15 Christmas Party Games for Adults that aren't the Same Old Games

Looking for Christmas party games for adults that are actually fresh and exciting? Let's face it: We’ve all done the “Draw-a-Christmas-tree-on-a-paper- plate-on-your-head” game, as well as the “Unwrap the Present Using Oven Mitts” challenge. Great games, but not exactly cutting edge.

If you want Christmas party games for adults that are fun, engaging, and don't require a trip to the store for Solo cups, balloons, candy canes, or a pile of craft supplies, you're in the right place.

We've gathered 15 Christmas party game ideas that range from clever word games and music challenges to games that test your memory, knowledge, and quick thinking. And they all have one particularly important feature: No prep. No stress.

So what Exactly Makes a Great Christmas Party Game for Adults?

A good adult Christmas party game doesn't have to involve people running around the room. In fact, some of the best games are the ones where everyone can sit down, relax, and enjoy one another while competing in something creative and fun.

Here are the key criteria we used in selecting our games:

• Easy to explain.
  Nobody wants a 10-minute narration before the game actually begins.
• Everyone can participate.
  A goodgame shouldn't require you to be the funniest person in the room or the most athletic.
• Creates conversation and laughter.
  Isn’t that the ultimate goal of every party game?
• Doesn't require a shopping trip.
  No cups. No balloons. No elaborate craft supplies.
• Hasn't been played a hundred times in the past. In fact, sometimes the best Christmas party game is simply one your guests didn't see coming.

With those points in mind, here are the 15 that made the cut:

1. Santa's Coming to Town 

How well do you know your towns? In Santa's Coming to Town, players are given clues that point to 20 popular places or phrases that contain the word “town.”

It's a fun combination of knowledge, word association, and quick thinking. Be the player or team with the most correct answers, and you may end up becoming, “the talk of the town.”

Best for: Adults


Prep: Print and play


Players: Individuals or teams

Why it's different: It's a Christmas game that makes people think rather than requiring a pile of physical supplies.

👉 https://www.familymomentsfun.com/SANTA'S-COMING-TO-TOWN

2. Christmas Movie Quote Challenge

This one is perfect for movie lovers. Choose memorable lines from popular Christmas movies and see who can identify the movie. And if you want to add bonus points, have players identify the character who said it, as well.

Best for: Movie lovers

Prep: Very little - compile a list of well-known lines.


Players: Individuals or teams

Make it harder: Give only a portion of the quote and see who can identify it first.

If you'd rather not spend your afternoon creating your own questions, Family Moments has a ready-to-play Christmas Movie Quote Game.

👉 https://www.familymomentsfun.com/The-Christmas-movie-quote-game

3. Deer, Buck, Doe

Are you a deer lover? We’re about to find out. Deer, Buck, Doe uses 20 different picture clues, each leading to an object or phrase containing the word “deer,” “buck,” or “doe.”

Seems so easy, but don’t be surprised if you end up stumped and feeling like a "deer in the headlights.”

Best for: Adults and older groups


Prep: Print and cut the 20 cards


Players: Individuals or teams

Why it's different: It's a Christmas game built around wordplay and visual clues rather than physical challenges.

👉 https://www.familymomentsfun.com/deer-buck-doe

4. Christmas "Would You Rather?"

Here's an easy one that requires virtually no preparation. Give your guests two ridiculous, funny, or thought-provoking Christmas choices and make them choose.

For example: “Would you rather . . . receive an individual present from every family member or one amazing gift they all chipped in on?”

The fun isn't necessarily the question. It's the arguments that follow. "How could you possibly choose that?!" That's when the party starts getting interesting. If you’re looking for a way to get the crowd talking, this may be it - especially when they come up with the questions themselves.

Best for: Families and adults


Prep: Virtually none. Just a question to get started.


Players: Any size group

5. Say the Word

There are some words in the English language that only seem to appear at Christmas. In Say the Word, the host gives clues one at a time while players try to identify the Christmas-related word.

Guess correctly after the first clue and earn 3 points.
Need another clue? You can still earn 2 points.
Wait until the third clue and you just get 1 point.

But there's a catch: You only get one guess per question. That means players have to decide whether to trust their instincts or wait for another clue.

Best for: Adults and groups


Prep: Print and play


Players: Individuals or teams

Why it's different: It's incredibly simple to explain, but surprisingly challenging to play.

👉 https://www.familymomentsfun.com/say-the-word

6. Christmas Movie Charades

This is a classic—but it never gets old.

Divide everyone into teams. One person acts. Their teammates guess. However, instead of acting out random words or phrases, the clue-giver must act out characters or scenes from famous Christmas movies.

Best for: Groups who don't mind getting a little silly


Prep: Make a list of Christmas movies


Players: Teams

Tip: This one works best for parties with guests who don’t mind acting and getting out of their comfort zone.
Alternative Option: Instead of players simply shouting out guesses, have players or teams take turns guessing, back and forth. That puts a lot more pressure on the guesser.

7. Christmas This-or-That

Here's another simple conversation starter. Give everyone two choices:

• Real tree or artificial tree?
• Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
• White lights or colored lights?
• Turkey or ham?

