A holiday open house is a party with a window instead of a start time. Guests drop in anytime between, say, 2 and 6 pm, stay as long as they like, and leave when they need to. It is the easiest way to see a lot of people in December, because nobody has to choose between your party and the three others that day.
The invitation does more work than usual. It has to make the come-and-go format clear, so people don’t all show up at 2 sharp or think they’re late at 5. Below is what to include, wording for different crowds, and how to plan food and a headcount for a drop-in party.
What to Include
- The hours, written as a range: “Drop by anytime from 2 to 6 pm.”
- The words “open house” or “drop in” so the format is obvious.
- Address and parking. A drop-in party means cars coming and going; tell people where to park.
- Who is welcome. “Kids and dogs welcome,” “bring the whole family” or “adults only.”
- Food and drink. “Light bites and mulled wine” sets expectations so nobody eats a big meal first, or arrives starving.
- RSVP. Optional for a big open house, but helpful. Ask for a rough number and an approximate time if you want to spread people out.
Holiday Open House Invitation Wording
For neighbors and friends
- “Our door is open! Join us for a holiday open house on Saturday, December 13, anytime between 2 and 6 pm. Cookies, cider and good company.”
- “Come and go as you please: holiday open house at the Parkers’, Sunday, December 14, 1–5 pm. Kids welcome.”
- “Stop by for a cup of cheer. Holiday open house, Saturday, December 20, from 3 to 7. Stay five minutes or five hours.”
For family
- “Christmas Eve open house at our place, 4 to 8 pm. Come when you can, leave when you must. Tamales and ponche on the stove all night.”
- “We’re keeping the coffee on and the door open from 10 am to 2 pm on December 26. Drop in for leftovers and a visit.”
For a business, studio or office
- “Please join us for our holiday open house, Thursday, December 11, 4–7 pm, at our studio. Drinks, light bites and a thank-you for a wonderful year.”
- “Our office is hosting a holiday open house for clients and neighbors. Stop by anytime between 3 and 6 pm on Friday, December 12.”
For company events with a set program, see our holiday party invitation email templates. For a cocktail-style evening with a start time, see holiday cocktail party invitations.
How to Set the Hours
- Three to four hours is the usual window. Shorter, and it is just a party with a vague start. Longer, and you will be tired before the last guests arrive.
- Afternoon (1–5 pm) suits families with young kids and older relatives.
- Early evening (4–8 pm) suits neighbors and coworkers after errands or work.
- Morning (10 am–1 pm) works for a coffee and pastries open house, especially on the days after Christmas.
If the open house is the same weekend as a Thanksgiving gathering, our Thanksgiving open house invitations guide covers the November version.
Food for a Drop-In Party
Pick food that can sit out for a few hours and be refilled in batches:
- A cheese and charcuterie board, refreshed halfway through.
- Slow cooker dishes: meatballs, chili, mulled wine or cider.
- Cookies and bars, plus one showpiece dessert.
- Finger sandwiches or sliders on a tray you can swap out.
Plan for about two-thirds of your invited guests to come, and expect most of them in the middle of the window. If you are inviting people to contribute, our holiday potluck invitations guide has wording for that.
Should an Open House Have an RSVP?
Traditionally no: the point of an open house is that people can just show up. In practice, a light RSVP helps with food and gives you an idea of when the crowd will peak. Ask for:
- Whether they think they’ll make it.
- How many people are coming with them.
- Optionally, an approximate arrival time, mentioned in the reply.
Wording that keeps it relaxed: “No need to RSVP, but a quick reply helps us plan the food.” Or: “Let us know if you can make it by December 10. Maybes are welcome.”
With TwistInvite, you pick a holiday design in the app, add the hours and address, and share one link by WhatsApp or SMS. Guests open it in their browser and answer Going, Can’t make it or Maybe with no app or account, and the RSVP can ask how many people are in their party. You see the replies in the app. See our Christmas party RSVP guide for deadline ideas.
