better homes and gardens christmas cookies

This Cozy Christmas Party Will Have You Gathering on the Porch

A tray of cookies, a warm drink, and some festive porch decorations are all you need for a cozy, casual outdoor party.

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Throwing a holiday open house on the porch takes some of the pressure off hosting: The event feels more casual and requires less prep (you don't even have to vacuum before guests arrive). In a compact space, your decorations will make a greater impact too. Take your cues from Scandinavian style, combining natural textures with red accents to telegraph warmth and merriment. Serve homemade cookies and a signature drink for an easy Christmas party that's filled with cheer. Don't have a porch? Try gathering on the deck, patio, or bring these easy ideas inside.

front porch christmas decor

Decorate the Porch

A few homemade decorations are an inexpensive way to carry the Scandinavian style throughout your Christmas party. Dress up your door with a simple greenery garland and a handmade wreath. Bring cozy indoor elements outside by placing pillows and a plaid throw on a bench. Painted wooden snowflakes and a festive hot chocolate drink cart complete the look.

Handmade Braided Wreath

Inspired by braided bread, this wreath pairs humble rope with luxe velvet. It's made by weaving nine strands of rope ($5, Joann) with red ribbon then hot-gluing the braid to a flat wreath form. Hang jingle bells around the center of the wreath to ensure a holiday soundtrack every time you open the door.

Related: Learn How to Make the Braided Wreath

DIY Porch Gnomes

These lighthearted Scandinavian-style gnomes are an instant icebreaker. They're made of plastic nursery pots covered with sheet moss and artificial greenery. A wool dryer ball stands in for a nose, and the slouchy hat is fleece wrapped around wooden dowels.

Snowflake Decorations

These wintry decorations are so easy to make that the kids can do it while you finish the party prep. The craft sticks ($1, Walmart) are simply painted then glued into star or snowflake shapes. (Follow our examples or come up with your own.)

Hot Chocolate Drink Station

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Work with what you've got. Mix and match whatever mugs you have, whether they're a holiday theme or not. If you don't have a bar cart, improvise by using a side or folding table covered with a tablecloth or piece of red fabric. Put your drink dispenser on a pedestal for an easy pour. Placing drink and snack stations in separate parts of the porch prevents traffic jams. Serve a creamy combination of hot chocolate and eggnog. Add a splash of brandy and dash of nutmeg for adults and top each mug with extra white chocolate shavings for the kids.

Decorate an Outdoor Tree

Decorating Christmas trees isn't just for indoors. An outdoor tree is one of our favorite ways to decorate for the holidays. Hang a few handmade ornaments on a small real or faux tree and place them on a covered porch or sheltered area. We'll show you how to make felt gnomes, wooden stars, and birdseed ornaments to trim the tree.

Gnome Ornaments

These little guys are sweet peeking out of tree branches and can double as party favors. They come together with a few craft supplies and glue. Wooden Easter eggs form the bodies and wool roving the fluffy beards.

Related: Learn How to Make the Gnome Ornaments

Wood Veneer Stars

A little folding and gluing transform strips of wood veneer (sold in crafts stores) into graphic star or snowflake-like shapes. Use our templates and instructions to form your desired shape, then hot-glue your ornament onto looped string for hanging. Painting one layer of the veneer bright red makes the ornament really stand out on the tree.

Birdseed Ornaments

Birdseed becomes earthy ornaments for outdoor trees. Mix 1 cup birdseed, 1⁄4 cup flour, 1⁄4 cup water, and 2 Tbsp. corn syrup. Spoon into cookie cutters; let dry 24 hours. Dangle ornaments from twine looped through a hole formed with a skewer.

Christmas Party Snacks

Three cookies—one fruity, one chocolate, and one that's not too sweet—ensure everyone at the party will have a favorite. Have bags on hand so guests can take home a care package of cookies at the end of the night. Although you can certainly buy ready-made bags, stamping your own makes an easy pre-party project for you or the kids with these easy-to-follow directions. And you don't have to limit your homemade stamps to bags. You can apply them to wrapping paper and cards too.

Seedy Scandinavian Crisps

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A welcome savory bite in the season of sweets, these crisps combine wholesome seeds with dried fruit. Bake them ahead, then crisp them up in the oven for a few minutes before the party. They're delicious with blue cheese and honey or jam.

Fruitcake Cookie Bars

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Toasted nuts meet dried and candied fruit bits of your choice. They're enveloped in a buttery blondie batter with gingerbread seasonings. Straw ornaments ($16 for 24, Etsy) make sweet toppers for small to-go boxes of treats.

By Kim Hutchison and Jessica Thomas