The Christmas season is a time for gathering with family and friends. With all the shopping, decorating, and cookie baking, it can be hard to find downtime. However, relaxing with hot cocoa, festive cocktails, or enjoying Christmas games can provide a perfect escape. Whether playing “I Spy” or Christmas bingo, these activities bring lighthearted fun. I remember playing with my cousins one evening, sipping hot cocoa, and enjoying the laughter—it was a perfect way to relax.
The holiday season can be stressful, especially when you’re busy cooking Christmas dinner, buying gifts, and wrapping them for family-wide Secret Santa. But taking time for friendly competition with Christmas games like Pin the Nose on the Reindeer or gingerbread house decorating brings joy. These active party games are fun for both kids and adults. I find that adding a little competition and offering prizes or Christmas gifts from Amazon makes the holidays even more exciting.
Holiday games always bring people together. From guessing games to rounds of “I Spy”, they create moments of joy between guests and family members. It’s great to see the competitive spirit come alive, especially when there are prizes or Christmas gifts at stake. Whether enjoying festive cocktails or relaxing, these games create unforgettable memories. I look forward to seeing how these traditions evolve with my own family each year.
Snowman Stack
One of the most exciting and competitive holiday games is the Snowman Stack, where players take turns adding marshmallows to a growing tower while holding their hot cocoa. The goal is to see how many marshmallows can be stacked before the snowman falls. If the tower knocks down, the player is eliminated, and the game starts again from the bottom. It’s a fun and hands-on activity that sparks a lot of excitement and interaction among the players, making it perfect for both kids and adults. I’ve played this game at several family gatherings, and it never fails to bring out the laughter and lighthearted competition. The challenge of keeping the tower stable while the circle of players gets bigger is what makes this game so enjoyable for everyone. Winter holidays just wouldn’t be the same without a game that keeps everyone on their toes!
Name That Christmas Song
Name That Christmas Song is a fantastic game to test how well you know Christmas songs. Divide everyone into teams, and have one person in charge of playing clips of classic Christmas ballads. The challenge is for players to guess the song based on the first few notes, or even better, try to guess the next line or which artist sings it. You can either have each team guess together or make it a bit more competitive with an individual one-on-one round for each point. It’s a fun, fast-paced game that mixes the holiday spirit with a bit of music trivia. I’ve played this game at a few family get-togethers, and the competitive energy is always contagious. Watching my cousins struggle to recognize short clips of songs is one of the highlights of our Christmas parties!
Toilet Paper Snowman
Get ready for a giggling good time with the Toilet Paper Snowman game! Divide players into teams of two, and when the host yells “Go!”, one player must quickly build a snowman by wrapping their teammate in toilet paper, finishing off the snowy creation with snowman buttons, a nose, a scarf, and a hat. The first team to finish wins the challenge! This holiday game is all about competition, excitement, and plenty of fun as you race against the clock to create the best snowy friend. I’ve had so many laughs playing this with my family during the holidays. The playful nature of the game always keeps everyone in good spirits and helps create unforgettable Christmas memories!
Christmas Family Feud
Get your guests excited with a festive twist on the classic Family Feud! Split everyone into teams and channel your inner Steve Harvey as you create a list of holiday-themed questions, like “Name two of Santa’s reindeer” or “Name a popular Christmas song.” Ask your family and friends to provide the top answers, and then have the teams poll for the correct response. The team in control of the board keeps playing until they guess wrong, at which point the other team gets a chance to take their turn. The game continues back and forth until all questions are answered. It’s a competitive, fun-filled game that will have everyone laughing! I’ve played this at a few holiday gatherings, and the excitement of trying to guess those answers correctly always keeps the team spirit alive, making it one of my favorite games to share with family.
Pass the Bow
A simple and easy holiday game, Pass the Bow is a great way to get everyone involved in some competitive fun. Players stand in a circle, passing a big bow instead of a hot potato, while music plays in the background. When the music stops or the time runs out, the person holding the bow gets eliminated. The game continues until only one person is left standing. It’s a perfect activity for family or friends, adding excitement to any Christmas gathering. I love incorporating this game during our holiday get-togethers, as it always brings lots of laughs and friendly challenge.
Candy Cane Hunt
Transform your holiday gathering into a treasure hunt with a candy cane hunt! Hide sweet peppermint sticks around your home and let the kids loose to find them. As they search, the excitement grows, and they can either keep the candy canes they discover or collect alternative prizes based on who finds the most. This festive activity turns into a playful competition for everyone involved, bringing joy and fun to your Christmas celebration. With the hunt underway, you’ll witness an atmosphere of holiday excitement and team spirit. It’s a great way to involve the little ones in some holiday game fun! Personally, I’ve had a blast seeing the kids race around, working together while still vying for those extra candy canes—it’s a holiday challenge they’ll remember.
