Adult Christmas Party Games

Christmas Party Games for Adults

Icebreakers

Icebreakers are quick and easy adult Christmas party games intended to help guests get to know each other. One popular game for getting guests to talk to each other is the people scavenger hunt. Instead of looking for objects on a list, they are looking for people who can answer yes to a particular Christmas-related statement like, "Has gone caroling." Use a printable list, or create your own list of facts based on information you know about your guests.

Pictionary and Charades

Both of these games ask guests to communicate an idea without words. In Pictionary, they must draw, and in charades, they must act out the word, phrase, or title. For a Christmas party, create a list of Christmas related words, Christmas movies, and Christmas carols your guests must try to guess. These are great games to play in teams, and can get the whole party involved in the fun.

What's in the Stocking?

Fill a stocking or a thick winter sock with Christmas-related items and seal the top. Then ask your guests to guess what is in the stocking by feeling it. Set a time limit, or leave the stocking out for guests to play at their leisure. The winner is the person who correctly guests the most hidden objects.

Gift Exchange

If you're planning a gift exchange at your party, you can easily turn the event into a game. A white elephant exchange is always a popular choice. This type of exchange begins with each guest bringing a "white elephant" gift, a gift that is pointless, kitschy, unwieldy, or otherwise undesirable. Everyone who has brought a gift then draws a number to determine the selection order. When it is your turn, you may unwrap a gift from the pile, or take a present another person has already opened. For another variation on the white elephant exchange, you can choose to not unwrap any of the gifts until the end of the exchange, adding an extra element of mystery and luck. The plotting and friendly theft involved in the exchange make for great entertainment.

Another fun gift exchange is the left/right game. Everyone sits in a circle holding a gift. Someone reads a Christmas-themed story that includes the words "left and "right" several times each. This story is one possible variation. Every time the guests hear "left" in the story, they pass the gifts to the left; every time they hear the word "right", they pass them to the right. At the end of the game, you get to unwrap the gift you're holding.

Kids' Games

Don't underestimate the power of kids' games when presented with the right attitude. It's a matter of knowing your guests and whether they would appreciate the nostalgia factor and the sense of being able to cut loose and act like a kid for a moment. A game of "Pin the Nose on Rudolph" or a Christmas piñata could be a great addition to your party.

Find Free Adult Christmas Party Game Ideas

The party games listed in this article are just a few of the possibilities. Visit the following sites for even more adult Christmas party games:

• Party Game Central offers more than 40 party games, with a large number of them perfect for adults, and most of them fun for all ages. Of particular interest to older guests will be the word-based games like Christmas limericks.
• While lists of icebreakers aren't usually intended for Christmas parties, many of the ideas could be adapted for the occasion.
• Santa Lady is another site with a large list of party games, including a song quiz and gift exchange ideas. Some of the games on the site are best saved for the kids, but it's still a useful resource.
• GamesAndLetters.com sells several printable games, including a Christmas "mad lib" and trivia games. However, with so many free game ideas available online, you may never need to spend your money.