30 Festive Christmas Party Games for Adults

Hosting a Christmas party for adults is a delightful way to celebrate the season and bring people together. Including engaging games can transform your gathering into a memorable experience. Below is a detailed list of 50 Christmas party games designed to entertain, spark laughter, and promote camaraderie.

1. White Elephant Gift Exchange

This classic gift-swapping game is full of surprises and strategy. Guests bring wrapped gifts, which are placed in a central pile. Each participant takes turns choosing a gift to unwrap or stealing one that has already been opened. The game continues until all gifts are claimed. The fun lies in the “stealing” rule, which often leads to friendly competition and hilarious moments. It’s an excellent way to mix up the party and showcase creative or funny gifts.

2. Christmas Charades

Charades with a holiday twist! Create a list of Christmas-themed phrases, movies, or songs. Players take turns acting them out without speaking while their team guesses within a time limit. This lively game encourages creativity and laughter as participants mime out everything from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to “Decorating the Tree.” It’s a fantastic icebreaker and gets everyone involved in the holiday spirit.

3. Christmas Trivia

Test your guests’ holiday knowledge with a Christmas-themed trivia quiz. Prepare questions on topics like holiday traditions, classic movies, or famous Christmas songs. Divide the group into teams to encourage collaboration. Keep the competition lighthearted by offering small prizes for the winning team. This game is perfect for engaging everyone, especially if your crowd loves learning quirky facts.

4. Name That Christmas Tune

Play short snippets of Christmas songs and challenge guests to name the tune as quickly as possible. You can increase the difficulty by choosing instrumental versions or starting mid-song. This game is a hit with music lovers and adds a melodic touch to your party. Pair it with karaoke for a musical double feature!

5. Christmas Pictionary

Combine artistry and holiday spirit with Christmas Pictionary. Players draw holiday-related words, phrases, or movie titles while their team tries to guess within a time limit. The results are often hilarious as participants attempt to sketch challenging prompts like “Santa’s Sleigh” or “Frosty the Snowman.” It’s a perfect game for adding laughter and creativity to your celebration.

6. Ugly Sweater Contest

Encourage your guests to show off their wackiest holiday attire. Set up a mini runway and have a contest with categories such as “Most Creative,” “Funniest,” or “Most Festive.” Offer small prizes for the winners. This game is a great way to kickstart the fun and allows everyone to show off their sense of humor and holiday cheer.

7. Christmas Movie Drinking Game

Choose a beloved holiday movie and create a list of drinking cues, such as “Take a sip every time someone says ‘Christmas spirit.’” This game is great for smaller, adult-only gatherings. Use non-alcoholic options for those who prefer them to keep the party inclusive. It’s a relaxed yet engaging way to enjoy holiday classics with a twist.

8. Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Hide festive items like ornaments, candy canes, or mini Santa hats around the party area. Provide clues or a checklist for guests to find the hidden treasures. To make it competitive, set a time limit and award points for each item found. This game encourages movement and teamwork while keeping the holiday spirit alive.

9. Christmas Bingo

Create or print bingo cards filled with Christmas-related images or words, such as “Elf,” “Stocking,” or “Gingerbread Man.” As you call out the items, guests mark them off. The first to complete a row wins a prize. It’s easy to set up and perfect for groups of all sizes, making it a versatile party favorite.

10. Ornament Guessing Game

Challenge guests to guess the number of ornaments on your Christmas tree. Have them write their guesses on slips of paper, and reveal the correct number later in the evening. The closest guess wins a prize. This simple yet fun game is an excellent conversation starter and encourages everyone to take a closer look at your decorations.

11. Gingerbread House Decorating Contest

Set up a gingerbread house decorating station with kits, icing, and candy. Guests can work individually or in teams to create the most festive or creative house. Provide awards for categories like “Most Creative,” “Most Festive,” or “Most Hilarious.” It’s a hands-on activity that doubles as décor for your party.

12. Reindeer Antlers

Divide guests into teams and provide balloons and pantyhose. Teams race to create “antlers” by stuffing the balloons into the pantyhose and placing them on one team member’s head. The first team to complete their antlers wins. This game is as hilarious as it is competitive and guarantees a lot of laughter.

13. Secret Santa

Organize a gift exchange where each participant draws a name and buys a gift for that person. The catch is to keep it secret until the exchange. Guests will enjoy trying to guess who their Santa is. It’s a classic holiday tradition that adds a layer of excitement to gift-giving.

