Christmas party games: 34 classics with rules

If you only have time to plan a few games, start with these ten. Each one has full rules further down.

1. Christmas charades: act out holiday words with no talking.
2. Christmas drawing game: sketch a prompt while your team guesses.
3. Christmas trivia: team rounds on traditions, carols and food.
4. Name that carol: guess the carol from a few hummed notes.
5. Christmas bingo: holiday words on 5×5 cards.
6. Plastic wrap ball game: unwrap prizes until someone rolls doubles.
7. Gift-wrapping race: two people, one hand each, one box.
8. White elephant: open a gift or steal one.
9. Christmas scavenger hunt: rhyming clues lead to a prize.
10. Guess the Christmas character: a name on your back, yes-or-no questions only.

Pick two or three games that fit your group's size, ages and energy, then add one quiet game for guests who would rather sit. The table sorts all 34 games so you can filter at a glance. Every game works indoors, and the player counts, ages and times are rough guides to adjust for your room.

These ten games need no explanation beyond a minute of rules, which is why they work for mixed groups. Start with one of them before anything new.

1. Write 30 or more prompts on slips (use the prompt list further down) and fold them into a bowl.
2. Split into two teams. One player draws a slip and acts it out with no words or sounds.
3. The actor's team has 60 seconds to guess. Then the other team takes a turn.

How to win: one point per correct guess; the team with more points after everyone has acted wins.

Variations: Carol charades uses only carol titles, with a bonus point for singing the first line. Use picture slips for kids and non-religious prompts at work. On a video call, the host sends each actor the prompt in a private message.

1. A player draws a prompt slip and has 60 seconds to sketch it.
2. No letters, numbers or spoken clues. Pointing at parts of the drawing is fine.
3. Teams alternate until every player has drawn once.

How to win: a point for each correct guess; ties go to a one-drawing sudden-death round.

Variations: In the emoji version, players type a carol title or holiday phrase in emoji on their phone and pass it around. Kids can draw in pairs. Online, use any shared whiteboard tool.

1. Write three rounds of eight to ten questions: traditions, carols and holiday food.
2. Read each question twice. Teams write one answer per question.
3. Swap sheets for marking after each round and read the scores aloud.

How to win: one point per correct answer; make the last round double points so trailing teams stay in it.

Variations: Finish the lyric rounds use traditional carols ("Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse…" — open sleigh). Holiday movie trivia also works: write questions about the films your group rewatches every December, and check each answer in a reliable source. To play on guests' phones, see the trivia section below.

1. Play the first three to five seconds of a carol, or hum the first line.
2. The first person to call out the title gets the point. A wrong guess sits out that carol.
3. If nobody gets it, play a few more seconds.

How to win: most points after 15 to 20 carols.

Variations: Let guests take turns humming. For kids, use slower, familiar carols. On a video call, it works as is; ask players to type answers in the chat so the timing is fair.

1. Make cards from the 30-word bank below: 24 words in a different order on each card, plus a free space in the center.
2. The caller draws a word from the bowl and reads it out. Players mark it if it is on their card.
3. A player who completes a row, column or diagonal shouts "Jingle!" and reads the line back.

How to win: the first correct line wins; play on for four corners or a full card.

Variations: Holiday movie bingo uses moments instead of words ("it starts snowing", "someone gets stuck in traffic") and is played while a film is on. At work, prizes can be a coffee card or an early finish. Kids can use picture cards.

1. Wrap a small prize tightly in plastic wrap, then keep wrapping and adding prizes as the ball grows. Save the main prize for the center.
2. Sit in a circle. The first player starts unwrapping while the player on their left rolls the dice.
3. When the roller gets doubles, the ball passes left and the roller becomes the next player to unwrap.

How to win: keep every prize that falls out while you unwrap; whoever frees the center prize wins it.

Variations: Add oven mitts for an older crowd. For kids, fill it with stickers and small toys. At work, use desk treats and gift cards.

1. Each pair stands side by side. One partner uses only their left hand, the other only their right.
2. On "go", pairs wrap the box and tie a ribbon bow.
3. Hands up when finished.

