The Best Simple & Fun Christmas Party Games for Everyone

The holiday season is upon us, and one of my favorite ways to celebrate is with a festive gathering filled with laughter, joy, and a touch of friendly competition. If you’re planning a holiday party for a large group, whether it’s an office celebration, family reunion, or a gathering of friends, incorporating simple yet entertaining games and activities is a great way to ensure everyone has a good time.

If you are like me and hosting some Christmas parties, these ideas are a fun way to bring the season’s spirit to life for large groups, whether for an office party or the entire family.

The Best Simple & Fun Christmas Party Games for Everyone

Christmas Charades

Get the whole family involved in a classic game with a holiday twist. Prepare a list of Christmas-themed words or phrases related to Christmas movies, songs, or traditions, and place the folded slips of paper in a large bowl. Split the party guests into two teams and take turns acting out the words without speaking while the other team guesses. From “Santa Claus” to “Christmas cookies,” this game is the perfect way to get everyone laughing and guessing, creating a fun and festive atmosphere.

Musical Chairs

Before you shake your head at me, hear me out. This classic party is not just for kids.  Last year, I introduced this to our friends, and it got pretty rowdy.  It’s simple but an excellent game for adults and kids alike. Participants gather around a circle of chairs, with one less chair than the number of players. As Christmas music plays, everyone walks or dances around the chairs, and when the music stops, they must quickly find a chair to sit in.

The catch is that one person is always left standing without a chair and is eliminated from the round. One chair is removed before each round, intensifying the competition. The last person remaining in the game is the winner. This simple yet entertaining activity not only adds an element of friendly competition but also guarantees laughter and excitement for participants of all ages. Just be careful. One chair broke during this classic party game at our house last year.  I told you it got rowdy.

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Saran Wrap Ball Game

Add an element of surprise and excitement to your holiday party with the Saran Wrap Ball Game. All of my family members love this game, even the younger children. Create a massive ball of plastic wrap sporadically filled with small gifts, candy, and even gift cards. Guests sit in a circle, and the first player begins unwrapping the ball, wearing a bulky pair of mittens, while the person next to them rolls a pair of dice.

When they roll a double, the ball & mittens pass to the next person, and the unwrapping continues. The catch? The person unwrapping must stop when the next roller gets a double, allowing others to enjoy the goodies. It’s a high-energy game that keeps everyone on their toes and eager for their turn.

Plush Snowball Set

Snowball Fight

No snow? No problem!  Kids and adults alike have so much fun with these plush snowballs.  I have a whole post dedicated to different snowball relays and games; check it out here.  

You can even organize a snowball fight. Divide the party guests into two small groups. Provide each team with a bucket of snowballs, and let the snowball fight begin! At the end of the time limit, the team with the most snowballs in the opposing team’s territory wins. It’s a delightful and mess-free alternative to a traditional snowball fight, perfect for indoor and outdoor celebrations at Christmas time or all winter long. Grab your snowball set here.

Ugly Sweater Contest

​Encourage your party guests to don their most outrageous and festive sweaters for an Ugly Sweater Contest. Have a designated judging panel or let the guests vote for their favorites. Award prizes for categories like “Most Creative,” “Most Festive,” or even “Most Outlandish.” It’s a lighthearted and humorous way to embrace the holiday spirit while showcasing everyone’s unique style.

Reindeer Games

One of my favorite holiday traditions is hosting our annual Reindeer Games party.  We invite families to wear themed attire that complements their chosen team name. Last year, we were team “light ’em up, up, up” and wore matching Christmas light pjs!  Another group came as team “snowman,” dressed in snowman shirts.  

Envision an Olympic-type event.  There are several rounds of games—ranging from musical chairs to snowball relay races—each earning participating groups points towards the coveted title of overall champions. The event’s climax is awarding the illustrious golden reindeer to the victorious group or family. Choose a few games or activities here and make your own reindeer games party!

This theme seamlessly blends friendly competition with holiday cheer, creating an unforgettable experience where laughter, creativity, and the season’s joy converge. Our friends ask when we are hosting it every year.  It’s a hit every single year.

On that note, you could also try this fun contest. We do this fun ornament decorating contest yearly as a family—boys vs. girls. Just to let you know, the boys haven’t won yet.  Check out the full blog post here.

Christmas Bingo

Put a holiday spin on the classic game of Bingo with Christmas-themed cards. Create printable Bingo cards featuring things like snowmen, Christmas trees, or popular holiday movie titles. Use small candies or Christmas ornaments as markers, and call out the items for players to mark on their cards. The first person to complete a line shouts “Bingo!” and wins a festive prize. It’s an easy and entertaining game that suits large groups of all ages.

