Updated October 19, 2025
Planning Christmas parties is one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season. From hosting Christmas parties for my friends, to family gatherings at home to organizing games for the office holiday party, I love finding ways to make each event special and memorable. There's nothing better than seeing everyone laughing, bonding, and sharing in the holiday cheer.
In this post, I'm sharing all the best Christmas party games for adults that will help you create a fun and festive atmosphere at your next holiday gathering. Whether you're looking for games to play on Christmas Eve with your family or need ideas for an office party, I've got you covered. You'll find a variety of game ideas that are perfect for boosting the holiday spirit and ensuring everyone has a great time. This post is all about helping you make your Christmas party unforgettable with games that bring people together and spread joy throughout the season.
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Key Takeaways
Planning an adult Christmas party? You’ve got everything from classics like charades and bingo, through interactive gift exchanges and minute‑to‑win‑it contests, to team showdowns, DIY style games, and even drinking‑game alternatives. With 22–23 games in the list, you’ll be equipped for any vibe: relaxed family evening, rowdy office party, or mixed‑age bash. Pick 2‑3 games, match them to group size and energy level, follow a 90‑minute flow, and your guests will be laughing, mingling, and making memories.
Classic Christmas Party Games for Adults
Planning games for your Christmas party? These classic games are a great way to engage everyone, no matter the size of your group. Here are some fun Christmas party games that have a festive twist and are perfect for creating holiday cheer.
Christmas Charades
How to Play: Christmas Charades is just like the classic game of charades, but with a holiday spin. Players take turns drawing a Christmas-themed prompt, such as "decorating a Christmas tree" or "building a snowman," from a bowl. The player must act out the prompt without speaking while the rest of the group guesses what it is. The first person to guess correctly earns a point, and the next player takes their turn. This game is a fun way to get everyone involved and moving.
What You’ll Need:
- Slips of paper with Christmas-themed prompts (like Christmas movies, songs, or activities)
- A bowl to hold the slips of paper
- A timer (optional for setting a time limit for each turn)
Christmas Charades is a great game for all ages, and it's perfect for adding some Christmas spirit to your gathering. It’s also an excellent opportunity to see some hilarious performances from your friends and family!
Christmas Bingo for Adults
How to Play: Christmas Bingo is a festive twist on the traditional bingo game. Create bingo cards filled with holiday-themed items such as "Santa Claus," "jingle bells," "wrapped gift," or "candy canes." As you call out each item, players mark it on their cards. The first person to mark off a complete row, column, or diagonal shouts "Bingo!" and wins a prize. You can also add variations, such as a “full card” win, for extra fun.
What You’ll Need:
- Printable Christmas-themed bingo cards (you can find many free versions online)
- Markers or bingo chips
- A bowl or hat with slips of paper listing each item on the bingo cards
- Small prizes for the winners
Christmas Bingo is perfect for large groups and adds a seasonal spin to a classic game. It’s easy to set up and can be a great way to encourage a little friendly competition at your holiday party.
Christmas Musical Chairs
How to Play: For a fun Christmas Eve activity, try a holiday-themed version of musical chairs. Arrange chairs in a circle, one less than the number of participants. Play Christmas music while participants walk around the chairs. When the music stops, everyone must find a chair to sit in. The person left standing is out, and one chair is removed for the next round. The game continues until one player is left, and they are declared the winner.
What You’ll Need:
- Chairs (one less than the number of participants)
- A playlist of Christmas music (songs like "Jingle Bells" or "Santa Claus is Coming to Town")
- Space to play
Musical chairs with a Christmas twist is a simple yet energetic game that brings a lot of fun to any gathering. It’s a great activity for both younger children and adults, making it a versatile choice for your holiday party.
These classic Christmas party games are a fantastic way to keep your guests entertained and full of holiday cheer. They require minimal preparation and can be easily adapted to suit any type of party. Whether you’re hosting a big group or a small family gathering, these games are sure to create a lot of fun and unforgettable memories.
Interactive and Hilarious Christmas Party Games for Adults
Looking for some fun Christmas party games to get everyone laughing? These interactive games are perfect for adding excitement and holiday cheer to any gathering. They’re easy to set up and guarantee a good time for all.
