• When throwing a Christmas party, the last thing you want to be is boring. A Western theme will make your party stand out and be memorable. Western decorations, costumes and entertainment combined with your family's Christmas traditions will make a fun-filled party for all.
  
  

Decorations

• The decorations set the mood of your party, and give you the opportunity to impress your guests with your eye for details. Rather than a Christmas tree, decorate a Christmas cactus. If the spiny plant isn't festive enough for you, decorate the tree with red chili-pepper lights or cowboy boot lights. Find horseshoe ornaments or any ornaments with a horse theme. Rather than a tree skirt, scatter hay under the tree. Set out bales of hay or wagon wheels around the house. Over the bar area, make a "Joe's Saloon" sign, but use your own name. Deck the halls with inflatable cacti or fake tumbleweed. Don't hang stockings. Hang personalized cowboy boots over the mantle instead.
  
  

Costumes

• Costumes are essential to the theme, so make sure guests dress up. Include instructions on the invitation, which you can make look like a wanted poster. Denim skirts or jeans with plaid shirts are staples. Add red or green bandannas, cowboy hats and cowboy boots. Bolo ties and fake gun harnesses can be found at costume shops. If there is a Santa at your party, give him some cowboy boots and a big Western belt buckle rather than the normal black one. Top Santa off with a cowboy hat.
  
  

Entertainment

• Play country-western Christmas music for the party. Think Patsy Cline, George Jones or Johnny Cash. Provide southwestern food at the party, such as chili, nachos or barbecue. Serve beer and whiskey in old-fashioned metal mugs, if you can find them. For a fancier drink experience, make spicy margaritas. Hire someone to teach your guests line dancing or square dancing. Give your guests Western party favors, such as bandannas or ornaments for their trees. If you decide to go caroling, bring cowbells.