How to win: the first neat finish wins; a judge can refuse any box with gaps.

Variations: Blindfold one wrapper while the other gives directions. Kids can wrap a soft toy. For big groups, run it as a team relay.

1. Count the candy as you fill the jar and write the number down.
2. Guests write their name and guess on a slip as they arrive.
3. Announce the winner near the end of the party.

How to win: the closest guess wins; split ties.

Variations: Fill the jar with candy canes, mini ornaments or jingle bells instead. At work, collect guesses in a poll.

1. Write names on labels: Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, an elf, a snowman, a reindeer, Jack Frost, the Gingerbread Man, a nutcracker, Ebenezer Scrooge, St. Nicholas.
2. Stick one on each guest's back without letting them see it.
3. Guests mingle and ask one yes-or-no question per person before moving on.

How to win: the first three people to name their character win; guessers move their label to the front and keep answering for others.

Variations: It is an icebreaker, so use it as guests arrive. On a video call, the host messages each name to everyone except its owner.

1. The host reads a prompt, such as "three things you hang on a tree".
2. The player in the hot seat starts answering as the ornament is passed around the circle.
3. If the ornament gets back to them before they name three, they are out for the round.

How to win: last player still in; or score one point for each completed prompt.

Variations: In big groups, everyone writes three answers in 10 seconds. Kids can give two answers instead of three.

These games suit adult groups at home: more noise, a little mess and a few silly forfeits. None needs alcohol, so they work for mixed crowds too.

1. Set up four to six stations. Examples: stack ten cups into a tree; move a cookie from forehead to mouth with no hands; bounce a ping-pong ball into a cup; unwrap three candies in oven mitts; carry cotton-ball snowballs on a spoon.
2. Teams start at different stations. Each player gets 60 seconds per challenge.
3. A whistle moves everyone to the next station.

How to win: one point per completed challenge; the team with most points after the circuit wins.

1. Stand the bag upright on the floor.
2. Each player tries to pick it up with their teeth. Only the feet may touch the floor.
3. After everyone has had a turn, cut a strip off the top of the bag.

How to win: players who fail are out; the last one standing wins.

1. Pack flour into a bowl, turn it out onto a plate as a dome, and set a wrapped candy on top.
2. Players take turns cutting away one slice of flour, as thin or thick as they dare.
3. Whoever makes the candy fall must fish it out of the flour.

How to win: everyone except the player who toppled it wins that round. The old forfeit is fishing the candy out with your mouth; the FDA advises never to eat or taste raw flour, so use a spoon instead.

1. Ask guests to wear an ugly sweater in the invitation.
2. Set three categories, such as most lights, most handmade and most cozy.
3. Hold the vote mid-party and announce winners.

How to win: most votes in each category. Offer a "festive anything" option so nobody has to buy a sweater.

1. Teams pick a holiday song and get five minutes to plan.
2. Each team performs, singing live (karaoke) or miming to the track (lip sync).
3. Everyone votes, but nobody can vote for their own team.

How to win: most votes; give one prize for the most inventive props.

1. Fill cups with cinnamon, peppermint, pine needles, orange peel, cloves, ginger, coffee and vanilla.
2. Cover each with foil, poke small holes and number the cups.
3. Guests sniff each cup and write their guesses.

How to win: most correct answers.

1. The host reads items one by one: a photo of a Christmas tree, a holiday playlist, a screenshot of a gift idea, a photo with snow in it, a recipe for cookies.
2. Players show only the screen that proves the item. Anyone can pass on any item.
3. Keep a tally for each player.

How to win: most points. Keep this one for friends at home, not at work.

These games are simple enough for young children and still fun for grandparents. Most use craft supplies and a little candy, so check the safety box below first.

1. Hook relay: teams stand in a line, each player holding a candy cane by the straight end. Pass another candy cane down the line from hook to hook.
2. Candy cane fishing: players use one candy cane to hook as many others as they can from a bowl in 60 seconds.
3. Dropped canes go back to the start of the line.

How to win: the first team to pass five canes to the end wins the relay; most canes caught wins fishing.

1. Write a clue for each hiding spot (see the rhyming clues below). Each clue points to the next spot.
2. Hide the clues in order, and keep the first one in your hand.
3. Read the first clue aloud to start.

How to win: everyone shares the prize at the end, or teams race separate clue chains. For older kids and adults, use a photo hunt list ("a photo with something red and green").

1. Give each team the same kit or crackers and the same pile of candy.
2. Set a timer for 30 minutes.
3. Line up the houses and vote by category: tallest, neatest, most creative.

How to win: most votes per category.

1. Give each player three cookies and a theme for each, such as "a snowman", "a sweater" and "the host".
2. Allow 15 minutes.
3. Display the cookies and vote.

How to win: most votes; then everyone eats their entries.

1. Set targets at different distances: near is one point, far is three.
2. Players throw three bags each from a taped line.
3. Kids can step closer.

How to win: highest total after three rounds. A fake mistletoe sprig works as a tossing item too.

1. Tape the drawing to a wall at child height.
2. Blindfold the player and turn them around gently three times.
3. They walk forward and stick on the nose. Write their initials on it.

How to win: the nose closest to the right spot wins.

1. Make a 3×3 grid with ribbon on a table or the floor.
2. One player uses ornaments, the other candy canes.
3. Take turns placing a piece.

How to win: three in a row; play best of three. It is a good quiet corner for young children and older guests.

1. Put six jingle bells in each box and tie the box to the back of a player's waist.
2. On "go", players wiggle and jump to shake the bells out. No hands.
3. Stop the clock at 60 seconds.

How to win: the first empty box wins, or the fewest bells left at time. Some hosts call it jingle in the trunk.

These office party games suit coworkers who do not know each other well. They avoid religion, alcohol and personal questions, and most run in under 20 minutes.

1. Each team picks one teammate to be the snowman.
2. Teams have three minutes to wrap them in paper and add a scarf and hat.
3. Seated version: build the tallest marshmallow snowman in five minutes.

How to win: a judge or a room vote picks the winner.

1. Each person thinks of two true holiday statements and one false one.
2. They say all three, in any order.
3. The group votes on the lie, then the player reveals it.

How to win: a point for each correct vote; whoever fools the most people gets a prize. Keep topics to food, travel and traditions.

1. Before the party, ask guests the survey questions and tally the top five answers to each.
2. At the party, a player from each team races to give the top answer. The faster team plays the question.
3. The team guesses until it finds all five answers or gets three wrong. Then the other team can steal with one guess.

How to win: each answer is worth the number of guests who gave it; most points after all rounds wins.

1. Give each team the same puzzle, still sealed.
2. Start together.
3. Stop at 30 minutes if nobody has finished.

How to win: the first team to finish, or the most pieces placed at the whistle.

1. Each team chooses one teammate to be the tree.
2. Teams get three minutes to decorate them.
3. The "trees" stand in a line for judging.

How to win: a room vote or a judge picks the winning tree.

1. Write puzzles where each answer gives one digit: a word scramble, a simple letter code, a count of something in the room.
2. Hide the puzzles around the room. The final answer is the lock's combination.
3. Give teams 30 minutes and up to three hints.

How to win: open the box in time. Ready-made escape room kits are sold if you would rather not write puzzles.

Gift games give the party a center point and a clear end. Choose one, since running two exchanges in one night wears guests out.

1. Draw names one to three weeks ahead. Swap if anyone draws themselves or their partner.
2. Set a price limit and a short wish-list rule.
3. At the party, guests open their gift and guess who their Secret Santa was.

How to win: there is no winner; at work, keep it opt-in with a modest limit.

1. Players pass the dice around the circle, one roll each.
2. Anyone who rolls doubles grabs the oven mitts and starts unwrapping.
3. They stop when the next player rolls doubles and takes over.

How to win: whoever tears off the last layer keeps the gift.

For 30 or more guests, choose team games and games everyone plays at once: Christmas bingo, team trivia, the survey showdown, guess the Christmas character, guess the candy in the jar, the ugly sweater contest, the human Christmas tree, the snowman building contest and name that carol.

• Indoor: all 34 games are indoor games. For a small room, skip the bag game and the bean-bag toss.
• Older guests and anyone who prefers to sit: bingo, trivia, name that carol, the drawing game, the three-things race, tic-tac-toe, the scent game, two truths and a lie, the jigsaw race and the plastic wrap ball game are all played seated.
• Church and youth groups: every game here works; carol rounds can include sacred carols such as "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night".

Pick games that need only a screen and a voice: trivia, name that carol, charades, the drawing game on a shared whiteboard, bingo, the three-things race, two truths and a lie, guess the Christmas character and the ugly sweater contest. Ask guests to keep cameras on and use the chat for answers so slow connections stay fair.

A "bring me" race also works online: the host names an item ("something red", "a mug", "a holiday card"), and the first person back on camera with it scores.

Copy these lists into a document, print them and cut them into slips. Every prompt was written for this guide, so you can use them as they are.

• Name something people put on top of a tree.
• Name a food you only eat in December.
• Name something people lose while wrapping gifts.
• Name a reason a holiday party runs late.
• Name something you find under a couch after the holidays.
• Name a gift nobody wants.
• Name something people do on December 26.

• "I keep your milk and juice nice and cold. Look on my door for the next clue to unfold." (refrigerator)
• "I'm soft and fluffy and you rest your head. Look under me on top of the bed." (pillow)
• "Hang me with care on Christmas Eve night. Your next clue is tucked in me out of sight." (stocking)
• "I wash the dishes, I'm full of bubbles. Look under me to solve your troubles." (sink cabinet)
• "I have pages and pictures and stories to tell. Look on the shelf where I like to dwell." (bookshelf)
• "You've done it, you're here, the hunt is complete. Look under the tree for a holiday treat." (final prize)

Mix one icebreaker, one team game, one seated game and one prize game, with food in the middle. Here is how that plays out for 16 guests aged 8 to 70.

Yes. If you send your invitation through InviteBird, you can run your trivia round on guests' own phones instead of answer sheets. The Quiz plays two ways from one list of questions: quietly as guests reply, or live at the party on a big screen.

• As guests reply: guests answer your questions while they RSVP, the answers are scored for you, and you reveal the scores when you choose.
• Live at the party: your TV or laptop shows a join code; guests scan it, type a nickname and answer on their phones against a countdown, with a leaderboard between questions and a winner crowned at the end. No app and no login. Demo Mode lets you rehearse any day; the live game itself starts on the event date.

The Quiz is included on every plan: design free, pay when you send, from $9.99. The trivia feature page and the two setup guides are linked at the end of this guide.

A few games need a quick check against your guest list before you plan them.

• Food allergies: candy, cookies, gingerbread and the flour game can involve milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy or wheat, which are among the nine most common food allergens in the U.S. listed by FARE. Ask in the invitation, and offer a no-food version (stickers, small toys).
• Young children and small candies: the American Academy of Pediatrics lists hard, gooey or sticky candy and marshmallows among foods to keep from children under 4 (HealthyChildren.org, updated February 27, 2026). Use ping-pong balls in the box shake and skip the marshmallow snowman for toddlers.
• Raw flour: the FDA says never to eat or taste raw flour, so play the flour game with a spoon.
• Mobility: the bag game, the box shake and the 60-second challenges ask a lot of knees and backs; offer a seated job such as timer or judge.
• Work parties: skip what's in your phone, keep carol lists non-religious, and never build a game around alcohol.
• Scents: guests with fragrance sensitivities may want to sit out the scent game.

Tell guests what to wear or bring in the invitation: an ugly sweater, a wrapped gift for the white elephant, or the Secret Santa price limit. The Christmas party invitation wording guide has lines you can adapt.

Holiday and seasonal invitation designs, the wording guide and animated Christmas cards for thanking guests afterward ($4.99 per card, no subscription) are linked at the end of this guide.

1. Christmas charades
2. Christmas drawing game
3. Christmas trivia
4. Christmas bingo
5. White elephant
6. Plastic wrap ball game
7. Christmas scavenger hunt