The Christmas season is a time to spend with family and friends, and often, this means inviting out-of-town guests to stay with you over the holidays. However, having overnight guests doesn’t just mean providing them with a place to sleep; with this invitation comes the responsibility of keeping the out-of-towners entertained during their stay.
But, entertaining overnight guests doesn’t have to involve elaborate or expensive plans; arranging some simple, family-oriented activities can keep your visitors busy and provide them with lovely memories as well.
Indoor Entertainment Ideas for Overnight Guests
Have a variety of indoor activities planned for your guests; these will be handy for the evenings and days when it is too cold to go outside, and will also provide options for any guests that may not be up for outdoor activities.
- Board Games and Puzzles: Keep a good supply of card and board games on hand, and have a collapsible tray table or two at the ready to accommodate the possibility of multiple games being played at once. Also, set up a table off to one side with a holiday themed jigsaw puzzle, for those guests who enjoy a little quiet time.
- Christmas Craft Area: To keep the children occupied when the adults are gathering around the table for drinks and nibbles, set up a Christmas craft table. Within eyesight of the adults, have a ready supply of glitter, glue sticks, markers, crayons, popsicle sticks, safety scissors, paper, and anything else you can think of, available. You can even print out instructions for easy Christmas crafts for some of the older kids to follow.
- Movie Night: Have a selection of Christmas DVDs available, and create a movie night around them. Encourage everyone to put on their pajamas, then pop some popcorn, brew some hot chocolate, spread a few bowls of goodies around the room, and designate someone to control the remote.
- Baking and Decorating: Baking some yummy holiday treats can provide a fun afternoon for your guests. Plan a few easy to prepare treats that you can work together to make. The adults can make some gingerbread or sugar cookies, then the children can decorate them with candies, sprinkles and colored icing.
Fun Outdoor Entertainment Ideas for Overnight Guests
Make sure you keep a list of fun outdoor activities for your guests as well. Getting everyone out of the house helps to burn off any pent up energy, keeps them out of the way when you’re preparing dinner, and builds everyone’s appetites for a delicious holiday meal.
- Snow Days: Plan a day for snowshoeing, sledding, or skating at a local pond; collect a pile of outdated winter wear, old buttons, yarn, and carrots, and challenge your visitors to a snowman building contest in your backyard; or, if you have a controlled fire pit at your disposal, arrange a winter wiener and marshmallow roast.
- Community Events: You can also take advantage of any outdoor events in your community. Many places offer winter activities such as sleigh/carriage rides, Christmas craft fairs, or bonfires. Check the local newspaper, or contact your city hall or tourism office for a list of seasonal activities in your area.
Having guests stay overnight during the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. Preparing a list of simple, family-centered entertainment ideas, and making sure to have any supplies you may need – such as craft accessories, DVDs, baking ingredients, and games – on hand, is a great way to keep you and your guests happy this Christmas season.
Trina Doane - Trina is a university college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree (English major). In addition to writing, she works in the pet ...
