Christmas Party Games
Make your holiday gathering unforgettable with these fun party games
The holiday season is the perfect time to gather with family and friends for memorable celebrations. Whether you're hosting a cozy Christmas Eve dinner, a lively New Year's Eve party, or a festive office gathering, the right games can transform any holiday event into an unforgettable experience filled with laughter, bonding, and holiday cheer.
From classic party games adapted for the season to creative holiday-themed activities, we've compiled the best Christmas and New Year's party games that work for groups of all sizes. Whether you want something silly, competitive, or family-friendly, you'll find the perfect entertainment for your celebration.
Looking for more game ideas? Check out our complete party game guide
Hat Game (Chapeau Shuffle) - The Ultimate Holiday Party Game
The Hat Game, also known as Celebrities or Fishbowl, is the perfect holiday party game. It's hilarious, gets everyone involved from kids to grandparents, and becomes even more fun when you customize it with Christmas and New Year themed words. Plus, with Chapeau Shuffle, you don't need any paper or hat - just your phones!
How to Play Hat Game at a Holiday Party
Split into two or more teams. In Round 1, describe words without saying them. In Round 2, act them out silently. In Round 3, use only one word as a clue. The same words cycle through all three rounds, creating hilarious moments as you try to remember and communicate under pressure.
The beauty of playing during the holidays? You can include Christmas movies, holiday traditions, and inside jokes that everyone in your family or friend group will recognize.
Holiday-Themed Word Ideas for Hat Game
Make the game festive by using words that capture the holiday spirit. Here are some categories to inspire your word list:
Christmas Movies
Home Alone, The Grinch, Elf, Love Actually, Die Hard, The Polar Express, A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, The Holiday, Jingle All the Way, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, It's a Wonderful Life
Holiday Characters
Santa Claus, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, The Grinch, Scrooge, Mrs. Claus, Jack Frost, The Nutcracker, Buddy the Elf, Kevin McCallister, Krampus, The Ghost of Christmas Past
Holiday Traditions
Decorating the tree, Hanging stockings, Mistletoe kiss, Gift exchange, Midnight countdown, Champagne toast, Caroling, Gingerbread house, Ugly sweater party, Secret Santa, New Year's resolutions, Watching the ball drop
Christmas Songs
Jingle Bells, Silent Night, All I Want for Christmas, Last Christmas, Let It Snow, White Christmas, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, Feliz Navidad, Winter Wonderland, Deck the Halls, Frosty the Snowman
Personal Touches
Add words specific to your family or friend group: memorable holiday moments, inside jokes from past celebrations, family traditions, favorite holiday foods, or predictions for the new year.
Need more word ideas? Try our AI Word Generator for holiday-themed words
Fun Variations for Holiday Parties
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New Year's Eve Edition
Focus on New Year themes: resolutions, countdowns, famous New Year moments, and predictions for the coming year. Great for midnight party entertainment!
Year in Review
Each person submits memorable moments from the past year - news events, personal achievements, or group memories. A nostalgic way to celebrate the year together.
Holiday Drinking Variation
Add optional drinking rules: take a sip when your team fails to guess, finish your drink for holiday-related words, or everyone drinks when someone hums a Christmas song instead of acting.
Ready to Play Hat Game?
Download Chapeau Shuffle and start playing in seconds. No paper needed - just add your custom holiday words and let the fun begin!
Download Chapeau ShuffleClassic Holiday Party Games
These timeless games get a holiday twist that makes them perfect for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Easy to set up and guaranteed to get everyone laughing.
Never Have I Ever - Holiday Edition
The classic confession game gets a festive twist! Players take turns saying things they've never done related to the holidays. Anyone who has done it takes a sip, raises a finger, or earns a point. Focus on holiday experiences for maximum seasonal fun.
Sample Holiday Prompts:
- Never have I ever kissed someone under the mistletoe
- Never have I ever re-gifted a Christmas present
- Never have I ever stayed up until midnight on New Year's Eve
- Never have I ever worn an ugly Christmas sweater unironically
- Never have I ever broken a New Year's resolution within a week
Two Truths and a Lie - Holiday Edition
Each guest shares three holiday-related statements about themselves - two true, one false. The group guesses the lie. Use holiday memories, gift stories, or New Year's Eve adventures for fun revelations!
Would You Rather – Holiday Edition
Quick dilemmas with festive twists for all ages. Perfect filler between games. Holiday-themed prompts coming soon.
Want instant 'Would You Rather' play? Try Pickle Picker online
Holiday Drink If...
A quick-fire game where the host reads holiday-themed statements and anyone they apply to takes a sip. Perfect for revealing fun holiday facts and getting conversations started.
