A family Christmas party invitation tells relatives which day and whose house, the time, who's invited (spouses, kids, the new boyfriend), what to bring and whether anyone is staying over. With several households coming, add the plan for food and gifts. Below are wording examples for every kind of family gathering.
Use the wording as the message you send with your invitation link, or as the script for your 15-second video message.
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A family invitation goes to people who think they already know the plan. Spell it out anyway, because the plan changes when a sibling takes over hosting or the family grows. For a Christmas party that also includes friends or neighbors, our Christmas party invitation ideas and wording guide covers the basics.
- The day: Christmas Eve (Thursday, Dec. 24, 2026), Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25) or a weekend before or after.
- Whose house, with the full address for in-laws who haven't been.
- Arrival window and meal time, so travelers know when to leave.
- Who's invited: partners, kids, extended cousins, the dog.
- Overnight plans: who sleeps where, or nearby hotels.
- Food: what you're cooking and what you'd like others to bring.
- Gifts: exchange, kids only, a spending limit or none.
- RSVP date with a head count, including children's ages.
Quick Picks
| Situation | Line to use |
|---|---|
| Same tradition, new host | "This year Christmas is at our place." |
| Relatives traveling in | "Arrive any time after 2. Dinner at 5." |
| Several days together | "Here's the plan for the 24th to the 26th." |
| Splitting days with in-laws | "We'll be with [in-laws] on the 25th, so we're hosting on the 24th." |
| Only a gift limit | "Kids get gifts; adults draw one name, $30 limit." |
| Someone can't come | "We'll call you before dinner. Record us a video?" |
Family Christmas Invitation Wording for the Whole Family
Warm
Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's
Friday, December 25 · Doors open at 1 p.m., dinner at 4
[Address]
All of you, all the kids, and whoever's new this year.
Please let us know by December 15 how many are coming.
The whole family under one roof again.
Christmas Eve at the [family name]s'
Thursday, December 24, from 5 p.m.
Ham, carols and too many cookies. Bring your appetite and the little ones in their pajamas.
Funny
Same family, same house, new sweaters.
Christmas Day at ours, 2 p.m. Yes, the cousins' table is still in the garage. RSVP so we know how many chairs to borrow.
Mom says everyone has to come. We say there's pie.
Family Christmas, Saturday, December 19, from 3 p.m.
When You're Hosting the Family for the First Time
Passing the torch (and the roasting pan).
This year we're hosting Christmas for the whole family.
Friday, December 25, 2 p.m. · [address]
Mom's stuffing recipe is in good hands. Please RSVP by December 15.
Mom and Dad have earned a year off.
Christmas Eve is at our house this year: Thursday, December 24, from 5 p.m.
We'll cook the main dish. Tell us what you'd like to bring when you reply.
Wording for a Multi-Day Family Visit
When relatives travel in, the invitation becomes an itinerary. List each day on its own line so people can plan arrivals, and say plainly where everyone sleeps.
Full version
Christmas at the lake house, December 23–26
Wed 23: arrive any time after 3, chili for dinner
Thu 24: Christmas Eve dinner at 6, church at 10 for anyone joining
Fri 25: stockings at 8, brunch, dinner at 4
Sat 26: leftovers and goodbyes
We have beds for 10; the rest are at the [hotel] down the road. Tell us your nights by December 1.
Staying over? We've got the guest room, the pull-out and two air mattresses. First come, first served, so reply early.
Driving in? Plan to arrive before dark on the 24th. Dinner is at 6 and nobody eats until Grandpa says grace.
Cousins' and Siblings' Christmas Party Wording
Cousins' Christmas, grown-up edition.
Saturday, December 26, 7 p.m. at [cousin]'s.
Partners welcome, kids at home, white elephant gifts under $25.
Siblings' Christmas dinner, just us and our people.
Saturday, December 19, 6 p.m. Let's do it before everyone scatters to the in-laws.
For the gift part, our Secret Santa invitation wording has lines for name draws and spending limits.
Blended Families and Split Holidays
We're with [partner]'s family on Christmas Day, so we're celebrating with you on the Eve.
Thursday, December 24, 4 p.m. Kids open one present each before dinner.
Christmas, the second edition.
Our kids are with their dad on the 25th, so our family Christmas is Saturday, December 26, at noon. Same tree, same pie, one day later.
Everyone's welcome: exes, steps, halves and in-laws.
Family Christmas brunch, Sunday, December 27, 11 a.m.
A Warm-Weather or Beach Family Christmas
Christmas by the water this year.
Family beach day and dinner, Friday, December 25
Meet at [beach] at 11; dinner at the rental at 5.
Bring sunscreen, a towel and one gift for the swap.
No snow, no problem.
Family Christmas at the [family name]s' in [city]. Saturday, December 19, from 2 p.m. Pool's heated, the ham's in the oven.
