9 Hilarious Christmas Party Games Everyone Will Love

1. Candy Cane Hook Relay

All you need are candy canes and zero shame. This fast-paced classic is the perfect mix of ridiculous and competitive. Each player puts one candy cane in their mouth, hook facing down. Then, using only that one cane, they try to pick up as many others from a pile as they can. No hands allowed. Just wobbly, awkward determination.

Set a 60-second timer, and the player who hooks the most wins. It’s as simple as it is hilarious. Want to level it up? Use mini canes, create teams and make it a relay, or blindfold the players. This game is technically a favorite for kids, but don’t be surprised when your adult guests get way too into it and start strategizing like it’s the Olympics.

This one’s great early in the night when people are still warming up. It’s low-effort, fast-paced, and gets everyone watching and cheering.

2. Christmas Movie Trivia Showdown

Time to find out who’s secretly watched every Hallmark Christmas movie ever made. Divide your group into teams and start firing off trivia questions about Christmas movies. Include everything from black-and-white classics to animated hits and Netflix originals.

For bonus fun, add categories like “Name That Quote,” “Guess the Character,” or “Finish the Lyric.” Award points for correct answers, and give bonus points for teams that can reenact a scene. Include a “Wrong Answer Jar” where teams that miss a question have to pull a silly dare—like wrapping someone in tinsel or singing the chorus of a Christmas song solo.

You can even split the rounds with themed snacks or drinks between them. It’s competitive, laugh-out-loud funny, and secretly very revealing—especially when someone knows way too much about The Princess Switch 3.

3. Explosive Seconds: The Fast-Paced Charades Game

If you’re ready to shake up the party and get everyone shouting and guessing in under a minute, Explosive Seconds is the way to go. This free app puts a fresh, high-speed twist on traditional charades.

Players split into teams. One person describes as many words as they can while a virtual bomb counts down from 30 seconds. Teammates shout out guesses until they get them right. When the timer hits zero, the bomb explodes, and the other team takes over.

The game includes multiple modes, Team Clash, 5 Words in 30 Seconds—and over 10 themed categories like Brands, Animals, and Sports. You can even customize game settings like how many lives each team has, or how long the timer runs. It's perfect for mixed-age groups because the categories are flexible, and it gets everyone on their feet.

There’s no setup. Just download the app, split into teams, and let the chaos begin.

4. White Elephant Gift Exchange (With a Twist)

We all know the standard rules—draw numbers, unwrap, steal, or swap gifts—but with a few small changes, this classic gift game can become the highlight of the entire night.

Add action cards that players must complete before taking their turn. These can include things like:

• Name three Christmas movies in 10 seconds
• Do your best Santa impression
• Tell an embarrassing holiday story

Spice it up further with “freeze” cards that block a steal or “wild” cards that let you swap and unwrap. These little additions keep everyone involved and turn a simple gift game into a performance.

You’ll get laughs, groans, and a few unexpected gift reveals. Plus, it’s a great way to put those hilariously wrapped presents (we’re looking at you, duct-taped shoebox) to good use.

5. Snowman Building Challenge (Indoors!)

Forget the snow. All you need for this one is a few rolls of toilet paper, some accessories, and a little creativity. Split into teams and choose one volunteer to be transformed into a snowman. Teams have five minutes to wrap their human snowman with toilet paper and decorate with whatever they can find—scarves, buttons, hats, paper noses, or even lights.

Once time’s up, each snowman does a mini “runway walk” to show off their look. Appoint judges or let the crowd vote for categories like “Best Dressed,” “Most Creative,” or “Most Likely to Melt.”

Great for office parties, school events, or any indoor gathering where you want people to get silly. And yes, the person getting wrapped will immediately regret it—but only a little.

6. The Gift Wrap Race

Here’s where speed meets style. Pick the most awkward items you can find (a plunger, a coat hanger, a pineapple—get creative). Teams are given wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and two minutes to wrap their item as quickly and neatly as possible.

Judging criteria? Entirely up to you. Go for speed, aesthetics, or creativity. Want to take it up a notch? Make them wrap with oven mitts or behind their backs. Add holiday music and a countdown timer for that extra layer of party pressure.

This is one of those games that seems simple until you’re screaming at your teammate to “just fold the edges,” and then taping the paper directly to the floor. It’s absolute chaos and somehow always ends with someone using way too much tape.

7. Christmas Freeze Dance

You can’t go wrong with freeze dance. Blast your favorite holiday playlist and get everyone dancing. When the music stops, they freeze—and anyone caught moving is out.

What makes it fun is the added theme: call out a specific pose before the music starts. Think: “act like you’re decorating a tree,” “be a grumpy elf,” or “strike a snow angel.” The more ridiculous the pose, the better the photos.

Perfect for groups of all ages, especially kids who need to burn off energy. You can play in rounds or let the winner of each one pick the next pose. It’s fast, funny, and totally foolproof as a warm-up game before food, drinks, or gift exchanges.

8. Christmas Bingo — The Meme Edition

Bingo, but make it chaotic and hyper-relatable. Instead of calling numbers, you create custom boards filled with things that are guaranteed to happen at your party. Ideas include:

• Someone spills something
• Debate over whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie
• A parent tries to get everyone to pose for a photo
• Mariah Carey starts playing (again)

Make a few different versions—one for kids, one for adults, and one for chaotic neutral energy. Use small candies or tiny ornaments as markers, and give prizes for full rows, corners, or even blackout wins.

It’s the kind of game that happens passively in the background but keeps everyone engaged and laughing.

9. Reindeer Antler Toss

The setup is easy: inflatable antlers or plastic cups taped to a headband, rings made of rope or candy canes, and some open space. One person wears the antlers and becomes the moving target while others try to toss rings onto their “horns.”

Add a twist by spinning the reindeer in between tosses or making them dance while trying to dodge the throws. Keep score, add elimination rounds, or just play for fun and laughs.

This game takes almost no effort to set up but always draws a crowd. It’s perfect for families, classrooms, or anyone who enjoys watching people totally miss from two feet away.

Final Jingle

From candy cane chaos to app-fueled charades, these Christmas party games are guaranteed to bring everyone together. They’re fast, funny, and flexible enough for any group. Whether you're keeping it family-friendly or turning things up with your crew, these games help you make memories—and maybe start a new tradition or two.