The holiday season is the best time to get friends and family together to throw a party. Get people more excited for the get-together by picking a fun theme to go with it. There are hundreds of entertaining themes to choose from.

The most popular, the ugly Christmas sweater theme, has always been a hit and it is so fun to see what people come up with. If you have not acquired an ugly sweater from your mom, dad, aunt, grandma or anyone else in your family, hit up a local thrift shop. They usually have tons of different ones that would fit this theme perfectly.

“I wear the same ugly sweater every year. It has actual jingle bells on it and I jingle wherever I walk. It is hilarious,” University of Oregon senior Samantha Ridout said. The perfect Christmas sweaters are the ones with the puff paint snowmen and the mistletoe-patterned turtlenecks. Remember, the uglier the sweater, the better.

Another fun party theme is cookie and gingerbread house decorating. Before the party, make a bunch of gingerbread men and other shaped cookies. Buy different kinds of frosting and toppings and set them out on the table for the guests to use. Go to the local grocery store and buy gingerbread house-making kits. It is especially fun to make gingerbread houses as a team. This could be fun for everyone, especially while enjoying a cocktail or two while making them.

It’s also fun to see other people’s creativity. Send out invitations encouraging guests to dress up as any holiday-themed item. For example, one may dress up as a Christmas tree, a gingerbread man, an ornament or even a present. Let the guests decide what they want to wear and how they will show their creative sides. If they are getting creative with their outfits, the host should make creative drinks that guests can sip on. There are many delicious holiday drinks that a host can concoct.

The holidays are a great time to spend time with friends and family. Throw a themed party and get everyone together during the season. There are many themes that your guests will have fun with and enjoy. Get creative and show your friends a good time.