How to host a cannabis-friendly holiday party

Lights are a' twinkling, calendars a' filling, and someone you know has already broken out their favorite festive sweater. These are the telltale signs that the season of holiday parties is nigh.

And this year, we think it's high time that cannabis entered your holiday party planning repertoire — right up there with the homemade cookies, sparkly décor, and pine-scented candles.

But even for the host with the most, hosting with weed can feel like a new frontier. How do you plan a party with cannabis that keeps everyone feeling good, safe, and included?

We interviewed budtenders from across the U.S. and Canada to find out how they'd plan the perfect holiday party this year, covering everything from safety tips and product recommendations to cannabis party etiquette so that you can cover all your bases.

Planning and prep

Know your legal landscape 

First and foremost, check local regulations before hosting cannabis-friendly events. Strictly follow age restrictions and grab your green goodies only from licensed sources. These are non-negotiables.

You'll also want to review your homeowners association or apartment complex rules to ensure you aren't violating any local ordinances on consumption, especially if you intend to have smokables on hand.  

Set expectations from the start 

As Andy Downing, manager at Harvest Moon dispensary on Salt Spring Island, BC, puts it: "I don't think there's any point in hiding it. Hiding it keeps the stigma alive."

This isn't the good old days of winking and sneaking out for "fresh air." Today, cannabis is legal for adults in many places across North America. So when you send out invites, be clear that cannabis will be part of the celebration — and how. Let guests know if smokers will be in the backyard or if THC drinks will be stocked in the cooler or fridge. The goal is to normalize cannabis the same way we do alcohol at social events, while still respecting personal boundaries.

Serve accordingly

How you incorporate cannabis will depend on your specific celebration. At a family dinner, keep edibles out of sight and away from anyone underage. But at an adults-only New Year's party, infused treats can sit on the coffee table from the start (clearly labeled, of course). You'll also want more sessionable, low-dose beverages to keep the party going past midnight, rather than heavier servings meant for relaxation.

For intimate gatherings where you know everyone personally, homemade edibles can add a personal touch. But for larger events, stick with store-bought options from licensed dispensaries. This saves you from baking massive quantities and ensures consistent dosing across servings — crucial when hosting a crowd with varying tolerance levels.

Create the right atmosphere

Setting the mood is where all your previous hosting experience comes into play. Whether hosting with weed or without, it's up to you to set the tone to best curate the celebration.

We don't need to rehash the basics — after all, you already know how to host a great party — but a few minor tweaks can elevate the whole experience:

• Turn off the overhead lights: Flick on lamps, decorate with strands of lights, and even deploy a decked-out Christmas tree (if you celebrate) to make the space feel cozier and much more inviting.
• Turn on the perfect playlist: Don't let your second-cousin twice-removed take over the DJ booth. Be intentional. 
• Thoughtful décor: Replace all the usual clutter in your entryway, dining room, and kitchen with holiday décor. Use cedar swags on tables, a menorah on the fireplace mantle, or go all out with gold and silver bobbles everywhere for New Year's.

The menu

All jokes about munchies aside, for Jonathan Seamster (a.k.a. John John), a cannabis advisor with Zen Leaf Mesa, a party comes together around food. 

"Food nourishes the soul. Whenever you're having a party, you want a good food setup, with something for everybody to enjoy."

In his experience, "Good food makes people overlook the cannabis part. They'll think, 'Hey, this tastes delicious,' and then realize it's a chill event where everyone's calm and having fun."

Provide good food — and plenty of it

If you're going big, John John recommends hiring a food truck or two. For more intimate gatherings, set up a few catered food tables. Get creative, such as a latke bar with various toppings, or for New Year's, a taco bar is always a crowd pleaser. 

And no matter what the occasion, you can never skimp on desserts. But for a cannabis-friendly party, the dessert table should be strictly for non-infused goodies.

Andy was also quick to remind us that you actually want your guests eating non-infused foods at the same time as cannabis edibles, because the digestive tract works faster with more in it.  

Especially if guests haven't eaten much before the party, their slower metabolism might mean it will take longer for the effects of an edible to kick in. Having plenty of non-infused snacks on hand gives the digestive tract a little encouragement to get going.

Pairing cannabis with holiday flavors

The beauty of planning a cannabis-friendly holiday party is that classic terpene profiles — sweet, piney, spicy — naturally pair well with holiday flavors. Your options are endless: pinene-rich strains paired with rosemary and sage, limonene-rich citrusy strains complemented by cranberry sauce and sugar cookies, or tantalizing spicy strains accented with warm apple pie or gingerbread.