14. Christmas Carol-Off

Divide guests into teams and challenge them to perform as many Christmas carols as they can within a set time. Teams earn points for each correct song. Add extra flair by including props or costumes. This game combines singing and friendly competition, bringing a lively energy to your party.

15. Snowball Toss

Use cotton balls or small white balloons as “snowballs” and set up buckets or wreaths as targets. Players take turns tossing the snowballs into the targets from a distance. Award prizes for the highest scores. This lighthearted game is great for indoor fun.

16. Christmas Sock Exchange

Ask each guest to bring a festive pair of socks filled with small goodies, like candy or trinkets. Guests draw numbers to determine the order in which they pick a pair of socks to unwrap. It’s a cozy and creative gift exchange idea.

17. Holiday Photo Booth

Set up a festive backdrop with props like Santa hats, elf ears, and reindeer antlers. Guests can snap fun photos to remember the evening. Offer a Polaroid camera for instant prints or create a hashtag for digital uploads. This activity doubles as entertainment and a way to capture memories.

18. Two Truths and a Holiday Lie

Have guests share two true holiday-related experiences and one false one. Others guess which is the lie. This game sparks conversations and laughter as guests learn more about each other’s holiday antics.

19. Candy Cane Relay

Set up a relay race where players must transfer candy canes from one end of the room to the other using only their mouths or spoons. It’s a lighthearted game that’s sure to create some funny moments.

20. Christmas Wrap Battle

Provide odd-shaped items like a basketball or stuffed animal and challenge guests to wrap them as neatly as possible within a time limit. This game tests creativity and brings out friendly competition.

21. Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest

Set up a station with plain sugar cookies, icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations. Guests can decorate their cookies, and a panel of judges can vote on categories like “Most Festive,” “Most Creative,” or “Funniest.” Not only is this a fun activity, but the decorated cookies can also serve as party snacks or take-home treats.

22. Holiday Two Truths and a Lie

A holiday spin on the classic icebreaker game! Each guest shares two true holiday-related experiences and one made-up story. The others guess which one is the lie. It’s a great way to spark funny or heartfelt conversations and learn more about everyone’s holiday traditions.

23. Find the Star

Hide a small star ornament or decoration somewhere in the party area. Guests are tasked with finding it throughout the evening. Offer hints if needed, and reward the finder with a festive prize. It’s a simple game that keeps everyone engaged without interrupting the party flow.

24. Hot Cocoa Challenge

Set up a hot cocoa bar with a variety of toppings, syrups, and whipped cream. Guests compete to create the most elaborate or delicious hot chocolate concoction. Judges can select winners based on creativity, taste, or presentation. This cozy game is perfect for warming up on a chilly evening.

25. Christmas Emoji Quiz

Prepare a list of Christmas songs, movies, or phrases represented using only emojis (e.g., 🎅🎄🛷 for “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”). Guests must guess the correct answers. It’s a brain-teasing and laughter-inducing game that works well in both small and large groups.

26. Holiday Name That Smell

Blindfold participants and present them with holiday-themed scents, like cinnamon, peppermint, or pine. Guests must identify the smell based on memory alone. This sensory game is unique and often surprisingly challenging, leading to plenty of laughs.

27. Christmas Jenga

Take a regular Jenga set and write holiday-themed challenges or dares on each block. As guests pull a block, they must complete the task written on it, such as “Sing a Christmas carol” or “Take a sip of eggnog.” It’s a simple way to add festive flair to a classic game.

28. Pin the Nose on Rudolph

A holiday twist on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Blindfolded players attempt to place a red nose on a poster of Rudolph. Provide small prizes for the closest attempt. This game is lighthearted and easy to set up, making it great for all ages.

29. Christmas Tree Stack

Provide green plastic cups or paper cups and have participants compete to build a “Christmas tree” tower by stacking the cups. The fastest or tallest tree wins. This game requires focus and steady hands, making it a fun challenge for everyone.

30. Holiday Memory Game

Set up a tray with various holiday items (like an ornament, candy cane, mini Santa, etc.) and let guests study it for 30 seconds. Remove the tray and see who can list the most items from memory. This quick game tests observation skills and keeps guests entertained.

These 30 Christmas party games for adults offer a range of options, from hilarious and competitive to relaxed and crafty. Incorporate a mix to suit your party’s vibe and ensure everyone has a merry time filled with laughter and holiday spirit! 🎄