These are the best Christmas games for adults and families.
As Christmas quickly approaches, that means that fun and festive holiday parties are also right around the corner.
That’s why, I’ve put together this collection of the best Christmas games for adults. Several of the games on this list are great options for families as well.
One of my favorite things about playing games at Christmas parties is that not only are they fun, they’re good ice-breakers, and a unique way to create lasting memories.
So, whether you’re hosting a small get-together for the holidays or a big Christmas party, these games are perfect for adding to the holiday cheer!
13 Best Christmas Games for Adults (and Families)
Below you’ll find a variety of Christmas games that are good for adults and family friendly. From classic party games to funny new ideas I hope you’ll enjoy. I’ve also included instructions and tips to help ensure these games are a success!
1. Christmas Movie Trivia
What is Christmas Movie Trivia:
In this Christmas trivia game, your knowledge about holiday movies is put to the test. You can team up or play solo to answer questions about popular Christmas movies.
How to Play Christmas Movie Trivia:
Each player or team will receive a printable Christmas movie trivia playing card with a variety of trivia questions. Each team or player must give their best guess to the Christmas questions!
Tip: Consider using actual movie quotes or even clips to make this Christmas trivia game even more fun!
2. Guess the Christmas Song
What is the Guess the Christmas Song Game:
This Guess the Christmas Song game is a fun holiday game where players try to guess popular Christmas songs from short clips or lyrics.
How to Play Guess the Christmas Song Game:
- Prepare a playlist of well-known Christmas songs and play a short clip (5-10 seconds) of each song.
- You can have each player play individually or in teams.
- After listening to the short clip of the Christmas song, players guess the name of the song.
- Players get a point for each correct guess.
- At the end of the game, whoever has the most points wins.
Tip: To make this game more challenging, consider humming the song instead of playing the clip.
3. Christmas Charades
What is Christmas Charades:
Charades is a classic game, but the Christmas Charades version is a great twist to the original for holiday parties.
How to Play Christmas Charades:
- Write down Christmas or holiday-themed ideas for players to act out. Use prompts such as building a snowman, wrapping presents, or decorating cookies.
- Split into teams and take turns acting out each prompt without speaking while teammates guess.
- The team with the most correct guesses wins.
Tip: Use a timer to keep the momentum going!
4. Christmas Bingo (Free Printable)
What is Christmas Bingo:
Christmas Bingo is a classic game with a fun and festive twist. This printable game is great for groups of all ages and sizes.
How to Play Christmas Bingo:
- Download and print out Christmas Bingo cards.
- Use holiday-themed markers (like little mints or red hots) to mark spaces.
- The first person to get five in a row yells something like “Happy Holidays” or ”Merry Christmas!” and wins a prize.
Tip: Have a variety of small Christmas-themed prizes for winners.
5. Christmas Karaoke
What is Christmas Karaoke:
Christmas karaoke is the perfect way to turn your holiday party into a full-on karaoke night! Let everyone show off their singing skills to the holiday classics!
How to Play Christmas Karaoke:
- Set up a karaoke machine or use a karaoke app.
- Create a list of popular holiday songs and have your guests pick what they want to sing.
- Gift prizes for the best singers! You can do creative rewards like the funniest or the most off-key performance.
Tip: Provide Christmas props for your guests to use while they perform. Consider items like Santa hats, ugly sweaters, or flashing Christmas light necklaces.
6. Reindeer Ring Toss
What is the Reindeer Ring Toss Game:
This is a lighthearted Christmas game where players try to toss rings onto reindeer antlers. The Reindeer Ring Toss game is perfect for all ages, can be played indoors or outdoors, and adds a fun bit of competition to any holiday party.
How to Play the Reindeer Ring Toss Game:
- Get a reindeer antler headband for a player to wear or use a reindeer antler stand.
- Set a distance from which players must toss rings.
- Players take turns trying to ring the antlers. Each successful toss earns a point.
- Play until each player has had a set number of turns.
- The person with the most points at the end wins a small prize.
Tip: Consider decorating rings or antlers with bells or Christmas lights to make it more challenging. It also can be fun to divide the players into teams and play as teams instead of individuals.
7. White Elephant Gift Exchange
What is a White Elephant Gift Exchange:
If you’ve not heard of a White Elephant gift exchange you’re in for a treat. This is a holiday game that combines gift-giving with a touch of friendly competition.
How to Play the White Elephant Gift Exchange Game:
- Each guest brings a wrapped, inexpensive gift (set a price limit to keep it fair).
- Guests take turns choosing a gift to open or stealing an already-opened gift from someone else. Gifts can only be stolen a set number of times to keep the game moving.
Tip: Make it even more fun by having a theme, like quirky Christmas, where gifts must be funny or unusual. You can choose any theme you want, but this can help guide guests to purchase gifts of a certain variety.
8. Christmas Pictionary
What is Christmas Pictionary:
Christmas Pictionary is a great way to get creative and laugh. This game is perfect for large groups, it’s easy to play and requires minimal setup which is a plus.
