Holiday party invitation wording for office, family and friends
Holiday invitations carry more than a date and address. You may be inviting coworkers who celebrate different holidays, or none. Neighbors may be choosing between three parties on the same Saturday, and relatives want to know whether to bring a side dish. The wording quietly sets expectations about religion, gifts, kids, drinks and dress before anyone arrives.
The examples below are grouped by the kind of party you're throwing. Inclusive winter and end-of-year wording sits alongside clearly labeled Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa and New Year's options, so you can match the words to your guests. You'll also find RSVP lines, quick text versions, and polite ways to explain gift-swap rules or an adults-only evening.
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Office holiday party
For company and team celebrations, where the wording should welcome everyone and answer the practical questions up front.
End-of-year celebration The whole [Company] team is invited to close out the year with dinner, a few toasts and no slide decks. [Date], [Time] to [Time] [Venue], [Address] Please RSVP by [RSVP date] and tell us about any dietary needs.
Bring your favorite person. [Company] holiday party with food stations, a live band and a photo booth [Date] at [Time] [Venue] Each employee may bring one guest. Add their name when you RSVP by [RSVP date].
Holiday lunch in the office We're ordering in, closing laptops at noon and handing out a few awards nobody asked for. [Date], [Time] Third-floor kitchen Remote teammates can dial in at [Phone or link]. Reply by [RSVP date] so we order the right amount.
The design team has earned a night off. Team holiday dinner at [Venue] [Date], [Time] The company is covering dinner and the first round. RSVP to [Name] by [RSVP date].
The leadership team of [Company] invites you to its annual holiday celebration [Date] Reception at [Time], dinner at [Time] [Venue], [Address] Cocktail attire Kindly respond by [RSVP date].
Wherever you work from, you're invited. Virtual holiday hour with a cocktail-making class (alcohol-free recipes included), trivia and a raffle [Date], [Time] ET [Phone or link] Kits ship to everyone who registers by [RSVP date].
Inclusive winter and end-of-year wording
For mixed groups where you'd rather not assume which holiday, if any, your guests celebrate.
Short days, long table. A winter gathering with soup, fresh bread and a fire in the backyard [Date], [Time] [Address] Dress warm. Reply by [RSVP date].
Let's send off the year together. An end-of-year party with good food, a little music and a lot of catching up [Date], [Time] until late [Address] RSVP by [RSVP date].
With warm wishes for the season [Name] and [Name] invite you to an evening of dinner and conversation [Date] at [Time] [Address] Kindly reply by [RSVP date].
The longest night of the year calls for lanterns. Winter solstice gathering with hot cider and a backyard fire [Date], from [Time] [Address] Bring a lantern or candle if you have one. Let us know by [RSVP date].
Year-end team celebration Thank you for everything you put into this year. Let's celebrate the work and each other. [Date], [Time] [Venue] Alcohol-free drinks and vegetarian dishes will be served. RSVP by [RSVP date].
Whatever you celebrate this time of year, bring a taste of it to our table. A potluck of traditions: share a dish, a song or a story from your family's season. [Date], [Time] [Address] Sign up for a dish when you RSVP by [RSVP date].
Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali and Kwanzaa
For gatherings centered on a specific tradition, each labeled so you can pick the one that fits your guests.
Merry Christmas from our home to yours. Christmas open house with carols by the piano and cookies on every counter [Date], drop in between [Time] and [Time] [Address] Please let us know by [RSVP date].
Christmas Eve at the Garcias' Dinner at [Time], with midnight Mass afterward for anyone who'd like to come along [Date] [Address] Reply by [RSVP date] so we know how many tamales to make.
Eight nights, and we'd love you here for one of them. Hanukkah party with candle lighting at [Time] and latkes to follow [Date] [Address] Bring your own menorah if you have one. RSVP by [RSVP date].
Applesauce or sour cream? Come settle it. Hanukkah latke party [Date], [Time] [Address] Dreidel tournament for kids of all ages. Reply by [RSVP date].
Wishing you a Diwali full of light. Please celebrate with us over diyas, dinner and sweets. [Date] at [Time] [Address] Traditional or festive attire welcome. Kindly RSVP by [RSVP date].
Never been to a Diwali party? Consider this your invitation. Rangoli at the door, a vegetarian feast, and sparklers in the yard after dinner [Date], [Time] [Address] Wear something bright. Let Anjali know by [RSVP date].