A Sample Day
For a 2 to 6 pm open house with 40 to 60 invited guests:
- Morning: set up the food table away from the front door, so arrivals don’t create a bottleneck. Clear a spot for coats.
- 1:30 pm: first round of food out, drinks set up as self-serve, music on low.
- 2:00–3:00 pm: early arrivals: neighbors with kids and older relatives.
- 3:00–5:00 pm: the busiest stretch. Refill trays every 30 to 45 minutes and keep a second batch of hot food ready.
- 5:00–6:00 pm: a slower final hour. Start packing cookies for guests to take home.
Extra Lines Worth Adding
- No gifts: “Your company is the only gift we need.”
- Bring something: “We’re collecting canned goods for the food bank; bring one if you can.”
- Parking: “Please park on Elm Street; our driveway is reserved for neighbors who need it.”
- Pets: “Our dog will be home and loves visitors” or “Our cat is shy, so please keep the back door closed.”
- Accessibility: “The side entrance has no steps.”
Wording for a Last-Minute Open House
Decided this week? An open house is the easiest party to pull together on short notice, because nobody needs to clear a whole evening. Keep the message short and warm: “Spur-of-the-moment open house this Sunday, 1 to 4 pm! Nothing fancy: cocoa, cookies and the tree. Drop by if you’re around.” Send it by text or WhatsApp rather than email so it gets seen quickly, and skip the RSVP deadline. A simple “let me know if you think you can come” is enough to plan the cookies.
Christmas Open House Invitations
A Christmas open house works the same way as any holiday open house, with a few December details guests appreciate. Name the day and the window in the first line (“Christmas open house, Sunday, December 20, 2 to 6 pm”), say whether the tree, carols or a cookie table are the draw, and tell families if kids are welcome. If you are hosting on Christmas Eve afternoon, give a firm end time so guests can get to services or their own dinners.
- “Our door is open Sunday, December 20, 2 to 6 pm. Cocoa, cookies and the tree. Come when you can, stay as long as you like.”
- “Christmas Eve open house, 1 to 4 pm, before everyone heads to their own celebrations. Kids and dogs welcome.”
- “Neighbors, drop by for mulled cider on the 19th, anytime after 3. We’d love to finally meet the new folks on the block.”
For a party that rotates between houses, see Christmas progressive dinner invitations; for a block-wide gathering, neighbors Christmas party invitations; and for a sweets-only evening, Christmas dessert party invitations.
Hosting Tips
- Greet at the door. In a drop-in format, the welcome is the moment people remember. Take coats and point to the drinks.
- Make introductions. Neighbors who have never met will mix more if you connect them.
- Keep the music low. People come to talk.
- Have to-go treats. A plate of cookies by the door is a nice goodbye.
- Name a clear end. “Until 6” on the invitation is enough to wrap up politely.
Our holiday party hosting tips guide has more on planning a December party.
Ready to open the door? Open the holiday designs in TwistInvite and add your hours, or browse our holiday party invitation templates. For more December ideas, see all our holiday guides and Christmas guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a holiday open house?
A come-and-go party where guests drop in anytime during a set window, such as 2 to 6 pm, instead of arriving at one start time.
How do you word an open house invitation?
Use the words “open house” or “drop in” and write the time as a range, for example “Drop by anytime between 2 and 6 pm.”
Do you need to RSVP to an open house?
Often not, but a quick reply helps the host plan food. If the invitation asks for an RSVP, answer by the date given.
Can I invite neighbors I don’t know well to an open house?
Yes. An open house is one of the easiest ways to meet neighbors. Drop a note or send the invitation link, and keep the wording friendly and low-pressure.
How long should a holiday open house last?
Three to four hours is typical. It gives everyone a chance to stop by without exhausting the host.
What food should I serve at an open house?
Food that can sit out and be refilled: boards, slow cooker dishes, cookies and finger sandwiches.
Create it in the TwistInvite app
Download free on iPhone or Android, then share one link with your guests.