Quick answer: the easiest Christmas party games for groups are Christmas bingo, trivia, White Elephant, charades, Pictionary and a fast gift-wrapping race. Most need only paper, pens and a few gifts, and they work for kids, teens and adults.
A good party game is easy to explain, needs little setup and gets everyone laughing. These 12 Christmas party games suit family gatherings, classrooms and office parties. Each one lists the number of players, time and what you need.
Players: 3 to 30 players · Time: 15 minutes
You need: Printed cards, pens or candy for markers
Hand out cards. Call out Christmas words, such as "stocking" or "sleigh". The first player to mark a full row shouts "Bingo!". Make random cards with the free Christmas bingo generator.
Players: 4 to 20 players · Time: 20 minutes
You need: Question list, paper, pens
Play in teams and read the questions aloud. Use our list of Christmas trivia questions and answers or play the online quiz.
Players: 6 to 30 players · Time: 30 to 45 minutes
You need: Wrapped gifts, numbered slips
Each player draws a number. Player 1 opens a gift. Later players open a new gift or steal an opened one. Agree on a steal limit, such as two or three per gift. See our Secret Santa rules for other exchange styles.
Players: 2 to 10 players · Time: 10 minutes
You need: A small box, wrapping paper, tape, scissors per player
Everyone wraps the same box. The fastest neat wrap wins. Add a twist: wear oven mitts. Need ideas? See Christmas wrapping ideas.
Players: 4 to 16 players · Time: 20 minutes
You need: Slips of paper, a bowl
Write Christmas words on slips, such as "decorating the tree" or "reindeer". Players act them out without speaking while their team guesses within one minute.
Players: 4 to 16 players · Time: 20 minutes
You need: Paper or whiteboard, markers
Draw a Christmas word while your team guesses. No letters or numbers allowed.
Players: 5 to 20 players · Time: 15 minutes
You need: A small prize wrapped in many layers, music
Pass the parcel around the circle while music plays. When it stops, the holder unwraps one layer. Whoever removes the last layer wins the prize.
Players: 4 to 20 players · Time: 15 minutes
You need: A phone or speaker, a playlist
Play the first few seconds of a song. The first player to name the title scores a point. Use short clips to make it harder.
Players: 3 to 20 players · Time: 15 minutes
You need: Candy canes or small treats
Hide candy canes around a room or yard. Give each player a bag and a time limit. Count the finds. Avoid hiding food where pets can reach it.
Players: 2 to 12 players · Time: 15 minutes
You need: Paper plates with the centers cut out, a headband with antlers or a cone
Take turns throwing the rings onto a player wearing antlers or onto a cone. The highest score wins.
Players: 3 to 20 players · Time: 10 minutes
You need: None
Like Simon Says. Players follow commands that start with "Santa says" and are out if they follow one that does not. Great for young children.
Players: 2 to 20 players · Time: 2 hours
You need: A screen, snacks
Let the group vote on a film, or use the Christmas movie picker to choose for you. Add a bingo card of movie clichés for extra fun.
Bingo, trivia and White Elephant work well for large groups because everyone can play at the same time.
Santa Says, Candy Cane Hunt, Pass the Parcel and Reindeer Ring Toss need almost no setup.
Santa Says and Christmas charades need nothing but people.
Use our free bingo generator to make random cards, then print them or share the page.
Keep each game to 10 to 20 minutes, and switch before anyone gets bored.
Free tools to try: