Harry Potter Christmas Ideas

This Christmas get inspired and have an unconventional and alternative Christmas theme of Harry Potter. Harry Potter is a world-famous story franchise that has captured the imagination of both children and adults alike. 

This Christmas make it your Christmas theme, there is something so magical about wizards and witches that adds that extra excitement to Christmas. 

We’ve listed 29 Harry Potter Christmas ideas and inspiration to help you bring more Hogwarts fun to your festive season. 

Harry Potter Christmas Trees

1. Harry Potter Tree

Replicate your favourite franchise onto a tree by covering it in all things Harry Potter, from the baubles right down to the mat that surrounds your tree. You could have a specific Harry Potter theme for each decoration, for the baubles they could represent the houses of Hogwarts, the lights could be book pages, the ornaments could be the Horcruxes and other obstacles the trio had to overcome like the Winged Keys in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. 

2. Magical Lights

Cover your tree in Harry Potter fairy lights. These are available at most gimmick shops and from the merchandise website itself. The lights have a covering of whatever house you want, whether it is Gryffindor or Slytherin. Some even come with all 4 houses covering the lights so you have all 4 on your tree. Or you could have fairy lights that are relevant to Harry Potter generally, you could have letters covering the LED lights as they represent Harry’s acceptance letter into Hogwarts. Or book pages that are shaped into love hearts that cover the LED lights. Etsy is a fantastic website where you can support local businesses and buy products like the book page lights. 

3. Artificial Trees

Check out our Guide to Artificial Trees if you are thinking that an artificial tree is what’s best for you this Christmas. Artificial trees now often come in a variety of different colours, if you wanted you could match your tree to a specific house colour like red, blue or yellow and of course the classic green of most trees. Or you could opt for a white tree, or another shade of white to replicate the Yule Ball Tree in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as it is set at Christmastime. 

Christmas Decorations

4. Dirigible Plums Wreaths

Welcome your family and friends to your Harry Potter Holiday home this year with a wreath that is either homemade by you and your crafting skills or a bought one from a small business. Your wreath could either be the colours of your Hogwarts house, or it could be a wreath for Hedwig or a funny, obscure wreath covered in Dirigible Plums just like Xenophilius had outside his home. 

5. Hogwarts Stockings 

You can make any of these decorations to do with you Hogwarts house or all of them. However, for a stocking why not do a Molly Weasley and have knitted stockings (either knitted by yourself, someone you know or a small business who do this) with you and your families initials on them. That way it is something a little personal but also very Harry Potter and very Molly Weasley who is the comforting mother figure of the franchise we all love. 

6. Sorting Hat Tree Toppers

Your tree topper could range from the Deathly Hallows Symbol, made completely of wood to give that rustic feel to your tree, or it could be the Golden Snitch, though why not make your tree topper the famous Sorting Hat. Having the Sorting Hat as your tree topper is sure to cause conversation over houses and which one you all belong to, so rather than getting the topper down from the tree why not check out J. K. Rowling’s website Pottermore which will sort you in to your Hogwarts House, your Ilvermorny House (the American ‘Hogwarts’ school for Witches and Wizards), a wand and a Patronus. 

7. Harry Potter Baubles 

You could decorate your tree in any theme of Harry Potter Christmas baubles. They don’t even have to have writing or pictures on them, they could be the colours of Hogwarts, the houses, etc. However, if you are looking for baubles to cover your tree in that have an obvious relation to Harry Potter, Primark has come out with a Harry Potter range which also provides Christmas Baubles. You can buy baubles with the characters on them and other things related to Harry Potter, much like Platform 9^3/4. You could even make the baubles yourself if you have clear baubles and crafting tools and decorations you can design and make your own personalise Harry Potter baubles. 

