10 Office Christmas Party Games Your Coworkers Will Actually Want to Play

Office Christmas parties can be a lot of fun.

Office Christmas party games? Sometimes not so much.

Nobody wants to spend the afternoon doing something that feels like it was designed for a kindergarten Christmas party. And your coworkers probably don't want to be embarrassed in front of the boss, crawl around on the floor, or participate in some complicated game that requires 47 Solo cups, a bag of marshmallows and an hour of preparation.

You just want a few Christmas games that are easy to explain, fun to play and won't make everyone suddenly remember an important email they need to answer.

We can help.

We've put together 10 office Christmas party games your coworkers might actually want to play. Some will test your Christmas knowledge. Some will get coworkers talking and laughing. Some require a little strategy. And one will even put you in charge of the office supply budget—which may be a terrible idea.

Better yet, several of these games require absolutely no preparation, while the others can be printed and ready to play in just a few minutes.

So whether you're an office manager, HR director, team leader or simply the unfortunate person who was told, “Hey, can you come up with some games for the Christmas party?”...

We've got you covered.

 

1. Who Said That?

“It’s hard to see your own face without a mirror.”

Sounds like something Dr. Seuss might have said. Or was it Dr. Phil?

That's the challenge behind Who Said That?, a quick office party game where every quote comes with two possible choices—and you have to decide who actually said it.

Players work their way through 15 quotes, choosing between two people each time. Some answers may seem obvious at first...but don't be surprised when the person you're absolutely certain said it, didn't.

Play individually and see who knows their famous quotes best, or divide the office into teams and let coworkers debate their answers before making their final choice.

Perfect for: Office Parties


Ages: Adults


Time: 10 minutes


Questions: 15


Prep: Print & Play

Why we love it: You don't have to be a trivia expert to play because every question gives you two choices. The fun comes from discovering that the answers aren't always nearly as obvious as they seem.

→ PLAY WHO SAID THAT? https://www.familymomentsfun.com/who-said-that%3F

 

2. The $5 Christmas Gift Challenge

What kind of Christmas gift can you possibly buy for a coworker with only five bucks?

That's exactly the point of The $5 Christmas Gift Challenge.

Put everyone's name in a bowl and have each person draw the name of a coworker. Then give everyone 30 minutes and a $5 spending limit to head to Walmart, a dollar store or another nearby store and find a gift for that person.

But don't just grab the first $5 item you see. The goal is to find something funny, meaningful, symbolic or strangely appropriate for the person whose name you drew.

Once everyone returns, take turns presenting your gifts. But before the recipient opens theirs, the giver has to.

And that's usually the best part.

Maybe it's connected to an inside joke. Maybe it represents something the person is known for around the office. Maybe it's surprisingly thoughtful. Or maybe it's so ridiculous that the explanation is better than the gift itself.

Best for: Coworkers who know each other reasonably well


Group size: 6–20


Time: 30–45 minutes


Cost: $5 per person


Prep: Draw names and choose a nearby store

Why we love it: We actually played this game years ago using only a $1 spending limit, and it was a blast. Some gifts were funny, some were symbolic, and others were surprisingly meaningful. Raising the limit to $5 gives you a few more options while still forcing everyone to get creative.

The real fun isn't how much you spend.

It's explaining why on earth you bought THAT for your coworker.

 

3. The Christmas Name Game

Angel. Joy. Holly. Carol.

They sound like Christmas words—but they're also hiding inside the names of some pretty famous people!

In The Christmas Name Game, players receive a list of 20 Christmas-related words along with 20 clues. The challenge is to identify the celebrity described by each clue using one of the Christmas words as part of that person's name.

Think you know your actors, musicians, athletes and other famous faces? Some answers may jump out immediately, while others might have you staring at that Christmas word list hoping something finally clicks.

Play individually or divide your coworkers into teams and see who can correctly identify the most famous names.

Perfect for: Office parties & small groups


Ages: Adults


Time: 10–15 minutes


Questions: 20
Prep: Print & Play

Why we love it: Pop culture questions have a way of getting people talking. One generation may recognize an answer immediately while another has absolutely no idea who that person is—which can be half the fun.

→ PLAY THE CHRISTMAS NAME GAME. https://www.familymomentsfun.com/the-Christmas-name-game

 

4. Two Truths and a Pie

You've probably played Two Truths and a Lie. But this is Christmas, so we're adding dessert!

Each player comes up with three statements about themselves. Two should be true Christmas experiences, while the third must be a statement about a kind of pie they either love or hate.

For example:

I once got a puppy for Christmas.


I've never gone Christmas caroling.


I absolutely hate pumpkin pie.

Here's the catch: exactly one of the three statements must be false.

Maybe the Christmas caroling story is a lie. Or maybe that person secretly loves pumpkin pie!

