If there is one character my kids ask for every single December, it is the Grinch. So this year I leaned all the way in and threw a full Merry Grinchmas party right in our dining room. Think candy cane paper chains, a Who-ville photo booth, Grinch faces peeking out from every corner and a little Milk and Cookie Co. drink station that stole the show.

The best part? Almost all of it came from Amazon, Michaels and a few Etsy shops, and the whole setup came together in one afternoon. Below I am sharing exactly how I pulled it together, what I bought and a bunch of extra Grinch party ideas so you can make it your own.

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Start With a Grinchmas Color Palette and Tablescape

The secret to a Grinch party that looks put together (and not like a party store exploded) is sticking to a color story. I went with Grinch green, Santa hat red and lots of white, then added pops of pink and gold for a softer, more modern Who-ville feel.

My dining table was the heart of the whole party. Here is how I built it:

• A white base. I layered a plain white tablecloth under a Grinch print table cover so the characters pop without overwhelming the table.
• A tiered centerpiece. A white metal 3 tier tray holds Grinch character cups on the lower tiers and red striped 3D paper Christmas trees on top. It gives you height without blocking anyone’s view.
• Character pieces at every level. I tucked wooden Grinch, Max and Cindy Lou tabletop decor all over the table. My favorite is the Cindy Lou block with the famous line about Christmas not coming from a store. It is the whole message of the story in one little sign.
• Mini trees and tinsel. A small white tinsel tree, a mini green tree and a ring of iridescent tinsel around the base of the centerpiece make it all sparkle.
• Grinch Archway from Pottery Barn sets the perfect scene! And this Grinch Garland is a fun way to hang some Whoville spirit.
• A drink station that doubles as decor. I lined up Grinch character tumblers with lids in green, pink and brown (Grinch, Cindy Lou and Max) inside a North Pole Milk and Cookie Co. wood crate. Add a Christmas light bulb cup with a striped straw and the kids are sold. Grinch character mugs from Pottery Barn

If you want to splurge on pieces you will use every single Christmas, Pottery Barn Kids has a gorgeous Grinch collection. Their Grinch kid mugs, Grinch plates and Grinch tabletop gift set would be beautiful on a Grinchmas breakfast table.

Go Big Overhead With Banners, Tinsel and Paper Chains

Want the most impact for the least money? Decorate up. Kids walk in, look at the ceiling and immediately know it is a party.

• Merry Grinchmas banner. I strung a Merry Grinchmas banner on twine across the dining room with a Grinch wreath cutout right in the middle. It is the first thing everyone sees and it is in almost every photo.
• Iridescent tinsel garland. Thick white iridescent tinsel garland wrapped around the chandelier and draped across the ceiling reads like Who-ville snow. Michaels also carries tinsel garland if you want to grab it in store.
• Candy cane paper chains. I hung red and green patterned paper chains from the chandelier down to each corner of the table. It makes a canopy over the party table and it is a great pre-party activity. Let the kids make them the week before!
• Something big at the door. A Grinch inflatable like this 4 ft Grinch with wreath from Michaels on the porch tells every guest they are in the right place.
• Cozy extras. If your party spills into the living room, Pottery Barn Kids Grinch pom pom pillows, the Grinch and Max needlepoint pillow and their Grinch stocking make the whole house feel on theme.

Set Up a Who-ville Photo Booth

Every party needs a photo spot and this one took me ten minutes. I taped a Grinch striped backdrop to the wall. Mine has the cutest sketches of the Grinch, Max, candy canes and cans of Who Hash on candy stripes of red, green, pink and gold.

Then I filled a tall teal vase with Grinch photo booth props like a Grinch Parking Only sign, a Seasons Greetings banner and a Grinch wreath, and set it right next to the backdrop. Kids grab a prop, strike a pose and you get adorable photos all night long. My little Who went straight for Max with his antler of ornaments.

Photo booth tips from THAT mom:

• Set the backdrop near a window for soft natural light.
• Put props in a vase or bucket so they stay standing and look like decor when nobody is using them.
• Add a Grinch Santa hat or two for the grown ups who swear they are not doing photos.
• Dress the kids in a Grinch shirt (or grab a personalized one on Etsy) and you are set for Christmas card photos too.