8. Ornaments 

Your ornaments for your Harry Potter-themed Christmas Tree can represent objects, like Horcruxes for instance. As there are 8 known Horcruxes, one of which is Harry himself, however, you could have a bauble or other ornament to represent him. The real question is what about Nagini the snake, she can come across rather scary in the films and isn’t necessarily child friendly. However, a simple and delicate ornament of a snake to represent Nagini could be something to consider and could potentially work – plus you would have all 8 Horcruxes on your tree. If it looks pretty and not as scary, unless some have an issue with snakes then it should be smooth sailing for all! Although there are the other Horcruxes which are very beautiful already like Rowena Ravenclaws Diadem. 

Dinner Tables

9. Hogwarts Glasses

Having tall standing goblets to drink out of is sure to make a statement on your dinner table this Christmas. They can be any style and decoration, there is a wide variety of goblets and glasses available to buy, some even have colour changing images when a cold drink is poured into them, just like magic. It is sure to entertain and wow the little ones during this magical time of the year. 

10. Place Settings

From plates to cutlery, setting the table in a Harry Potter theme will add to the excitement and magic of your Harry Potter-themed Christmas. Cutlery is a pretty standard thing, however, you could add a wand on each plate setting so you could have some fun at the table using spells, rather than saying ‘please pass the gravy’ you could say ‘acio gravy’. Adding some Harry Potter Christmas crackers will also add that fun to the Christmas table this year, as they are filled with some classic cracker toys and some Harry Potter-themed ones, there are even some Harry Potter jokes – what a bonus!

11. Place Cards

Get crafty this Christmas and make your very own Placecards but with a Harry Potter twist. Your place cards could have any Harry Potter design you want, it could be a fun activity for kiddies, family and friends to do either the night before or on Christmas day. Or have Ferrero Rocher chocolates, cut out some paper and stick them to the golden packaging to resemble a golden snitch. You could even assign your guests with characters if you wanted to make the day a little more interesting. The assigned characters could be for a game of Cluedo or Murder Mystery to add a little mystery to this magical day. 

12. Candles

Having tall tapered candles will not only add elegance to this magical table setting but also magic itself. If you place them in clear, glass candle holders at different heights it will make the candles seem as though they are floating just like magic. You do however have to be careful with these candles, too tall and you should be very aware of your surroundings especially if little ones are present. Tea lights are just as effective as tapered candles on a dinner table, in fact, they add a warm, cosy atmosphere to the table as well as magic. 

Clothing

13. Jumpers

Just like Molly Weasley have everyone wear a knitted jumper with their initial on, spending Christmas like a true Weasley. Or have a competition the night before (or on Christmas Day) where the most Harry Potter-themed jumper wins a prize! They could be any design, or have any objects hanging off them to resemble a moment or object from Harry Potter. 

14. Cloaks

As your guests arrive greet them with a cloak that is either their Hogwarts house or a plain black cloak. If you choose to purchase cloaks for your guests go for a plain black cloak, that way you can buy multiple cloaks at once and then have your guests dress them up with their houses colours, etc. Though if your guest’s are buying their own they can buy whatever cloak is fitting. 

15. Ties

Add a tie to your attire that is in correlation to which house you are in. On Amazon, you can buy the Hogwarts houses ties for a reasonable price, that either yourself or your guests could buy for the big day. 

16. Smart Attire

As the Goblet of Fire’s Yule Ball is at Christmastime and is, of course, a Ball. You and your guests could spend the day in your best finery like the cast did in the Yule Ball scene. Your dresses could match those that were worn in the film itself, just like Hermione’s Yule Ball dress that turned everyone’s head and is sure to do the same on Christmas Day!

Harry Potter Food & Drink

17. Snacks

As some picky snacks for you and your guests to enjoy before the main meal of the day, you could present a variety of snacks or a platter of snacky foods. You could name foods after the houses, cheese puffs could become Huffle Puffs, gummy snakes could become Slytherin Snakes. 

18. Baking

Baking at Christmastime is a festive classic activity to do with friends and family. When it comes to making Harry Potter-themed cakes and treats you could go the nostalgic root of decorating everything in all things Harry Potter or you could theme the titles of you baking to Harry Potter. That way you can bake the things you love the most – with an added twist of pumpkin and other spices in honour of Harry Potter – with a Harry Potter name. 