Cooking Decorating Contest

We do this yearly to break the ice when we host my husband’s team for a holiday party at our house.  I set up a decorating station with plain cookies or gingerbread shapes, colorful icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations. Participants can let their imaginations run wild as they design and decorate their sweet masterpieces. There’s a time limit, and then each cooking is labeled by number anonymously.

Participants then vote on a piece of paper for their favorites in categories such as “Most Festive,” “Most Creative,” or “Best Use of Sprinkles.”  We usually award winners festive prizes that they have to wear, like reindeer headbands or a Rudolph blinking nose. This delicious and artistic activity brings out the holiday spirit and encourages friendly competition, making it a memorable and enjoyable addition to your holiday festivities.

Santa Says

Give the classic game of Simon Says a festive makeover with “Santa Says.” The rules remain the same, but now Santa is in charge! Have someone play the role of Santa Claus, giving commands like “Santa says dance like a reindeer” or “Santa says sing your favorite Christmas carol.” Players must only follow orders preceded by “Santa says,” and if Santa doesn’t say it, they must stay still. It’s a fun and interactive way to keep the holiday spirit alive during your party.  

To up the fun, you can have a gift between 2 people.  After a series of “Santa says” commands, the narrator can yell, “Santa says, grab the gift.” the first person to grab the gift moves to the next round.  The last person gets a prize!

Jingle Bells Relay

Kick off your holiday party with a team-building activity combining jingle bells’ festive sounds with a bit of competition. Divide your party guests into teams and have each team line up. Place a Christmas tree at one end of the room and scatter jingle bells on the floor.

The objective is for team members to pick up a bell, race to the Christmas tree, and hang it on a designated branch. The first team to decorate their tree with all their jingle bells wins! It’s a great way to foster teamwork and get everyone into the holiday spirit.

Belly Button Fanny Pack

White Elephant Exchange

This is an easy game that our kids look forward to every year.  Have every person bring a wrapped gag gift of their choice.  Give a spending limit or specify it must be thrifted or found around the house.  My kids see things all year long now that they deem excellent white elephant gift exchange options.  Like a high-heeled shoe wine bottle holder or shake weight.  

A White Elephant Gift Exchange is a festive holiday tradition where participants bring wrapped, often humorous, gifts within a predetermined budget. The exchange begins with participants drawing numbers to determine the order of gift selection.

Starting with the person with number one, participants can either choose a new, wrapped gift or “steal” an opened gift from someone else. The game continues until everyone has a gift, with a limit on how many times a particular item can be stolen.

The unwrapping and revealing of gifts lead to shared laughter and camaraderie, creating a lighthearted and memorable holiday experience centered around quirky, unexpected, and amusing presents that will most likely be saved and gifted at the next party.

Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt

A Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt combines the thrill of a treasure hunt with the sweet joy of holiday treats. Participants search for hidden candy canes scattered throughout a designated area. Depending on the setting, you can hide candy canes strategically indoors or outdoors.

You can have participants follow clues or hints leading them to the next candy cane location, aiming to collect as many candy canes as possible. You might also keep it simple and leave them all over the house. The hunt encourages friendly competition and adds an exciting and flavorful twist to the traditional scavenger hunt experience. 

Secret Santa Gift Exchange 

Each participant randomly draws a name, becoming the secret gift-giver for the chosen person. Whether a thoughtful trinket or a humorous present, the focus is on spreading joy and creating warm moments during the gift exchange. Be sure to set a price limit so everyone is on the same page. You can reveal the gifts during the holiday party and watch as smiles light up faces, making Secret Santa a heartwarming and cherished tradition that fosters a sense of connection and holiday cheer perfect for your next holiday party. 

Even More Party Game Ideas

Are you looking for even more party game ideas?  Check out this blog post with 12 more of my favorites, including a few favorite games we purchased that we use on repeat for some extra fun when we have friends over.  Playing games breaks the ice and is one of my favorite things to do at a party.  

Just Remember…

Planning a holiday party for a large group doesn’t have to be stressful. The goal is to have fun and create a little Christmas spirit. With these simple and funny Christmas party games and activities, you can create memorable moments for all.

Whether you’re organizing an office holiday party, a family gathering, or a festive get-together with friends, these Christmas activities cater to various age groups and ensure everyone has a great time. So, gather your loved ones, put on your favorite holiday tunes, and let the merriment begin! Wishing you a joyful and unforgettable holiday season filled with laughter and love.

Check out these Other Party Ideas…

5 Snowball Party Game Ideas

12 Party Game Ideas for Adults

Family Craft Competition Idea

Need Help Planning for the Holidays?

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