Grinch Food and Drink Ideas

You do not need a full menu. A few green, festive bites and one fun drink are plenty, especially for a kids party.

• Grinch punch. Scoop lime sherbet into a punch bowl, pour in lemon lime soda and pineapple juice and watch it fizz. Serve it in the character tumblers for instant wow.
• Who Hash snack mix. Toss pretzels, popcorn, Chex, M&Ms and mini marshmallows with a drizzle of green candy melts. Pack it into little bags labeled Who Hash.
• Grinch fruit kabobs. Green grape, banana slice, strawberry and a mini marshmallow on a skewer. It looks just like the Grinch in his Santa hat and it is the one healthy thing the kids will actually eat.
• Grinch popcorn. Coat popcorn in melted green candy melts and toss with red heart sprinkles for the heart that grew three sizes.
• Roast beast sliders. Mini roast beef sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls for the grown ups (and for the kids who love saying roast beast).
• Grinch cookies. Use a Grinch cookie cutter or make green crinkle cookies with a single red heart candy pressed into the top.
• Hot cocoa bar. Set out cocoa, whipped cream, green and red sprinkles and candy canes so everyone can build their own mug.

Serve it all on Grinch plates and napkins and stash extra supplies in a bright lime green metal bucket on the table like I did.

Grinch Games, Crafts and Activities for Kids

Keep the kids busy with a couple of easy activities and the party basically runs itself.

1. Pin the heart on the Grinch. A classic with a twist. Grab a ready made game or a printable version on Etsy.
2. Steal the presents relay. Split the kids into teams and race to “steal” wrapped empty boxes from Who-ville and bring them back up Mount Crumpit (the couch).
3. Grow your heart craft. Kids decorate three paper hearts in growing sizes and glue them inside a Grinch face. Pick up green cardstock and felt at Michaels.
4. Cookie decorating station. Set out sugar cookies, green frosting and sprinkles. It is part snack, part craft and zero planning.
5. Cindy Lou Who hair contest. Hand out hair ties and bows and let the kids give each other the wildest Who-ville hairstyles.
6. Grinch story time and movie. Wind down with a read aloud of the How the Grinch Stole Christmas book and the movie while everyone sips cocoa.

Bonus: make it a Grinch day out. If How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical comes to a theater near you, grab tickets for the whole crew. We went with family and friends to see it at the Tanger Center in Greensboro and the kids wore their Grinch gear. It is the perfect kickoff to Grinchmas.

Grinch Party Favors

My favorite trick: make the decor the favors. Those character tumblers on the drink station make the perfect favor. They double as table decor during the party and a take home gift at the end.

A few more favor ideas:

• Grinch favor bags filled with Who Hash snack mix
• A Grinch Santa hat for every guest
• Grinch favor tags from Etsy tied onto bags of green popcorn
• A Grinch ornament they can hang on their own tree
• Grinch cupcake toppers from Etsy on a cupcake to go

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Decor

• Merry Grinchmas banner
• White iridescent tinsel garland
• Red and green paper chain kit
• Grinch striped photo backdrop
• Grinch photo booth props
• 4 ft Grinch inflatable (Michaels)
• Grinch pom pom pillow (Pottery Barn Kids)
• Grinch stocking (Pottery Barn Kids)

Tablescape

• Grinch tablecloth
• White 3 tier tray
• Wooden Grinch, Max and Cindy Lou decor
• Grinch character cups
• Grinch tumblers with lids
• Milk and Cookie Co. wood crate
• Christmas light bulb cups
• Grinch kid mugs (Pottery Barn Kids)
• Grinch plates (Pottery Barn Kids)

Party supplies, games and favors

• Grinch plates and napkins
• Pin the heart on the Grinch game
• Grinch favor bags
• Grinch Santa hats
• Grinch party printables (Etsy)
• Grinch cupcake toppers (Etsy)

Shop all Grinch at Michaels | Shop the Pottery Barn Kids Grinch collection

Save These Grinchmas Party Ideas

Throwing a Grinch party does not have to be complicated. Pick your colors, go big overhead, set up one great photo spot and let the kids do the rest. Your heart might just grow three sizes too.

Planning your own Merry Grinchmas? Pin this post to your Christmas party board on Pinterest so you have every idea and every link ready when party prep starts. And if you throw one, tag me so I can see your Who-ville!