Or you could bake a gingerbread house, but rather than the typical gingerbread house, you could remake a house or structure in Harry Potter if you felt adventurous and wanted the challenge!

19. Cocktails

Assign cocktails names of Witches and Wizards or even the Hogwarts Houses. A Mojito which has green minty leaves could be a Slick Slytherin Mojito. Christmas is also a fun time to experiment with creating your own cocktails – obviously, if you are over the legal drinking age – mixing and making your own drinks is half the fun, they are your own creations with fun Harry Potter names, which you can then enjoy throughout the day. 

20. Coffees

To end the meal and day to help wind down, coffee and a sweet treat never failed to do the trick. Try out and make your very own Butterbeer Latte, the classic Butterbeer that everyone seems to love and want more of in the films can be throughout into your home in the form of a warm, comforting coffee. If you aren’t a fan of coffee try it without the coffee and make a cold milkshake style butterbeer. 

21. Desserts

There are many different desserts to serve at Christmas like the traditional Flaming Christmas Pudding and gingerbread cookies. One dessert you could make is treacle tart in honour of Ron make something sweet and delicious to end your meal with. You could even add some flavouring to the whipped cream to top it off, like pumpkin, beer or even cinnamon. 

Music

22. Harry Potter Soundtrack

Throughout the day, why not put the complete soundtrack of Harry Potter on. Most of the songs are instrumental but add that mystical and magical feel to the atmosphere putting everyone in the Harry Potter spirit as well as the Christmas spirit. 

23. Audiobooks 

Whilst you are cooking or setting up for the big day why not go back to the roots of Harry Potter and read the books, although since Christmas can be a rather busy time of year you may find yourself without time to read them all over again. So this Christmas why not treat yourself to listening to the Audiobooks of Harry Potter on Audible being read to you as you prep for the big day. 

Harry Potter Activities

24. Pictionary

If you have a whiteboard or a pinboard where you can pin up some A3-A2 pieces of paper you could play a game of Pictionary. Write out things to do with Harry Potter, names of characters, places, objects, anything and have your friends and family guess what you are drawing within 30 seconds. You could make the game more interesting by having teams and the winners get a special prize. 

25. Cluedo

Play a classic game of Cluedo this Christmas but the Harry Potter version. This version is available at selected stores and is available on Amazon for Prime Delivery. 

26. Harry Potter World

Before the big day why not have a day out with the family and or friends at the Magical Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You have to pre-book your tickets before going, of course, booking for the Christmas tour is that little bit more magical and special most find. This is because the studio is in full Christmas mode and the Great Hall is decorated and covered in all things Christmassy and resembles the Yule Ball. 

Beauty

27. Nail Art

To get into the Harry Potter mood physically, painting your nails in the Hogwarts House colours, or any Harry Potter design is sure to help you find that Harry Potter spirit this Christmas. Your nails could have different patterns and designs on or they could be simple, by having all nails block colours or one colour with a feature nail which has a glittery varnish to add that sparkle and magic to your nails. 

28. Makeup

Theme your makeup to either fit the Hogwarts colours or to fit the smart attire of dressing up. If you are choosing to fit with the colours, have your eyeshadow match your Hogwarts house or all of them if you are feeling ambitious. You could use 3 variations of one colour to create smokey eye look. Or use the main colour you want as your main colour and add a shimmery or glittery eyeshadow to your eyelid, winter corners and brow bone to add that sparkle and magic to your face as well as your nails. 

Even your lipstick could match your eyeshadow, or a simple understated colour so that the eyeshadow is the main event of your look. You could even add gems or the lightning bolt to your face just like Harry himself has. 

Films

29. Movie Marathon

Have a movie marathon of all the films playing throughout the day – the Goblet of Fire has a Christmas scene could replicate (finish the day on the goblet of fire then watch rest the following days). The Goblet of Fire has a beautiful Yule Ball scene set at Christmas, ending the day on this film is sure to put you in the Christmas, magical spirit. It also means you’ll be eager to finish the saga the following days after the big day!