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Planning a Christmas sleepover? Here we explore a range of ideas to make your stay with family and friends that little bit more special over the most wonderful time of the year!
6 Min Read | By Nat Took
Last Modified 27 November 2025 First Added 23 October 2020
A Christmas sleepover is the perfect way to enjoy quality time with loved ones and embrace the festive spirit. These gatherings are especially magical on Christmas Eve, offering a night of laughter, creativity, and cosy comfort.
Whether it’s a night in with kids, an adult pyjama party, or a virtual get-together, a Christmas sleepover brings the magic of the holidays to life. With the right planning, your night can be stress-free and filled with joy. To help you out, we’ve come up with some festive sleepover ideas to inspire you.
Transform your living room into a cosy cinema with blankets, pillows, and popcorn. Pick festive classics like Elf, Home Alone, or The Polar Express for a night of nostalgia. We’ve got a list of the best Christmas movies to watch before bed if you want some inspiration.
Set up a station with cookie dough, icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter for a fun and tasty activity. It’s a great way to keep guests engaged while adding a festive aroma to your home. Turn it into a friendly competition for added excitement.
Provide kits or supplies to build gingerbread houses, and then judge them based on creativity and design. Guests can work in teams or individually, making it suitable for all ages. It’s a fun, hands-on activity that doubles as a decorative element. Sweet treats at the end make it even better.
Christmas sleepovers aren’t complete without a steamy mug of cocoa! Set up marshmallows, whipped cream, candy canes, and chocolate shavings so that everyone can personalise their hot drink. For the adults, you can always bring out the Bailey’s!
Hot cocoa made with pure cocoa powder and warm milk can even help you sleep, making it a great addition to a sleepover! Read more about the best drinks before bed to help you sleep.
Doing a fun scavenger hunt during your festive sleepover adds excitement and gets everyone moving. Hide holiday-themed items around the house and give guests clues or riddles to find them. You can organise it as a team activity or an individual challenge with small prizes.
Festive crafts create great bonding moments. Not only are your guests entertained, but you can also get some extra decorations out of it. Roll up your sleeves and stick on some holiday tunes for added fun. Ideas include:
Bring the fun to your sleepover with classic and festive games that everyone will enjoy. Try holiday-themed twists on favourites like charades, Pictionary, or party video games. Add seasonal flair with games like pin the nose on Rudolph, where blindfolded guests try to place a red nose on a reindeer poster. Other festive options include pass the parcel or gift-wrapping challenges.
Challenge your guests with holiday-themed trivia questions about movies, carols, and traditions. Offer small prizes to winners to keep the competition competitive. Trivia encourages conversation and adds festive cheer.
Queue up favourite holiday songs and let everyone sing along. Whether guests are seasoned performers or just in it for a good time, karaoke always brings energy. You can include classics like Jingle Bell Rock or pop hits for variety. Pair with dancing or silly props for extra fun.
Pull names out of a hat beforehand to set up who’s got who, or make it a surprise on the day. Ask each guest to bring a small, wrapped gift with a price limit or theme. You can then set them out to open together, or organise a fun exchange game to create surprises and laughter.
Invite guests to wear their cosiest pyjamas or ugliest Christmas jumper. Award prizes for creativity, humour, or festive spirit. It’s perfect for photos and group memories.
No Christmas sleepover is complete without festive snacks and drinks. Serve a mix of sweet and savoury treats, such as cheese and crackers, mince pies and holiday-shaped biscuits. Or even make a warm meal, such as Yorkshire pudding wraps or a classic roast dinner.
For drinks, go beyond hot chocolate with spiced mulled cider or festive cocktails for adults. Make the next morning extra special with a themed breakfast spread—think snowflake pancakes, cinnamon rolls, and other seasonal favourites.
To make your festive sleepover memorable, a little preparation goes a long way:
A theme helps to set the tone and adds extra fun for everyone. Popular Christmas sleepover themes include:
Designate a space for your sleepover, whether it’s a bedroom, lounge, or a larger area. Use fairy lights, tinsel and ornaments to transform your space into a winter wonderland. Don’t be afraid to go all out!
Create a cosy nest with blankets, pillows, and cushions for ultimate comfort. Take a look at our range of guest beds to make the night easier with pull-out and folding beds or air mattresses. Layer soft bedding with themed throws to make the space warm and inviting.
Plan a timeline of Christmas sleepover activities to keep the night flowing, but stay flexible. Include breaks for hot chocolate, crafts, or a movie marathon. A flexible schedule ensures everyone can enjoy themselves while keeping the evening organised and fun.
You should plan at least 3-4 weeks early. Christmas time gets busy really quickly, so be sure to block out the date, tell everybody, and get planning before December.
Décor, activities and sleeping arrangements all need to be sourced. Buy everything you need in advance and ensure you have plenty of time before the event starts to set everything up.
Try crafts, scavenger hunts, gingerbread decorating, festive games, karaoke, and themed movie marathons. Mix quiet and active activities to keep everyone engaged. Get the kids to help set up a few things so that the excitement starts nice and early. Don’t forget to set up all the kid’s beds.
Christmas sleepovers for adults can be just as festive as for kids. Include activities like:
Absolutely! Virtual festive sleepovers are perfect for long-distance friends, family or relationships. Join on a video call, encourage festive outfits and decorate your backgrounds.
To make your virtual Christmas sleepover fun why not try:
A Christmas sleepover is all about fun, connection, and festive magic. With the right themes, cosy setups, delicious treats, and engaging activities, you’ll create memories that last long after the holiday season ends. Whether you’re hosting kids or having fun with friends and family, make sure to have a great time yourself, and enjoy the merriest sleepover ever!
See all articles by Nat Took
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