The PR Creative Digital Editable White Elephant Invitation is a navy and gold Canva template for a gift exchange party. Change the headline to "Friendsmas" and it works as an elegant Friendsmas invitation. It includes a 5x7 printable and a 1080x1920 phone version, all text is editable with a free Canva account, and it comes with a free 18-page party planner printable and a free party planner web app.
Friendsmas is the Christmas party you actually look forward to. There's no office small talk and no relatives quizzing you about your career, just your favorite people, good food, and usually a gift exchange. If you're hosting this year and want the invitation to feel grown-up instead of cartoonish, here's how to choose one, what to put on it, and wording you can borrow.
What makes a Friendsmas invitation different
A Friendsmas invite does two jobs. It sets a date in a crowded December calendar, and it tells friends what kind of night to expect. Is it a pajama movie night, a potluck, or a candlelit dinner with cocktails? Is there a gift exchange, and if so, what kind?
That's why the design matters as much as the wording. Many Friendsmas invitations on the market are playful: pink, glittery, gingerbread houses, or retro cartoon Santas. They're fun, but they set a casual tone. If you're planning something dressier, like a dinner party, cocktails, or a gift exchange with a decent budget, an elegant invitation sets expectations before anyone reads the details.
How to choose an elegant Friendsmas invitation
Look for these qualities:
- A rich, darker palette. Navy, deep green, burgundy or black with gold reads as evening and grown-up. Cream and pastels read as daytime and casual.
- Restrained decoration. A frame of greenery, string lights or wrapped gifts feels festive without being busy. Leave room for the text to breathe.
- A script plus a clean serif or sans-serif. One decorative script for the headline ("Friendsmas") and simple capitals for the details keeps it easy to read.
- Editable wording. Your party isn't exactly like anyone else's. You'll want to change the headline, the gift rules and the dress code.
- A phone version. Most friends will get the invite by text or in a group chat, so a tall phone-sized version (1080x1920) looks far better than a squashed 5x7.
What to include on the invitation
- Headline: "Friendsmas," "Friendsmas Gift Exchange," or "A Very Merry Friendsmas"
- Date and time, with an end time if it's a weeknight
- Location: your name plus the address
- The gift exchange: what kind (White Elephant/steal-a-gift or Secret Santa) and the gift limit
- Food and drinks: "Dinner provided," "Bring a dish to share," or "Cocktails and light bites"
- Dress code, if you have one: cocktail attire, festive sweaters, or matching pajamas
- RSVP: who to reply to and by when
Timing tip: send Friendsmas invitations three to four weeks ahead. December weekends fill up fast, and a gift exchange gives guests something to shop for.
Friendsmas invitation wording ideas
Gift exchange
You're invited to a Friendsmas Gift Exchange
Good friends, good food, and a little gift-stealing
Saturday, December 12th · 6:30 PM
Bring a wrapped gift under $25
RSVP to Sarah by December 1st
Dinner party
Join us for Friendsmas Dinner
An evening of good food, cocktails and our favorite people
Saturday, December 19th at 7 PM
Bring a bottle and a wrapped gift ($30 limit)
Cozy night in
Friendsmas at Our Place
Pajamas encouraged, gift-stealing mandatory
Friday, December 18th · 7 PM
Wrapped gift under $20 · RSVP by December 10th
Turning a White Elephant invitation into a Friendsmas invite
Here's a shortcut many hosts miss: since most Friendsmas parties include a White Elephant–style swap, an editable gift exchange invitation works perfectly as a Friendsmas invite. Just change the headline.
The Editable White Elephant Invitation in navy and gold is a good example. It has deep navy, gold-wrapped gifts, pine branches, warm string lights and a gold elephant ornament. Swap "White Elephant" for "Friendsmas" in Canva and it reads "Friendsmas Gift Exchange," with the elephant now a nod to the gift-stealing. Every word of text is editable with a free Canva account (the background artwork stays the same).
You get a 5x7 printable and a 1080x1920 phone version for the group chat. It also comes with a free 18-page Ultimate Party Planner printable and a free party planner web app. Both have a guest list, menu planner, budget and gift tracker, which helps when you're feeding a crowd in December.
The bottom line
The best Friendsmas invitations make your friends feel like they're being invited to something special. Choose a design that matches the kind of evening you're planning, cover the gift exchange details clearly, and send it early enough to beat the December rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Friendsmas?
Friendsmas is a Christmas celebration with friends rather than family. It's often a dinner, cocktail party or cozy night in, and it usually includes a gift exchange.
Can I use a White Elephant invitation for Friendsmas?
Yes. On an editable template, change the headline to "Friendsmas" or "Friendsmas Gift Exchange" and update the details. The steal-a-gift wording still fits if you're playing White Elephant.
When should I send Friendsmas invitations?
Three to four weeks before the party. That way friends can save the date before December fills up and shop for the gift exchange.
Can I send a Friendsmas invitation by text?
Yes. This template includes a 1080x1920 phone version sized for texts and group chats.