A Holiday Family Reunion
If the holidays are the one time the whole extended family meets, treat it like a reunion and give more notice. Our Thanksgiving family reunion invitations guide covers schedules and activities in more depth.
The [family name] Holiday Reunion
Saturday, December 19 · 1 to 7 p.m. · [community hall or address]
Three generations, one big dinner.
Bring a dish to share and old family photos for the slideshow. RSVP with your head count by November 30.
Including Relatives Who Can't Be There
We'll miss you at the table, so we're calling at 4:30 your time before dinner. Record a 15-second video for the kids when you reply?
Can't make the trip? Send us a video message and we'll play it before the toast.
Say It in Your 15-Second Video Message
- "Hi everyone, it's Grandma. Christmas is at our house again. Dinner's at four. Bring the kids."
- "We're hosting this year! Doors open at two on the twenty-fifth. Tap Yes so we know how many chairs we need."
- "Cousins' Christmas is back. December twenty-sixth, seven p.m. Gift limit is twenty-five."
Short Versions for the Family Group Chat
- "Christmas Day at Mom and Dad's, 1 p.m. RSVP in the link with your head count."
- "We're hosting Christmas Eve this year. All the details are in the invite."
- "Lake house Dec 23–26. Tell us which nights you're staying."
- "Adults draw names, kids get gifts. $30 limit. Draw is on the 1st."
- "Who's bringing what? Reply with your dish so we don't end up with five pies."
Tricky Lines for Family Invitations
- No room to stay over: "We can't host overnight this year, but the [hotel] is 10 minutes away."
- Adults only: "This one's grown-ups only. We'll do a kids' gift morning on the 26th."
- Gift limit: "To keep it easy on everyone, adults draw one name, $30 limit."
- No gifts: "No gifts this year, just come. If you want to bring something, bring a dessert."
- Firm time: "Dinner is at 4 sharp because the turkey won't wait."
- Pets: "Please leave dogs at home this year; we have a new cat."
- Keep it light: "House rule for the day: no work talk and no politics at the table."
When to Send Family Christmas Invitations
| Gathering | Send the invite | RSVP by | Follow up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Eve or Day at home | 4–6 weeks ahead | Dec. 15 | Dec. 21 with arrival time |
| Multi-day visit | 8–10 weeks ahead | Dec. 1 | Dec. 15 with the day-by-day plan |
| Holiday reunion | 2–3 months ahead | Nov. 30 | Dec. 10 with the dish list |
| Cousins' or siblings' party | 3–4 weeks ahead | Dec. 12 | Dec. 18 |
Families coordinate flights and in-law schedules early. If you're hosting, an invitation in early November settles the "where is Christmas this year" question.
For more holiday dinner wording, see our Christmas dinner invitation wording.
How to Send It as a Video Invitation
- Pick a Christmas template in the TwistInvite app, add your event details, and add your own photos, video or audio if you like, such as last year's family photo.
- Hold to record a 15-second voice message. Relatives love hearing from the grandkids.
- Share the link by text to each household or in the family group chat, with your wording as the message.
- Track replies in the app. Relatives open the invitation in their browser and answer Going, Can't make it or Maybe without downloading anything or creating an account, which matters for grandparents.
The free plan includes 3 events a month, so you can send one for Christmas Eve and another for Christmas Day. Premium starts at $2.99 a week. Get the TwistInvite app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a family Christmas party invitation include?
The day and time, whose house and the full address, who is invited (partners, kids, extended family), what to bring, the gift plan, any overnight arrangements and an RSVP date with a head count.
When should I send family Christmas invitations?
Four to six weeks ahead for a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day gathering at home, and eight to ten weeks ahead if relatives are traveling or staying several days. A large holiday reunion needs two to three months.
How do I tell family there is no room to stay over?
Say it kindly and early, and offer an alternative such as a nearby hotel. For example, say you can't host overnight this year but the hotel is ten minutes away.
How do I word a gift limit for a family Christmas?
Keep it practical: say that kids get gifts and adults draw one name, then give the spending limit. A clear rule on the invitation avoids awkward conversations later.
How do I invite relatives when we split holidays with in-laws?
Name the day you are hosting and give the reason briefly, for example that you are with your partner's family on Christmas Day, so you are celebrating together on Christmas Eve.
Do relatives need an app to RSVP?
No. The host creates the invitation in the TwistInvite app. Relatives open the link in a browser and reply Going, Can't make it or Maybe without downloading anything or creating an account.
What do you write on a family Christmas invitation?
Say who is hosting, the day and time, the address and how many people you are planning for, then add one warm line and an RSVP date. Mention gifts, food to bring or pajamas only if they apply.
Create it in the TwistInvite app
Download free on iPhone or Android, then share one link with your guests.