16 fun Christmas party games to play this year
The season for entertaining is here, but ensuring your guests are sufficiently fed and watered is only half the battle — that's where Christmas party games come into play.
But if you're bored of the same old board games that are brought out every year, we've collated a variety of alternative Christmas party games — with options for big and small groups and individuals of all ages.
Don't stress about adding more to your Christmas shopping list — most of these party games can be put together with items you have at home already, like extra wrapping paper and bows. Get creative, and invite your most competitive friends and family join in...
How many ornaments?
Consider this the tree version of the classic count-the-sweets-in-a-jar game. Upon their arrival, have each guest quickly guess the number of ornaments on the tree. Record names and numbers on pieces of paper, and award the person with the closest guess a prize (a special ornament, perhaps?).
Christmas jumper contest
Challenge party guests to arrive in the best jumper they can find — this might be the tackiest/most nostalgic or even most stylish — you can set your own rules.
You can also break up awards by category: best second-hand find, best DIY Sweater, and so on.
One-handed gift wrap game
For a competitive activity, challenge your party guests to see who can wrap a present the fastest. The catch? They must work in pairs and each person can only use one hand.
Name the Christmas song
Create a playlist of holiday songs and then see who can guess the song and artists' name first.
Name the holiday scent
Grab some seasonal candles in fun scents — whether it's a Christmas candle or festive spice — blindfold your guests and have them guess the scent. May the best nose win!
Cheer Pong
Think of this as a festive twist on beer pong using jingle bells. The same rules apply, simply try and get the bells into the cups.
Name the Christmas carol
Compile a list of lyrics (can be obvious or lesser-known) from Christmas songs and see how many each team can guess in one minute. Or, instead of lyrics, hum a portion of the tune for your team to guess. Just be warned, things might get loud.
Pin the nose on Rudolph
Draw an image of a reindeer on butcher or kraft paper, then challenge guests to place his 'nose' (red gift bows) in the right spot while blindfolded.
Christmas quiz
Test your knowledge with a Christmas quiz — this could be a seasonal-themed one or a yearly round up.
Try a festive brainteaser
Testing our brains during Christmas time is all part of the festive fun — so why not try a seasonal brainteaser.
To get you started, try and find 11 festive pet dangers, spot Santa's hat in this tricky puzzle, identify all the candy canes here and pick out 10 bobble hats in this one.
Christmas Charades
Who doesn't love a game of charades? Have everyone write down some of their favourite holiday characters — from The Grinch to Frosty the Snowman — and take turns selecting one to act out.
Christmas quiz
Test your knowledge with a Christmas quiz — this could be a seasonal-themed one or a yearly roundup.
Who Am I?
For this game, each player draws from a pile of index cards featuring the name of a Christmas-related character (from Jack Frost to Santa) and, without looking, sticks it to his or her head. Guests ask each other 'yes' or 'no' questions for everyone to guess their identities.
Christmas film bingo
Pop some popcorn and make some hot chocolate for a Christmas movie night. Print off copies of a Christmas Movie Bingo game to get the whole gang involved in the fun.
Two truths and a lie
Pick three 'facts' (think anything from your favourite Christmas memories to the worst gifts you've ever been given), and see how many people can pick the lie from three statements.
Candy canes
If you've ever played the Spoons card game, we think you'll love this version even more. The reason? Instead of cutlery, you use candy canes.
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