Our family invites you to a Kwanzaa karamu, the feast held on the sixth day. [Date] at [Time] [Address] Bring a dish to share and, if you like, a reflection on the year. Reply by [RSVP date].
Neighborhood and friends gathering
For open houses, potlucks and casual evenings with neighbors and friends.
Our door is open and the cider is warm. Neighborhood holiday open house [Date], anytime from [Time] to [Time] [Address], the house with too many lights Kids, grandparents and well-behaved dogs welcome.
Holiday potluck for the whole cul-de-sac [Date] at [Time] Hosted at [Address] Bring a dish and a folding chair if you have one. New neighbors, this means you too. RSVP by [RSVP date].
Before everyone leaves town for the holidays A friends' dinner at our apartment [Date], [Time] [Address], buzz [Name] We'll roast something. You bring wine, dessert or a good story. Reply by [RSVP date].
Holiday open house and toy drive Come for cocoa, stay for cookies, and drop off a new, unwrapped toy for [Organization] if you can. [Date], [Time] to [Time] [Address] No toy needed to attend.
Caroling around the block, then chili at our place. Meet at [Address] at [Time] [Date] Lyric sheets provided; a good singing voice is not. Let us know you're in by [RSVP date].
Ugly sweater party
For playful parties where the dress code is the entertainment.
Dig out the sweater you hope nobody photographs. Ugly Sweater Party [Date], [Time] [Address] Prizes for most blinding, most homemade and most likely to shed. RSVP by [RSVP date].
Ugly sweater day at [Company] Wear your worst to work on [Date]. Team photo at [Time] in the lobby, voting over lunch. Forgot yours? Borrow one from the bin by reception.
Ugly sweaters, hot cocoa and a white elephant swap [Date] at [Time] [Address] If you'd like to play, bring one wrapped gift under [Price]. Reply by [RSVP date] so we can plan the swap.
Don't own an ugly sweater? Make one here. We're setting up a table with tinsel, pom-poms, felt and a hot glue gun. Ugly Sweater Party [Date], [Time] [Address] RSVP by [RSVP date].
Matching sweaters encouraged, clashing ones even better. Family ugly sweater party [Date], [Time] to [Time] [Address] Kids' sweater parade at [Time]. Please reply by [RSVP date].
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
For countdown parties of every size, from black tie to sweatpants, plus a next-day open house.
Stay up with us. New Year's Eve cocktail party [Date], [Time] until well past midnight [Address] Cocktail attire. RSVP by [RSVP date].
Six courses, one countdown. New Year's Eve dinner [Date], seated at [Time] [Address] We have room for twelve, so please reply by [RSVP date].
Midnight is past bedtime, so we're counting down at [Time]. Family New Year's Eve party with a balloon drop, snacks and noisemakers [Date] [Address] Pajamas welcome. RSVP by [RSVP date].
No sequins required. New Year's Eve in sweatpants: board games, takeout and a toast at midnight [Date], from [Time] [Address] The couch is yours if you'd rather stay over. Let us know by [RSVP date].
[Name] and [Name] request the pleasure of your company as they welcome the new year [Date] at [Time] [Venue], [Address] Black tie optional Kindly respond by [RSVP date].
Ease into the new year with us. New Year's Day open house with black-eyed peas, coffee and the game on [Date], [Time] to [Time] [Address] Come whenever you're up.
Family holiday dinner
For relatives around one table, including first-time hosts, busy multi-house days and years with someone missing.
Every chair is spoken for, and we'll find more. Family holiday dinner [Date], [Time] [Address] Please tell us by [RSVP date] how many are coming and which side dish you'd like to bring.
We're hosting the family holiday dinner for the first time. Please be kind about the gravy. [Date] Arrive at [Time], dinner at [Time], dessert whenever we can move again [Address] Reply by [RSVP date].
We know the holidays mean more than one house in a day. Come when you can. Holiday dinner [Date], food out from [Time] to [Time] [Address] Just let us know roughly when to expect you.
The Nguyen family warmly invites you to holiday dinner [Date] Drinks at [Time], dinner at [Time] [Address] Kindly reply by [RSVP date].
This is our first holiday without Dad. We'd like the table full, the way he liked it. Family holiday dinner [Date], [Time] [Address] Bring a favorite story about him if you have one. Reply by [RSVP date].
Ways to ask for RSVPs
- Please RSVP by [RSVP date]; December weekends fill quickly and we'd love to plan for you.
- Kindly reply by [RSVP date] with the number of guests in your party.
- Let us know by [RSVP date], and mention any dietary needs so the menu works for everyone.
