Christmas party games for family, friends and work

Charades

Prompt slips, bowl, timer

1. Make 2 teams. Put the 6 printable prompts on slips in a bowl.
2. One player acts silently. Their team has one minute to guess for one point. Misses score nothing; the other team cannot steal.
3. Alternate teams for 6 turns, 3 each. Highest score wins. A tie is a shared win.

Get the game sheets

Adapt it

Act seated. An adult can whisper prompts to a nonreader.

Trivia

Quiz, paper, pens

1. Use 2 teams, or let each guest answer alone.
2. Read each printable question twice. Allow 30 seconds to answer. Keep the key hidden until all 10 questions are done.
3. Award one point per correct answer. Highest total wins; ties share the win.

Get the game sheets

Adapt it

On a call, write privately and show answers together. No fastest-chat contest.

Bingo

Different card each, pencils

1. Give each player a different card code and a pencil.
2. Mark events as they happen. Four in a row, column or diagonal wins; the host checks the events.
3. Share wins on the same event. End bingo with the exchange, even without a completed line.

Get the bingo cards

Adapt it

Over 24 guests: use pairs. An adult can help a nonreader.

Left right

One wrapped gift each, story

1. Seat guests in a circle with one wrapped gift each.
2. Read the printable story. At LEFT or RIGHT, pass one place that way. Wait until every gift has moved.
3. At the end, open the gift you hold. No points; voluntary trades afterwards.

Get the game sheets

Adapt it

An adult can help with passing.

Pass the parcel

Layered parcel, music

1. Wrap one prize with one paper layer per player. Sit in a circle.
2. Pass while music plays. Stop the music; the holder removes one layer. Restart. The music operator faces away so stops do not target a guest.
3. Repeat until the final layer comes off. That person keeps the prize.

Adapt it

Skip music and pass in order for gentler play. Keep passes within easy reach.

Draw on your head

Paper plate and washable marker each

1. Hold a paper plate on your head. Draw with a washable marker without looking.
2. Read these 4 prompts, pausing 10 seconds after each: a tree, a star, a snowman beside the tree, a present underneath.
3. Put the plates down and reveal the pictures together. There is no judging or winner. Stop after this picture.

Adapt it

Use a table if holding the plate is awkward. Younger children can look.

White elephant

Quick version: 1 steal per gift, no final swap. Bring 1 wrapped gift each and use numbers.

1. Agree on budget and theme beforehand. Each player brings one wrapped gift and draws a number.
2. Player 1 opens first; the next player opens or steals. Freeze each gift after one steal.
3. Only one steal per numbered turn: whoever loses a gift opens a new one. Stop after the last gift opens. No final swap.

Standard rules with 2 steals, a final swap and remote play

Adapt it

For younger children, remove stealing. The host can carry gifts to seated players.

Two truths and a lie

No supplies

1. Offer three short holiday statements about yourself: two true and one made up.
2. Guests vote for the false one with one, two or three fingers. Reveal the answer.
3. Allow one minute each. Stop after one turn each or 10 minutes, whichever comes first. No scores; anyone can pass without explaining.

Adapt it

For work, describe 3 things in your room. Works seated and on a call.