Parker Swearngin LLC

The holidays are the perfect time to jingle, mingle and play games that make you feel all warm and fuzzy. Whether you’re gathering with family or celebrating with coworkers, these holiday party games are sure to ‘sleigh’ the crowd. Check out these fun and easy-to-set-up games for any holiday celebration. 

1. The One-Handed Wrap Battle  

Test your coordination with this one (adult beverages included or not—up to you!): Try wrapping a gift with one hand while balancing a candy can in the other. 

Here’s how it works:  

• Gather some unconventional wrapping materials, like boxes, newspaper, fabric strips or takeout menus. 

• Set a timer for three minutes. 

• Watch the chaos unfold as everyone tries to create presentable packages with just one hand. 

Have small prizes for the best (and worst) wrapped! 

2. The Great Reindeer Games 

Reindeer games aren’t just for Rudolph! Create a relay with festive challenges, such as: 

• Balancing a “snowball” (marshmallow) on a spoon. 

• Hopping through an obstacle course in a Santa toy sack. 

• Navigating cones while balancing dollar-store antlers. 

Extra points for anyone who can do it all while singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” 

3. Holiday Pictionary 

Have any artsy types at home or in the office? This one’s for them.  

• Have everyone write down funny holiday phrases or objects (like “snowball fight” or “Santa on a beach”) and put them in a hat (bonus points if it’s a Santa hat). 

• Divide into two teams. 

• Give artists one minute to draw while their team makes guesses. 

• Watch as “Santa’s workshop” somehow becomes “underground fight club.” 

Remember: Artistic talent is optional, but dramatic gasps when no one guesses your masterpiece are mandatory. 

4. Movie Magic Bingo 

Perfect for a cozy family night or a virtual office event, this game has everyone mark off iconic holiday movie moments on their bingo cards. Create bingo cards with classic movie moments like: 

• “Character learns the true meaning of Christmas.” 

• “The person from the city falls in love with the small-town person.” 

• “Grumpy person miraculously turns cheerful.” 

‘Yule’ be shouting “Bingo!” in no time. 

5. The Great Gift Shuffle 

This isn’t your normal White Elephant or Yankee Swap gift exchange. This version’s a bit spicier because it includes dice. Assign each number on the die a rule, like below: 

• Roll a 1: Swap with the person to your right. 

• Roll a 2: Everyone passes left. 

• Roll a 3: Do your best holiday dance move. 

You get one roll. The result? Merry mayhem. 

6. Name That Holiday Tune 

This one’s perfect for both work and home. There are several different ways you can play this one: 

• Have someone hum a holiday tune while everyone guesses. 

• Have players describe the holiday song with funny clues. 

• Use a music app to play the first few notes (or first few seconds) of a song. 

You could always take it a step further with a little holiday karaoke. 

7. The Great Gingerbread House Challenge 

Ante up the holiday spirit with a fun and competitive architecture challenge with gingerbread cookies. The rules: 

• Give teams equal amounts of gingerbread, frosting, candy and sprinkles. 

• Set a theme, like a winter wonderland or Santa’s workshop. 

• Watch as perfectly capable adults argue about proper cookie-to-frosting ratios. 

• Award prizes for “Best use of candy canes as support beams” or “Most likely to collapse.” 

And the best part? You get to eat the creations when you’re done. 

Don’t let your party be like fruitcake (you know, forgotten until next year) 

Remember, the best holiday parties aren’t about perfect execution—they’re about memories that will make you smile well into the new year. So, grab your Santa hat, channel your inner elf and get ready to host a holiday gathering that’ll have everyone ho-ho-hoping for a repeat next year!