The holiday season is all about gathering with loved ones, sharing laughter, and creating memories you’ll cherish for years to come. One of the best ways to bring everyone together during the holidays is with fun and festive Christmas games. Whether you’re hosting a family get-together, planning an office holiday party, or organizing a church group celebration, the right games can turn your gathering into a joyful tradition. From lighthearted activities for kids to laugh-out-loud challenges for adults, Christmas party games set the tone for a holiday full of warmth, fun, and togetherness.
How to Use the Game Details
To help you choose the best Christmas games for your party, each game comes with a quick snapshot of what to expect. You’ll find the recommended number of players, the difficulty level (how tricky or easy the game is to play), and the activity level (how active or physical it is, from calm tabletop play to high-energy movement). That way, you can quickly see which games are the right fit for your group.
Christmas Games for Kids
Children bring so much excitement to the holiday season, and having a few Christmas games planned just for them makes your celebration even more magical. These kid-friendly games are full of energy, simple to set up, and perfect for keeping little ones entertained while adults enjoy the festivities. From creative activities to active challenges, Christmas games for kids make sure the youngest guests feel included in the holiday fun.
1. 20 Questions: Christmas Edition
One player, the answerer, picks a Christmas themed object. All other players ask the answerer “Yes” or “No” questions to guess what the object is. If no one guesses correctly after 20 questions, the answerer has won and picks a new object for the next round. If someone guesses correctly they get to pick the object for the next round.
Game Details:
- Players: 2+
- Difficulty: Easy (2/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
2. Candy Canes (Holiday ‘Spoons’)
You’ll need a deck of cards and 3+ people circled around a pile of candy canes, one less than the number of players. Everyone takes turns pulling cards with the goal to be the first to get four of a kind (ex. four Kings). Once you do, take a candy cane as stealthily as possible. Once that happens, everyone else races to grab on of the remaining candy canes. The person who doesn’t get a candy cane is eliminated. Do this until one winner remains.
Game Details:
- Players: 3+
- Difficulty: Easy (2.5/5)
- Activity: Low (2/5)
3. Santa Limbo
Have participants put a “Santa belly” under their shirt using a pillow. Place a limbo stick at a starting height. Then line up, and one by one try to limbo underneath (with the Santa belly) until everyone has tried. Slightly lower the stick and have those who made it through go again. Continually lower the stick until one winner remains!
Game Details:
- Players: 3+
- Difficulty: Easy (1/5)
- Activity: Low (2/5)
4. Christmas Carol Pictionary
Write down this list of Christmas carols on separate flash cards. Divide players into teams. One person draws from the pile of cards and has one minute to illustrate the Christmas carol. If their team guesses correctly, they get one point. Make sure to alternate the team artist. Teams take turns until one reaches twenty points.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Easy (2.5/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
5. Christmas Charades
Split everyone into teams and choose one person from each team to act out a Christmas-themed word or phrase. Actors aren’t allowed to speak or use gestures that indicate letters—just like regular charades! Each time a team guesses correctly within the time limit, they earn a point. The first team to reach twenty points wins.
Tip: Encourage each team to come up with their own holiday words or phrases before the game starts. Think Christmas movies, songs, traditions, or festive objects—anything that will get everyone laughing and in the holiday spirit!
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Easy (2/5)
- Activity: Low (2.5/5)
6. Christmas Memory Game
Pick eight Christmas images (ex. gift, Santa, snow, etc), draw/print two of each, so you’ll have a total of sixteen cards. Now place cards on the table in a 4×4 layout. Each player gets a chance to pick a card, then try to find the match. When a player finds the match, they keep it, get a point and get to try for another match. Play until someone reaches the predetermined amount of points to win.
Game Details:
- Players: 2+
- Difficulty: Easy (2.5/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
7. Family Feud Christmas
Players are broken up into teams. Make up questions from a list of holiday-themed survey responses for everyone to answer. Each team is given an allotted time to write their three guesses on a piece of paper. The judge then reveals if their guesses were on the list and the value of their answers. The number one ranked survey response is worth 50 points, 40 if it’s number two and so on. Once all the questions have been answered, the points are tallied to determine the winner.
Game Details:
- Players: 5+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
8. Stocking Guessing Game
First, you need a host to put random items in a stocking. Once it’s stuffed, tie a ribbon or string around the top of the stocking so that no one can peek. Sit in a circle and pass it around to let everyone feel what’s inside. Give them note cards so that they can write down their guesses. The person who guesses the most correct items wins.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3.5/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
9. Blindfold Christmas Drawing
First, grab some paper plates and markers. Players are blindfolded and hold their paper plate on top of their head. One person gives drawing instructions while everyone else tries to draw the Christmas scene they describe onto the plate. The most accurate drawing wins!
