Looking for Fun Christmas Eve Activities

Sorry if these are repeated ideas, but I didn't read the previous responses...

My cousins and I have a white elephant every year and that's very fun for everyone to get creative with. We usually set a $5 limit for those who want to purchase a gift but usually something from their own houses work too. I like that limit so that the gifts are usually pretty even in value.

Another thing we've started to do is have a gingerbread building contest. The first year we split into groups and built houses, the second year we were allowed to build anything but houses... And so on. We mixed it up last year and had each individual decorate a gingerbread man. We have the older parents judge and they usually throw money in as a prize. This is fun for everyone of all ages because they are able to compete and participate.

Hope you find some good ideas!

My mom always did a treasure hunt & had PJS for us at the end. Where you are having other families over you could have them bring PJS for their family members if they want as well. This was our favorite & such a fun way to get the kids excited for Christmas- their first gift. :)

we also have a talent show. the kids have done things like sing a Christmas song, tell a joke, demonstrate a gymnastic stunt, play an instrument, show drawings. the adults have done things like magic shows, reading poetry, showing a hand made craft, bringing a food to taste, or just helping the kids show their talents.

We love to individually wrap enough candy bars for each person who will be there. Online you can find several gift passing stories. We always use one called "The night RIGHT before Christmas" it uses the words right and left throughout and everytime you hear one you pass your treat that direction. It can get confusing and usually gets everyone laughing! At the end of the story you get to keep the treat you are holding. This game can involve any age as long as they know their directions!

my husbands family does a talent show. We are huge so each of his sibling and their kids does a skit, song or other talent. It is erallyfun to see the adults involved with their kids and the cousins get to watch each other. The entire thing is done in about half hour but a lot of fun and laughs.
Play the dvd game Pyramid or $1000 pyramid or something likd that. It is hilarious to act out like a game of charades but a time limit is on it and it is fun for adults and kids. you need one person that is good with a remote though to do it

One of the most FUN Christmas parties my parents had a few years ago they had a "Chinese Gift Exchange" (not sure why they called it, and it's probably got other names). If I remember correctly this is how it worked:

Everyone brings a wrapped gift, gag or real, and places it under the tree. Each person is given a number upon arrival, drawn from a hat or 'assigned'. At gift exchange everyone goes in numerical order to choose a gift from under the tree. Unwrap it for all to see. The catch is that if someone likes the present that a previous person unwrapped, they may forfeit the under-tree gift choice, and take a previously unwrapped gift. Then the person whose gift is taken picks another under-tree gift, unwraps for all to see. One person can only have their gift 'taken' 3 times. It works best when there are LOTS of people.

It was hilarious watching everyone get sort of mirthfully ruthless in their gift 'trading' and scheming to get what they really wanted. Everyone left with something though, and all had a great time.

Happy Christmas!

If you haven't already made gingerbread houses, you can let each child make their own out of graham crackers. At most dollar stores there are small cookie sheets that work great as a base. You can involve your kids earlier that day in picking candy at the bulk candy section or candy aisle of a grocery store to get them excited. Also, make sure your frosting includes cream of tartar (in case you didn't know) so that it will harden. Pampered Chef has (or has had) a set of 3 accordion-type frosting squirters that are great for kids--you can pre-load them with white, green and red and be ready ahead of time. Also, you can have flat cookies, aluminum foil, etc. for roofing or a skating lake in front of the house. Best of luck!

Why don't you make up a bunch of cookies ahead of time, and have a decorating station at a table? Put out frosting, sprinkles, etc., and as people want to, they can go over and create an edible masterpeice! Kids would especially like that.