The holiday season is a magical time filled with joy, laughter, and the warmth of family gatherings. To make your Christmas celebrations even more memorable, incorporating fun and engaging games can be a fantastic way to bring everyone together. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family dinner or a lively holiday party, these 20 of the funniest Christmas games are sure to add laughter and excitement to your festivities. From classic favorites with a twist to creative new activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Let’s dive into the merriment!
1. Santa’s Beard Relay
When to Play: Perfect for pre-dinner gatherings or as an icebreaker at holiday parties.
Materials Needed:
- Fake Santa beards (can be made from cotton balls glued to an elastic band)
- Cones or markers for relay stations
Number of Participants: 8-20 (divided into teams)
Instructions:
- Divide players into equal teams.
- Each team lines up behind the starting cone.
- The first player races to the relay station, puts on the Santa beard, and returns to tag the next teammate.
- The relay continues until all team members have had a turn.
- The first team to complete the relay with all members wearing the beard wins.
- For added fun, play festive music during the relay.
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2. Reindeer Antler Ring Toss
When to Play: Great as a mid-party game or during holiday gatherings.
Materials Needed:
- Antler headbands (can be purchased or DIY with pipe cleaners and a headband)
- Rings (large enough to toss onto antlers, such as glow bracelets or rope rings)
- Timer or stopwatch
Number of Participants: 4-12
Instructions:
- Set up a tossing area with a designated distance from the antler holders.
- Players take turns wearing the antler headbands.
- Each player has a set number of rings to toss onto the antlers within a time limit.
- Score points for each successful ring toss.
- Rotate the antler wearers and continue until everyone has had a turn.
- The player with the highest score at the end wins a festive prize.
3. Christmas Charades
When to Play: Ideal for family game nights or holiday parties with mixed age groups.
Materials Needed:
- A set of Christmas-themed charades cards (movies, songs, activities)
- Timer
- Scoreboard and markers
Number of Participants: 4-20 (split into teams)
Instructions:
- Divide players into two teams.
- One player from the first team draws a card and acts out the word or phrase without speaking.
- The team has a set time (e.g., 60 seconds) to guess correctly.
- If guessed correctly, the team earns a point.
- Alternate turns between teams until all cards are used or a set score is reached.
- The team with the most points wins.
4. Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
When to Play: Perfect for pre-Christmas activities or as a creative afternoon event.
Materials Needed:
- Gingerbread house kits or premade gingerbread structures
- Assorted candies, icing, and decorations
- Tables and chairs for decorating stations
- Prizes for different categories (most creative, funniest, etc.)
Number of Participants: 2-10 per team
Instructions:
- Divide participants into teams or allow individuals to compete.
- Provide each team with a gingerbread house kit and decorating supplies.
- Set a time limit (e.g., 60 minutes) for decorating.
- Once time is up, have a panel of judges evaluate the houses based on creativity, adherence to theme, and overall appearance.
- Announce winners and distribute prizes accordingly.
5. Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt
When to Play: Ideal for holiday mornings or as an engaging activity during Christmas week.
Materials Needed:
- Elf on the Shelf dolls
- Clues or riddles leading to elf locations
- Small prizes or treats
Number of Participants: 4-20
Instructions:
- Hide the Elf on the Shelf dolls around the house or designated area.
- Create a series of clues or riddles that lead participants from one elf to the next.
- Start the hunt by giving the first clue to all players.
- Players work individually or in teams to find all elves based on the clues.
- The first to find all elves or the team with the most finds within the time limit wins.
- Award small prizes or treats to participants for their efforts.
6. Christmas Pictionary
When to Play: Great for family gatherings or parties with a creative twist.
Materials Needed:
- Whiteboard or large paper pads
- Markers
- Christmas-themed Pictionary cards or word lists
- Timer
Number of Participants: 4-20 (split into teams)
Instructions:
- Divide players into two teams.
- One player from the first team selects a card and draws the word or phrase without using letters or numbers.
- The team has a set time (e.g., 60 seconds) to guess the drawing.
- If guessed correctly, the team earns a point.
- Alternate turns between teams until all words are used or a set score is reached.
- The team with the most points wins.
7. Snowman Slam
When to Play: Perfect for indoor parties or as a fun break between other activities.
Materials Needed:
- Inflatable snowman cutouts or white cups decorated as snowmen
- Soft balls or beanbags
- Tables or designated throwing area
- Prize for the winner
Number of Participants: 4-20
Instructions:
- Set up tables with snowman cups arranged in a pyramid.