Game Details:
- Players: 3+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3.5/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
10. Stocking Fill-Up
Form two teams based on how many players there are. Place a Christmas stocking for each team on the other end of the room. The players will then race to their team’s stocking with a spoonful of candy, deposit the candy and return to their team. This relay continues until one team fills up their stocking to win the game.
Game Details:
- Players: 6+
- Difficulty: Easy (2/5)
- Activity: High (4.5/5)
11. Pin the Nose on Rudolph
Draw (or print out a picture) of Rudolph and place it on the wall. And get a red circular piece of paper (for his nose) with a thumbtack or piece of tape. Then blindfold the participant, spin them in a circle, then have them try to pin the nose on Rudolph. Mark their attempt with their name. Give everyone a chance to pin the nose and whoever pins it most accurately, wins.
Game Details:
- Players: 3+
- Difficulty: Easy (2/5)
- Activity: Low (2/5)
12. Find Santa’s Friends
Hide a variety of plastic or stuffed elves and reindeer throughout the house. For the younger kids, make the items easy to find and give them a head start. Hide Santa’s friends in trickier places for the older kids and let them look after the younger ones have had a chance. Consider giving prizes based on how many of Santa’s friends each participant finds.
Game Details:
- Players: 2+
- Difficulty: Easy (1/5)
- Activity: Moderate (3.5/5)
Christmas Games for Adults
Once the kids are happily entertained, it’s time for the grown-ups to join in the fun. Christmas games for adults add a playful twist to any holiday party, mixing a bit of friendly competition with plenty of laughs. Whether it’s trivia, team challenges, or silly activities that get everyone out of their comfort zone, these games help adults unwind and embrace the holiday spirit together.
1. Christmas Mad Libs – Naughty or Nice?
Have each participant write down words to fill in a Christmas-themed Mad Lib (you can give them prompts like nouns, verbs, or adjectives). Once everyone is finished, collect the sheets and shuffle them, then redistribute so everyone gets a random one. Each person reads aloud the Mad Lib they received, and the winner is chosen by the most laughs or a designated judge.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Easy (2/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
2. Holiday Storytellers
Everyone stands in a circle as one person begins a made up holiday story with one sentence. Each person after them must recite what the previous player(s) said and add their own sentence. If someone forgets a detail while recalling the whole story, they’re out. The story keeps building until only one person can recall all of the details and wins the game.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Hard (5/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
3. Gift Wrap-Up
Have participants pair off. Tie one person’s right hand to their teammate’s left hand. The duos will then attempt to wrap a gift using their free hands. Have an example gift for everyone to attempt to duplicate — the harder it is to create, the funnier. Give a time limit of 1–3 minutes and then have a judge pick the most accurate gift.
Game Details:
- Players: 6+
- Difficulty: Moderate (4/5)
- Activity: Moderate (3/5)
4. Name That Carol
Divide participants into teams, or have everyone play individually if the group is small. Read aloud or play short clips of Christmas carols, and have each team (or person) guess the song title. The player or team with the most correct guesses at the end wins.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3.5/5)
- Activity: Low (3/5)
5. Two Truths and a Lie (Christmas Edition)
You can transform this classic into a Christmas game by asking players to think of three Christmas gifts. Two of the Christmas gifts must be gifts that the participant has actually received and one of the gifts is a lie. One participant announces their three gifts in a random order and the other players then try to guess which Christmas gift is a lie.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3.5/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
Family Christmas Games
The holidays are a time for family, and nothing brings generations together quite like a round of festive games. Family Christmas games bridge the gap between kids, parents, and grandparents, ensuring everyone can join in and share the joy. These activities are designed to be inclusive, lighthearted, and memory-making—perfect for bonding during your holiday celebration.
1. Holiday Guess Who
Create a stack of cards with Christmas-themed characters (Santa, Frosty, Grinch, etc.). Each player draws a card and places it on their forehead without looking. Players ask yes/no questions to figure out who they are.
Game Details:
- Players: 3+
- Difficulty: Easy (2/5)
- Activity: Low (1.5/5)
2. Christmas Hot Potato
Pass a wrapped small gift around while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the gift is out. Continue until one winner remains.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Easy (1.5/5)
- Activity: Moderate (3/5)
3. Reindeer Ring Toss
Set up antler headbands or a makeshift “reindeer” with a cone and stick. Players toss rings, trying to loop them over the antlers. Award points for accuracy.
Game Details:
- Players: 2+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3/5)
- Activity: Moderate (3/5)
4. Snowball Stack Challenge
Provide fake snowballs, white socks, or soft balls. Teams or individuals race to stack them into the tallest tower within a time limit. The highest tower standing wins.
