Creative Holiday party Ideas

Since your design skills have probably increased since your under-10 years, take gingerbread house (or apartment) making to a whole level. Put all of the extra leaves into your dining room table - or just spread a throw-away table cloth out on the floor - and have each of your guests bring a different candy item. As the host, you can supply the frosting (the mortar) and the graham crackers - or gingerbread, if you're feeling ambitious. Then experiment with forms you never tackled in fourth grade - bungalow, ranch house, urban loft. Bonus points to anyone who constructs a gingerbread replica of a Frank Lloyd Wright house. Effort: Moderate. You'll definitely have a decent amount of clean-up from this party, and if you decide to make gingerbread from scratch that takes some serious time. Cost: Moderate. If you keep your party small, you'll have less to buy.

Fact #1: You likely have gifts that need wrapping. Fact #2: Wrapping gifts is a kind of tedious process. Fact #3: That process would be less tedious if you had company, (possibly alcoholic) refreshments and rap music playing. Thus, enter the "W(rap) Party." Note: This theme party works best for a group with a penchant for puns. Effort: Minimal. Set up your iPod speakers and favorite Pandora radio stream, break out the bag of gifts and wrapping paper, and you're good to go. Cost: Minimal. If each guest brings a roll of wrapping paper and some beverages, all you'll have to do is supply music and snacks.