Guess the Number of Candies
Start your holiday party with a fun guessing game that gets everyone in the festive spirit! Fill a clear jar with peppermints, M&Ms, or your favorite candy and invite guests to guess how many are inside. The person who guesses correctly or comes the closest wins a prize, adding a competitive edge to the fun. Decorate the jar with Christmas bows, tinsel, and other festive decorations to bring even more holiday spirit into the game. This simple yet exciting holiday activity is a perfect icebreaker to kick off the celebrations and create a joyful atmosphere. As someone who’s hosted plenty of holiday gatherings, I can say this game always sparks friendly competition and laughter, making it a must-have at any holiday party.
Christmas “I Spy”
For a festive twist on a classic game, try a round of Christmas “I Spy.” Perfect for little ones, this game gets them excited as they count how many Santas, snowflakes, and Christmas trees they can spot in a fun printable activity. The challenge becomes more thrilling as they compete to find the most items, sparking excitement and promoting friendly competition. As a holiday lover, I’ve often used this game to bring together kids of all ages, creating a fun and playful atmosphere that keeps everyone engaged for hours. Whether at home or as part of a holiday party, it’s a surefire hit to add some extra holiday spirit to your celebration!
Cookies for Santa Game
A fun and festive twist on the classic Oreo race challenge, this game involves players wearing Santa beards and attempting to get an Oreo into their mouths without using their hands. The challenge is both playful and competitive, with plenty of excitement and laughs. Participants will have to participate in this hilarious game, trying to get the cookie into their mouths in the most creative way possible, all while maintaining that holiday spirit. The winner gets to keep the title of the best Oreo master! I’ve tried this game at several holiday parties, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser, offering tons of fun and a little bit of light-hearted competition. The Christmas vibe is never complete without a game like this!
Rudolph Race
For a fun and exciting holiday game, gather your team and play the Rudolph race! This playful challenge has each player trying to pin a pom ball as Rudolph’s nose using only their nose and Vaseline. It’s a competitive race against the clock that’s perfect for family or friends to enjoy during the holiday season. The challenge accepted moment really adds to the holiday spirit and gets everyone laughing and joining in the festive fun. I remember organizing this at a family Christmas party, and the sheer excitement and team spirit were contagious. It’s a great game to keep everyone engaged while celebrating Christmas. The game time energy truly captures the joy of the season.
Sled Races
For a fun way to work off that post-dinner slump, gather your family for sled races! Have everyone line up at the top of a hill at a safe distance, ensuring there are no crashes as they sled down. The first to reach the bottom wins, making it a fast-paced and exciting challenge for all players. With a good mix of competition and holiday spirit, this winter activity brings the whole family together. Bundle up and let the excitement of the race fill the air, as the speed and fun of the sledding race ignite that festive thrill! My personal experience racing against my cousins each year makes the game a must-do holiday tradition—there’s nothing like the joy of a sled race to make lasting memories.
Play Christmas “Heads Up”
A festive and hilarious game for your Christmas gatherings, Christmas “Heads Up” is perfect for all ages. Write down the names of classic holiday characters on sticky notes and have each player stick one to their forehead without looking at the name. The goal is simple—everyone works together to help each other guess the name on their head, but without saying the word. It’s a fun challenge that brings tons of excitement, laughter, and friendly competition. If you need a quick setup, you can also use the online holiday generator for an instant game. I’ve played this with friends and family, and I can tell you, it’s always a joyful celebration full of festive fun. Watching everyone collaborate and guess the name while laughing uncontrollably never gets old!
Christmas Family Trivia
For a fun and festive way to bond with your loved ones, try playing Christmas family trivia. Each person writes down a little-known fact about themselves when they arrive, and later, during downtime or after dessert, everyone takes turns reading them out. The challenge is for the other players to guess which fact belongs to which person. It’s an exciting and fun activity that sparks laughter, a sense of connection, and great competition. This family game allows everyone to share personal facts, making it not just a game, but a true bonding experience. I’ve personally enjoyed this with my family, and it’s always a hit! The joy of learning new things about each other brings the whole group closer together, creating lasting memories.
Christmas Mad Libs
Christmas Mad Libs is a fun holiday game that brings everyone together. Gather the family, write down some random nouns, a verb, and an adjective for each player, then fill in the blanks with these words to create a silly and creative story. The weird or most fun combo will win, making it a great way to sneak some learning into the festivities. It’s also an excellent way to boost vocabulary while keeping the holiday spirit alive. In my experience, it’s the perfect balance of competition and teamwork, providing excitement and plenty of laughter. Every year, the kids especially love how playful and unpredictable the stories get!
