LDS Ward Christmas Party Ideas: 20 Themes, Food Plans, and a Simple Program
A ward Christmas party is an annual December activity where members of a congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share a meal, a short program centered on Jesus Christ, and time together. The best parties have one clear theme, an easy food plan, and a program under 30 minutes. Here is how to plan one.
The ward Christmas party is usually the biggest activity of the year, so start with the planning timeline below if you are six or more weeks out. If the party is next week, jump to the food plan and the sign-up sheet.
What is a ward Christmas party?
A ward Christmas party is usually the biggest ward activity of the year. It typically includes dinner in the cultural hall, a short Christmas program (often a Nativity presentation by the Primary children), and an activity or visit from Santa for young children. It is planned under the direction of the ward council, sometimes by a ward activities committee.
The General Handbook lists "celebrations of special occasions, such as holidays" as a purpose of Church activities and asks leaders to reach out to "new members, less-active members, youth, single adults, those with disabilities, and people of other faiths" (General Handbook chapter 20). A Christmas party is a natural time to invite neighbors and friends.
What are the best ward Christmas party themes? (20 ideas)
- A Night in Bethlehem. Turn the cultural hall into a Bethlehem marketplace with simple booths (bread, "pottery," a carpenter's shop) and a live or acted Nativity at the end.
- Christmas Around the World. Tables represent countries where ward members served missions or have heritage, with a traditional food and Christmas custom at each.
- Light the World. Focus on service. Set up service stations (cards, kits, blankets) and finish with a short devotional on the Savior as the Light of the World.
- Christmas in Nauvoo / Pioneer Christmas. Simple pioneer-era decorations, stew and cornbread, and stories of early Saints at Christmas.
- The Polar Express. Kids come in pajamas, receive "tickets," and enjoy hot chocolate. Finish with "Believe" in the Savior, not just the bell.
- Winter Wonderland. White lights, paper snowflakes, and a cocoa bar.
- Candlelight Christmas. Battery candles, dim lights, and a choir or musical number program.
- Wise Men Still Seek Him. Stars on every table; the program follows the journey of the Wise Men.
- Christmas Carol Sing-Along. Dinner, then a full-hall sing-along with brief stories behind carols.
- Gingerbread Village. Families decorate graham-cracker houses together.
- A Shepherd's Supper. Simple bread, cheese, and soup with a shepherd-themed program.
- Ward Family Christmas Talent Night. Short, Christmas-themed acts.
- Christmas Movie Night. Dinner and a family-friendly Christmas film on a projector.
- Nativity Museum. Members bring Nativity sets to display with cards sharing where they came from.
- Breakfast with Santa. A Saturday-morning pancake breakfast with a Nativity story reading.
- 12 Days of Christmas Service. Twelve stations, each a small service project.
- Ugly Sweater (Kindly). Lighthearted sweater contest with categories so everyone wins something.
- Christmas Cookie Exchange. Families bring a dozen and leave with a dozen variety.
- Christmas in the Holy Land. Food inspired by the Middle East and scripture readings from Luke 2.
- Simple and Sweet. Potluck, a 15-minute program, and Santa. Sometimes simple is best.
How do you plan a ward Christmas party step by step?
- Set the date early. Pick a date in early-to-mid December and reserve the building. Avoid Sundays and Monday evenings, when Church buildings are closed.
- Assign leadership. The ward council decides who plans: the whole council, an assigned organization, or a ward activities committee.
- Choose one theme. Pick a theme that fits your budget and your ward's size.
- Plan the food. Decide between a catered main dish from the ward budget, a potluck, or a hybrid. Most activities should "be simple and have little or no cost," and expenses must be approved in advance by the bishopric.
- Design a short program. Aim for 20 to 30 minutes: opening prayer, a few Christmas songs, a Nativity presentation, and a short message.
- Recruit helpers. Setup, kitchen, greeters, children's activities, and cleanup.
