffet, so guests know whether to eat first.
- Dress code or theme. Festive, black tie, or ugly sweaters.
- Who is invited. Whether partners, plus-ones or children are welcome.
- How to RSVP. A reply-by date, plus a question about dietary needs if food is served.
Office Christmas party wording
Work invitations should be friendly but professional. Say clearly who is invited, whether the event is during or after work hours, and how people will get home. Many companies call it a holiday party so everyone feels included, whatever they celebrate.
- “You’re invited to the Fernhill Studio holiday party. Thursday, December 10, 6-10pm, at The Granary. Dinner, drinks and music. Partners welcome. Please RSVP by November 26.”
- “Let’s celebrate a great year together. Join the team for our end-of-year lunch on Friday, December 18, 12:30-3pm, at Harbor Kitchen. The office will close at noon.”
- “The Finance team’s festive drinks are on Wednesday, December 16, from 5:30pm, at The Lantern Bar. First drinks are on the company. Please reply by December 9.”
- “Please join us for the Maple & Finch holiday celebration. Friday, December 11, 7pm until late, at The Glass Room. Black tie optional. Transport home will be provided.”
Office party lines to add
- “This party is for employees only.” or “Partners are welcome.”
- “Non-alcoholic drinks will be available all evening.”
- “Please let us know about any dietary needs when you reply.”
- “Remote team members, we will cover travel. Contact Sam in HR to arrange it.”
Family Christmas party wording
- “Christmas at the Millers’! Join us for food, games and carols on Saturday, December 19, from 4pm, at 10 Holly Lane. Children very welcome.”
- “Our door is open for Christmas Eve drinks. Thursday, December 24, 5-8pm. Mulled wine, cookies and good company.”
- “Please join us for Christmas dinner at Grandma’s. Friday, December 25, at 2pm. Bring your appetite and a dessert to share.”
- “Pajamas, hot chocolate and a Christmas movie. Join us for a family movie night on Saturday, December 12, at 6pm.”
For a sit-down Christmas meal, our dinner party invitation wording guide covers timing, dress and dietary questions in more detail.
Christmas open house wording
An open house lets guests drop in during a time window. It works well in December, when guests have several parties to fit in.
- “Holiday open house at the Parkers’. Drop by any time between 2 and 6pm on Sunday, December 13, for cookies, cocoa and good cheer.”
- “Come and go as you please. Our Christmas open house is on Saturday, December 5, 3-7pm, at 6 Fir Road. Neighbors and friends all welcome.”
Gift exchange and Secret Santa wording
Put the spending limit and the rules on the invitation so everyone buys at the same level.
- “Secret Santa is on! Bring a wrapped gift under $25. Names will be drawn and sent out by December 1.”
- “White elephant gift swap. Bring a wrapped gift worth about $20. Funny, useful or wonderfully strange.”
- “Please bring one unwrapped toy for the local toy drive instead of a gift for the hosts.”
Ugly sweater and themed party wording
- “Ugly sweater party. The tackier the better. Saturday, December 12, 8pm, at 21 Oak Street. Prize for the worst sweater.”
- “Deck the halls and dust off your dancing shoes. A disco Christmas party on Friday, December 18, from 8pm.”
- “A cozy Christmas brunch. Sunday, December 20, at 11am. Matching pajamas encouraged.”
Dress code lines
- “Festive attire.” Something smart with a touch of sparkle or color.
- “Black tie optional.” Tuxedos or dark suits, evening or cocktail dresses.
- “Smart casual.” No jeans required, no ties expected.
- “Wear your coziest sweater.”
RSVP lines for Christmas parties
Give a firm reply-by date, especially if the venue needs numbers: “Please RSVP by December 1 so we can confirm catering.” If people are slow to reply, a short reminder is fine. See our RSVP etiquette guide for how to follow up politely, and how to word a party invitation for the basics that apply to any invitation.
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About Invite Jam Team
Written by the team building Invite Jam, a digital invitation service with editable templates, hand-drawn designs and uploads for your own artwork. We share practical advice on invitation wording, planning celebrations and collecting guest replies online.
Learn more about Invite JamFrequently asked questions
- What should a Christmas party invitation say?
- Include who is hosting, the date, start and end time, the location, food and drink details, the dress code, who is invited, and how to RSVP. For example: “Christmas at the Millers’! Saturday, December 19, from 4pm, at 10 Holly Lane. Children very welcome.”
- When should you send Christmas party invitations?
- Send office party invitations four to six weeks before the event and family party invitations three to four weeks before. December fills up quickly, so earlier notice helps.
- Should an office party be called a Christmas party or a holiday party?
- Many workplaces use “holiday party” or “end-of-year party” so that everyone feels included. Use whatever suits your team and company culture.
- How do you word a Secret Santa invitation?
- State the spending limit, how names will be drawn and when, and the date of the exchange: “Secret Santa is on! Bring a wrapped gift under $25. Names will be sent out by December 1.”
- How do you say partners are not invited to the office party?
- Keep it neutral and clear: “This party is for employees only.” Say it on the invitation itself so nobody has to ask.