Christmas Wrapping Race
For a fun and competitive holiday activity, gather some helpers or elves and challenge each other to see who can wrap their gift the most quickly. Forget about perfectionists stressing over neatness—this festive game is all about racing against the clock, with the speed and excitement adding to the holiday spirit. The real challenge lies in the pressure of wrapping while maintaining some teamwork and holiday cheer. Everyone will be laughing and enjoying the fun and competition, making it a perfect team activity. I’ve hosted this game at Christmas parties, and it’s always a hit. The holiday energy is contagious, and even the most meticulous wrappers love the playful twist!
Ring the Reindeer Antlers
Ring the Reindeer Antlers is a festive take on ring toss where players wear a headband with reindeer antlers and try to hook candy cane-shaped rings made from pipe cleaners onto the antlers. It’s a playful and competitive game that adds excitement to any holiday gathering. You can easily grab inflatable antlers from Amazon if DIY isn’t your thing. This holiday game fosters teamwork, fun, and plenty of joy, making it the perfect activity for both kids and adults to enjoy together. From personal experience, this game always leads to lots of laughs and team effort, bringing out the best in everyone’s holiday spirit.
Christmas Scavenger Hunt
A holiday-themed scavenger hunt is the perfect way to keep the excitement going after dinner or while waiting for the roast to come up to temperature. You can personalize the hunt by including items with sentimental value that are special to your family, adding a touch of nostalgia to the game. Whether you’re indoors or out, a deck of more than 200 cards offers indoor and outdoor options, making it adaptable for any weather. It’s a festive activity that encourages teamwork, a little friendly competition, and a lot of fun. The holiday spirit shines as you work together to discover treasures and enjoy the adventure. From personal experience, I’ve seen how these games bond family and bring out the joy in everyone, whether it’s a team effort or a race to find the next item. It truly adds to the celebration of the season.
Christmas Guess Who
Turn the classic Guess Who game into a personalized family experience by using pictures of family members on custom cards. Add a nostalgic touch with Polaroid photos to give it a vintage twist. You can spice things up by adding holiday prompts like, “Who makes the best Christmas dessert?” or “Who’s celebrated the most Christmases in the family?” It’s a great way to bond, spark some competition, and bring in a dose of holiday spirit. When the game is over, you can even incorporate the photos into your decor as a special memento. I’ve personally found that creating these personalized experiences always adds an extra layer of fun and excitement to the holiday celebrations. It’s the perfect blend of team activity, creativity, and family fun that makes everyone feel involved.
Christmas Dance Freeze
Turn your Christmas celebration into a lively holiday dance-off with this fun and exciting game. Start by playing some energetic music, get everyone grooving’, and when the tunes stop, shout “freeze!” and watch everyone try to stay perfectly still. The last person to stop moving is out. This competition creates plenty of giggles, making it the perfect mix of fun and excitement. It’s a great way to boost the holiday spirit and get the whole family involved in a playful and festive challenge. Trust me, you’ll be laughing the entire time—whether you’re in or out! Dancing with loved ones around the Christmas tree always brings a sense of joy and a little team effort, too.
In my experience, this game has become a highlight of our holiday gatherings, encouraging even the shyest of family members to get involved. There’s just something about the challenge of trying to freeze in the most awkward positions that brings so much joy!
Oven Mitts Game
The Oven Mitts Game is a playful challenge that adds an element of difficulty to the classic Christmas gift unwrapping tradition. When you wear oven mitts while tearing into your presents, it brings a fun and hilarious twist to the holiday celebration. Not only does it slow you down to savor the moment, but it also results in some exciting and memorable photos. The competition ramps up as everyone tries to unwrap their gifts with their mitts on, turning this simple activity into a team effort that creates lots of laughter. I’ve personally tried this game with family, and it’s always a hit, sparking joy and bonding over the holiday spirit. Christmas morning has never been so fun!
What’s in Santa’s Hat
Transform a Christmas gathering into a playful, exciting experience with this tactile holiday game that requires minimal equipment – just a Santa hat and your imagination. Place figurines or small toys inside and have participants guess by feel. Whether it’s for young kids or older ones, this fun challenge adds a sense of excitement and joy to your celebration. It’s a great team activity and can easily be adapted using Christmas stockings. The element of surprise and creativity makes it a perfect way to enhance the holiday spirit. I’ve had countless moments where the team effort and the laughter from the guesses created the best memories during Christmas celebrations. The creativity and imagination make this game a delightful addition to your holiday fun.
Holiday Pictionary
Transforming your typical Pictionary game with a holiday twist can turn a casual game night into a festive celebration. Instead of the usual prompts, use movie titles, songs, or objects related to Christmas, challenging players to draw iconic holiday themes. This topical activity adds an extra layer of fun and excitement, creating a playful competition where teams will test their creative skills and race against each other. It’s a wonderful way to embrace the holiday spirit while building a sense of team effort and family fun. I’ve played this game at family gatherings, and it’s always a hit, sparking lots of laughter and memorable moments. The artistic challenge brings out the amateur artist in everyone, making for a joyful and playful experience.