- Players take turns throwing soft balls or beanbags to knock down as many snowmen as possible.
- Each snowman knocked down earns the player a point.
- After all players have had their turns, tally the points.
- The player with the highest score wins a festive prize.
8. Ornament Guessing Game
When to Play: Ideal as a calm activity between high-energy games or during dessert.
Materials Needed:
- Clear jar or container
- Assorted small ornaments or festive items
- Paper and pen for each participant
Number of Participants: 4-20
Instructions:
- Fill a clear jar with a variety of small ornaments or festive items.
- Have each participant write down their guess of how many ornaments are in the jar.
- Set a time limit for guessing.
- After everyone has made their guesses, count the ornaments aloud.
- The closest guess wins a prize.
9. Holiday Karaoke Contest
When to Play: Perfect for lively parties and to showcase musical talents.
Materials Needed:
- Karaoke machine or karaoke app setup
- Christmas song playlist
- Microphones
- Scoreboard for voting
Number of Participants: 2-20
Instructions:
- Set up the karaoke machine with a selection of Christmas songs.
- Players take turns selecting and performing a song.
- Encourage creative performances with costumes or props.
- After all performances, have participants vote for their favorite acts.
- Award prizes for categories like Best Performance, Most Entertaining, and Best Costume.
10. Christmas Bingo
When to Play: Great for all ages and easy to set up for large groups.
Materials Needed:
- Christmas-themed bingo cards
- Bingo markers or chips
- A caller with Christmas-themed items to draw
- Prizes for winners
Number of Participants: 5-30
Instructions:
- Distribute bingo cards and markers to all participants.
- The caller draws and announces Christmas-themed items one by one.
- Players mark the corresponding items on their bingo cards.
- The first player to complete a row, column, or diagonal shouts “Bingo!” and wins a prize.
- Continue playing for multiple rounds if desired.
11. Candy Cane Hunt
When to Play: Ideal for holiday mornings or as a fun activity during parties.
Materials Needed:
- Candy canes (one per participant plus extras)
- Small bags or containers for collecting candy canes
- Hiding spots around the house or designated area
Number of Participants: 4-20
Instructions:
- Hide candy canes around the house or a designated area before the hunt begins.
- Give each participant a small bag or container to collect their candy canes.
- Set a time limit (e.g., 15 minutes) for finding as many candy canes as possible.
- After time is up, count the candy canes each participant has collected.
- The player with the most candy canes wins a special prize.
12. Mistletoe Musical Chairs
When to Play: Perfect for adding a romantic twist to holiday gatherings or as a fun party game.
Materials Needed:
- Chairs arranged in a circle, one fewer than the number of participants
- Mistletoe decorations
- Music player with festive tunes
Number of Participants: 5-20
Instructions:
- Arrange chairs in a circle, ensuring there’s one fewer chair than participants.
- Attach mistletoe above some of the chairs.
- Play Christmas music as participants walk around the chairs.
- When the music stops, everyone must find a chair to sit on.
- The player left standing must pick a mistletoe-decorated chair and perform a fun task, like giving a holiday hug.
- Remove one chair each round and continue until one player remains.
13. North Pole Trivia
When to Play: Great for engaging all ages and sparking friendly competition.
Materials Needed:
- Trivia questions about Christmas and the North Pole
- Buzzers or bells for answering
- Scoreboard and markers
- Prizes for winners
Number of Participants: 4-20
Instructions:
- Prepare a list of Christmas and North Pole-themed trivia questions.
- Divide players into teams.
- Ask questions in rounds, allowing teams to buzz in to answer.
- Award points for correct answers and deduct for incorrect ones.
- Continue until all questions are asked or a team reaches a set score.
- The team with the highest score wins a festive prize.
14. Santa Limbo
When to Play: Ideal for energetic gatherings and to get everyone moving.
Materials Needed:
- Limbo stick (can be decorated as a candy cane)
- Santa hat for the host
- Music player with upbeat Christmas tunes
Number of Participants: 5-20
Instructions:
- Set up the limbo stick and decorate it to resemble a candy cane.
- Choose a host dressed as Santa to play music and judge the limbo.
- Players take turns leaning backward to pass under the limbo stick without touching it.
- After each round, lower the stick slightly.
- Continue until only one player remains who can successfully limbo under the lowest height.
- Crown the winner with a Santa hat or a small prize.