How to Play Christmas Pictionary:
- Write down Christmas-related items or actions (for example: mistletoe, Santa Claus, baking cookies) on pieces of paper.
- Split into two teams and have players draw the prompt while their teammates guess. Keep track of the points, and the team with the most correct guesses wins.
Tip: Use a whiteboard or large easel with a big paper pad for easy drawing.
9. Christmas Scavenger Hunt (Free Printable)
What is a Christmas Scavenger Hunt:
A Christmas Scavenger Hunt is an activity where players search for holiday-themed items hidden around the home or a certain location. This game is perfect for getting everyone connecting, exploring, and discovering holiday-themed surprises. You can play this game indoors or outdoors, making it a good option for any holiday celebration.
How to do a Christmas Scavenger Hunt:
- Download and print the free Christmas Scavenger Hunt list, which includes items like “find a red ornament,” “spot a wrapped gift,” or “locate something that smells like cinnamon.”
- Hide the listed items around the area or designate locations where items need to be spotted or identified.
- Give each player or team a printed list and a pen to check off items as they find them.
- Set a timer (15-30 minutes) for players to complete the hunt. The first person or team to check off all items wins or the person/team with the most items found when time’s up gets the prize.
Tip: Consider including small prizes or treats hidden with certain items. This makes it extra fun and adds a reward for those who find the special items on the list!
10. Roll the Dice Gift Exchange Game
What is the Roll the Dice Gift Exchange Game:
The Roll the Dice Gift Exchange is a fun and unpredictable twist to a traditional gift exchange. This game is perfect for groups, it keeps everyone engaged and excited as gifts are passed in different directions based on dice rolls.
How to Play the Roll the Dice Gift Exchange Game:
- Each person brings a wrapped gift, and all gifts are placed in a pile.
- Players sit in a circle, and each person takes turns rolling a dice. The number rolled determines what they do with their gift.
Create a simple guide for the rolls:
- Swap your gift with the person to your left.
- Swap your gift with the person to your right.
- Choose any player and swap gifts with them.
- Everyone passes their gift to the left.
- Everyone passes their gift to the right.
- Keep your gift and roll again,
- After a set number of rolls or a time limit, each person keeps the gift in their hands.
Tip: Make a list of the dice rules on a holiday-themed printable handout so everyone can quickly reference it. For a fun twist, pick a number that is considered a wild card roll where players can decide their own action!
11. Never Have I Ever Christmas Game
What is the Never Have I Ever Christmas Game:
This Christmas game adds a festive twist to the classic “Never Have I Ever” game! It’s a perfect icebreaker game. This game is a lighthearted way for everyone to open up and share unique holiday experiences.
How to Play the Never Have I Ever Christmas Game:
- Each person takes turns saying something they’ve never done related to Christmas, starting with “Never have I ever…” For example, “Never have I ever looked at my presents before Christmas” or “Never have I ever been kissed under the mistletoe.”
- Anyone who has done the mentioned activity has to take a sip of their drink (or perform a fun holiday dare if you’re playing without drinks).
- Continue around the circle, with each player taking turns making a Christmas confession. The game can be played until everyone’s had a chance to make a few statements or until the drinks (or dares) run out!
Tip: To get everyone in the holiday spirit, prepare a list of Christmas specific prompts ahead of time, like “Never have I ever sung jingle bells in the snow” or “Never have I ever written a letter to Santa.”
12. Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest
What is a Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest:
I love how this game doubles as an activity and a friendly competition. Set up a cookie decorating station and let everyone get in the holiday spirit with cookie decorating.
How to have a Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest:
Provide sugar or gingerbread cookies, frosting, sprinkles, and edible decorations. Give players a time limit to decorate their cookies as creatively as possible. You can award different prizes for categories like most creative, funniest, most festive, and best overall.
Tip: I like to make this a blind vote so no one knows who decorated which cookie. Have all guests set their cookies with a number out on display and guests can vote on what cookie is their favorite. The person with the most votes wins.
13. Guess the Christmas Scent
What is Guess the Christmas Scent:
This is a fun sensory game that involves smelling various Christmas-related scents and trying to guess what they are. It’s a unique holiday activity that’s sure to be a hit!
How to Play Guess the Christmas Scent:
- Collect various scented items like pine, cinnamon, peppermint, and gingerbread (anything holiday-related).
- Blindfold each player and have them smell each item, guessing the scent.
- Give points for each correct guess.
- Whoever gets the most correct guesses wins.
Tip: Make sure the scents are distinct to avoid any confusion. A good reward for this game is a holiday-scented candle.
Final Thoughts on the Best Christmas Games for Adults (and Families)
There are a variety of fun and festive Christmas games for adults that can be played at holiday gatherings this season. These games are the perfect way to break the ice, share laughter, and create new memories.
Whether you’re planning a low-key get-together at home or a big holiday celebration, I hope that you’ve found a game on this list that you can add to your holiday festivities this year.
This post was all about the best Christmas games for adults.
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