After all three statements are read, coworkers vote on which one they think isn't true. Reveal the answer, award a point to everyone who guessed correctly, and move on to the next player.'

After everyone has had a turn, the person with the most correct guesses wins.

Best for: Office parties & small groups


Group size: 6–20


Ages: Adults


Time: 15–20 minutes


Prep: None

Why we love it: It takes a familiar party game and gives it an unexpected Christmas twist. You'll probably learn a few things about your coworkers along the way—including who has some surprisingly strong opinions about pie.

 

5. Christmas by the Numbers

Sometimes knowing part of the answer makes a trivia question even more frustrating!

Christmas by the Numbers challenges players to answer 13 Christmas questions where the number of answers is already provided.

For example:

What are the 3 names of the Chipmunks who sang “Christmas Don't Be Late?”
Or...
What are the 4 themes of Advent?
Or...
What Christmas movie spawned 5 additional sequels?

Knowing the number gives you a head start—but that's also what makes it maddening. You might know two of the three, or three of the four, and find yourself desperately trying to remember that last answer.

Play individually or divide your coworkers into teams and see who can solve the most Christmas number challenges.

Perfect for: Stumping a small group


Ages: Adults


Time: 10–15 minutes


Questions: 13


Prep: Print & Play

Why we love it: The number gives you just enough information to make you think, “I know this!” And then the fun begins as everyone tries to come up with that one missing answer that's right on the tip of their tongue.

→ PLAY CHRISTMAS BY THE NUMBERS  https://www.familymomentsfun.com/Christmas-by-the-numbers

 

6. The Christmas Bonus

Who wouldn't like a nice Christmas bonus?

Unfortunately, there's one little problem with this one:

It can't be money!

Give everyone a slip of paper and ask them to answer this question:

“If your employer could give you anything other than money as a Christmas bonus, what would you choose?”

Maybe it's an extra week of vacation. A new laptop. Free lunch for a year. Fridays off for six months. Your own reserved parking space. A trip to Hawaii. Or perhaps your own personal assistant to answer all those emails!

Everyone writes down one answer without putting their name on it. The host collects the responses, mixes them up, and reads them aloud one at a time.

Now the guessing begins

Players number a sheet of paper and write down which coworker they think submitted each Christmas bonus request.

Once all the answers have been read, reveal the people behind them one at a time. Give yourself one point for every coworker you correctly identified.

The player with the most points wins!

Best for: Office parties & coworkers who know each other


Group size: 8–20


Ages: Adults


Time: 15–20 minutes


Prep: Paper and pens

Why we love it: The answers can be practical, extravagant, funny or downright strange—and you may discover that you don't know your coworkers nearly as well as you thought you did 

And who knows?

Maybe the boss is listening.

 

7. Which Came First?

Trivial Pursuit or Pictionary?

How about the iPad or the Nintendo Wii?

You probably recognize all four—but do you know which one came first?

Which Came First? gives players 20 pairs of popular toys, games and products and asks one simple question: Which one hit the market first?

For every pair, simply choose A or B.

Sounds easy, right? Not necessarily. Some products that seem relatively new have been around much longer than you think, while others may not be nearly as old as you remember.

Play individually or divide your coworkers into teams and see who has the best sense of pop-culture history.

Perfect for: Office parties & families


Ages: 12–99

Time: 12–15 minutes


Questions: 20
Prep: Print & Play

Why we love it: You don't have to know the answer to play. Every question gives you an A-or-B choice, so even when you have absolutely no idea, you've still got a 50/50 shot. And comparing the actual release dates can produce plenty of “No way! That came out first?” moments.

→ PLAY WHICH CAME FIRST? https://www.familymomentsfun.com/which-came-first%3F

 

8. Christmas Common Ground

You work together every day—but how much do you really have in common when it comes to Christmas?

Divide everyone into small teams of 4–6 people and give each team three minutes to discover five Christmas-related things that every person on the team has in common.

For example:
We've all watched Elf.


We all open presents on Christmas morning.


None of us likes eggnog.


We've all re-gifted a Christmas present.


We all have an artificial Christmas tree.

But make them work for it! Obvious answers such as “We all like Christmas” don't count.

When time is up, have each team read its five answers aloud. Award one point for every legitimate thing they have in common.

For an added challenge, give two bonus points for any answer that no other team came up with.
The team with the most points wins!

Best for: Office parties & larger groups


Group size: 8 or more


Ages: Adults


Time: 10–15 minutes


Prep: None

Why we love it: Instead of testing what your coworkers know, this game helps them discover what they have in common. It gets people talking, laughing and learning things about each other—without feeling like one of those dreaded mandatory office team-building exercises.

 

9. Candy or Cane?

Sometimes the answer is obvious.

Other times, you'll stare at the pictures thinking, “What in the world is that supposed to be?”