Game Details:
- Players: 2+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3.5/5)
- Activity: Moderate (3/5)
5. Musical Christmas Chairs
A holiday twist on musical chairs: play Christmas music while players circle chairs. When the music stops, they must sit—one person is eliminated each round.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Easy (2/5)
- Activity: Moderate (3/5)
Christmas Party Games for Large Groups
Hosting a big holiday gathering? Planning games for a large group can feel tricky, but the right activities will get everyone engaged, laughing, and mingling. Large-group Christmas games are designed to be inclusive, easy to organize, and full of energy, ensuring no one feels left out. With just a little preparation, you can turn your party into a lively, festive event that keeps the holiday cheer going all night.
1. Ornament on a Spoon
Split into teams, setup a relay course with or without obstacles. With an ornament on their spoon, the first person will go through the course and return to pass it on. You can only use your spoons when passing the ornament. If someone ever drops the ornament, that person needs to do the course again. Once the ornament is successfully passed off, it’s the next person’s turn until everyone has completed the course.
Game Details:
- Players: 8+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3/5)
- Activity: High (4/5)
2. Who Am I?
This game works a variety of group size, 5 to 50 people. Write down a famous Christmas character on a post it note, then stick them on each other’s forehead. Once everyone has a post-it note on their forehead they try to guess what character they are by asking other people yes or no questions. The goal is to not be the last person to correctly guess who they are.
Game Details:
- Players: 5+
- Difficulty: Easy (2/5)
- Activity: Low (2/5)
3. Human Christmas Tree
This is a hilarious and fun game that calls for 2 to 3 representatives to serve as figurative Christmas trees. A team will attempt to decorate each “tree” with different Christmas decorations provided for the game. Designated judge(s) determine which team has the best “Human Christmas Tree.” A time limit is optional, but recommended.
Game Details:
- Players: 8+
- Difficulty: Easy (2.5/5)
- Activity: Low (2.5/5)
4. Ornament Guessing Game
Have everyone (whether coworkers, family members, or friends) guess how many ornaments are hung up on the Christmas tree. Give each person a piece of paper so they can write down their guess. Once everyone has submitted their guesses, the closest guess wins!
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Easy (1/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
5. Holiday A-Z
Distribute papers with the alphabet written vertically on each paper. Teams must then compete to fill in the entire alphabet list with a holiday word for each letter. The first team to complete their list wins. Have a judge check the winning team’s list and make sure the words qualify as holiday words. If their list isn’t accurate, check the list from the second fastest team.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3.5/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
6. Gift Relay
This game requires at least two teams with an equal number of participants. Set up two tables per team about 20 feet apart with an equal amount of players at each table. Place five gifts on each table. One team member grabs a gift and carries it across the room to the other table. The next team member will stack a second gift onto the first gift and head back across the room to hand their stack to the third team member. This continues until a team has successfully stacked and carried all 10 gifts across the room, without dropping any.
Game Details:
- Players: 12+
- Difficulty: Hard (4.5/5)
- Activity: Moderate (3/5)
7. Christmas Movie Trivia
Divide into teams and have each team come up with or take turns asking Christmas-themed trivia questions. Award one point for every correct answer. The team with the most points at the end wins! You can play in rounds, go through all the questions at once, or turn it into a race—where each wrong answer adds a small time penalty. After tallying points (and applying any penalties), the team with the highest score or shortest total time wins.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3.5/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
8. Penguin Waddle Game
Separate into teams of three or more. Set up cones 15 to 25 feet apart for each team. The first player puts a balloon between their knees and waddles like a penguin down to the cone and back. Then they pass the balloon to the next team member so they can go. If any team member drops the balloon, they have to restart! The first team to complete the relay wins.
Game Details:
- Players: 6+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3/5)
- Activity: Moderate (3/5)
9. Funniest Christmas Presents: True or Not?
This is preferably played with co-workers or non-family members. Go around the room, having each person state their name and the funniest Christmas presents they ever received. As players announce their gifts, write down their name and whether you believe it is true or not. The person who guesses the most correct answers is the winner.
Game Details:
- Players: 5+
- Difficulty: Easy (2/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
10. People Bingo
You must create a list of 10-15 hobbies and interests and give every participant the list. Participants have to walk around the room and find other members who resonate with items on the list and check them off. The winner is the person who fills in their list the fastest with a different employee name for each item.
