Winter Wonderland Party Ideas

If you like the idea of a classic Winter Wonderland party, you’ll love these ideas. This theme is perfect for a dinner party, a Christmas or New Years celebration, or an adult winter birthday. Get ideas for décor, what to serve, and what to wear for a festive occasion.

white and silver table setting for winter themed party.

A Great Holiday Theme

A winter wonderland party theme is great for an at home soiree. It’s beautiful when done all in white, but adding silver or blue accents creates that icy or frozen affect.

  • It makes a gorgeous Christmas party theme for adults or kids. Whether you live in a cold region or not, it creates a magical environment.
  • Give it a twist and call it a “Let It Snow” party for a Christmas ladies night. I did this one year and it was such a hit!
  • This is a gorgeous idea for a winter birthday celebration, or you can incorporate the ideas into a winter bridal shower.
  • The theme is festive and fun enough for a New Years Eve celebration, too!
white Christmas lights attached to white wall shaped like a tree.

Party Decorations

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Decorations will set the scene for the event. You want to create that wintery wonderland indoors using a few key elements.

  • Luminaries. Begin the wonderland experience outside as guests arrive. Line the driveway, and walkway with luminary bags that glow in the dark. These are one of my earliest and favorite memories of outdoor Christmas decorations, as they are festive, classy, and elegant.
  • White string lights. Lighting is key for this theme. Turn off lamps and overhead lights and use white string lights all around the space instead. Weave them around Christmas trees, bare branches, over doorways, along tables; the possibilities are endless. Attach a long strand to a blank wall in the shape of a Christmas tree.
  • Hanging snowflakes. Hang snowflake ornaments and icicles from the ceiling to create a gorgeous winter wonderland environment. There are some pretty paper snowflakes you can use too.
photo collage of white winter wonderland party decoration ideas.
  • Flameless candles. These are safe alternatives to traditional candles and you can put them anywhere! Use them in tablescapes, in the bathroom, lining the stairs, and along walkways.
  • Sheepskin rugs. These fuzzy white throw rugs are small enough that you can use them as chair covers (drape them over the back of the chair) or as a table runner. Use larger ones for a cozy sitting area in front of the fireplace.
image of a roaring fireplace with Christmas decorations.
  • Roaring fire. Don’t have a fireplace? Display one on the tv via YouTube or a streaming service!
  • Bare branches. You can buy pre-lit versions, or cut branches from your back yard for DIY decor. Put them in a vase with battery operated string lights or small snowflake ornaments draped or hanging from the branches.
glass vases with fake snow and ball ornaments inside, with food dishes on top.
  • Faux snow. Grab a bag of fake snow and use it strategically as it can get messy if it’s not managed. Place some inside glass vases with branches for a centerpiece.
  • Photo booth. Create a fun photo booth area using a blank wall or anywhere you can hang a backdrop. I love these cloths with a wintery forest as the background, or this rustic indoor setting. You can also use a white sheet or silver shimmery fringe. A subtle sequin fabric is wonderful for this. If there’s room, add a Christmas tree to the side, or hang a snowflake garland. Or, make it whimsical with a snowman as a prop.
  • Instant camera. These vintage-style instant cameras make on-the-spot memories you can see and touch, and take home. We love having these at parties!
photo collage of printable tags and place cards.

Printable Tags

Get the FREE printable tags and tent place cards that were designed just for us by Kori Clark. Use the place cards to label food or dinner seating, and use the round tags on gifts and party favors.

white flower arrangement with snowflake and ball ornaments tucked in.

Centerpiece

White hydrangeas and mums resemble snowballs so create a beautiful arrangement along with babies breath and carnations.

Dress up the white floral centerpiece by tucking in white and silver snowflake ornaments and ball ornaments.

What to Wear

  • For a dressy occasion dress in all white cocktail dresses, white shirts and slacks.
  • Faux fur jackets and sweaters can be fancy or more casual.
  • Cable knit sweaters are perfect for a cozy night inside or out.
  • Silver sequins, or tulle skirt are festive and chic.

Cocktails & Drinks

There are an array of drink ideas that range from cold cocktails to hot toddies.

white hot chocolate in glass mug with snowflake shaped marshmallow on top.