Candy or Cane? challenges players to figure out a word or phrase using a series of picture clue cards. Every answer contains either the word CANDY or CANE.

Some of the clues are pretty elementary. Others require a little creative thinking before the answer finally clicks.

Show the picture clues one at a time and let players write down their answers, or divide the office into teams and see which group can solve the most puzzles.

There are 20 picture clues altogether, giving everyone plenty of chances to redeem themselves after getting completely stumped by one that everyone else somehow figured out!

Perfect for: Office parties & small groups


Ages: 16+


Time: 10–15 minutes


Questions: 20
Prep: Print, Cut & Play

Why we love it: This isn't about knowing obscure Christmas trivia. It's about looking at the clues differently. Some answers jump right out at you, while others require that little flash of creative thinking that makes you say, “Ohhhh...now I see it!”

→ PLAY CANDY OR CANE? https://www.familymomentsfun.com/candy-or-cane%3F

 

10. That's Not in the Budget!

How well do you know the price of everyday office supplies?

In That's Not in the Budget!, players are given a list of 10 common office supplies—but only the host knows what they actually cost.

Your challenge is to select exactly five items that you think will bring your total as close to $50 as possible without going over.

• Here are your choices:
• Box of Paper Clips (100)
• #2 Pencils (pack of 12)
• Sharpie Markers (pack of 5)
• Desk Tape Dispenser
• Highlighters (pack of 6)
• Ream of Copy Paper (500 sheets)
• Dry Erase Markers (EXPO 12-pack)
• Heavy-Duty Office Scissors
• Disinfectant Wipes (3-pack)
• Post-it Sticky Note Pads (pack of 24)

Choose carefully. Some of those innocent-looking office supplies may cost a lot more—or less—than you think!

Once everyone has selected their five items, lock in your answers. No changing them!

Then it's time for the host to reveal the prices.

Best for: Office parties & small groups


Players: Individuals or teams


Ages: Adults


Time: 5–10 minutes


Prep: None—just use the list above


Cost: Free!

Everyone has seen these supplies a hundred times, but how much do they actually cost? With the prices hidden, players have to rely on their instincts.

And that innocent-looking package of Post-it Notes might just wreck your budget.

 

HOST ANSWER KEY — PLAYERS STOP HERE! 

Don't let the players peek at this part until they've made their selections.

Now have everyone add up the five items they selected.

The player or team that comes closest to $50 without going over wins!

And if your total exceeds $50?

THAT'S NOT IN THE BUDGET!

HOST TIP: There is one possible combination where the total will equal exactly $50.00: Paper Clips + Copy Paper + Office Scissors + Disinfectant Wipes + Post-it Notes.

Prices are approximate and are used simply for purposes of the game.

 

Which Office Christmas Party Game Should You Choose?

Not sure which one fits your group? Here's a quick way to narrow it down.

Want coworkers to get to know each other? Try:

• The Christmas Bonus
• Two Truths and a Pie
• Christmas Common Ground.

Want something quick and easy? Try: 

• Who Said That?
• Which Came First?
• That's Not in the Budget!

Have a competitive group? Try: 

• Christmas by the Numbers
• Candy or Cane?
• The Christmas Name Game.

Want something that gets people out of the office? Try: 

• The $5 Christmas Gift Challenge.

Have a larger group? Try: 

• Christmas Common Ground and divide everyone into teams.

Don't want to do much preparation? Try: 

• The Christmas Bonus
• Two Truths and a Pie
• Christmas Common Ground
• That's Not in the Budget!
•  

Your Office Christmas Party Doesn't Need to Be Complicated

Planning an office Christmas party is already enough work.

You shouldn't need an hour of preparation, a cart full of supplies and a 12-page instruction manual just to get your coworkers to have a little fun together.

Sometimes the best office Christmas games are the simplest ones—the ones that get people talking, thinking, competing and laughing together.

That's why we love games that are easy to explain and quick to get started.

Whether you're guessing which celebrity said a famous quote, trying to remember which toy came first, discovering what your coworkers would really like for a Christmas bonus, or desperately trying not to blow your imaginary office supply budget, the goal is the same:

Have some fun together.

And if you're the person planning the party, we think you should get to enjoy it, too.

That's why our Family Moments Christmas games are designed to be as simple as possible:

Print. Play. Have Fun.

No complicated setup. No running around town looking for supplies. Just fresh Christmas games you can have ready in a matter of minutes.

 

Need More Christmas Party Games?

We've created 40 Christmas party games for office parties, families, church groups, classrooms, youth groups and more.

Buy just the game you want, choose one of our money-saving game bundles, or grab the Ultimate Pack and have an entire collection ready whenever you need it.

→ BROWSE ALL CHRISTMAS PARTY GAMES https://www.familymomentsfun.com/Christmas-party-games-homepage