With the holiday season upon us, it’s time to start planning those memorable Christmas parties that friends, family, and colleagues look forward to all year. But let’s be real—while holiday gatherings are always fun, the same old activities year after year can make things feel a bit stale. So, why not surprise your guests with some fresh, exciting games that’ll have everyone laughing, bonding, and truly getting into the festive spirit?

This year, mix it up with games that range from laugh-out-loud funny to lightly competitive, with options for every personality in the room. You’ll find ideas here that are perfect for close-knit gatherings, large family reunions, or even a festive office party. Ready to turn up the holiday cheer? Here’s a list of 23 creative Christmas party games for adults that’ll bring joy, laughter, and maybe even a bit of friendly rivalry to your celebration.

Let’s dive in and discover the games that’ll make this year’s Christmas party truly unforgettable!

1. Christmas Movie Charades

Start things off with a game that everyone can enjoy—Christmas Movie Charades! Whether your guests are holiday movie buffs or not, everyone will have a great time trying to act out their favorite Christmas films.

• How it works: Write down titles of popular Christmas movies on pieces of paper, fold them, and place them in a bowl. Divide your guests into teams. One person from each team picks a movie to act out while their team guesses.
• Pro tip: To add a bit of a challenge, use a timer. The team that guesses the most movies within a minute wins!

It’s a hilarious game, especially when someone tries to act out a classic like Elf or It’s a Wonderful Life with only gestures.

2. Gift Wrap Relay Race

For a fast-paced, laughter-filled game, the Gift Wrap Relay Race is a must. This game will test your guests’ wrapping skills under pressure.

• How it works: Set up a table with a few small gifts, wrapping paper, scissors, and tape. Divide players into two teams, and give each team a set of supplies. Each person in line has to wrap a “gift” as quickly as possible.
• Twist it up: Try blindfolding players or requiring them to wrap with one hand. The team with the best-wrapped presents in the shortest time wins!

This game can get pretty funny, especially as guests try to manage the paper and tape with one hand or a blindfold.

3. Christmas Carol Pictionary

For the musically inclined, Christmas Carol Pictionary will test both artistic skills and holiday song knowledge.

• How it works: Write down popular Christmas carols on slips of paper. Players take turns drawing their assigned song while their teammates guess.
• Add some spice: Throw in a few less-common songs for extra difficulty!

This game is perfect for breaking the ice and creating a cheerful holiday atmosphere.

4. Ornament Guessing Game

Bring a little mystery to your party with an Ornament Guessing Game. It’s simple yet surprisingly entertaining.

• How it works: Before the party, count the ornaments on your Christmas tree. Throughout the night, invite guests to guess the total number.
• Winner’s reward: The closest guess wins a small prize or one of the unique ornaments!

It’s a great way to incorporate holiday decor into your festivities and get everyone involved.

5. Santa’s Hat Ring Toss

This game is both funny and deceptively challenging! All you need is a Santa hat and some rings.

• How it works: Place the Santa hat on a table or ask someone to wear it, and see if your guests can toss rings onto the hat’s tip.
• Extra challenge: Increase the distance or use smaller rings as the game progresses.

This silly game is bound to cause some laughs and add a playful holiday vibe.

6. Secret Santa Scavenger Hunt

Put a twist on Secret Santa by turning it into a scavenger hunt! This game combines gift-giving with a fun adventure.

• How it works: Hide small gifts around the house or venue, and give each guest a set of clues leading them to their gift.
• Holiday-themed clues: Make the clues rhyme or incorporate Christmas references for added fun.

Your guests will enjoy the extra effort, and it adds an element of excitement to the gift exchange.

7. Snowball Toss

This indoor snowball game brings a winter feel to your party without the chill! It’s easy to set up and guaranteed to entertain.

• How it works: Create “snowballs” from cotton balls or crumpled white paper. Set up buckets or baskets at various distances, and let guests attempt to toss the snowballs into each one.
• Scoring: Assign point values to each bucket based on difficulty and offer a small prize for the highest scorer.

It’s a fun game that brings the spirit of a snowball fight indoors.

8. Christmas Charades with a Twist

Take regular charades and give it a Christmas spin! This version includes holiday-themed words and phrases.

• How it works: Write down holiday-related phrases like “decorating the tree,” “wrapping presents,” or “building a snowman” on slips of paper. Teams take turns acting them out.
• Twist: Add categories like “Holiday Activities,” “Christmas Movies,” or “Festive Foods” for variety.