White Elephant Gift Exchange
A White Elephant Gift Exchange is a fun and interactive game that adds surprise and humor to any holiday gathering. The goal is to exchange quirky or funny gifts, which often leads to laughter and memorable moments.
Traditional White Elephant Rules
How to Play: In the traditional White Elephant Gift Exchange, each participant brings a wrapped gift, usually something amusing or unique, within a set price limit, typically between $10 and $20. This lower amount is especially suitable for office settings where affordability is key. To start, guests draw numbers to determine the order of gift selection. The first person chooses a gift from the pile and opens it. The next person can either select a new wrapped gift or "steal" an already opened gift. If a person's gift is stolen, they can choose another unopened gift or steal from someone else. This continues until all the gifts are opened. The game is a great way to see who ends up with the most coveted or hilariously unwanted gift!
What You’ll Need:
- Wrapped gifts (one per participant)
- Slips of paper with numbers to determine the order of gift selection
- A designated area to display the opened gifts
This version of the game is perfect for sparking laughter and encouraging interaction among guests, making it ideal for an adult Christmas party.
White Elephant Dice Game Variation
How to Play with Dice: The White Elephant Dice Game adds an exciting twist to the traditional format by using dice to guide the gift exchange process. Here's how to play:
- Preparation: Each participant brings a wrapped gift with a set price limit of $10 to $20. Place all the gifts in a central location.
- Game Setup: Give each participant a turn to roll two dice.
- Rolling the Dice: Depending on the outcome of their roll, participants follow specific actions:
- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11: Unwrap a gift or swap a gift with another player.
- 7: All players pass their gift to the left.
- 12: All players pass their gift to the right.
- Game Play: Continue rolling the dice until all gifts are unwrapped. Then, for a set number of additional rounds, players can continue to roll the dice to swap gifts, keeping the game dynamic and unpredictable.
- Ending the Game: The game ends after a predetermined number of rounds or when the host decides it’s time to stop. Everyone keeps the gift they have at the end.
What You’ll Need:
- Wrapped gifts (one per participant)
- Two dice
- A designated area to display gifts and roll the dice
The dice variation adds an extra layer of unpredictability and fun, making it a perfect addition to any holiday party. This twist ensures that everyone stays engaged and keeps the excitement going throughout the game.
The White Elephant Gift Exchange, in both its traditional and dice variations, is a classic holiday game that brings joy and laughter to any gathering. It’s a fantastic way to encourage participation and ensure everyone has a memorable time. For more details on the dice variation rules, you can visit the White Elephant Dice Game Rules.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest
How to Play: The Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest is all about creativity and humor. Ask your guests to wear their ugliest, most outrageous Christmas sweaters to the party. Once everyone has arrived, hold a fashion show where each person can showcase their sweater. You can set categories like “Most Creative,” “Funniest,” or “Most Festive” to make judging easier. Guests can vote for their favorites, and the person with the most votes wins a prize.
What You’ll Need:
- A space for the fashion show
- Voting ballots or a simple way for guests to cast their votes
- Prizes for the winners
This contest is a fun game that adds a lighthearted and competitive element to your party. It’s also a great way to break the ice and get people mingling.
A fun way to come up with an original ugly sweater is to pair up with another party goer and create coordinating ugly sweaters with each others photos on them making funny faces. Or if you just want to troll another guest at the party find a funny photo of them and put it on a sweater pinned onto a reindeer or santa face.
Christmas Party Minute to Win It Games
Minute to Win It games are great for adding quick, high-energy fun to your Christmas party. Set up a few stations with different challenges that guests must complete in under a minute. These games are sure to keep everyone laughing and engaged!
Stacking Cups
How to Play: In this game, each player must stack 10 cups into a pyramid shape as fast as possible. The pyramid should have four levels: four cups on the bottom row, three cups above that, then two, and finally one cup at the top. Once the pyramid is complete, players must unstack the cups and return them to a single stack. The player who finishes the task the quickest wins.