- RSVP by [RSVP date] if you'd like to be included in the gift swap.
- Reply by [RSVP date] and sign up for a dish at [Phone or link].
- Please register by [RSVP date]; the venue needs our final headcount the next day.
- Can't make it? A quick no by [RSVP date] helps us plan just as much as a yes.
- Regrets only to [Name] by [RSVP date].
- Respond by [RSVP date], including your guest's name if you're bringing one.
- We'd love a yes or no by [RSVP date]; you can change your answer if plans shift.
Short versions for a text or group chat
- Holiday open house at ours, Sat [Date], drop in [Time] to [Time]. Kids welcome. Let us know if you can come.
- Ugly sweater party [Date] at [Time], [Address]. Worst sweater wins. Bring a wrapped gift under [Price]. RSVP by [RSVP date].
- Cookie swap [Date], [Time]. Bring 2 dozen and a container. Tell me your cookie so we don't double up.
- Team holiday lunch [Date] at [Time], [Venue]. Company's treat. Reply by [RSVP date] with any dietary needs.
- NYE at our place: games, takeout, a midnight toast. Starts [Time]. Couch available for sleepovers. You in?
- Hanukkah candle lighting and latkes, [Date] at [Time], [Address]. Bring a menorah if you have one. RSVP by [RSVP date].
Wording for tricky situations
Secret Santa is optional. Sign up by [RSVP date] if you'd like to join, and we'll send your match by [Date]. Please keep gifts under [Price].
Bring one wrapped gift under [Price] if you'd like to play; you're just as welcome to grab a drink and watch the stealing.
This is a year-end celebration for everyone on the team, whatever holidays you observe, or don't.
There's a bar with wine, beer and alcohol-free cocktails. Please plan your ride home before you arrive.
This year's party is for employees only so we can stay within the venue's capacity. Families are invited to the summer picnic in [Month].
We love your kids, but this one is adults only. We hope it's a good excuse for a night out.
We know it's a busy Saturday. Stop in for one drink on your way to your next party; we'd love to see you even for half an hour.
Please don't bring host gifts. If you'd like to give something, the food bank bin by the door is collecting canned goods.
Common wording mistakes
- ✓Assuming everyone celebrates the same holiday. For a mixed crowd, especially at work, use "holiday," "winter" or "end-of-year" wording and save tradition-specific language for gatherings where it fits your guests.
- ✓Leaving gift swap details vague. Say whether there's a swap, whether it's optional, the price limit and the style, so no one arrives with a small candle when everyone else spent more.
- ✓Sending the invitation too late. December weekends fill early, so send invitations several weeks ahead and ask for replies well before the caterer's or venue's cutoff.
- ✓Using a dress code that means different things to different people. "Festive" can mean sequins or a red sweater, so add a few words, such as "festive, holiday colors welcome, no formal wear needed."
- ✓Forgetting the end time for an open house. Without one, some guests arrive as you open and others after you've packed up; give a window, such as [Time] to [Time].
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Holiday Party invitation wording FAQ
How do you word a holiday party invitation to be inclusive?
Name the season or the moment rather than one holiday: a winter party, an end-of-year celebration, a holiday gathering. Mention food choices and alcohol-free drinks, and make any gift exchange optional. At work, many teams also check the calendar for religious observances colleagues keep before choosing a date.
Is it okay to write Merry Christmas on a holiday party invitation?
For a Christmas party with friends or family who celebrate it, yes. For the office or a mixed group, many hosts use "holiday" or "season's greetings" so no one feels the event isn't meant for them. If it really is a Christmas party, calling it one is clearer than a vague name.
Should an office holiday party invitation say whether plus-ones are invited?
Yes, so guests don't have to ask. State it directly, such as "employees only" or "each employee may bring one guest," and ask for the guest's name if they're allowed. If families are invited, say whether children are included and whether there's anything planned for them.
How do you explain Secret Santa or white elephant rules in an invitation?
Keep the invitation to the essentials: that it's optional, the spending limit, the style of swap, and the sign-up deadline. Put the full rules on the event page or in a follow-up message. Making participation optional is kind to guests on a tight budget and to anyone who simply prefers to watch.
What does festive attire mean on a holiday invitation?
It usually means a step dressier than everyday clothes, with a seasonal touch: a velvet blazer, a sparkly top, a bright dress, a fun tie. It rarely means formal. Because people read it differently, a short note such as "festive, cocktail-casual" helps guests decide what to wear.
Wording for other occasions
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