It’s a game that brings holiday cheer and a lot of laughter.

9. Gingerbread House Decoration Contest

A classic activity turned competitive, a Gingerbread House Decoration Contest will let your guests unleash their creativity.

• How it works: Provide gingerbread house kits or bake them in advance. Divide everyone into teams and set a timer. Each team has to decorate the most beautiful (or wackiest) gingerbread house within the time limit.
• Judging criteria: You can either pick a judge or have everyone vote anonymously for their favorite house.

This game is fun and allows everyone to show off their artistic side.

10. Naughty or Nice Trivia

Challenge your guests’ knowledge of holiday traditions, movies, and music with a Naughty or Nice Trivia game.

• How it works: Prepare a list of Christmas-related questions, covering topics like Christmas movies, holiday songs, and seasonal traditions.
• Scoring: Divide guests into two teams and award points for each correct answer.

This game brings a competitive edge and is a great conversation starter.

10. Naughty or Nice Trivia

Test your guests’ knowledge of all things Christmas with a Naughty or Nice Trivia game! This is perfect for groups who love a bit of friendly competition and mental challenges.

• How it works: Prepare a list of Christmas-related trivia questions. Cover a variety of topics, such as Christmas movies, holiday songs, Christmas traditions from around the world, and even fun facts about Santa Claus!
• Divide and conquer: Split your guests into two teams—Naughty and Nice. Ask each team a question, and if they answer correctly, they earn a point.
• Winning tip: Throw in some tricky questions or funny multiple-choice options to keep things interesting.

This game is a fun way to learn something new and get everyone’s competitive spirit going. Plus, you’ll all walk away knowing a bit more about holiday lore!

11. Christmas Karaoke Challenge

For those who love to sing (or at least try to!), a Christmas Karaoke Challenge can quickly become a party favorite. This game brings out the inner performer in everyone.

• How it works: Set up a karaoke machine or use a karaoke app with a selection of Christmas songs. Invite each guest to sing a holiday classic solo or as part of a team.
• Judging criteria: Create categories like “Best Performance,” “Most Hilarious Rendition,” or “Most Creative Song Choice” and let the audience vote.

Everyone loves a good holiday tune, and you’re guaranteed some laughs when people try to hit those high notes in “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

12. Christmas Bingo

This classic game gets a festive twist with Christmas Bingo! It’s simple, fun, and a great way to keep everyone engaged.

• How it works: Print Christmas-themed Bingo cards with holiday symbols like reindeer, Santa, gifts, or stockings. Hand out the cards to guests along with markers or pens.
• Winning rounds: Play several rounds, offering small prizes for winners. You can go for traditional Bingo or try variations like “Four Corners” or “Full Card.”

Christmas Bingo is a relaxed, low-pressure game that’s ideal for breaking up more active games.

13. Ugly Sweater Runway Show

Ugly sweaters have become a holiday staple, so why not turn them into a fun contest? An Ugly Sweater Runway Show is a great way to showcase everyone’s holiday fashion—or lack thereof.

• How it works: Ask guests to come dressed in their best (or worst!) holiday sweaters. Set up a makeshift “runway” and let each participant walk down and show off their style.
• Scoring categories: Have categories like “Most Creative Sweater,” “Funniest Sweater,” and “Most Festive Sweater.” Let the audience vote for their favorites.

This is a lighthearted, inclusive game that gets everyone involved and laughing at the holiday fashion faux pas.

14. Christmas Present Guessing Game

Everyone loves a good mystery, and this Christmas Present Guessing Game is perfect for adding a touch of suspense to your party.

• How it works: Wrap a few mystery items (the more unusual, the better!) and have your guests guess what’s inside each box by feeling the package without unwrapping it.
• Hints and twists: For extra fun, offer vague clues or set a time limit for each guess. Award a prize for each correct guess.

This game is sure to spark curiosity and laughter as guests try to figure out the mystery items!

15. Holiday Scattergories

Put a Christmas twist on the classic word game Scattergories. It’s perfect for groups that love quick thinking and creativity.

• How it works: Create holiday-themed categories like “Christmas Foods,” “Holiday Movies,” or “Gifts Under $10.” Set a letter for each round and have players come up with words in each category that start with that letter.
• Scoring: If someone else has the same answer, neither gets a point—so unique answers score big!

