How to Throw a Make-and-Take Christmas Gift Party
A fun, cozy, creative, budget-friendly holiday tradition your friends will love
If you’re looking for a festive, low-stress way to celebrate the holidays this year, a Make-and-Take Christmas Gift Party might become your new favorite tradition. It’s cozy, creative, budget-friendly, and everyone leaves with thoughtful handmade gifts they can give (or keep!).
Whether you’re hosting a small gathering with close friends or inviting the whole neighborhood, here’s everything you need to throw a magical, memorable, and beautifully low-waste holiday party.
Host a take-and-make party for a fun evening of celebrating the holiday while making fun gifts together
What Is a Make-and-Take Gift Party?
Make-and-take parties are becoming popular and are a good way to celebrate the holidays with good friends and make some good old-fashioned homemade gifts. Instead of buying gifts, guests gather to make beautiful, handmade presents and take them home.
It’s part crafting station, part holiday hangout, part creativity boost, and surprisingly easy to plan.
Everyone leaves with unique gifts like:
And of course, adding a Boom Photo Booth makes it even more fun. Guests can snap holiday photos and instantly print or digitize them to turn into cards, gift tags, or keepsakes.
Step 1: Pick 2–4 Easy Gift Stations
To keep your party simple and stress-free, choose a few stations that use affordable materials and minimal effort.
Cookie mixes in jars is always apreciated
Popular Station Ideas:
1. DIY Candles
Soy wax, mason jars, essential oils, dried citrus or herbs.
2. Holiday Sugar Scrubs
Brown sugar, coconut oil, cinnamon, vanilla.
3. Homemade Ornaments
Air-dry clay, paint pens, dried oranges, ribbons.
4. Hot Cocoa, chai tea mix or Cookie Mix Jars
Layered dry ingredients with cute labels.
5. Photo Station Gifts
Let guests use a Boom Photo Booth to print or save photos, then turn them into:
Photo ornaments
Holiday cards
Custom tags
Mini framed gifts
Step 2: Set Up Your Space — Cozy + Organized
A make-and-take party should feel warm and creative, not chaotic and stressful for guests or the host.
Here’s how to set the vibe:
Create a Cozy Holiday Atmosphere
Set the mood from the start so your guests can mingle before getting to work on their gifts. Gather everyone, give a toast to your guests and the holiday, explain how it will work, what different gifts they can make, and describe each station beforehand.
Soft Christmas lights
A simple greenery garland
Candlelight
A warm playlist (acoustic holiday hits work great)
Organize the Crafting Stations
Ensure that one or two different crafting stations are available to prevent crowding, and cover the table with a tablecloth or paper to protect it. For each station, set out:
Supplies
Lists and cards with clear instructions for making the gifts.
Clear instructions
Labels or example photos
Small containers or jars
Twine, tags, ribbon (presentation matters!)
Step 3: Offer Simple Snacks + Drinks
Keep it low-effort– the night is about creating, not cooking.
Nothing says Christmas like gingerbreads
Easy Food Ideas:
Traditional mulled wine
Capture the memories from your party with a Boom Photo Booth
Step 4: Add a Boom Photo Booth for Instant Memories
For bonus fun, set up your Boom Photo Booth so guests can:
Snap holiday photos in between crafting
Share instantly with family or friends
Print pictures to turn into ornaments or cards
Capture the creative chaos and laughter
A cute holiday backdrop (tinsel, greenery, fairy lights) and different props like happy holiday or merry Christmas signs, Santa hats, or reindeer antlers will turn your crafting night into a whole photo-worthy experience.
Make the gifts complete with a gift wrapping station
Step 5: Provide Gift Packaging
Help guests finish their creations with style by designating a section at your party for them to wrap their own gifts. Why stop there? Also offer decorations for the packages, as well as twine, paper, and different-colored pens to make their own gift tags, making the gifts eco-friendly and personal.
Packaging You Can Offer:
Kraft bags
Recyclable boxes
Brown shopping bags
Dried flowers and leaves
Fabric wraps
Mason jars
Twine + gift tags
Mini bells
Evergreen sprigs
They’ll leave with gifts that look store-bought, but better, personal, and heartfelt.
Why You Should Host One
A Make-and-Take Christmas Gift Party is perfect because it’s:
Low-cost
Low-waste
Relaxing and cozy
Creative and bonding
Perfect for all ages
A tradition your friends will ask for again
It’s meaningful, memorable, and way more fulfilling than rushing around stores.
Final Tip: Keep It Simple
Pick a few easy stations. Don’t overthink the food.
Turn on the holiday lights, mix a warm drink, and enjoy creating together.
If you want guests to remember the night forever, or turn their creations into photo gifts, a Boom Photo Boothtruly completes the experience.