Sample Prompts:
- Drink if you've ever peeked at your presents before Christmas
- Drink if you still believe in the magic of the holidays
- Drink if you've ever forgotten to buy someone a gift
- Drink if you know all the words to at least 5 Christmas songs
- Drink if you've ever made a New Year's resolution about exercise
Holiday Trivia
Test everyone's knowledge about Christmas traditions, holiday movies, and New Year facts! Divide into teams and see who knows the most about the festive season.
Sample Questions:
- In which country did the tradition of Christmas trees originate?
- What is the best-selling Christmas song of all time?
- How many gifts are given in the song 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'?
- What time zone celebrates New Year first?
- What is the name of George Bailey's guardian angel in 'It's a Wonderful Life'?
Creative Holiday Party Games
Looking for something unique? These creative games add special touches that'll make your holiday party stand out.
Christmas Bingo
Create bingo cards with holiday-related items or things that might happen during your celebration. As each item happens, players mark it off. First to get bingo wins! Great for ongoing entertainment throughout the party.
Include squares like: 'Someone says "Merry Christmas"', 'A Christmas song plays', 'Someone mentions their New Year's resolution', 'Gift wrapping paper gets torn', 'Someone takes a food photo'.
Try YoListen to create digital bingo cards and display them on a big screen for your event.
Gift Wrap Relay Race
Divide into teams and race to wrap presents! Each team member must wrap one item before the next person can start. Add challenges like wearing oven mitts or wrapping with one hand. The team with the best-wrapped presents wins!
Holiday Charades
Act out Christmas movies, holiday activities, or famous holiday characters without speaking. Use a timer for added pressure. Perfect for all ages and guaranteed to create hilarious moments.
Secret Santa Roulette
Put a twist on traditional Secret Santa! Instead of buying gifts, participants do surprise acts of kindness or create homemade gifts throughout the party. Guess who your Secret Santa is at the end.
Activity Ideas:
- Write a heartfelt compliment for your person
- Bring them a drink or snack without being caught
- Take a candid photo of them having fun
- Compliment them publicly without revealing yourself
- Leave a small treat or note at their seat
Tips for Organizing Holiday Party Games
A successful holiday game night depends on good planning. Here's how to make sure everyone has a blast:
Consider Your Guest Mix
Holiday parties often include multiple generations. Choose games that work for all ages, or plan different activities for kids and adults. Games like Hat Game and charades are naturally inclusive and can be adapted for any audience.
Time Your Games Right
For New Year's Eve, save high-energy games for the countdown hour. For Christmas gatherings, play games after dinner when everyone is relaxed but still awake. Don't force games if people are happily chatting.
Prepare Materials in Advance
Gather all supplies beforehand: props, timers, bingo cards, and any apps you'll need. Download Chapeau Shuffle before guests arrive to avoid scrambling with game setup mid-party.
Have Prizes Ready
Small prizes add excitement to any game. Stock up on holiday candy, mini ornaments, or silly gifts from the dollar store. Even adults love winning small prizes during party games!
Know When to Transition
End games while everyone is still having fun. Pay attention to energy levels - some guests may want to keep playing while others prefer to mingle. Having multiple game options lets people participate as they wish.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play the Hat Game at a Christmas party?
Split into teams and play three rounds with holiday-themed words. In Round 1, describe words using any words except the word itself. In Round 2, act out the words silently. In Round 3, give only a one-word clue. The same words cycle through all rounds, making it hilarious when players struggle to communicate what they easily described earlier!
What are the best games for large Christmas parties?
Team-based games work best for large holiday gatherings of 10+ people. The Hat Game (Chapeau Shuffle), holiday trivia, and Christmas bingo scale well because everyone participates through teams. Avoid games where people take individual turns, as they create too much waiting time at large parties.
What games work for family Christmas gatherings with all ages?
Holiday charades, the Hat Game with family-friendly words, Christmas bingo, and trivia with adjustable difficulty work great for mixed ages. Team up kids with adults for the best experience. These games let everyone participate at their own comfort level.
How many games should I plan for a holiday party?
Plan 3-4 games for a typical 3-4 hour gathering, but stay flexible. Have backup options ready since some games might not click with your crowd or may be so popular that guests want to play them repeatedly. Quality over quantity - one great game beats three mediocre ones.
How can I make classic party games Christmas-themed?
Add holiday words, Christmas music, themed challenges, and seasonal prizes. For example, play charades with only Christmas movie titles, trivia focused on holiday traditions, or add Christmas songs to musical chairs. Personal touches like family traditions make familiar games feel special.
What games are good for the New Year's Eve countdown?
Quick rounds of the Hat Game, prediction games (guess what will happen next year), resolution sharing, and countdown trivia work perfectly. Keep games short and energetic as midnight approaches. After the countdown, transition to more relaxed activities or dancing.
Ready to Make Your Holiday Party Unforgettable?
Start with the Hat Game - it's the perfect ice breaker that gets everyone laughing and bonding. Chapeau Shuffle makes it easy to play with custom holiday-themed words.
Learn How to Play