Holiday Scattergories is a fast-paced game that’s great for bringing out everyone’s creative side.

16. Candy Cane Relay Race

Get everyone moving with a Candy Cane Relay Race! It’s a fun, energetic game that requires a bit of balance and agility.

• How it works: Give each player a candy cane, and have them race to transfer the candy cane from one player to the next without using their hands (try holding it with elbows or balancing it on a finger).
• Challenge mode: Add more candy canes or introduce a “no-talking” rule to make things harder.

It’s a playful way to get everyone laughing and moving around—just watch out for dropped candy canes!

17. Christmas Stocking Challenge

The Christmas Stocking Challenge is a great hands-on game that’s perfect for small and large groups alike.

• How it works: Fill a large stocking with small objects that relate to Christmas (think mini ornaments, candy canes, or small decorations). Have each guest reach into the stocking without looking and try to guess what’s inside.
• Scoring: Award points for each correct guess. The person with the most correct guesses wins!

This game brings a bit of suspense and sensory play to your party and keeps everyone entertained.

18. Festive Photo Booth Scavenger Hunt

This activity combines a scavenger hunt with a festive photo booth for a unique holiday experience.

• How it works: Set up a small photo booth with holiday props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and fake snow. Create a list of themed photos for teams to capture, like “a group photo with reindeer antlers” or “someone with a fake mustache.”
• Scoring: Award points based on creativity or completion. You can even have a mini award ceremony at the end.

This game is not only fun but gives everyone a collection of holiday memories to look back on.

19. Christmas Balloon Pop

Looking for a game that’ll get everyone laughing? Try a Christmas Balloon Pop, where guests work together to complete holiday challenges hidden inside balloons.

• How it works: Place small pieces of paper with challenges or trivia questions inside each balloon, then blow them up. Guests take turns popping a balloon and completing the challenge inside.
• Challenges: Use holiday-themed challenges like “sing a Christmas song” or “do your best Santa impression.”

This is a great way to keep things lively and interactive as guests take on different challenges.

20. The Twelve Days of Christmas Relay

Turn the classic song into an interactive relay race! This game requires teamwork and a bit of memory.

• How it works: Divide guests into teams. Assign each team a “day” from the song (like “five golden rings” or “three French hens”). When it’s their turn, the team must act out their verse of the song.
• Twist: As the song progresses, each team has to remember the actions from the previous days and add them in.

This game will get everyone laughing and moving as they try to remember each verse.

21. Christmas Tree Stack Challenge

For a fun and slightly tricky game, the Christmas Tree Stack Challenge tests players’ stacking skills using plastic cups.

• How it works: Give each guest a stack of green plastic cups. The goal is to build the tallest “tree” within a set time limit.
• Winner’s Circle: The tallest tree wins a prize, but if it topples before the time is up, they have to start over!

This game is simple but surprisingly competitive, and everyone will have fun trying to build their “tree.”

22. Reindeer Antler Ring Toss

This game combines a bit of physical activity with holiday-themed hilarity. Perfect for indoor or outdoor gatherings.

• How it works: Give one person reindeer antlers (you can find inflatable versions or even DIY your own) and let others try to toss rings onto the antlers.
• Levels: Start close and increase the distance with each successful toss to make it more challenging.

It’s a playful game that brings out everyone’s competitive side and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

23. Christmas Truth or Dare

End the night with a Christmas-themed version of Truth or Dare, a game that’s sure to bring out everyone’s adventurous side.

• How it works: Prepare a list of holiday-themed dares and questions, like “What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?” or “Sing your favorite Christmas carol in a funny voice.”
• How to play: Go around the room, letting each guest pick “truth” or “dare.”

This game is great for laughs and a few surprises as everyone gets in on the holiday fun!

Conclusion

With these 23 unique Christmas party games, you’re all set to throw a holiday bash that guests will remember long after the season has passed. Whether you choose a mix of trivia, active games, or creative challenges, each one brings its own flavor of holiday joy. The games will keep everyone laughing, bonding, and fully immersed in the festive spirit.

So, put on your best ugly sweater, grab some eggnog, and get ready to make memories. The holidays are about connection, laughter, and joy, and these games are sure to bring plenty of each. Here’s to a Christmas party filled with love, laughter, and loads of holiday cheer!

Merry Christmas, and happy gaming! 🎄