Creative Christmas Pajama Party Ideas for Your Grandkids

One of my favorite Holiday traditions is our pajama parties with our grandchildren. We all wear matching pajama sets, decorate sugar cookies with mountains of frosting and sprinkles, make Christmas decorations, and then snuggle up to watch movies and read stories. When bedtime comes around, we have a “campout” on the family room floor, lit only by the glow of the Christmas tree. The kids tell us what they want Santa to bring; it is one of those perfect, unforgettable moments. Every year, they ask to do it again—a tradition that warms our hearts more than any Christmas gift.

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Today, I’m teaming up with three of my blogger friends to bring you creative ideas to enjoy with your grandchildren this year. Don’t forget to check out the links at the end of this post for their adorable inspirations!

Christmas Pajama Party

A Christmas pajama party is a beautiful way to create lasting memories with your grandkids. Here are some creative ideas to make your party extra special.

Planning the Party

Creating a theme for your Christmas pajama party is optional but will undoubtedly get you in the holiday spirit. 

Even though we won’t all be together for the holidays this year, we were able to gather in Florida last week for an early celebration. Our colorful palm tree pajamas added a splash of sunshine to the festivities, capturing our Florida holiday’s warm, tropical spirit. I chose these adorable pajamas because their bright colors and palm tree design felt ideally suited for our Florida getaway.

Here are a few fun theme ideas for the holiday season. 

Party Themes

Classic Christmas

• A classic Christmas theme brings timeless charm, perfect for a festive pajama party! Embrace the season’s warmth with the rich, traditional colors of red and green, complemented by cozy plaids and rustic buffalo check patterns. These familiar designs create an inviting, nostalgic atmosphere that feels like Christmases of the past. Bake sugar cookies, make a fun craft, and snuggle up for a classic Christmas movie. 

Rudolph

• Centered around everyone’s favorite red-nosed reindeer, this theme brings a touch of nostalgia and fun to the festivities. Think cozy Christmas pajamas adorned with reindeer prints or red noses, adding a playful twist for kids and adults alike. Set up reindeer games, sip hot cocoa, and make a “reindeer snack” to leave out for Rudolph and the other reindeer. 

Let it Snow

• Create a magical winter wonderland for a Christmas pajama party with the grandkids! Picture cozy pajamas in snowy whites and dark blues, perfect for bringing the frosty fun indoors. Decorate with fluffy snowflakes, sparkly “snow” accents, and maybe even a snowman or two to set the scene. The kids can sip “snowman cocoa” with marshmallows and make paper snowflakes for a craft.

Santa Claus

• With everyone dressed in cozy, Santa-inspired pajamas—complete with red, white, and maybe a few jolly hats—the season’s excitement fills the air. Decorate with cheerful reds, sparkling lights, and touches of North Pole decor, like reindeer cutouts and “Santa’s Workshop” signs. Set up a station for writing letters to Santa, enjoy cookies and milk, and perhaps read a classic Santa story together. It’s a fun, festive theme that will make the kids feel like they’re part of Santa’s crew, ready for Christmas.

Gingerbread Men

• Picture everyone in adorable gingerbread-themed pajamas, surrounded by the warm, inviting scents of ginger and cinnamon. Decorate the space with cheerful gingerbread men, candy cottages, and Christmas treats. Set up a crafting station where the kids can make gingerbread clay ornaments or decorate my free printable mini gingerbread houses. It’s a hands-on, heartwarming theme that captures the season’s magic with sugar, spice, and everything nice!  
  

Guest List:

• Create a guest list with the ages of your grandkids and their potential playmates you may want to invite. If your grandchildren are young, consider inviting your kids and buying family pajamas for everyone. 

Date and Time:

• Choose a convenient time for everyone. Several of our grandchildren live out of state, so it is not every year I can get them all together. Several of our grandchildren live out of state, so it is not every year that

Location:

Choose a location for your pajama party that works best for you. I usually host mine at home, but this year we decided to have ours at a VRBO since we would be visiting our son in Florida.

Festive Decorations

• Christmas Tree:
  • Decorating the Christmas tree together is the perfect highlight of a pajama party with the grandkids. With everyone in cozy pajamas, we gather around the tree, adding a little magic with handmade ornaments that match our party theme—whether it’s gingerbread houses, snowflakes, or Santa. The kids love creating their ornaments, from clay gingerbread men to sparkling snowflakes, adding their unique touch to each one to decorate the tree.

Food and Drinks

What is a party with out great food and drinks, here are a few fabulous suggestions to make sure your sweet little ones are happy and content.

• Holiday Snacks:
  • Enjoy homemade treats like cinnamon popcorn or sprinkle-covered sugar cookies—kid-approved and easy to make! These snacks will surely be a hit and add a festive touch to the party.

• Dinner:
  • A simple and delicious meal, such as pizza or macaroni and cheese, will satisfy your young ones for dinner. Please don’t go overboard here; they will be full of fun snacks and treats from baking. 

• Hot Chocolate Bar:
  • Create a fun hot chocolate bar where kids can mix and match delicious toppings for their cocoa. Start with jars of marshmallows—mini, jumbo, and maybe even some snowflake-shaped ones. Add bowls of whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and candy canes for stirring. Include toppings like caramel drizzle, chocolate syrup, and a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for a cozy flavor boost. Finish with fun extras like peppermint sticks, sprinkles, mini cookies, and chocolate chips. It’s a sweet way for everyone to customize their perfect cup of cocoa!

• Other Drinks:
  • You could serve hot apple cider along with hot cocoa and an assortment of juices for breakfast.
• Christmas Breakfast Charcuterie Boards:
  • This festive and easy breakfast idea is perfect for the morning after your pajama party! Arrange an assortment of fresh fruit, holiday-themed waffles, breakfast meats, and a variety of pastries to create a beautiful, easy-to-serve spread. Add in mini pancakes, yogurt cups, and a drizzle of maple syrup for a delightful, help-yourself breakfast that everyone will love! You can read more about this idea here.
    

Wrapping Up 

I want to encourage you to start new traditions with your little ones. Hosting a pajama party with my grandkids is my favorite part of our holiday traditions. The joy, laughter, and precious memories we create together make the season feel extra magical. Every moment is filled with love and warmth, from cozy pajamas and holiday crafts to delicious food and stories by the tree. There’s nothing quite like sharing these simple, joyful experiences with the grandkids, and I look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come.

Lastly, be sure to check out these other adorable ideas you can do with your grandchildren from my dearest blogger friends.

Lynn from Living Large in a Small House shows you how to make DIY ornaments with your grandchildren.

Cindy from Reinvented Delaware has a free printable to make this darling advent calendar and the sweetest felt nativity set from South House Designs.

Wishing you a Magical Holiday Season

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