- Invite broadly. Personal invitations to neighbors, less-active members, and friends.
- Run the evening. Open with prayer, eat, program, then Santa or a children's activity.
- Clean up as a ward. Many hands make it quick.
What should the Christmas program include?
A strong ward Christmas program keeps the focus on Jesus Christ and stays short enough for small children. A simple outline:
| Segment | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome and opening prayer | 3 min | A member of the bishopric or committee chair |
| Congregational carol | 3 min | "Joy to the World" or "O Come, All Ye Faithful" |
| Nativity presentation | 10 to 12 min | Primary children with narrator reading Luke 2 |
| Musical number | 4 min | Youth, choir, or family |
| Short message | 5 min | Bishop or assigned speaker |
| Closing carol | 3 min | "Silent Night" with lights dimmed |
What are the Church guidelines for a Nativity scene?
The General Handbook gives specific guidance about portraying Deity. God the Father and the Holy Ghost are not portrayed in dramas or musicals. If the Savior is portrayed, it must be with reverence and dignity, and "the Savior should not be portrayed by children in dramatization except in a Nativity scene" (General Handbook 20.5.6). In practice, most wards use a doll for baby Jesus in the manger.
How do you feed a whole ward without stress?
Food is the biggest logistical piece. Three common approaches:
- Ward-provided main dish, families bring sides. Ham, turkey, or lasagna from the budget; families sign up for salads, rolls, or desserts by last name.
- Soup and bread. Several volunteers bring soups; the ward provides rolls and drinks. Inexpensive and cozy.
- Breakfast for dinner. Pancakes, eggs, and fruit. Kids love it, and it is easy to scale.
Tips:
- Label dishes containing common allergens (nuts, dairy, gluten).
- Set up two serving lines for large wards.
- Have the youth serve drinks and desserts to give them a meaningful role.
- Plan seating for older members and those with disabilities close to the serving area.
What church Christmas party games work for kids?
Young children need something to do while adults finish eating. Ideas:
- Christmas bingo with pictures for non-readers.
- Pin the star on the tree.
- Candy cane hunt around the hall.
- Ornament craft table with foam shapes and stickers.
- "Find the Nativity" picture hunt with a sheet of characters to locate.
- Snowball toss with white pom-poms and buckets.
- Christmas carol charades for older kids and youth.
How do you include people of other faiths and less-active members?
The ward Christmas party is often the most welcoming event of the year. Make it easy for guests:
- Print a simple flyer with time, address, and "all are welcome."
- Station greeters at the door who introduce guests to a few families.
- Seat guests with friendly families, not alone.
- Keep the program centered on Christ but friendly to visitors; avoid insider jokes or long announcements.
- Follow up with a thank-you message after the party.
Do you need waivers for a ward Christmas party?
Usually not. Written parental consent is required for Church activities involving an overnight stay, lengthy travel, or higher than ordinary risks (General Handbook 20.7.4). A party in the meetinghouse with families present normally does not qualify.
If the youth plan an extra outing during the holidays, such as ice skating or a sledding hill, you can text parents one Ward Waivers link. They read the details and sign on their phone, and you see who still needs to sign. It does not replace any official form your bishop or stake president asks you to use. Set up your activity. Our Forms & Safety hub covers when forms make sense.
Ward Christmas party planning timeline
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks out | Pick date, reserve building, assign leadership |
| 6 weeks out | Choose theme, set budget, get bishopric approval |
| 4 weeks out | Recruit helpers, plan program, ask Primary about Nativity |
| 3 weeks out | Send invitations and food sign-ups |
| 1 week out | Confirm helpers, buy supplies, rehearse Nativity |
| Day of | Setup 2 to 3 hours before; open with prayer |
How do you throw a ward Christmas party on a small budget?
The handbook's counsel that activities "be simple and have little or no cost" applies at Christmas too. Budget-friendly ideas:
- Serve soup and bread or breakfast for dinner instead of a catered meal.
