The best Christmas party games for adults have three things in common: they take two minutes to explain, they need almost no supplies, and they get even the quiet guests laughing.
This list has 21 games that pass that test. They’re grouped by type, so you can pick one icebreaker, one team game, and one competitive challenge and have a whole evening planned in five minutes. Every game works for a group of friends, a family gathering, or an office party.
Our favorite icebreaker, “Who’s Most Likely To,” comes with free printable cards. Print them, cut them out, and drop them in a bowl.
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Icebreaker games
Start with these while people are still arriving. They’re low-pressure and get everyone talking.
1. Who’s Most Likely To
Read a card aloud, such as “Who’s most likely to re-gift a present they got last year?” On the count of three, everyone points at the person they think fits best. The person with the most fingers pointed at them reads the next card.
Players: 5+Time: 15 to 30 minutesYou need: The free printable cards
2. Two Truths and a Holiday Lie
Each player shares three Christmas memories or facts about themselves. Two are true, one is made up. The group votes on the lie. It’s a great way to learn surprising things about coworkers.
Players: 4 to 15Time: 20 minutesYou need: Nothing
3. Snowball Icebreaker
Everyone writes a fun question on a sheet of white paper, crumples it into a “snowball,” and throws it across the room. Grab any snowball, answer the question inside, then throw it again.
Players: 8+Time: 10 minutesYou need: Paper and pens
4. Holiday Name Tags
Stick the name of a famous Christmas character on everyone’s back as they arrive. Players ask each other yes-or-no questions to figure out who they are. The last person to guess makes the first toast.
Players: 6+Time: Runs through the partyYou need: Sticky notes
Team games
These work best once everyone has a drink in hand and is ready to get a little competitive.
5. Christmas Charades
Write Christmas movies, songs, and traditions on slips of paper. Teams take turns acting them out against a one-minute timer. No talking, no pointing at objects in the room.
Players: 6+Time: 30 minutesYou need: Slips of paper, a timer
6. Christmas Pictionary
Same idea as charades, but players draw instead of act. Use a large pad of paper or a whiteboard so the whole room can see. Bonus points for anyone who can draw a recognizable reindeer.
Players: 6+Time: 30 minutesYou need: Large paper or whiteboard, markers
7. Christmas Trivia
A quiz round is always a hit, especially when there’s a prize. Use our list of 50 Christmas trivia questions and answers, which also comes with a free printable.
Players: 4 to 40Time: 30 to 45 minutesYou need: Printable questions, pens
8. Name That Christmas Tune
One player hums a Christmas song (no words allowed) while their team races to guess the title. You’ll be surprised how hard it is to recognize “Jingle Bells” when it’s hummed nervously.
Players: 6+Time: 20 minutesYou need: A list of songs on slips of paper
9. Christmas Scattergories
Pick a random letter. Teams get two minutes to name something for each category that starts with that letter: a Christmas movie, a gift, a food, a song, and something you’d find on a tree. Unique answers score a point.
Players: 4+Time: 20 minutesYou need: Paper, pens, a timer
10. Gingerbread House Speed Build
Give each team the same kit and 20 minutes. The group votes on the winner, and there’s always one house that collapses before the timer runs out.
Players: Teams of 2 to 4Time: 30 minutesYou need: Gingerbread kits
Minute-to-win-it challenges
Each of these lasts 60 seconds, so you can run several back to back. They’re great for crowds because watching is almost as fun as playing.
11. Candy Cane Hook
Players hold a candy cane in their mouth and use it to hook other candy canes off the table, without using their hands. Most canes hooked in one minute wins.
Players: 2+ at a timeTime: 1 minute per roundYou need: A box of candy canes
12. Jingle Bell Toss
Line up plastic cups on a table. Players stand a few steps back and toss jingle bells into the cups. Most bells in one minute wins.
Players: 2+ at a timeTime: 1 minute per roundYou need: Jingle bells, plastic cups
13. Reindeer Ring Toss
One player wears an inflatable reindeer antler headband while their teammate tosses rings onto the antlers. It’s ridiculous to watch, which is the whole point.
Players: Teams of 2Time: 1 minute per roundYou need: Inflatable antler ring toss set
14. Stack the Ornaments
Players build the tallest tower of shatterproof ornaments they can in one minute. The tower has to stand for three seconds to count.
Players: 2+ at a timeTime: 1 minute per roundYou need: Shatterproof ornaments
15. Unwrap the Present
Wrap a small prize in many layers of paper and tape. Players sit in a circle and pass dice. Roll doubles and you put on oven mitts and start unwrapping until the next person rolls doubles. Whoever tears off the last layer keeps the prize.
Players: 5 to 15Time: 20 minutesYou need: A wrapped prize, dice, oven mitts
Party classics
16. Ugly Sweater Contest
Ask everyone to wear their ugliest holiday sweater, then vote in categories: ugliest, most creative, best homemade, and best accessories. Small prizes for each winner keep it fun.
Players: Any numberTime: 15 minutes for judgingYou need: Voting slips, small prizes
17. White Elephant Gift Exchange
The classic gift swap where people can steal each other’s presents. Need ideas for what to bring? See our list of white elephant gift ideas people will actually want.
Players: 6 to 30Time: 30 to 60 minutesYou need: One wrapped gift per person
18. Blind Cookie Taste Test
Ask each guest to bring a batch of cookies. Number the plates, and everyone votes for their favorite without knowing who baked what. Announce the winning baker at the end of the night.
Players: Any numberTime: Runs through the partyYou need: Cookies, numbered plates, voting slips
19. Christmas Mad Libs
Write a short holiday story with blanks for nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Ask guests for words without telling them the story, then read the finished version out loud.
Players: Any numberTime: 10 minutesYou need: A story with blanks
20. Santa Says
Simon Says, with a holiday twist. The leader gives commands like “Santa says jingle your bells” or “Santa says act like a reindeer.” Follow a command that doesn’t start with “Santa says” and you’re out.
Players: 6+Time: 10 minutesYou need: Nothing
21. Holiday Movie Quote Showdown
Teams take turns quoting a line from a Christmas movie. The other team has five seconds to name the film. The team that runs out of quotes first loses.
Players: Teams of 3+Time: 15 minutesYou need: Nothing
Tips for a smooth game night
- Pick three or four games, not ten. A short list leaves time for food and conversation, and nobody gets game fatigue.
- Mix quiet games with loud ones. Follow a team game with a minute-to-win-it challenge to keep the energy up.
- Prep supplies in a basket. Put everything for each game in one place so you’re not hunting for dice mid-party.
- Have small prizes ready. Candy, mini bottles of hot sauce, or a paper crown make winning feel like a big deal.
Christmas party games FAQ
What are good Christmas games for a large group?
For 20 or more people, Who’s Most Likely To, Christmas trivia, and the ugly sweater contest work best. They don’t require everyone to take turns, so nobody waits around.
What Christmas games can adults play without supplies?
Two Truths and a Holiday Lie, Santa Says, Name That Christmas Tune, and the Movie Quote Showdown all need nothing but your guests.
How many games should I plan for a Christmas party?
For a three-hour party, plan three or four games plus one or two backups. Start with an icebreaker, play a team game in the middle, and finish with something competitive or a gift exchange.
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