Set up a hot chocolate bar, but make it white hot chocolate instead! Or serve warm mulled wine or spiced hot cider with Fireball.

Offer up this easy eggnog punch that’s made with commercial eggnog.

white cream cocktails in coupe glasses with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in the center.

Use this recipe for a creamy white cocktail and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make it a “melting snowball.” Or make this white chocolate martini and serve it the same way.

This nuts and berries cocktail is festive and delicious and perfect for the season.

A creamy cherry almond cocktail is another delicious white sipper.

Food

Decide whether you want an appetizer party, a sit down dinner party, a potluck party, or a dessert party.

Try to incorporate white foods as much as you can. For instance, mashed potatoes, pasta with white sauce, chicken, rice, cauliflower, etc. are good options.

Make it a fondue party with melted Swiss or gruyere cheese, and white cheesecake dessert fondue.

Appetizers

Set up a cocktail and snack bar on a side table near the party space. Serve winter cocktails on a tray with nuts to nibble on. Add desserts to the display so guests know what they have to look forward to.

white winter wonderland table setting with Christmas tree in the background.

For even more inspiration see this winter wonderland tablescape and these dinner party menu ideas.

Dinner Party

This would make a great dinner party theme all winter long, so don’t dismiss it once Christmas has passed. Think New Years Eve, a special birthday celebration, even an anniversary or engagement party!

Main Dishes

Sides

small table with white wreath above, and desserts and white drinks on table.

Dessert Table

It’s easy to set up a winter wonderland dessert table and serve white or coordinating candy such as white chocolate covered pretzels, silver-wrapped chocolate Kisses, white M&M’s or Sixlets, white gumballs, or rock candy sticks.

donut hole Christmas tree display.

Cover a craft cone with plastic wrap, and add powdered sugar donut holes using toothpicks to attach. It will create a lovely “Christmas tree.”

Coconut cake looks like a snowy hilltop as it’s topped with flaky white coconut. And mini eggnog bundt cakes look like snow covered mountains with white glaze on top.

cupcakes topped with silver and white fondant with snowflake cutouts.

Add cupcakes topped with snowflake-shaped fondant.

Make peppermint Oreo truffles and dip in white chocolate instead of dark.

meringues decorated to look like snowmen on white platter.

White meringues with berries on top are an excellent idea, or you can simply pipe the meringues to look like little snowmen. Use edible markers to draw the features.

Serve a chocolate fondue with dippers for dessert, and include white cheesecake fondue to match the theme.

How to Elevate Your Party

Turn your party into an event with these extra details. They cost extra money but they’ll take your soiree to the next level.

  • Valet parking.
  • Offer champagne upon arrival.
  • Hire a pianist, a jazz trio, a string quartet, a guitarist, a harpist.
  • Hire a bartender.
  • Hire a DJ.
  • Circulate passed hors d’oeuvres.
  • Professional photographer or photo booth setup.

Fun Activities

Here are some activities you can incorporate but each one creates a unique vibe. If you want a lively dance party, don’t pull out the board games!

DIY snow globe ornaments on white snowy table.
  • Craft winter snow globe ornaments with clear orbs, faux snow, and miniature collectables.
  • Create a fire in the fireplace or outdoors in a firepit. Roast marshmallows and make s’mores!
  • Play dinner party games around the table or use conversation starters to generate interesting chatter.
  • Sing Christmas songs or set up Christmas Karaoke.
  • If there are children invited, let them make their own paper snowflakes. Set up a table with paper and scissors and simple instructions.
  • Decorate gingerbread houses using all white candies and icing.
  • For a low-key evening, play board games or work on a Christmas puzzle.
  • Watch a winter movie such as It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, Frosty the Snowman, etc.
  • Go Christmas caroling or simply admire the neighborhood Christmas lights.
  • Have a Christmas themed scavenger hunt.
  • Make it a white elephant gift exchange or a favorite things party.
  • Collect coats for kids or pantry goods for the food bank.
  • Set this up as an after-party to an outdoor activity such as an ice skating party or a snow sledding outing.

Are you ready to host a lovely winter wonderland party theme?

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2 Comments

  1. What a beautiful table setting. Lovely and expressing the season, without going overboard. I love the silver and white!

    1. Don’t you think it would be wonderful for January or February too! Like a special birthday or wedding celebration 🙂