The holiday season is often full of fun activities for the whole family, but after the kids have gone to bed or are occupied with their own festivities, it’s time for the adults to shine. What better way to keep the holiday spirit alive than by playing some festive and entertaining adult holiday games? These games are designed with grown-ups in mind, offering everything from hilarious team challenges to ice-breaking party activities. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, a New Year’s Eve bash, or simply gathering friends for some holiday cheer, these adult holiday games will be the highlight of your event.
Why Adult Holiday Games Are Essential
Let’s face it: the holidays are the perfect time to unwind, relax, and enjoy some adult fun. You’ve spent time with your family, had the obligatory holiday meals, and maybe even indulged in a few too many cookies. Now, it’s your turn to have some fun. Adult holiday games add a layer of excitement to your party that allows you to bond with friends and family in a more relaxed, fun environment. Whether you add a little bit of alcohol to the mix or just focus on some competitive spirit, adult holiday games can be the perfect way to cap off a successful holiday gathering.
1. Reindeer in the Headlights
Materials Needed: Headbands or antler hats, small hoops or rings.
How to Play: In this hilarious game, one player wears a headband or an antler hat, and the others take turns trying to throw small hoops or rings over the antlers. The goal is to land as many hoops on the antlers as possible in a set time frame.
Why It’s Fun: The silly sight of adults wearing antler headbands while frantically trying to land rings creates an uproarious and festive atmosphere.
2. Saran Wrap Ball Game
Materials Needed: Saran wrap, small prizes or candy.
How to Play: Create a large ball out of Saran wrap by wrapping small prizes or candy inside it. Players take turns unwrapping the ball while wearing oven mitts or while the timer counts down. If the ball stops before the prizes are fully unwrapped, the next player gets a turn.
Why It’s Fun: The unpredictability of this game keeps everyone on their toes, and the thrill of unwrapping presents creates a sense of urgency and excitement.
3. Antler Hat Ring Toss Drinking Game
Materials Needed: Antler hats, small rings or hoops, and your drink of choice.
How to Play: Players wear an antler hat, and others try to toss small rings over the antlers. To make it an adult version, each failed toss means the player must take a sip of their drink. The person who gets the most rings on their antlers wins.
Why It’s Fun: The combination of a fun holiday-themed game and a few drinks adds a layer of friendly competition, making it an excellent way to get everyone laughing.
4. Naughty or Nice Challenge
Materials Needed: List of naughty and nice questions or scenarios.
How to Play: Players take turns answering whether they were “naughty” or “nice” in a given scenario, or they can play a version of “truth or dare” with a holiday twist. For every “naughty” answer, the player has to take a drink or perform a funny holiday task.
Why It’s Fun: This game lets players reveal fun secrets, and the added challenge of drinking or doing tasks makes it a hit among adults looking to relax and have some laughs.
5. Christmas Charades
Materials Needed: A list of holiday-related prompts (movies, songs, activities, etc.).
How to Play: Players draw a holiday-related prompt from a bowl and must act it out without using words while the other players guess what it is. If the group guesses correctly within the time limit, they get a point.
Why It’s Fun: Charades is a classic game that’s perfect for any party, but when you add a holiday twist, it becomes even more amusing. The crazier the acting, the better!
6. Beeropoly
Materials Needed: A customized beer pong board or a Monopoly-style board game with beer-related tasks.
How to Play: Beeropoly is a unique combination of Monopoly and beer pong. Players move around the board while completing beer-related challenges like drinking a shot or doing a funny dare. The goal is to be the last player standing without having too many penalties.
Why It’s Fun: If you and your guests enjoy a little friendly competition and a few drinks, Beeropoly is the perfect adult holiday game to try. It combines the strategy of Monopoly with the excitement of a drinking game.
7. Heads or Tails
Materials Needed: A coin and drinks.
How to Play: Players stand in a circle and are given the option to call heads or tails as the host flips a coin. If they guess correctly, they stay in the game; if not, they take a drink. The last person standing wins.
Why It’s Fun: This simple game is both fast-paced and exciting, especially when there’s the potential for some drinking consequences. It’s a great game for breaking the ice and getting everyone into the party mood.
8. Blind Christmas Scene
Materials Needed: Blindfolds, holiday decorations, and a camera.
How to Play: Blindfolded players must try to decorate a mini Christmas tree or set up a holiday scene using only their sense of touch. The person who creates the best decoration or scene (as judged by the group) wins.
Why It’s Fun: The silliness of trying to decorate without seeing and the competitive spirit makes this a fun game for holiday parties. It’s guaranteed to have everyone laughing.
9. Jingle Bell Toss
Materials Needed: Jingle bells, cups, and a table.
How to Play: Players attempt to toss jingle bells into cups or bowls placed at various distances on a table. Each round can increase in difficulty by moving the cups further apart or adding more bells. To make it a drinking game, each missed toss results in a sip of a holiday drink.
Why It’s Fun: This simple game can get competitive quickly, and the jingle bells add to the festive mood. It’s a great way to add some friendly rivalry to your holiday gathering.
10. Let’s Make a Deal
Materials Needed: A selection of wrapped holiday gifts, “deals,” and some holiday-themed tasks.
How to Play: Players are given the option to either keep their current gift or trade it for one of the wrapped gifts on the table. The catch? Some wrapped gifts contain hilarious holiday challenges that must be performed before they can keep the gift.
Why It’s Fun: The game is full of suspense and surprises, as players never know what they’re going to get—whether it’s a fun gift or a goofy holiday task!
11. Tinsel Game
Materials Needed: Tinsel, string, and a timer.
How to Play: Players must use their mouth (no hands!) to unravel tinsel and complete a task, such as tying it into a bow or using it to decorate a small tree. Whoever completes their task first wins.
Why It’s Fun: The challenge of unwrapping tinsel without using your hands can result in some hilarious attempts and a lot of laughter among partygoers.
12. Reindeer Antler Ring Toss
Materials Needed: A set of antlers and small rings or hoops.
How to Play: One player wears a set of reindeer antlers, and the other players attempt to toss rings over the antlers. The player who lands the most rings wins the round.
Why It’s Fun: The playful nature of wearing antlers and tossing rings is a classic party game, with the added bonus of holiday spirit and laughter.
Conclusion: Making Your Holiday Party Unforgettable
Adult holiday games bring a whole new level of fun to your next holiday gathering. Whether you’re playing a competitive game with a group of friends or a lighthearted activity that encourages laughter, these games are a surefire way to ensure your holiday party is unforgettable. Remember, the best way to make memories during the holiday season is to enjoy the time spent with friends and family, so why not make it even more fun with these exciting adult games? With a few drinks, a little creativity, and some holiday cheer, your party will be the talk of the season!
