Games to Spice Up an Otherwise Dull Christmas Party

Let's face it: Christmas parties can be pretty dull. You get dressed up, and you spend the evening standing around and talking, sipping wine. Some shmuck inevitably becomes intoxicated and ends up singing bad karaoke or giving a drunken table dance, which is only mildly entertaining when it happens every year. By the end of the evening, you're sick of holiday music and can't get into your comfortable PJs soon enough. It doesn't have to be that way. Here are some ways to spice up your holiday party. Whether you're celebrating at home or the office, make it a Christmas celebration to remember.

Outfit Contest

This the Yuletide version of the Halloween costume contest. Instead of dressing up in suits and evening gowns, put on your goofiest Christmas sweater. If you really want to go the extra mile, don some jingle bell antlers. Give prizes for Best Dressed, Goofiest Getup, So Last Season, and other categories. Laughing at each other is much more fun than spending the whole night waiting get out of those high heels.

Gag Gifts

Have every guest bring a present to the party--something silly. It's cheesy to wrap up fake dog doo from Spencer's, but the Garden of the Gods gift shop here in Colorado Springs does offer chocolate moose droppings. Shiny boxers make a great gift that any man will enjoy. One Christmas memory I'll never forget is that of my father wearing a pair of metallic blue boxers that I gave him--on his head.

Group Karaoke

Karaoke sounds boring, but it doesn't have to be. Break up into groups, and have each pick a song and perform it. Instead of just giving prizes for the best performance, reward people for other things--most creative choreography, for example. Come up with several categories. They can be serious or silly. The whole point is to have fun.

Pass the Present

Get a small group of people to sit in the circle. Give a present to one or more of the people in the circle. On the signal, the players pass each present to the person to the right of them. Change directions a few times, and when you've had enough, say stop. The people still holding gifts get to keep them.

Rip Me a Picture

Give several people a sheet of green paper. Have them hold it behind their backs and rip it into the shape of a Christmas tree. Whoever tears the best tree gets a prize! Alternatively, attempt to make a snowman, wreath, or other Christmas shape.

Put a Christmas Twist on a Classic

Movie trivia, charades, Pictionary - these are all classics. For holiday entertainment, play these games with a Christmas theme. (Hint: Pictionary is even more interesting when the player must draw on top of his or her head!)

Santa Dress Up

Players group in teams of three. They are given tape, red construction paper, and cotton. They must dress one of their own up like Santa using only these supplies. Best costume wins! Alternatively you can have players make an elf, reindeer, or snowman costume.

Christmas Card Toss

Admit it: many of those cards you get in the mail end up in the trash. Sure, they may spend some time on display during the holidays, but ultimately, what other use do you get out of them? You may be like me and save them for memorabilia, or maybe you use them as decoration for subsequent Christmases. Well, that's not all their good for. Try having a contest to see who can get the most Christmas cards into a goal, such as a laundry basket. It's harder than it looks!

Present Unwrapping

There's a catch, though: you're all wrapped up! Put on a coat, hat, scarf, and most importantly mittens. Whoever can open a present first gets a prize.

Christmas Balloon Stomp

Give everyone a red green balloon, and have them write their name on it. On the signal, have the players drop their balloons, then attempt to stomp each other's while trying to protect their own. Whoever's balloon lasts the longest wins.

Don't Get Caught Empty-handed!

This is like musical chairs. Make a circle with ten presents, and select nine players. When the music plays, have them walk in a circle from present to present. When the music stops, they each have to grab a present. The person caught empty-handed is out. Remove a present every time a player is taken out. The last one with a gift in their hands wins the game!

Some of these games may sound cheesy or even too juvenile for adult enjoyment. However, you would not believe the way grown men and women will scramble to be the last one holding a Christmas present. These games are lot more fun being played than they seem on paper. They are a great way to break the ice and get people interacting with one another. Have delicious refreshments, nice decorations, and covetable prizes, and your Christmas party will be made a success.