The time for secret Santa pairings and holiday parties is on the horizon. The formula for the latter is fairly simple: make food, put up some Christmas trees, and invite your friends over. But what if you’d like to plan something a bit more unique for your friends and family this year? Don’t worry – we have you covered.
It’s no surprise that the Tonybet team loves casino games. That’s what makes us the perfect source for the ultimate holiday party: a casino night. Instead of sit-down dinners and nostalgic movies, why not create a winter wonderland escape filled with table games, Vegas vibes, and even some tasty finger foods?
We’ve pulled together the best holiday casino night ideas in this quick, easy-to-understand guide. Let’s explore what Tonybet has to offer as you plan this year’s holiday getaway!
Tip 1: Set the scene with a red and white theme
The first step to hosting the casino night of your dreams is picking the right theme! You can be as elaborate or straightforward as you like, with a wide array of different colour schemes and decoration options to suit almost any idea. For a holiday casino night, we’d recommend a simple red and white theme.
Red and white casino night themes are designed to push players a bit closer to fully embracing the holiday spirit without defaulting to common red and green decorations. It’s an elevated option, though it certainly doesn’t have to be if the hosts prefer something a bit warmer and simple. From tablecloths to streamers and everything in between, here are some casino night design ideas!
One of the biggest factors in a great casino night is table décor. This is especially important when table games are a primary source of entertainment. To truly set the scene, we recommend quality table coverings and centrepieces. Consider either cloth or vinyl covers that don’t break down with moisture exposure when you’re serving food and drinks! A rich, deep, vibrant red is probably the best table choice. Centrepieces might include holiday signs, Christmas lights, and Christmas ornaments. The sky is truly the limit.
With that sorted, it’s time to add a few more elements to the layout. Christmas trees, candles, tinsel, garland and poinsettias are all great features for a red and white theme. And, of course, glittering snow and bright snowflakes provide the perfect finishing touches.
Tip 2: Plan your games like a pro
Once your theme has been nailed down, it’s time to move on to the game planning. Since the games you pick will form the cornerstone of your night, this is an important step. There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting casino games.
First, think about the party attendees. Are there any games they’re familiar with? Sometimes, groups of friends and acquaintances play specific games with a more casual approach. Poker, Yahtzee and euchre, for example, are commonly played for recreation. If there aren’t specific games that all players know, opt for the classics. Card games such as blackjack and poker are nearly universal. Roulette is an easy option for players who would rather spin a wheel every now and then between drinks than sit down to play longer games.
Don’t worry about expanding past ‘traditional’ casino games – the great thing about a casino night is that it can be as conventional or creative as possible. You might consider things such as board games, Uno or Cheat, for example, to cater to your attendees’ tastes. Incorporating outside elements into classic games may also be a good choice. For theatre kids, adding karaoke to something like poker, where players must sing to secure chips, is sometimes a winning idea. Using food as currency is also always a popular substitution.
Above all, remember to keep your guests’ enjoyment in mind. Avoid complicated games that require a lot of brainpower to learn and stick with simple titles that allow attendees to interact socially between games.
Tip 3: Serve food and drinks with a Vegas twist
Las Vegas has long been associated with glitz and glamour. While the area is low-key during the day, the casinos come to life at night. While games are, of course, one of the primary attractions here, food and drinks are a close second. After all, who goes to Vegas on an empty stomach?
First, let’s discuss drinks. If you’ve ever watched a casino film, you’ll likely be aware of how ubiquitous drinks can be in the broader Las Vegas casino scene. Familiar classics are the way to go here. For some, this means traditional alcoholic beverages such as martinis and champagne, though we would recommend staying away from shots or strong beverages to help keep things casual and ensure low stakes for everyone.
While alcoholic beverages are a classic go-to, don’t worry if you’d rather keep things on the dry side. We recommend making Vegas-style ‘mocktails’ that provide signature flavour combinations with tongue-in-cheek names such as the Sin City Sunset or Neon Margarita. The goal here is to serve beverages that are a bit more unique than soda or water without adding exotic or alcoholic ingredients. You might also consider ice cream floats, Italian sodas or milkshakes!
As far as food goes, we recommend that you keep things simple. Stay away from elaborate meals and instead look at charcuterie and cheese boards, bite-sized hors d’oeuvres and gourmet snack bars. If you want to play up the Las Vegas connection, opt for glamorous dishes such as smoked salmon canapés, shrimp cocktail and steak bites.
Tip 4: Add entertainment and ambience
It might seem like the night is complete, but there are a few finishing touches to keep in mind. When you think about Vegas, do you think only of gambling, or do you also think of stage shows, concerts, dance floors and flashy events? The goal of your casino night is to plan something worthy of its Las Vegas roots, and that includes ‘complementary entertainment’.
In addition to the selected casino games, you might also consider offering the following:
- Photo booths
- Cocktail (or mocktail) stations complete with flair bartenders
- Roaming magicians
- Live entertainment such as jazz trios or impersonators
- Dedicated dance floors
Remember that this is a holiday-themed casino night! Don’t hesitate to include holiday elements alongside the Vegas vibes. Themed props for the photo booth, Santa hats for visitors or entertainers, and Christmas lights can help add the perfect amount of holiday-themed ambience to your Vegas-worthy event.
Tip 5: Keep the energy high with music and lighting
Now that we have the theme, décor, food, drinks, games and entertainment taken care of, it’s time to think about how to maintain a high energy. Parties naturally begin to wind down after a while, but there are things you can do to try to keep it going for a bit longer! Music and lighting are crucial to building a high-energy event.
Music is an incredibly important part of a successful casino night. This is especially true for the holidays, where music is integral to the festive spirit! We recommend casual holiday-themed music such as the dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack. Music from this era not only offers a slightly easier listening experience than electropop, but also brings to mind the Golden Age of Las Vegas casinos.
Don’t underestimate the impact that lighting can have on energy! Using warm light is great for cosy social spaces where visitors are sitting and chatting, but perhaps less so when it comes to dance floors and casino tables. Opt for cooler, slightly brighter lighting in these areas to keep players engaged and encourage people to dance.
Are you ready to plan your holiday casino night this year? Take a look at Tonybet’s expansive casino game catalogue for game ideas!
