Whether you’re hosting a Christmas gathering for family, friends, or coworkers, having a selection of fun games can take your celebration to the next level.
These Christmas games can break the ice, encourage interaction, and ensure everyone has a fantastic time at your holiday event.
From classic favorites to creative new ideas, there are countless options to suit every age group and party size. Discover the best Christmas games that will make your celebration unforgettable.
Christmas Charades
Add a twist to a classic game and act out holiday-themed words and phrases.
To play, divide into teams and take turns acting out Christmas-related words. The actor must use gestures and facial expressions without speaking or mouthing words.
Set a time limit of one minute for each round to keep the game moving. The team that guesses correctly earns a point.
You can create your own list of Christmas charade ideas or use a pre-made list with over 500 options.
Santa Limbo
Instead of just bending backward, players must wear a Santa’s belly as they go under the bar, something like a pillow would work well.
To set up, you’ll need a limbo stick or a broom handle. Decorate it with tinsel or garland for extra Christmas cheer. Have players line up and take turns attempting to pass under the bar, lowering it after each turn.
Remember, touching the bar or falling means you’re out. The last person standing (or should we say, limboing) wins the game.
Reindeer Ring Toss
This inflatable Christmas game is perfect for some kid-friendly fun.
One player wears the antlers while others try to toss rings onto them. It’s trickier than it looks!
Set up a scoring system to make things competitive. Award points based on where the rings land – maybe more for the antler tips and less for the base.
Want to add a twist? Try playing in teams or incorporating Christmas trivia. Get a question right, and you earn a toss!
This game is great for all ages. Kids will love the silly antlers, while adults can enjoy some friendly competition. You can even play outdoors if weather permits.
Don’t have the inflatable version? No worries! You can make your own with cardboard antlers and some creativity. The important thing is to have fun and embrace the holiday spirit.
Pin the Nose on Rudolph
Get ready for a reindeer-themed twist on a classic party game! Pin the Nose on Rudolph is a fun activity that’s perfect for your Christmas gathering.
To set up, you’ll need a large picture of Rudolph’s face without his signature red nose. You can easily find printable versions online or create your own.
Cut out several red circles to serve as Rudolph’s nose. Attach a small piece of tape or adhesive to the back of each nose.
Hang the Rudolph picture on a wall at eye level for your guests. Blindfold each player, give them a gentle spin, and watch as they try to pin the nose in the correct spot.
Musical Christmas Chairs
Musical chairs is a classic party game that can be easily adapted for Christmas. Set up chairs in a circle, one fewer than the number of players.
Play Christmas music as players walk around the chairs. When the music stops, everyone must quickly find a seat. The person left standing is out of the game.
Remove another chair and continue playing until only one person remains. This final player is the winner.
Candy Cane Hunt
A candy cane hut is a fun game to play this Christmas. This exciting Christmas activity is perfect for both kids and adults.
To set up the game, hide candy canes around your house or yard. You can make it as easy or challenging as you like, depending on the age group of your participants.
Once you’ve hidden the candy canes, give each player a small basket or bag to collect their finds. Set a time limit to add an extra element of excitement to the hunt.
For younger children, you might want to use larger candy canes that are easier to spot. For older kids or adults, try hiding mini candy canes in more difficult locations.
Gift Wrap Relay
Get ready for a hilarious wrapping challenge! This game will test your speed and dexterity as you race to wrap presents.
Divide your guests into teams. Each team needs wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and small gift boxes. Line up the teams at one end of the room, with wrapping supplies at the other end.
When you say “go,” the first player from each team runs to the wrapping station. They must wrap a gift as quickly and neatly as possible using only one hand. Once finished, they run back and tag the next player.
The relay continues until all team members have wrapped a gift. The first team to complete the challenge wins. You can add extra fun by having judges rate the wrapping quality.
You could also use oversized boxes or oddly shaped items to increase the difficulty.
This game is perfect for all ages and skill levels (let younger kids use both hands). It’s sure to bring laughter and create lasting memories at your Christmas party.
Christmas Bingo
Christmas Bingo is a festive twist on the classic game that’s perfect for holiday gatherings. You can easily create your own Christmas Bingo cards with holiday-themed images or words or get a printable version.
To play, hand out bingo cards to all participants. Call out the items on the cards randomly. Players mark off the called items on their cards.
The first player to complete a row, column, or diagonal line shouts “Bingo!” and wins the game. You can also play for a full card if you want a longer game.
For added fun, use small candies or chocolate coins as markers. Winners can enjoy their edible prizes after the game.
Ugly Sweater Contest
An ugly sweater contest is a must-have for any festive Christmas gathering. Encourage your guests to wear their most outrageous and over-the-top sweaters to the party. The tackier and more ridiculous, the better!
Set up a judging panel or let everyone vote for their favorites. You can create different categories like “Most Festive,” “Most Creative,” or “Ugliest of All.”
Don’t forget to set up a photo booth area where guests can show off their ugly sweaters. Use festive backdrops and props to make the pictures even more memorable.
For an extra twist, consider hosting a DIY ugly sweater station. Provide plain sweaters, glue guns, and various decorations like tinsel, baubles, and glitter. Let your guests channel their creativity and make their own ugly sweaters right at the party.
Snowball Toss
To set up, you’ll need some ping pong balls to act as “snowballs” and a few cups for targets. Arrange the cups on a table or the floor, assigning different point values to each.
Players take turns tossing the snowballs into the cups. The farther away the cup, the higher the points it’s worth. You can make it more challenging by having players stand further back or by using smaller cups.
You could also try using white cotton balls instead of ping-pong balls. They’re lighter and more unpredictable, adding some difficulty to the game.
