The holiday season is a time for gathering with loved ones, celebrating traditions, and creating unforgettable memories. One of the best ways to enhance the festive spirit at any Christmas gathering is by playing group games. Whether you’re hosting a family reunion, a party with friends, or a work holiday celebration, group games are a fantastic way to bring people together, break the ice, and add some laughter to the event. Below is a list of the best Christmas games for groups that are guaranteed to keep everyone entertained and in the holiday spirit.
1. Purge the Purse Game
This is a classic game that works wonders for breaking the ice, especially in women’s gatherings, like church holiday parties. The game is simple yet engaging, and it encourages guests to interact with one another in a relaxed and fun way.
How to Play:
- The host calls out a list of items that might be found in a purse (e.g., a lip balm, receipts, a nail file).
- Players earn points for each item they have in their purse.
- The person with the most points at the end of the game wins a prize, often a fun or useful item (like a designer purse or other Christmas gifts).
This game works well for parties of all sizes and makes for great conversation starters!
2. Pass The Orange
This game requires participants to split into two or more teams of five. It’s a physical game that brings tons of laughs and excitement.
How to Play:
- Each team forms a circle and places their hands behind their backs for the duration of the game.
- An orange is placed under the chin of the first person in line.
- The object is to pass the orange all the way around the circle using only the chin, without dropping it or using hands.
- The first team to pass the orange around the circle successfully wins.
This is a hilarious and lighthearted game that’s ideal for all ages, making it a favorite for family gatherings.
3. Family Feud – Christmas Edition
Who doesn’t love the popular TV game show Family Feud? Now you can bring that fun to your Christmas party with a holiday twist. This game is sure to get everyone laughing, especially with some of the ridiculous answers that may pop up.
How to Play:
- Divide guests into two teams.
- One member from each team faces off in a buzzer showdown, where the host reads a holiday-themed question.
- The first person to buzz in gives their answer. If correct, their team earns points.
- Teams continue to try and guess all the answers on the board until they get three strikes.
- After all answers are guessed, the team with the most points wins.
With questions like, “We asked 100 men to name a car you’d trade your mother for,” you can imagine how much fun this game will bring.
4. Left-Right Christmas Game
If you’re tired of the usual White Elephant or Secret Santa exchanges, this is a perfect alternative. The Left-Right Christmas Game adds an element of surprise and excitement to gift exchanges.
How to Play:
- Each guest brings a wrapped gift and sits in a circle.
- The host reads a story that includes many “left” and “right” directions (e.g., “Pass the gift to the person on your left” or “Give your gift to the person on your right”).
- At the end of the story, guests open the gift they’re holding.
- Make sure to give clear instructions, so no one ends up with their own gift.
This game creates laughter as gifts change hands, and it’s a fun way to add unpredictability to the typical gift exchange.
5. Christmas Carol Charades
Christmas Carol Charades is a perfect game for large groups, and it’s suitable for all ages. This classic party game with a holiday twist will get everyone up and moving, while guessing famous Christmas carols.
How to Play:
- Divide your guests into two teams, and select a scorekeeper and a timer.
- One team member acts out a Christmas carol without speaking, and the rest of the team must guess which carol it is.
- If they guess correctly within the time limit, they earn a point.
- After everyone has a chance to act, the team with the most points wins.
This game adds energy to any holiday gathering and is great for all ages since everyone is familiar with Christmas songs.
6. Stocking Guessing Game
This simple and interactive game is a fun way to get everyone involved without too much preparation. It also works as a great icebreaker.
How to Play:
- Fill a Christmas stocking with random objects (e.g., a small toy, a candy cane, a piece of fabric, etc.).
- Tie the stocking shut and pass it around the circle. Guests can only feel the items inside, not look.
- Each participant writes down their guesses on notecards.
- The person who guesses the most correct items wins.
It’s a great way to engage your guests’ curiosity and get them talking.
7. Christmas Candy Counting Game
A fun and easy icebreaker, the Christmas Candy Counting Game can be played as soon as your guests arrive at your party. It’s simple, quick, and everyone loves candy!
How to Play:
- Fill a jar with Christmas-themed candy (e.g., red and green M&Ms, candy canes, or peppermint kisses).
- As guests arrive, have them guess how many candies are in the jar.
- They write their name and guess on a slip of paper.
- At the end of the party, the person who guesses closest to the actual number of candies wins the jar.
This game is fun because it adds a little bit of friendly competition and is an easy way to get your guests chatting with each other.
8. Build a Snowman Game
The Build a Snowman Game is perfect for teams and provides lots of laughter as participants scramble to build a snowman out of unconventional materials.
How to Play:
- Divide your guests into teams.
- One person from each team volunteers to be the “snowman.”
- You’ll need toilet tissue, black paper for buttons, orange carrot cutouts, tape, and hats and scarves.
- The first team to build a snowman out of the supplies wins.
This game encourages teamwork and creativity and will result in some hilarious snowmen!
9. Minute-To-Win-It Candy Cane Game
This fast-paced game is a great addition to any Christmas party, particularly for competitive groups who enjoy a challenge.
How to Play:
- Give each participant a candy cane.
- The goal is to use the candy cane (held in their mouth) to pick up and move other candy canes into a bowl, without using hands.
- The player who moves the most candy canes into their bowl within one minute wins.
This game is sure to be a hit and will have everyone laughing as they try to balance candy canes in their mouths.
10. Christmas Limbo Game
A Christmas version of the classic Limbo game can be a hilarious way to get everyone involved in some light physical activity.
How to Play:
- Use a Christmas scarf, garland, or even Christmas lights (make sure they’re plugged in for added fun).
- Two participants hold the ends of the scarf/garland at a starting height.
- Players take turns attempting to bend backward and go under the scarf without touching it.
- After each round, lower the scarf to increase difficulty.
- The last person standing wins!
The Christmas Limbo game will keep your guests engaged and give everyone a chance to show off their flexibility.
11. Shape a Christmas Tree Game
This simple, crafty game is perfect for all ages, and it’s especially fun for kids. It’s easy to play and requires minimal supplies.
How to Play:
- Give each participant a sheet of green construction paper.
- They must close their eyes and tear the paper into a Christmas tree shape.
- The person with the tree shape closest to an actual Christmas tree wins.
This game combines creativity and fun, and it’s always interesting to see how each person interprets the task.
12. Christmas Icebreaker: Jingle Bell Necklace
This is a fun, interactive icebreaker game that encourages guests to mingle and socialize.
How to Play:
- As guests arrive, give them each a jingle bell necklace.
- Instruct them that every time someone says the word “Christmas,” the person wearing the necklace can take it.
- The guest with the most jingle bells at the end of the party wins a prize.
This game encourages guests to interact and keeps the energy high during the early part of the party.
13. Add To The Conversation Game
This fun game encourages creativity and storytelling, making it a great choice for getting people to connect and laugh.
How to Play:
- One person starts a Christmas story (real or made-up), and when they finish their part, the next person picks up and adds to it.
- The game continues until everyone has added to the conversation.
There are no winners or losers, just the joy of watching the story evolve into something hilarious.
Conclusion
These best Christmas games for groups are designed to bring joy, laughter, and a little friendly competition to your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re playing icebreaker games like Purge the Purse or engaging in creative activities like the Build a Snowman Game, these activities are perfect for making lasting memories with family, friends, and coworkers. Incorporate some of these games into your Christmas party, and you’re sure to have a festive and fun-filled event that everyone will enjoy!