15. Christmas Costume Relay
When to Play: Perfect for active parties and encouraging creativity.
Materials Needed:
- A variety of Christmas costumes and accessories (Santa hats, reindeer antlers, elf ears, etc.)
- Cones or markers for relay stations
- Timer
Number of Participants: 8-20 (divided into teams)
Instructions:
- Divide players into equal teams.
- Set up a relay course with cones or markers.
- The first player from each team runs to the costume pile, dresses up with a Christmas accessory, and runs back to tag the next teammate.
- The relay continues until all team members have completed the course.
- The first team to finish wins.
- Encourage humorous and creative costume choices for extra fun.
16. Hot Cocoa Taste Test
When to Play: Ideal as a cozy activity during holiday evenings or as a break between games.
Materials Needed:
- Various types of hot cocoa (different flavors or brands)
- Disposable cups
- Spoons
- Blindfolds
- Score sheets and pens
Number of Participants: 4-20
Instructions:
- Prepare different types of hot cocoa and pour them into labeled cups.
- Blindfold participants and have them taste each sample.
- After tasting, participants guess the flavor or brand of each hot cocoa.
- Record guesses on score sheets.
- The participant with the most correct guesses wins a special treat.
- Provide non-blindfolded options for participants to enjoy the hot cocoa afterward.
17. Festive Photo Booth Challenge
When to Play: Great for capturing memories during parties or family gatherings.
Materials Needed:
- A photo booth area with a festive backdrop
- Props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, ugly sweaters, and holiday signs
- Camera or smartphone with a tripod
- Lighting equipment if needed
- Optional: instant photo printer for on-the-spot prints
Number of Participants: 2-20
Instructions:
- Set up the photo booth area with a festive backdrop and props.
- Encourage participants to dress up with the props and pose creatively.
- Assign someone to take photos or set up a timer for self-portraits.
- Optionally, print the photos for participants to take home as souvenirs.
- Create a gallery of the best photos and consider awarding prizes for categories like Funniest Pose or Best Group Shot.
18. Present Wrapping Race
When to Play: Perfect for pre-gift-giving activities or as a competitive game during parties.
Materials Needed:
- Various gift items of similar size and shape
- Wrapping paper, scissors, tape, and ribbons
- Tables for wrapping stations
- Timer
- Prizes for winners
Number of Participants: 4-20 (split into teams or compete individually)
Instructions:
- Provide each participant or team with a gift item and wrapping supplies.
- Set a time limit (e.g., 10 minutes) for wrapping the gift as neatly and creatively as possible.
- Once time is up, have judges evaluate the wrapped presents based on neatness, creativity, and presentation.
- Award prizes to the best-wrapped gifts in various categories.
- Enjoy unwrapping the creations together for added fun.
19. Snowflake Drawing Contest
When to Play: Ideal for quieter moments or as a creative break during gatherings.
Materials Needed:
- White paper or cardstock
- Scissors
- Markers or colored pencils
- Rulers (optional)
- Prizes for winners
Number of Participants: 2-20
Instructions:
- Provide each participant with paper, scissors, and coloring materials.
- Instruct players to create their most intricate and beautiful snowflake designs.
- Set a time limit (e.g., 15 minutes) for drawing and cutting.
- Once completed, display all snowflakes for everyone to admire.
- Have judges or all participants vote on categories like Most Creative, Most Detailed, and Funniest Snowflake.
- Award prizes to the winners.
20. Christmas Movie Quote Battle
When to Play: Perfect for movie buffs and adding a competitive edge to gatherings.
Materials Needed:
- A list of famous quotes from Christmas movies
- Scoreboard and markers
- Buzzers or bells for answering
Number of Participants: 4-20 (split into teams)
Instructions:
- Divide players into two teams.
- The host reads out a quote from a Christmas movie.
- Teams compete to buzz in and correctly identify the movie the quote is from.
- Award points for correct answers and deduct for incorrect ones.
- Continue with multiple quotes until all are used or a set score is reached.
- The team with the highest score wins a festive prize.
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Christmas is a time for joy, laughter, and creating unforgettable memories with loved ones. Incorporating these 20 of the funniest Christmas games into your holiday celebrations can elevate the fun and bring everyone closer together. From energetic relays and creative contests to cozy taste tests and trivia battles, there’s a game for every family and gathering. So, gather your loved ones, prepare the materials, and let the festive fun begin! Wishing you a merry and laughter-filled Christmas season!
