A Christmas potluck party is a festive way to celebrate the holiday season with your family and friends. And the best part is, you don't have to worry about cooking because each guest brings a covered dish. Here are some tips to help you plan your Christmas potluck:

Invitations

Keep things casual when it comes to invitations. Simple Christmas stationery is a great idea. Write the date, time, location and category of food you want the guest to bring. For example, designate some guests to bring main dishes, some to bring side dishes and others to bring desserts. That way you'll have everything the party needs and won't end up with too many of one type of food.

Decorations

Traditional Christmas decorations are great for a Christmas potluck. Think evergreen garlands, holly berries and mistletoe. Brighten the room with strands of white lights and try a festive Christmas themed tablecloth. To increase the holiday mood try playing soft Christmas music in the background. Cute snowglobes or Santa figurines make great decorations, also.

Food

The food is the best part of a Christmas potluck. Great dishes for your guests to bring or for you to make include crudites and dip, scallops wrapped in bacon, cheese biscuits, meatballs, glazed ham, green bean casseroles, peanut butter balls and of course, Christmas cookies.

Games and Activities

No Christmas party is complete without some fun games. Try a fun game of Christmas Movie Trivia for the adults and something like Pin the Nose on Rudolph for the kids. Everyone will love fun holiday themed games like Christmas Pictionary and Christmas Charades. Fill a jar with pre- counted candies in festive colors like red and green, and have your guests estimate how many candies are in the jar. Of course, the closest guess wins the jar!

More Tips

Send each guest home with a special ornament or some party favors. Good party favors include blowing bubbles for the kids and bundles of candy or gourmet coffee for the adults wrapped in festive holiday cellophane. Before the guests leave, ask for suggestions for next year's party. This makes planning your next party a little easier. For extra-easy cleanup after the festivities, make sure you have plenty of trashbags and use only disposable plates, cups and utensils.

With some creativity, planning and holiday spirit, you can host a fun Christmas potluck that everyone will enjoy!