- Borrow decorations from ward families instead of buying new ones.
- Use lights and candles for atmosphere; dim lighting hides a simple setup.
- Make the program the centerpiece. A heartfelt Nativity and carols cost almost nothing.
- Ask families to help with setup and cleanup so you don't pay for extras.
- Skip party favors and invite families to take home a Christmas service idea instead.
What roles should you assign for the Christmas party?
| Role | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Party lead | Overall plan, timeline, budget, and bishopric communication |
| Program lead | Prayers, carols, Nativity, musical numbers, and speaker |
| Food lead | Main dish, sign-ups for sides and desserts, serving lines |
| Setup and decor lead | Tables, chairs, decorations, lighting, sound |
| Children's activities lead | Crafts, games, and Santa (with parents present) |
| Greeters | Welcome guests and introduce them to families |
| Cleanup lead | Dish crew, trash, and putting the building back in order |
Clear roles keep the night from falling on one or two families.
How do you make the party meaningful for members who find Christmas hard?
For some members, December brings grief, loneliness, or financial stress. Invite single members and those who are alone personally, seat them with welcoming families, avoid programs that assume everyone has a traditional family, and quietly let ministering brothers and sisters know who might need an extra invitation or a ride.
Christmas party sign-up sheet layout
| Area | Job | How many | Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food | Main dish (ward provides) | 2 cooks | |
| Food | Sides by last name: A to H salads, I to Q sides, R to Z desserts | Everyone | |
| Program | Primary Nativity coordinator | 1 | |
| Program | Music (piano, choir) | 2 to 4 | |
| Room | Setup tables and decorations | 8 | |
| Room | Greeters at each door | 2 | |
| Children | Games table (2 adults) | 2 | |
| Cleanup | Kitchen and cultural hall | 10 |
What is the bad-weather plan for a December party?
- Decide early. Pick a call time (for example, 2:00 p.m. on the day) and who makes the call: bishopric with the activity lead.
- Tell everyone the same way. One ward text and one email, plus a note on the ward website or app if your ward uses one.
- Have a snow date. Reserve the building for a backup evening when you book the first one.
- Salt and shovels. Assign two people to clear walkways an hour before.
- Food plan. If you postpone, freeze the ward-provided main dish if it is safe to do so, and ask families to hold their sides.
- Members who cannot drive at night. Ask ministering brothers and sisters to offer rides.
Frequently asked questions
What are good LDS ward Christmas party ideas?
Popular themes include A Night in Bethlehem, Christmas Around the World, Light the World service stations, a Pioneer Christmas, and a candlelight carol sing-along. Pair one theme with a simple dinner and a short Nativity program.
How long should a ward Christmas party program be?
Aim for 20 to 30 minutes. Young children struggle with long programs, and a short, focused program on the birth of Jesus Christ leaves a stronger impression.
Can children portray Jesus in a ward Nativity?
The General Handbook says the Savior should not be portrayed by children in dramatization except in a Nativity scene. Most wards use a doll for baby Jesus. God the Father and the Holy Ghost are not portrayed.
Should Santa come to a ward Christmas party?
Many wards include Santa for young children after the program. Keep the program focused on the Savior first, then let Santa be a fun add-on.
Who pays for the ward Christmas party?
The ward budget usually covers the activity. Expenses must be approved in advance by the bishopric. Members may bring food if doing so is not a burden.
Can the Christmas party be on a Monday?
Generally no. No Church activities should be held after 6:00 p.m. on Mondays, and Church buildings are closed on Monday nights, with limited exceptions such as when New Year's Eve falls on a Monday.
How do we make the ward Christmas party simple?
Pick one theme, serve soup or breakfast for dinner, keep the program under 30 minutes, and recruit families for setup and cleanup.
Ward Waivers is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These resources provide general organizational information, not legal advice. Follow current Church guidance, local leader direction, and any required official forms.