What You’ll Need:
- 10 plastic cups per player or team
- A stopwatch or timer to track the time
Candy Cane Fishing
How to Play: Players use a candy cane to hook and "fish" for small ornaments or other candy canes. The trick is to do this without using their hands; instead, the candy cane should be held by their mouth or in one hand. The player who hooks the most items in under a minute wins.
What You’ll Need:
- Candy canes for each player
- Small ornaments or other candy canes to fish for
- A bowl or container to collect the hooked items
Wrapping Challenge
How to Play: Participants race to wrap a gift in under a minute. To make it more challenging, they can only use one hand or wear oven mitts. The player who wraps their gift neatly and quickly wins.
What You’ll Need:
- Wrapping paper, tape, and empty boxes
- Oven mitts for added difficulty
These Minute to Win It games are a fantastic addition to any holiday gathering. They are quick, fun Christmas party games for adults that will keep the energy high and provide lots of laughs.
Team Games for Group Fun and Bonding
Team games are a perfect way to unite your guests and make your Christmas party a hit. They encourage teamwork, foster friendly competition, and are a fantastic way to get everyone involved. Here are some fun adult Christmas party games that will add excitement and festive spirit to your holiday gathering.
Scavenger Hunts
How to Play: A scavenger hunt is a great game to get everyone moving and exploring. For a Christmas-themed hunt, create a list of holiday items that guests need to find around the party venue. These items could include a “Santa hat,” “candy canes,” or “a wrapped gift.” Divide your guests into teams, and give each team the list. The first team to find all the items wins. This is a great way to break the ice and get everyone interacting.
What You’ll Need:
- A list of holiday-themed items (one per team)
- A piece of paper and pen for each team to check off items
- Small prizes for the winning team
Scavenger hunts are a fun and active way to engage your guests and add a little bit of friendly competition. They’re perfect for large groups and can be customized to fit any party setting.
Christmas Pictionary
How to Play: Christmas Pictionary is a fun and creative team game that’s perfect for group bonding at your holiday party. Divide the guests into teams, and give each team a set of holiday-themed prompts, such as "decorating a Christmas tree" or "building a snowman." One player from each team will draw a prompt from a bowl and must draw the scene on a whiteboard or large sheet of paper without speaking or using letters. The other team members have to guess what the drawing represents. The team that guesses correctly the fastest wins the round, and the team with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner.
What You’ll Need:
- A list of Christmas-themed prompts written on slips of paper
- A whiteboard or large sheets of paper for drawing
- Markers or dry-erase markers
- A timer to keep track of each round
Christmas Pictionary is a fantastic way to bring out the competitive spirit and creativity of your guests. It’s easy to set up and guarantees a lot of laughs, making it a great addition to your list of team games for group fun and bonding during the holiday season.
Gingerbread House Building
How to Play: In "Gingerbread House Building," teams are provided with a set of gingerbread pieces, icing, and various decorations. Each team has a set amount of time to build and decorate the most creative gingerbread house. At the end of the time limit, judges (or all party guests) vote on the best design based on creativity, stability, and festive flair.
What You’ll Need:
- Gingerbread house kits (one per team)
- Icing and assorted decorations like candy, sprinkles, and edible glitter
- A timer to set a time limit for building
- Prizes for the winning team
Holiday Trivia
How to Play: "Holiday Trivia" is a fun game where teams compete to answer questions about Christmas traditions, songs, movies, and other holiday topics. Each team writes their answers on a sheet of paper, and the host tallies the points after all questions are answered. The team with the most correct answers wins a prize.
What You’ll Need:
- A set of trivia questions divided into categories (like Christmas movies, songs, and traditions)
- Paper and pens for each team to write down their answers
- A timer to keep the game moving
- Prizes for the winning team
These team games provide a perfect opportunity for your guests to work together and showcase their creativity and knowledge. They’re ideal for adding excitement and fun to any Christmas party.
Fun Interactive Games for Christmas Parties
Reindeer games are a fun way to add some festive cheer to your Christmas party. Here are two popular options that are sure to entertain guests of all ages.
Pin the Nose on Rudolph
How to Play: In "Pin the Nose on Rudolph," players take turns trying to pin a red nose onto a poster of Rudolph while blindfolded. Spin each player around a few times to make it more challenging. The player who places the nose closest to the correct spot wins.
What You’ll Need:
- A large poster of Rudolph
- Red paper noses with double-sided tape or sticky tack
- Blindfolds
- A space to hang the poster
Reindeer Ring Toss
How to Play: "Reindeer Ring Toss" is a team game where players try to toss rings onto reindeer antlers. You can use real antler headbands worn by participants or a stationary target with antlers. Teams take turns tossing rings, and the team with the most rings on the antlers at the end wins.
What You’ll Need:
- Reindeer antler headbands or a stationary target with antlers
- Rings (lightweight, such as plastic or rope)
- A clear area for tossing
Funwares “Santa’s Stack‑Up”
How to Play: Players take turns removing or placing wooden blocks to build a Christmas‑tree silhouette without causing it to tumble. The goal is to be the last person to successfully place a block.
What You’ll Need: The stacking set (wooden block pieces shaped or framed as a Christmas tree), a flat surface, and ideally 3‑6 players (but adaptable).
Why It’s Great: This game works well for adult holiday gatherings because it blends casual fun with friendly tension — adults can engage without it feeling childish, and there’s a physical, interactive component to keep energy up.
Host Tip: For extra fun, add a rule that each removed block must be held in one hand behind the back before the next placement, raising the challenge.
Christmas Ring Toss
How to Play: This kit includes inflatable game pieces (such as toss targets, rings, or limbo frames). Divide guests into teams or pairs and rotate through mini‑stations (e.g., ring toss, target throw, limbo under bar). For each station, assign a timer (60 seconds), and the team with the most hits wins that station. Combine station scores for an overall winner.
What You’ll Need: The inflatable game kit, enough space (indoors or large room/outdoor), a timer, and optionally team identifiers (e.g., wristbands or ornaments).
Why It’s Great: Because it’s large‑format and physically engaging, this game suits lively adult parties and helps break the ice among guests who may not know each other well. It also provides a clear “activity zone” in the party space, keeping things moving.
Host Tip: If space is limited, use one inflatable station and rotate players every two minutes, tracking high‑score individuals.
Snowball Toss Game
How to Play: Players or teams take turns tossing “snowballs” (soft balls or bean‑bags) into target holes or containers from a fixed distance. Assign point values for different holes. The player or team with the highest points after a set number of rounds wins.
What You’ll Need: The snowball toss set (target board + snowballs), a clear throw line, a timer or fixed number of throws (e.g., 10 throws per person), and prize for the winner.
Why It’s Great: This game is simple to explain, low‑prep, and works for mixed‑age adult groups. It also brings in light competition without being too intense — perfect for holiday fun.
Host Tip: For added twist, make one “wild card” round: each player must toss using their non‑dominant hand or while wearing mittens (festive touch!).
These games are perfect for bringing some holiday fun to your gathering. They're easy to set up and sure to provide lots of laughs and entertainment for everyone!
Simple and Easy Christmas Games for Any Crowd
If you're looking for low-key but fun games for your Christmas party, these simple options are perfect. They’re easy to set up and don’t require much preparation, making them ideal for any holiday gathering. Plus, they work great for all ages, from kids to adults!
Holiday-Themed Card Games
How to Play: Holiday-themed card games are a relaxed way to enjoy some friendly competition. One popular choice is "Christmas Go Fish," where traditional playing cards are replaced with Christmas-themed ones featuring images like candy canes, Santa hats, or Christmas trees. Another fun option is "Santa’s Deck of Cards," where each card has a different holiday challenge or question that players must complete or answer, adding an interactive twist to the game.
What You’ll Need:
- A deck of Christmas-themed playing cards (you can make your own or purchase them)
- A table and chairs for players to sit comfortably
- A list of holiday-themed challenges or questions for "Santa’s Deck of Cards"
These card games are an excellent way to entertain your guests without much hassle. They are perfect for both small gatherings and larger groups, providing a fun and engaging way to keep everyone entertained.
DIY Christmas Games
DIY Christmas games are perfect for adding creativity and fun to your holiday gathering without much preparation. These games are simple to set up and provide plenty of entertainment for everyone involved.