You can play individually or in teams. Set a timer for one minute and see who can score the most points before time runs out. This fast-paced format keeps everyone engaged and laughing.
Christmas Pictionary
A Christmas Pictionary is a fun and easy-to-set-up drawing game. You’ll need game cards with Christmas words, drawing materials, and a timer.
Divide your group into teams. One player from each team takes turns drawing clues for their teammates to guess the word. Set a time limit for each round, typically 60 seconds.
The drawer can’t use words, numbers, or gestures – only pictures!
Keep score by awarding points for correct guesses. The team with the most points at the end wins.
Cookie Decorating Contest
A cookie decorating contest will bring some holiday cheer to your Christmas gathering. Set up a table with plain sugar cookies, various colored frostings, sprinkles, and decorating tools.
Give each participant a set number of cookies to decorate within a time limit.
Once the decorating time is up, display all the cookies for everyone to admire. You can have categories for judging, such as “Most Creative,” “Best Use of Color,” or “Most Christmassy.”
Let guests vote for their favorites or appoint a panel of judges to determine the winners.
Holiday Trivia
Holiday trivia is a perfect game to test your Christmas knowledge and have fun with friends and family. You can set up teams or play individually, making it adaptable for any gathering size.
To get started, gather a mix of Christmas trivia questions covering various topics like holiday movies, songs, and traditions. Include a range of difficulty levels to keep everyone engaged.
You can organize the game in rounds, focusing on different themes for each. For example, one round might be all about Christmas movies, while another could center on holiday food and treats.
To keep the game moving, set a time limit for answers.
Christmas Mad Libs
This classic word game gets a festive twist with Christmas-themed stories and prompts.
To play, one person asks the others for specific types of words – nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc. These words are then inserted into a pre-written story, creating a silly and often nonsensical tale.
You can find free printable Christmas Mad Libs online. Print out enough copies for everyone at your party to enjoy.
Mad Libs are perfect for all ages. Kids love coming up with wacky words, while adults can get creative with more sophisticated vocabulary.
Try themed versions like “Santa’s Workshop” or “The Night Before Christmas” for extra holiday cheer. You can even create your own Christmas Mad Libs using familiar carols or stories as a base.
Stocking Fillers Challenge
To start, provide each player with an empty stocking and a pile of small items (can be anything you have around the house that would fit into a stocking).
Set a timer for three minutes and let the stuffing frenzy begin!
Players must try to fit as many items into their stocking as possible before time runs out. The catch? You can only use one hand to stuff the stocking, making it trickier than you might think.
When the timer dings, count how many items each player managed to stuff. The person with the most items in their stocking wins the game!
Holiday Scattergories
Christmas Scattergories is easy to set up and provides hours of entertainment for players of all ages.
You’ll need printable game sheets (or make your own), a timer, and pens. You can include categories like “Christmas foods,” “holiday decorations,” and “winter activities.”
Choose a letter to start each round. Set the timer for 2-3 minutes. Players then race to fill in answers for each category, using words that begin with the chosen letter.
After each round, players read their answers aloud. Cross out any duplicates with other players. Tally up the scores and move on to the next letter.
Christmas Scavenger Hunt
A Christmas scavenger hunt adds excitement and adventure to your holiday gathering. This game is perfect for all ages and can be tailored to suit indoor or outdoor settings.
To set up your hunt, create a list of Christmas-themed items or clues. You can hide wrapped presents in various locations and provide riddles for players to solve.
Ornament Spoon Race
Get ready for a hilarious Christmas-themed relay race that combines two holiday favorites!
To set up, you’ll need spoons, small plastic ornaments, and some artificial mistletoe. Divide your guests into teams of equal size.
Place a stack of ornaments at one end of the room. Each team starts from the opposite end. One player from each team runs to grab a decoration, bringing it back balanced on their spoon.
Once a player successfully returns with their ornament, they must pass it to a teammate. The new player then has to balance the ornament on their spoon and race to hang it on a designated area.
Continue the relay until all ornaments are hung. The first team to complete the task wins! Be prepared for plenty of giggles and maybe a few dropped ornaments along the way.
Guess the Christmas Scent
Gather your guests to test their ability to identify classic holiday aromas.
To set up, collect various Christmas-scented items and place them in small jars or containers. Cover each container with a cloth or lid to hide its contents.
Popular scent options include cinnamon sticks, pine needles, peppermint, gingerbread, and vanilla. Don’t forget to include some unexpected holiday fragrances to keep players on their toes.
Number each container and provide players with answer sheets. Have participants sniff each container and write down their guesses.
You can make the game more challenging by adding similar scents or combining multiple aromas in one container.
Cotton Balls Toss
To set up, you’ll need a Christmas wreath, a bowl, and a bag of cotton balls. Place the wreath at a distance and put the bowl behind it.
Players take turns standing behind a designated line. Your goal is to toss as many balls through the wreath and into the bowl as possible in just one minute.
It’s trickier than it sounds! The light cotton balls can be unpredictable in flight.
Count how many balls make it into the bowl when your minute is up. The player with the highest count wins the game and perhaps a special Christmas treat!
This game is great for all ages. Kids will love the challenge, and adults can get competitive too.
Santa’s Workshop Murder Mystery Dinner Party Game
Hosting a Christmas murder mystery party can be a fun way to entertain your guests. It’s ideal for teens and adults and works well for a small gathering (can be played by up to 20 players).
This pack includes everything needed to play and features a thrilling mystery taking place in Santa’s workshop.
Christmas Board Games
You can find a Christmas version of many classic board games online. Host a tournament or set up a game corner to keep the kids busy.
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