Have everyone choose—and occasionally ask someone to explain their answer. It's surprisingly entertaining to discover how strongly people feel about things that seem completely unimportant.

Best for: Mixed groups


Prep: Create a list of Christmas choices


Players: Any size group

 
8. Christmas Through the Years

How well do you know your Christmas history? In Christmas Through the Years, players are given popular Christmas events and must determine which decade each each event took place.

Bonus points are earned for picking the exact year. It's a fun combination of knowledge, memory, and educated guessing—and it’s great for reminiscing!
.
Best for: Adults and mixed-age groups


Prep: Print and play


Players: Individuals or teams

Why it’s Different: Instead of asking the same old Christmas trivia questions, it takes players on a trip through Christmas history.

👉 https://www.familymomentsfun.com/Christmas-through-the-years

9. Christmas Song Name That Tune

Play a few seconds of a Christmas song and see who can identify it first. You can make it easier for a mixed-age group by using familiar classics, or make it harder by choosing less obvious songs. If you really want to make it fun, use obscure versions of well known songs.

For an added challenge, award extra points for naming the artist.

Best for: Music lovers


Prep: Some song selection prep is required


Players: Individuals or teams

And if your group loves music but you'd rather skip the setup, Family Moments has several Christmas music-based games ready to print and play.

👉 https://www.familymomentsfun.com/christmas-party-games-for-music-lovers

10. Two Truths and a Christmas Lie

This is a Christmas version of the classic icebreaker. Each person comes up with three Christmas-related statements about themselves. Two are true. One is false.

For example:

• I've never opened a Christmas present early.
• I've spent Christmas in three different states.
• I once dressed up as Santa.

Everyone else tries to figure out which statement is the lie. This is particularly good for groups where not everyone knows each other.

Best for: Office parties, church groups, new groups


Prep: None


Players: Small to medium groups

11. Yule Love This Game

Ever come across an old Christmas word (like “Yule”) and wonder, "What in the world does that word mean?” If so, ‘yule’ love this game! Players are given long-forgotten Christmas words and must determine their meanings from multiple-choice answers. You may recognize some of the words. But it’s doubtful you know what they mean.

Best for: Adults


Prep: Print and play


Players: Individuals or teams

Why it's different: It's unusual, clever, and probably not something your guests have ever played before.

👉 https://www.familymomentsfun.com/yule-love-this-game

12. Christmas Memory Challenge

This one requires a little more preparation, but it's simple. Place a collection of Christmas-related objects where everyone can see them. Give players a short amount of time to study them. Then cover or remove the objects and see who can remember the most.

You can make it more challenging by adding more objects or reducing the amount of time people get to look.

Best for: Families and mixed-age groups


Prep: You'll need objects from around the house


Players: Individuals or teams

13. Christmas "Finish the Story"

Start telling a ridiculous Christmas story, but stop at an unexpected point. Then let each person or team add the next sentence. Keep going around the room. The goal isn't necessarily to create a great story. It's to see how strange the story becomes by the time you reach the end.

Best for: Creative groups
Prep: None
Players: Small to medium groups

14. Chestnuts Roasting on a Rapid-Fire

Have players sit in a circle. The host names a Christmas-related category (like Christmas foods, movies, songs). Set the timer for 1 minute. Play moves around the circle as each person gives their answer. The goal is to not have the timer run out when it’s your turn. If so, you are eliminated.

The game continues to scale down until there is just one lone player remaining - who is crowned the champ!

Best for: Larger groups


Prep: Not much - just come up with the categories


Players: Individuals or teams

15. Christmas Trivia Lightning Round

Finally, there's nothing wrong with trivia. The key is to keep it moving. Give players or teams a series of Christmas questions and a short amount of time to answer as many as possible.

You can have different rounds for:

• Christmas movies
• Christmas music
• Christmas history
• Christmas traditions
• Christmas around the world

And if your group loves trivia but you don't want to spend hours writing your own questions, ready-made downloadable games can save you considerable preparation time.

Family Moments has several Christmas trivia games available as instant downloads.

👉 https://www.familymomentsfun.com/christmas-party-games-for-trivia-lovers

So...Which Game Should You Choose?
Here’s a helpful summary:

Want something easy and conversational?

• Would You Rather
• This-or-That
• Two Truths and a Christmas Lie

Love trivia and knowledge?

• Christmas Through the Years
• Christmas Trivia
• Yule Love This Game

Have music lovers?

• Name That Tune
• or a Family Moments music games

Want something your guests have never played?

• Santa's Coming to Town
• Deer, Buck, Doe
• Say the Word
• Christmas Through the Years
• Yule Love This Game

When it comes to hosting a Christmas party, the host already has enough to do.

Between food, decorations, cleaning, invitations, music, and childcare, the last thing you need is a Christmas game that requires a shopping list.

Family Moments Christmas Party Games provide
Fresh Games. No rep. Instant Fun.
Just download, print, and play!

🎄 Ready to Find Your Game?

Browse All Family Moments Christmas Games

Go to→https://www.familymomentsfun.com/Christmas-party-games-homepage

 A couple clicks. A couple bucks. Ready to go in a couple of minutes.