Christmas Song Emoji Quiz
How to Play: The Christmas Song Emoji Quiz challenges guests to guess the titles of popular Christmas songs represented by a series of emojis. Create a list of song titles and convert each title into emojis that represent the words or themes of the song. Guests write down their guesses, and the person with the most correct answers wins a small prize.
What You’ll Need:
- Paper and pens for guests to write down their guesses
- A pre-made list of Christmas song titles represented by emojis
- A prize for the winner
This game is easy to prepare and encourages everyone to think creatively, making it a fun addition to any Christmas party.
Christmas Tree Decorating Relay
How to Play: In the Christmas Tree Decorating Relay, divide the players into teams and provide each team with a small Christmas tree and decorations like tinsel, ornaments, and candy canes. Teams race against the clock to decorate their tree as quickly and creatively as possible. The first team to finish decorating their tree wins.
What You’ll Need:
- A small Christmas tree for each team
- A variety of decorations (tinsel, ornaments, candy canes, etc.)
- A timer to keep track of the race
- A space large enough for teams to move around and decorate
These DIY games are simple to organize and are perfect for getting everyone involved in some light-hearted competition. They are a great way to encourage creativity and teamwork while keeping the holiday spirit alive.
Fun Christmas Drinking Games for Adults
If you're looking to add a little extra fun to your Christmas party, consider including some drinking games. These games are perfect for adults and can make your holiday gathering even more lively. Just remember to encourage everyone to drink responsibly and ensure there’s a designated driver if needed.
Christmas Beer Pong:
In this game, teams take turns trying to throw a ping pong ball into cups arranged in a triangle at the opposite end of a table. Each cup is filled with a holiday-themed drink, like spiked eggnog or a festive cocktail. If a ball lands in a cup, the opposing team drinks the contents. The game continues until all cups are cleared.
For a hilarious twist on the classic beer pong check out this Deer Pong game
Hallmark Movie Drinking Game:
Create a list of common Hallmark movie tropes, such as “a snowball fight” or “someone says ‘Christmas spirit’.” Play a Hallmark Christmas movie, and every time one of these events happens, everyone takes a sip of their drink. This site discusses the game in detail.
What You’ll Need:
- Ping pong balls and plastic cups for "Christmas Beer Pong"
- A selection of holiday-themed drinks
- A Hallmark Christmas movie (or any holiday movie of choice)
- A list of tropes for the movie drinking game
These games are a fun way to bring some holiday cheer to your party and ensure everyone has a great time.
Christmas Cocktail Contest
How to Play: The Christmas Cocktail Contest is a fun, interactive game that lets everyone show off their mixology skills. Ask each guest to bring their own special Christmas cocktail to the party. Set up a tasting station where guests can sample each cocktail. After tasting, everyone votes for their favorite drink, and the cocktail with the most votes wins.
What You’ll Need:
- Ingredients and equipment for guests to make their cocktails (such as shakers, ice, and glasses) [or you can have the guests bring their cocktails premade]
- Tasting cups for sampling each cocktail
- Paper and pens for guests to vote
- A small prize for the winning cocktail
Adding a Christmas Cocktail Contest is a great way to involve everyone in the fun and create some delicious holiday drinks. These games are perfect for bringing a festive and lively spirit to your adult Christmas party.
Dry, No-Alcohol Game Modifications (Works for Any “Drinking” Game)
- Replace every “take a sip” action with one point, token, chip, mini-marshmallow, or pom-pom, and award the win to whoever has the highest total.
- Set a clear end condition such as first to 15 points, most points after 15 minutes, or best of three rounds, so the game feels complete.
- Maintain the same lively pace by using 30–60 second timers or short song clips between turns.
- Substitute playful penalties for shots—for example, sing one line of a carol, wear antlers for the next round, or do a quick “ho-ho-ho.”
- Offer cozy optional sips like sparkling water, cider, cocoa, or mocktails purely for atmosphere; they should not affect scoring.
- Break ties with a single lightning question or challenge, and cap any point-steal mechanics to keep things friendly.
- Make every game inclusive by noting seated or mobility-friendly alternatives—such as clapping, ringing a bell, or placing a token—whenever a step requires movement.
