The holidays are the perfect time to gather friends, family, and colleagues for a festive celebration. Whether you’re hosting an office party, a family reunion, or a more adult-oriented gathering, adding some fun Christmas party games can really elevate the holiday spirit. And the best part? Printable Christmas party games make it super easy to organize everything, even for large groups. These games are designed to keep everyone entertained, encourage laughter, and even spark a bit of friendly competition. From lighthearted trivia to naughty riddles, there’s something for everyone!
In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the most popular and unique adult Christmas party games and ideas that will guarantee a memorable event. And don’t worry if you’re short on time—these games are easy to set up and can be played with as few or as many people as you want.
1. Christmas Song Scramble: Can You Guess the Tune?
Best For: Office parties, family gatherings, and mixed groups
Number of Players: 4 to 20+
Everyone loves a classic Christmas carol, but can you name it when the words are all jumbled up? This is where the Christmas Song Scramble comes in. It’s a fun and interactive game that tests everyone’s holiday music knowledge, all while getting people to work together.
How to Play:
This printable game features scrambled images or words representing popular Christmas songs. Players can either race against the clock to unscramble the songs or work in teams to guess the correct title. There are four variations to keep things interesting:
- Image Scramble – Players piece together images related to the song to reveal the title.
- Song Title Guessing – A visual clue (such as a picture card) is given, and players must guess the song title.
- Speed Round – Players scramble the cards and race to unscramble them faster than the other teams.
- Team Challenge – In teams, one player tries to unscramble the images while the other team members guess the song.
The best part? It’s family-friendly but can be just as fun with an adult crowd, especially when competitive spirits rise!
2. Dirty Elf: A Naughty Christmas Riddle Game
Best For: Adults-only parties, after-hours gatherings, and groups with a sense of humor
Number of Players: 4 to 12+
If you’re looking for a game with a bit of naughty fun, Dirty Elf is sure to deliver. This game is all about riddles, hidden treasures, and a bit of innuendo, making it a perfect choice for adult-only parties or gatherings with friends who don’t mind a little cheeky humor.
How to Play:
Johnny the Dirty Elf has hidden a “treasure” somewhere, and it’s up to the players to decipher a series of Christmas-themed riddles to uncover its location. The twist? The riddles themselves are designed to get a little dirty, often leading to double entendres and innuendo.
Each riddle provides clues that, when decoded, reveal a letter or part of a location where the treasure is hidden. Players must work through all 12 riddles to discover the exact spot. The answer cards are “secret decoders” that reveal the treasure’s location. The best part? The treasure location is customizable, so the host can make it as fun or as cheeky as they want.
Why It’s Perfect for Adults:
This game has just the right amount of naughty and nice, making it ideal for an adult crowd. Plus, the challenge of solving the riddles while keeping a straight face is a recipe for laughs.
3. Christmas Movie Trivia Hunt: A Festive Treasure Hunt for Film Buffs
Best For: Movie lovers, large family groups, or friends who enjoy a good challenge
Number of Players: 6 to 20+
Christmas movies are a beloved part of the holiday season, so why not test everyone’s knowledge of the classics? The Christmas Movie Trivia Hunt is a fun, interactive way to incorporate everyone’s favorite holiday films into a treasure hunt.
How to Play:
This printable game combines trivia questions with a scavenger hunt format. Players answer questions related to popular Christmas movies, and each correct answer leads them to the next clue. The trivia questions cover a range of holiday films—from timeless classics like It’s a Wonderful Life to modern favorites like Elf and Home Alone.
The game can be customized to suit different levels of difficulty, from easy questions about the films’ plotlines to more obscure trivia that only true holiday movie buffs will know. As players solve each clue, they get closer to discovering the final treasure.
Why It’s Perfect for Adults:
This game combines nostalgia with competition, making it an excellent way to engage guests while revisiting holiday film favorites. It’s an active game that also sparks great conversation about Christmas movies, allowing everyone to reminisce about their go-to holiday films.
4. Ugly Sweater Murder Mystery: A Festive Who-Done-It Game
Best For: Large gatherings, mystery lovers, and groups looking for a dramatic twist
Number of Players: 5 to 25+
The Ugly Sweater Murder Mystery is a Christmas party game that combines holiday cheer with a thrilling mystery. This game is full of quirky characters, strange motives, and a touch of dark humor, making it the perfect option for an unforgettable Christmas celebration.
How to Play:
Players take on the role of suspects in a holiday-themed murder mystery. The goal is to figure out who the murderer is, what Christmas-themed weapon they used, and what their motive was. Did Sally Sugarplum stab someone with a candy cane? Or was it Trevor Tinsel, who bludgeoned the victim with a snow globe?
The game has no complicated scripts, so it’s easy to jump into. You can set it up in under 5 minutes and start solving the crime. The game includes multiple plot twists to keep everyone on their toes, and players must work together to figure out the crime before time runs out.
Why It’s Perfect for Adults:
Murder mystery games are inherently fun and engaging, but the holiday twist makes this one a special choice for a Christmas party. The added element of “ugly sweaters” also brings a festive touch and encourages everyone to dress the part for extra fun.
5. Interactive PowerPoint Christmas Games: A DIY Christmas Game Show
Best For: Large groups, office parties, and those who want a more structured, high-energy game
Number of Players: 10 to 50+
If you’re looking to turn your Christmas party into a full-on game show experience, the Christmas Shenanigans DIY Game Show is the way to go. With a variety of mini-games and challenges, this interactive PowerPoint game is perfect for turning your party into a competitive and hilarious event.
How to Play:
The game includes ten different categories of games, including:
- Minute to Win It – Quick challenges where players must complete tasks in under a minute.
- Picture Puzzlers – Players solve Christmas-themed puzzles.
- Reindeer Games – Holiday trivia and challenges.
- Heads Up – Guess the Christmas word or phrase based on clues.
- Categories – A twist on the classic game where players must name Christmas-related items in specific categories.
All you need is a computer with PowerPoint and a large TV or projector screen to display the game board. It’s interactive, dynamic, and guarantees high-energy fun. Plus, the game can be easily customized to suit your guests’ interests and preferences.
Why It’s Perfect for Adults:
This game brings a wide variety of challenges, from trivia to physical tasks, making it perfect for large, diverse groups. The interactive element also adds a unique twist to the traditional Christmas party games, keeping everyone engaged and laughing throughout.
Conclusion
When it comes to hosting an adult Christmas party, the key to success is creating an atmosphere filled with fun, laughter, and a bit of friendly competition. Whether you choose Christmas Song Scramble, dive into a Dirty Elf riddle challenge, or solve a Christmas Movie Trivia Hunt, printable Christmas party games are the perfect way to keep your guests entertained all night long.
With a variety of games that can suit different interests—whether you’re in the mood for something naughty, intellectual, or just plain silly—these games are sure to bring joy to your holiday gatherings. And with printable options, you can easily set up and enjoy your games without any hassle. So this year, skip the same-old Christmas activities and add some excitement to your celebration with these fun adult Christmas party games!
