Christmas Party Games

With the holidays upon us, gatherings and parties are roaring into full swing. If you are one of the many who will be playing host this Christmas season, you may be looking for something to add just the right punch to your soire. Check out these ideas for party games that are sure to please every party-goer.

Present Game

You will need: 1 pair of gloves, 1 elf hat, 1 die (perhaps two if you have a large group), and a prize wrapped in several layers of newspaper and boxes.

The group stands in a circle and the gloves, hat and wrapped box are all placed in the center. One player begins by rolling the dice. If a six is rolled, that player hurries into the middle of the circle and puts on the gloves and the hat. Then, they start to unwrap the package. They must move quickly because the next person to roll a six rushes into the center of the circle and removes the hat from the current player. That person stops immediately and takes off the gloves, gives them to the new person and he/she goes back to the circle. The game continues in this fashion until the present is completely unwrapped and the last person receives the prize. This game is super noisy and unbelievably fun!

Find Your Partner Game

This game is intended for parties where a gift exchange has been prepared. Before the party, cut pieces of garland into various lengths having two of every length. The guests' objective is to find their "partner" with the garland of the same length. When it comes time for the gift exchange, the pairs give their gifts to each other.

Christmas Bingo

You will need homemade Bingo cards filled with things relating to Christmas. For example, you can fill the grid with things like: "Never finishes shopping before Christmas Eve.", "Has a good chance to end up with coal in the stocking.", "Hates eggnog.", "Only pretended s/he couldn't find mother-in-laws ornaments for the tree trimming.", "Knows what s/he is getting for Christmas.", "Returns at least one gift every Christmas.", "Willing to sing 4 bars of a Christmas song right now in front of the group. (This one they have to prove.)", "Knows ingredients for a Fruit Cake.", "Has been in an actual manger.", "Drank too much at the office party.", "Bought a new outfit for tonight's party.", etc. Feel free to add others as inspiration strikes. Use construction paper or print of cards with matching sentiments to be drawn when playing Bingo.

Hand out cards to your guests along with small Christmas candies to be used as markers. Draw from your draw cards and read the statement on the card. If anyone can answer "yes" to the comment, they may place a marker on that square on their card. The first person to get a Christmas Bingo, wins a prize.

Jingle Bell Relay

Play this game and your party guest will feel like kids again.

Before the party, purchase some jingle bells. Divide your guests into two teams. Players race around a specific course carrying a heaping pile (at least 15) of jingle bells and then hands them off to the next member of their team. ALL jingle bells must be handed to the next player. The first team to complete the course, having all jingle bells cross the finish line, wins!

These are just a few of the many fun ideas that can turn your party into something wild, crazy and memorable. The holidays are an awesome time to create memories with your friends and family. Some of the best memories are the fun and funny ones you make while being a kid again!