Christmas Party Games for Kids and Adults
Finding games that everyone can enjoy, from younger kids to older adults, can be a challenge. These games are perfect for mixed age groups, ensuring that everyone at your holiday gathering, from children to grandparents, has a great time.
Christmas Bingo
How to Play: In Christmas Bingo, each player gets a bingo card filled with holiday-themed items such as "snowman," "gift cards," or "Santa Claus." As the items are called out, players mark them on their cards. The first person to complete a row, column, or diagonal shouts "Bingo!" and wins a small prize.
What You’ll Need:
- Printable Christmas-themed bingo cards
- Markers or chips for players to use
- A selection of small prizes for the winners
Christmas Bingo is simple to set up and can be played by guests of all ages, making it a great choice for family gatherings or parties with a diverse crowd.
Family Christmas Trivia
How to Play: Family Christmas Trivia is a game where teams compete to answer questions about Christmas traditions, songs, and movies. Start by dividing the group into teams. Read each trivia question aloud, and teams write down their answers on paper. After all questions are asked, the answers are reviewed. The team with the most correct answers wins a prize.
What You’ll Need:
- A list of holiday-themed trivia questions and answers
- Paper and pens for each team to record their answers
- Prizes for the winning team
Family Christmas Trivia encourages teamwork and is a fun way to learn more about holiday traditions. It’s perfect for keeping everyone engaged and entertained, from younger kids to adults.
Fun Work Christmas Party Games
These games are perfect for both office parties and family gatherings, providing a great way to encourage interaction and fun.
Christmas Would You Rather
How to Play: In Christmas Would You Rather, players take turns choosing between two funny or challenging holiday scenarios. For example, they might have to decide, "Would you rather eat fruitcake for every meal or wear a Santa suit every day?" Each player shares their choice and explains their reasoning, which often sparks laughter and interesting conversations. This game is light-hearted and easy to play, making it a great choice for any group.
What You’ll Need:
- A list of "Would You Rather" holiday-themed questions
- A comfortable seating area for the group to gather
This game is a fantastic way to get to know your coworkers or family members better and is sure to bring lots of smiles.
Holiday Karaoke
How to Play: Holiday Karaoke is a fun, interactive game where participants sing their favorite Christmas carols. Set up a small stage or performance area with a microphone and sound system. You can keep the game light-hearted or add a competitive element by having a panel of judges score each performance.
Another fun variation is to have departments or groups come up with a performance and then having the boss judge which department or team wins.
Regardless of how you choose to play, Holiday Karaoke is an excellent way to bring some holiday cheer to your party.
What You’ll Need:
- A karaoke machine or a sound system with a microphone
- Lyrics for popular Christmas carols
- A small stage or designated area for performances
Holiday Karaoke is versatile and can be adapted to fit any party atmosphere, whether it's a casual office party or a lively family gathering. It provides a perfect opportunity for everyone to showcase their singing talents and have some fun.
Christmas Party Games for Older Adults
These games are perfect for older adults or those who prefer a slower-paced activity. They encourage participation and fun without requiring much physical effort, making them ideal for a relaxed holiday gathering.
Holiday Memory Game
How to Play: In the Holiday Memory Game, place a variety of holiday-themed items on a tray, such as ornaments, candy canes, and small gifts. Give players one minute to study the tray and memorize the items. Then, cover the tray and ask players to write down as many items as they can remember. The player who recalls the most items correctly wins.
What You’ll Need:
- A tray with several holiday-themed items (like ornaments, candy canes, small gifts, etc.)
- Paper and pens for players to write down their answers
This game is excellent for stimulating memory and providing a fun challenge for all ages, particularly older adults.
Christmas Carol Guessing
How to Play: Christmas Carol Guessing is a simple and enjoyable game where a few lines of a Christmas carol are read out loud, and players must guess the name of the song. You can make the game more challenging by playing just a short snippet of the carol or by choosing lesser-known verses. The player with the most correct guesses wins.
What You’ll Need:
- A list of Christmas carol lyrics or audio clips
- Paper and pens for players to write down their guesses
This game is perfect for sparking festive memories and getting everyone into the holiday spirit. It’s also a great way to engage older adults in the celebration without requiring much physical activity.
