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Let’s be honest with each other. We have all been to that holiday party. You know the one. You stand by the punch bowl, checking your watch, wondering if it’s polite to leave yet. It’s awkward, it’s quiet, and it’s definitely not festive.
If you’re planning the next party, we’re here to tell you the secret ingredient: entertainment. You need activities that break the ice and get people interacting, and that includes holiday party games that make your guests laugh until their sides hurt. Here are ten!
What Makes a Great Holiday Party Game?
You don’t want complicated rules that require a PhD to understand. The best holiday party games are simple, fast, and intuitive. They should also be comfortable for guests to play, even if they don’t know each other well. Here’s what you should look for when picking your activities:
- Fun: It needs to generate actual laughter, not just polite smiles
- Easy: Explaining the rules shouldn’t take longer than the game itself
- Engaging for All Ages: Make sure it works for your niece and your grandma
- Interactive: The goal is to get people talking and moving!
Top 10 Holiday Party Games That Are Actually Fun!
Here are ten games guaranteed to bring the cheer and banish the boredom.
1. Secret Santa Gift Guessing
If you’re doing gifts, add a layer of mystery! Have everyone put their presents in a designated spot without writing who they’re from. When it’s time to open them, the recipient has to guess who the giver is. If they guess wrong, they have to wear a funny Santa hat for the next round.
2. Holiday Charades
This is a classic for a reason. Write down holiday-themed prompts like “The Grinch,” “Building a Snowman,” or “Reindeer Games.” Split the party into teams and watch your coworkers or cousins flail around trying to act them out. It’s impossible to play this without laughing.
3. Christmas Carol Lip Sync Battle
Grab a hairbrush or a candy cane to use as a microphone. It’s time to perform! Challenge your guests to belt out Mariah Carey or Michael Bublé without actually singing. The most dramatic performance wins! Bonus points for choreographed dance moves.
4. Holiday Trivia Challenge
Who knows the names of all the reindeer? Who knows where eggnog originated? Test your guests’ knowledge with a rapid-fire trivia round. You can engage teams or keep it individual.
5. Ornament Relay Race
You need plastic spoons and shatterproof ornaments for this holiday party game. Divide into teams and race across the room while balancing an ornament on a spoon. If it drops, you go back to the start. It sounds easy, but it gets intense very quickly!
6. Choosing an Entertainment Venue
Sometimes, the best game is letting the pros handle the fun. Instead of hosting at home, take the party to a family fun center! A round of bowling or a laser tag battle is an instant win for many groups.
7. “Wrap the Present” Relay
Set up a table with boxes, wrapping paper, and tape. The catch? Guests have to race to wrap a gift using only one hand! They can work in pairs (each using one hand) or try it solo. The results are usually terrible and absolutely hilarious.
8. Ugly Sweater Contest with a Twist
Clear a path in the living room or office and have participants strut down the walkway in their ugly sweater! You could even have an MC narrate the “fashion.” Let the crowd vote on the most hideous creation by cheering.
9. Candy Cane Hunt
Who says scavenger hunts are just for Easter? Hide candy canes all over the party area, and give guests five minutes to find as many as they can.
10. Name That Holiday Tune
Play just the first three seconds of a famous holiday song. The first person to shout out the correct title wins. If they can also name the artist, give them extra points!
Take the Stress Out of Party Planning at Stars and Strikes
Does reading this list of holiday party games make you tired just thinking about the setup and cleanup? We get it! Sometimes you want the fun without the hassle of organizing ten different activities.Luckily, Stars and Strikes offers built-in entertainment that beats a relay race any day. You can book a private party room to host your own special games, and then hit the arcade or the lanes for effortless fun. Just show up and take the credit for throwing the best party of the year. Ready to upgrade your holiday event? Reach out for a stress-free event!