Game Details:
- Players: 10+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3/5)
- Activity: Low (2/5)
Office Holiday Party Games
Work celebrations are a great way to wrap up the year, but the best office holiday parties go beyond food and gift exchanges. Christmas games at the office can break the ice, strengthen team bonds, and add a cheerful touch to the work environment. Whether you’re planning something quick and simple or an activity everyone can participate in, holiday games help coworkers relax and connect outside the day-to-day routine.
1. Holiday Emoji Pictionary
Use a projector or cards to show a series of Christmas-themed emojis representing a movie, song, or phrase. Teams guess what it is.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
2. Secret Snowflake
Each participant anonymously writes a funny or kind office-related holiday story or compliment. Stories are read aloud, and coworkers guess who wrote each one.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Easy (2/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
3. Ornament Stack-Off
Teams compete to stack ornaments into a tower as quickly as possible without letting them fall. Creativity and steady hands count!
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3.5/5)
- Activity: Moderate (3/5)
4. Christmas Taboo (Work Edition)
Make cards with holiday work-themed phrases (like “office party,” “Secret Santa,” or “holiday deadline”). Players describe the phrase without using the forbidden words on the card. Teams guess within a time limit.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3/5)
- Activity: Low (1.5/5)
5. Holiday “Who Said It?”
Collect holiday quotes, fun facts, or stories from employees ahead of time. Read them aloud, and players guess who said it. Points for correct guesses.
Game Details:
- Players: 4+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3/5)
- Activity: Low (1/5)
Church Group Christmas Party Games
Church gatherings are often centered around community, faith, and togetherness, making Christmas games a perfect addition to your holiday celebration. These activities bring people closer, encourage fellowship, and add joy to seasonal events. Designed with all ages in mind, church group Christmas games help create lasting memories while keeping the true spirit of the season at heart.
1. Christmas Bible Verse Jeopardy
Play Jeopardy with bible verses that focus on the birth of Jesus Christ. Divide into two teams and try to name where each verse can be found in the bible. For example, “Where does ‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel’ appear in the bible?” A player says, “What is Isaiah 7:14.” That player wins points for their team just like regular Jeopardy.
Game Details:
- Players: 10+
- Difficulty: Hard (4.5/5)
- Activity: Low (2/5)
2. Bible Replay
Bible Replay involves dividing members into at least two teams and giving each group a bible scene or a verse to act out. The teams only have 15 minutes to put together a skit before acting out their scene. You can have a small panel of 3-4 judges decide who the winner is after each team performs their skit.
Game Details:
- Players: 15+
- Difficulty: Moderate (3/5)
- Activity: Low (2.5/5)
3. Nativity Scene Scramble
Divide participants into teams. Give each team a set of figurines or paper cutouts representing the nativity scene (Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, animals, etc.). Mix them up and hide them around the room. Teams must find all the pieces and assemble the nativity scene correctly within a time limit. The first team to complete it wins!
Game Details:
Players: 6+
Difficulty: Moderate (3/5)
Activity: Moderate (3/5)
Tips for Christmas Party Games
Making your holiday gathering a hit is all about setting the stage for laughter, friendly competition, and memorable moments. These simple tips will help your Christmas games run smoothly and keep the festive spirit alive:
- Know your group size. Some games work best for small gatherings, while others shine with larger crowds. Match your games to your guest list for maximum fun.
- Consider the ages of your players. Kids, adults, and mixed-age groups may need different types of games. Choose activities that everyone can enjoy together.
- Plan your space. Leave enough room for active games and create cozy corners for quieter, tabletop-style activities.
- Prepare materials ahead of time. Whether it’s cards, props, or slips of paper, having everything ready before the party starts keeps the fun flowing.
- Mix up the energy levels. Alternate high-energy games with calmer ones so the party has a good rhythm and no one gets too worn out.
- Keep the focus on fun, not just winning. Celebrate laughs, creativity, and participation—especially for family and multi-age groups.
- Have a backup plan. Sometimes a game runs long, or guests want a change of pace. A few extra options ensure the party never loses momentum.
Plan Your Gathering With Christmas Party Invitations
Once you’ve planned out your Christmas games, set the festive tone early with invitations that let guests know what to expect. Personalized Christmas party invitations are a fun way to share details about your event while showcasing your unique holiday style. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering, a kid-friendly party, or an elegant holiday dinner with games to follow, a thoughtfully designed invitation helps get everyone excited to celebrate together.
Related Resources on Christmas Party Game Ideas
From cozy family nights to lively office gatherings, Christmas games are the perfect way to spread holiday cheer and create meaningful connections. No matter the size of your guest list or the type of event you’re hosting, the right activities will leave everyone smiling long after the party ends. With laughter, warmth, and a little bit of friendly competition, your holiday celebration is sure to become a tradition your loved ones look forward to year after year.
Additional Resources:
