When it comes to party games, I’m against walking. Although I love a good game night and I think there is no such thing as too many episodes Danger! watched in one night, I hesitated to go in when I was told there would be performances at the holiday party. Not to be Scrooge (because really, I’m filled with nothing but holiday spirit), I just believe that forced entertainment isn’t just that… fun. Enter: Christmas games for adults—trust me—will get the party started.
15 Christmas Games for Adults to Enjoy This Season
When the holidays come around, I don’t enjoy the traditional Christmas party. So, I’m totally in. That means committing to baking Christmas cookies, making a gingerbread house, and yes, all the games with friends, family, and every last one of my favorite people. So with that in mind, I’ve scoured the internet for all the best Christmas games for adults.
Without further ado, here are the best Christmas games for all the grown-ups at your party—because hey, the kids can’t be the only ones having fun.
Christmas Charades
Although it may take a few of your guests out of their comfort zone, the result is worth it. Come up with a list of Christmas-themed words, songs, phrases, or activities and write each one down on a piece of paper. Have the guests draw cards from the bowl and act out while the other players try to guess. I’m going to go out on a limb and say you’ll definitely laugh, you’ll cry, and you might even turn a few of your reluctant visitors into believers.
Christmas Pictionary
Although the idea starts out similar to charades (think of a list of Christmas-themed cards and put them in a bowl), the content is different. Players take turns drawing the text on the cards, trying to get the others to guess what the picture represents. Although you don’t have to be a musician per se to win, it will definitely not hurt. And if you’re not, it’ll make trying to guess your fruitcake definition a lot more fun.
Christmas Cooking
I am ready for everything The Great British Bake Off encourage my outdoor holiday fun. Because everyone is in the mood to do nothing but bake until (and after) Christmas, it shouldn’t be hard to convince your group to come to a little candy competition. Choose a recipe and get ready to tackle. If you have space, invite your friends to cook together. If not, just have everyone bring their own cakes, cookies, or whatever you’re baking and get ready to indulge. While I wouldn’t say my creations are worthy of shaking Paul Hollywood’s hand, I certainly wouldn’t pass up the chance to sample and judge a table full of delights.
Gift Wrapping Challenge
There are people (my mom) who can wrap a million beautiful presents on Christmas Eve with incredible ease. There are others (me) who prefer the simple and easy option of placing your gifts in a bag that is still aesthetically pleasing. Whichever camps you fall into, prepare to close your heart. Provide boxes, wrapping paper, and ribbons, and divide into two groups. Whoever can wrap the gift immediately wins. Bonus points if the end result is good, too.
Christmas Party Scavenger Hunt
If you’re the type of host who plans her holiday decorations in advance, know that you’re not alone. With this game, you can challenge yourself by finding a little strategy with your decoration. Discuss a fishing list full of items for your guests to hunt for. Whoever comes back with the most checked items wins.
What’s On Your Phone?
Because we come from nowhere but our phones, all your guests will have everything they need to play this game. These printable game cards are full of cheat-like clues that players must search their phones for. Whoever ticks the most boxes is the winner.
Would you rather?
You can ignore what I wrote above—I have and will always be ready to play this game at any party I go to. It’s a quick and easy way for guests to get to know each other because there really is no better way to break the ice. You can use these pre-made cards or create your own. Distribute among the group and have players share which holiday-themed option they would choose. Here’s a sample: Eggnog or Hot Chocolate? (I’d prefer the latter.) While there isn’t necessarily an end goal and a clear winner, there will be more opportunities for fun when you hear what people choose.
Two Truths and a Lie
It’s a party game for a reason. Two Truths and a Lie is the perfect combination of being easy to learn and fun to play. One person makes three statements while the other players have to guess which two are true and which one is false. Add a little Christmas flavor by making the stories specific to the holiday. Maybe you’ll share a holiday dinner that never happened or reveal the truth about a strange gift you ever received. Being creative with your statements will probably improve your chances of winning, but the player with the best poker face will likely come out on top.
Spoon Race and Decoration
This game always reminds me of when I was a kid and I looked forward to the days on the field with the enthusiasm of a five year old. I loved running around the school lawn trying to balance a spoon in my mouth with an egg on top (although I rarely succeeded). Add holiday art to the adult version and replace the egg with an ornament. Set up a course and race the players to the finish line. Whoever falls first without dropping their ornament is crowned.
Guess That Christmas Movie
Is there anything better than communicating about your favorite Christmas movies? I don’t think so. Get ready to test the experience of your classic guests. Make quizzes ahead of time and host your own live trivia game. Just be prepared for things to heat up—competition is sure to heat up with the reputation of holiday movie tech players on the line.
Ugly Sweater Contest
I’m probably in the minority of people who think ugly Christmas sweaters are pretty cool. Whether you think they’re clever or tasteless, everyone will want to join in on the fun. It’s easy: Call your favorite thrift store and give away your holiday finds. The worse, the better.
Gingerbread House Contest
There’s no better way to show your creative side at Christmas than by building your own gingerbread house. While it’s endless fun to make with kids, making this an adults-only competition means you can focus on making great art. Set everyone up with a pre-made house to keep things simple and separate the decorations into bowls. Set the timer and build away. Finally, everyone can vote for their favorite. Side note: This game goes well with a little hot chocolate.
“Chubby Snowball”
You don’t need much to make this game happen at your next holiday party. Load up on a few bags of marshmallows next time you’re at the store and ready to play. Each guest fills their mouth with as many marshmallows as possible while still being able to say, here comes the twist, “snowball.” Of course, always make sure you don’t take the competition too far—marshmallows can be a choking hazard.
Christmas Scattergories
Ah, Scattergories. The original, category-based, creative puzzle game has been a favorite since the 80s. Now, it’s time to get ready for Christmas. Print the Scattergories holiday template. Have a timer, buy or DIY a 26-sided book, and you’re good to go. Players have 2-3 minutes to complete the card using only Christmas themed words that start with a folded letter. Honestly, it’s a bit addictive, so make sure you set aside enough time for at least a few rounds.
Guess How Many Ornaments
When you greet your guests, give them a piece of paper and have them write down how many ornaments they think are on your tree. At the end of the evening, announce whose guess was closest. Their prize can simply be proof that they’re a professional keeper—or you can take something as small as a candle to congratulate the winner. Pro tip: When you play this game, just don’t forget to count the ornaments as you decorate your tree.