Christmas is all about games for me. From hushed competitions with my cousins on Christmas Eve to playing board games with my aunts and uncle on Christmas night, games have been an essential part of my holiday traditions. Without a game or two, it just wouldn’t feel like Christmas.
When planning games for Christmas, it’s crucial to consider the audience and the size of the gathering. Some games may not be suitable for office Christmas parties or family events with young children or grandparents. It’s all about finding the right balance of fun and appropriateness.
Here are some Christmas game options to add extra joy to this year’s holiday celebration. You can mix and match them for different audiences – Christmas Music Name That Tune, for example, works well for both kids and adults. The goal is to create a festive atmosphere and make lasting memories with loved ones.
All-Ages Christmas Games to Play With Your Family
- Christmas Charades: Christmas charades is a classic game that can be enjoyed by all generations in the family. Gather the family members, write down various Christmas-related words or phrases on separate cards, and place them in a bowl. Players take turns picking a card and acting out the word or phrase without speaking while others guess. It’s a great way to encourage creativity, laughter, and bonding among family members.
- Santa’s Scavenger Hunt: Organize a fun scavenger hunt around the house or yard with a Christmas twist. Hide small gifts or clues related to Christmas items, and create a list of clues for family members to find them. The first person or team to find all the hidden items or solve the clues wins a special prize. This game fosters teamwork and excitement, making it perfect for family gatherings.
- Christmas Trivia Challenge: Test your family’s knowledge of Christmas traditions, history, and fun facts with a Christmas trivia challenge. Prepare a set of questions with multiple-choice answers or true/false statements. Divide the family into teams and see who can answer the most questions correctly. It’s not only entertaining but also a great opportunity to learn more about the holiday together.
- Gingerbread House Decorating Contest: Host a gingerbread house decorating contest where family members can showcase their artistic skills. Provide each participant with a pre-built gingerbread house kit and a variety of colorful candies, icing, and decorations. Set a time limit, and let the creativity flow! Once the decorating is complete, have a panel of judges (or the whole family) vote on the best-decorated gingerbread house. The winner gets bragging rights and perhaps a small prize.
Crowd-Pleasing Party Games for Christmas
- Ugly Sweater Competition: The ugly sweater competition has become a beloved tradition during Christmas parties. Encourage guests to wear their most outrageously festive and quirky holiday sweaters. Set up a voting station where partygoers can cast their votes for the ugliest sweater. The person with the most votes wins the title of the ugliest sweater champion!
- Christmas Karaoke: Bring out the inner superstar in your guests with a Christmas karaoke session. Prepare a selection of popular Christmas songs and create a karaoke setup with a microphone and a screen for lyrics. Let the guests take turns performing their favorite holiday tunes. It’s a great way to spread cheer and laughter during the party.
- Ornament Guessing Game: Fill a clear jar with various Christmas ornaments and holiday-themed trinkets. Display the jar and provide slips of paper for guests to write down their guesses on how many ornaments are inside. At the end of the party, announce the correct number, and the person with the closest guess wins a small prize.
- Holiday Bingo: Create personalized Christmas Bingo cards with holiday-themed images or words. Distribute the cards to guests and use Christmas candies or small ornaments as markers. The host calls out random Christmas-related items, and players mark off the corresponding items on their cards. The first person to achieve a Bingo (a straight line, four corners, etc.) calls out “Bingo!” and wins a prize.
Christmas Party Games to Play with Co-Workers
- Gift Exchange Game: Organize a gift exchange game, such as “White Elephant” or “Secret Santa,” among your co-workers. Each person brings a wrapped gift within a set budget, and participants take turns selecting a gift or stealing one from someone who has already chosen. It’s a fun and interactive way to exchange presents while enjoying some laughs.
- Office Trivia Challenge: Test your co-workers’ knowledge of office inside jokes, team events, and funny incidents with an office trivia challenge. Create a set of questions that revolve around the workplace and its culture. Divide the employees into teams, and let the competition begin. The team with the most correct answers wins the title of office trivia champions.
- Christmas Pictionary: Play a festive round of Christmas Pictionary during the office party. Prepare a list of Christmas-related words or phrases, and divide employees into teams. Each team takes turns selecting a card and drawing the word or phrase on a whiteboard or paper while their teammates guess what it is. It’s a lighthearted and engaging game that encourages teamwork and creativity.
- Office Holiday Decorating Contest: Organize a holiday decorating contest within the office or workspace. Encourage co-workers to decorate their desks, cubicles, or work areas in a festive and creative manner. Have a designated day for judging, and let everyone vote for their favorite holiday workspace. The winner gets recognition and perhaps a small gift card or treat.
Christmas Games for Couples (or Small Parties)
- Christmas Movie Trivia: Challenge your friends or partner’s knowledge of classic Christmas movies with a Christmas movie trivia game. Create a list of questions related to famous holiday films and see who can correctly answer the most questions. It’s a great activity to enjoy with a small group, especially if you’re snuggled up on the couch with a warm cup of cocoa.
- Couple’s Gingerbread House Challenge: For couples or small groups, a gingerbread house decorating challenge can be a delightful and competitive activity. Each couple or team gets their gingerbread house kit and must work together to create the most impressive design. Share laughs, create memories, and see who can construct the sweetest gingerbread abode.
- Christmas Charades for Two: Put a romantic twist on the classic charades game by playing Christmas-themed charades for couples. Write down holiday-related words or phrases on separate cards, and take turns acting them out without speaking while the partner guesses. It’s a fantastic way to have some fun and connect with your loved one during the holiday season.
- Winter Wonderland Scavenger Hunt: Create a winter wonderland-themed scavenger hunt for couples or small groups. Hide clues around the house or outdoor space, leading participants to various Christmas-themed items or treats. The first couple or team to complete the scavenger hunt wins a cozy winter surprise, such as a warm blanket or holiday-scented candles.