Both of these games are ideal for ensuring that everyone, regardless of age or mobility, can join in the fun. They provide a good way to include all your family members and make sure everyone feels involved in the holiday festivities.
Creative and Themed Christmas Party Ideas
For a memorable holiday gathering, try adding some creative and themed games to your party lineup. These games are perfect for those who want to do something different and make their party stand out. They’re fun for everyone and bring out the holiday spirit in unique ways.
Christmas-Themed Breakout Rooms
How to Play: Christmas-themed breakout rooms are a fantastic way to engage your guests in a unique and challenging game. Set up different rooms with holiday-themed puzzles and tasks that players must solve to "escape" the room. Each room can have its own theme, such as “Santa’s Workshop” or “The Nutcracker’s Escape,” with clues and puzzles related to that theme. Teams must work together to solve all the puzzles within a set time limit.
What You’ll Need:
- Separate rooms or spaces for each breakout challenge
- Themed decorations and props (like a Christmas tree or fake presents)
- Puzzles, clues, and locks related to each room's theme
- A timer to keep track of the time limit
Breakout rooms are perfect for team-building and bring a sense of adventure to your holiday party. They encourage teamwork and quick thinking, making them a hit at adult Christmas parties.
Christmas Tea Party Games
A Christmas tea party is a cozy and relaxed way to celebrate the holiday season with friends and family. To make the gathering more fun, consider adding a few simple games that everyone can enjoy.
Name That Carol
How to Play: In Name That Carol, play a short snippet of a Christmas carol from a playlist. Guests listen carefully, and the first player to correctly guess the song title earns a point. Continue playing until all the songs have been guessed. The player with the most points at the end wins a small prize.
What You’ll Need:
- A playlist of Christmas carols
- A speaker or sound system to play the songs
- Paper and pens to keep track of scores
- Small prizes for the winner
Christmas Card Matching
How to Play: Christmas Card Matching involves displaying a series of Christmas cards around the room. Guests need to find and match pairs of cards with similar images or themes. The game can be timed, and the player or team that finds the most pairs within the time limit wins a prize.
An alternate game is to take your old Christmas cards that you have received and cut them in half. When each guest arrives at the party they receive one half of the card. They must find the other half during the course of the party. You can award prizes in order of matching with a silly gift to the last place matchers. This is a fun game that encourages conversation and interaction at the party.
What You’ll Need:
- A collection of Christmas cards with various images or themes
- A space to display the cards for easy viewing
- A timer to keep the game moving
- Small prizes for the winning player or team
These games are ideal for a relaxed gathering, adding a festive touch without requiring much preparation. They allow guests to enjoy the holiday spirit in a laid-back, low-key way while sipping on tea and enjoying holiday treats.
FAQ Christmas Party Games For Adults
What’s the best adult Christmas game for large groups?
Trivia or Name-That-Tune scales to 40+ with teams. Use a mic, short rounds, and printed answer sheets.
How do you run White Elephant without chaos?
Set a 3-steal cap, 60-second turns, and allow the first player a final swap at the end.
Fun Christmas drinking game alternatives?
Swap sips for mocktails, cocoa, or “point chips.” The highest chip count wins a prize.
Zero-prep adult Christmas games?
Would You Rather, Movie/Trope Bingo, Name-That-Tune from a playlist, and “Two Truths & a Christmas Lie.”
What prizes work for adults?
Mini ornaments, cocoa kits, coffee gift cards, funny trophies, or “skip dish duty” coupon
Conclusion
There are so many great Christmas party games to choose from that can make your holiday gathering truly memorable. Whether you're looking for classic games with a holiday twist, fun activities for mixed age groups, or creative and themed games, there’s something for everyone. Trying out these games is a great way to spread holiday cheer, bring people together, and ensure a jolly good time for all. So, as you plan your next Christmas party, consider adding some of these best Christmas party games to your list. They’re a great addition to any celebration and will fill your home or office with laughter, joy, and festive spirit this Christmas season.
Let us know your favorite Christmas party game in the comments, or share if you tried any of these fun ideas!