But according to our interviewees, the best pairings consider effects, not just flavor.

Rosie Schinners, another budtender who joined the conversation at Harvest Moon, recommends a sativa hybrid like Blue Dream because it's not just sweet and fruity — it's a socializer. John John agrees, suggesting Gelato 33 for its relaxing yet conversational quality.

"It has a very good point to where it gets you to want to talk," he adds.

For extra festive flair, Rosie suggests stocking strains with holiday-themed names like Fruit Cake or Frosted Fruit Cake for "a delicious choice that's pretty chill, not super sleepy." Rosie also recommends setting up a cannabis tasting with strains like Christmas Cookies, Jack Frost, Sugar Plum, and Candy Cane. 

And for New Year's Eve? When the clock strikes midnight, swap champagne for a sparkling zero-proof alternative infused with THC.

Stocking your cannabis bar 

Now for the fun part: stocking up with edibles, pre-rolls, infused drinks, and more before the main event. 

Drinks and edibles are top choices

Almost unanimously, the budtenders we spoke with suggested edibles and THC-infused drinks as the easiest — and safest — options. 

Brad Ingram, owner of Ingram & Sons Cannabis Co. in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, shared why this approach works so well. 

"Edibles and beverages are the easiest, because then the folks that aren't consumption-friendly aren't being impacted at all."

He particularly likes Wyld's line of gummies, or cannabis-infused, alcohol-free cocktails, like Legacy's The Rolled Fashioned. But you'll want to steer clear of homemade edibles, which are prone to wild fluctuations in potency. 

There was also unanimous agreement among the budtenders to keep the THC between 2.5 mg and 10 mg per serving, with consensus that the lower end of that range is better for most events.

Sprinkle in minor cannabinoids

Rosie suggested stocking options rich in minor cannabinoids, such as CBD and CBG. These can deliver more well-rounded effects than THC alone. For her, she'd specifically source drink and edible products with a high level of CBG.

"A lot of people have reported it makes them feel giggly, uplifted, and fun." 

Options for the more experienced guests

Finally, for the get-togethers with OGs who love a higher-THC session, John John recommends infused pre-rolls. Or better yet, setting up a dab bar. He loves Zen Leaf's On the Rocks, but a dab of any high-end live concentrate would elevate the experience for your guests.

Just be sure to have disposable straws and sanitizing wipes on hand for any shareable sessions to keep everything clean between passes.

Cannabis-friendly party etiquette and safety

• Create designated consumption zones: If you're expecting mixed company, reserve smoking and vaping for outdoor spaces like the backyard or garage. Double-check HOA rules first to avoid fines. Consider having co-hosts direct traffic to keep age-appropriate groups separated.
• Label everything clearly: Always label cannabis products with cannabinoid profiles and serving sizes. This helps guests gauge the right amount for their personal tolerance, preventing accidental overconsumption.
• Personalize it: Modern cannabis etiquette means sharing the experience, not the germs. Skip the "puff, puff, pass" routine and offer personal products, such as individual pre-rolls, or set up tabletop vaporizers and smoke stones that everyone can enjoy without direct sharing.
• Safety always comes first: Watch for signs of overconsumption, such as withdrawal from socializing, anxiety, difficulty staying awake, or nausea. Set up a quiet room with snacks and low lighting for anyone who needs to recover. If kids are present, have designated sober adults on hand.
• Navigating family dynamics: Expect at least one skeptical relative. Handle tensions gracefully with transparency beforehand, humor during the event, and respect for everyone's boundaries.

After the party

As the guests begin to check their phones, and you notice a few yawns hidden behind hands, your final duty as host is to get everyone home safely. 

Driving while under the influence of anything is illegal in all jurisdictions. When it comes to the inebriating effects of cannabis, these can stay in someone's system for far longer than alcohol.

So, if your guests have dabbled with cannabis, they should not be driving themselves home. It's your responsibility to make sure that everyone orders a taxi or uses a rideshare service. 

Finally, if you happen to have any leftover THC-infused goodies post-party, it's time to get these safely stashed before you go to bed. If the original packaging is long gone, carefully label and date the leftovers. Then store in a cool, dark environment, well out of reach of any children. 

Bottom line

With a little planning and the right products, cannabis can become a natural part of your holiday hosting tradition. Keep doses low, communication clear, and safety top of mind, and you'll create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome—whether they partake or not. Here's to a season of good vibes, great food, and celebrations that feel a little more elevated.

Order pre-rolls and edibles for pickup or delivery from a dispensary near you.