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Holiday Activities

10 Best Christmas Party Ice Breaker Games to Kick Off Your Holiday Celebration

Luki •
#activities#Christmas party#games#holiday party#team building
Joyful Christmas party with guests playing games

Here’s the thing about Christmas parties: the food might be perfect, the decorations Instagram-worthy, and the playlist festive—but if people are standing around awkwardly clutching eggnog, your party’s missing the magic. That’s where games come in.

These 10 activities will transform your holiday gathering from polite small talk into genuine connection and laughter. Whether you’re hosting an office party, a family reunion, or a friends’ celebration, the right openers set the tone for the entire event.

Why these actually matter

Let’s be honest: not everyone arrives ready to mingle. Some guests know each other well, others are meeting for the first time. Games bridge that gap fast. The best ones do three things:

  1. Break the initial awkwardness: They give people permission to be playful and silly, lowering social barriers instantly.
  2. Create shared experiences: When people laugh together, they bond quickly—even if they just met.
  3. Set a festive tone: Well-chosen activities signal that this isn’t a stuffy formal event—it’s time to have fun.

The right games turn strangers into friends and friends into family—in minutes, not hours.

Quick warm-up games (1-3)

These take 5-10 minutes and work perfectly as guests arrive. Use them to get energy flowing without requiring too much commitment.

1. Christmas Two Truths and a Lie (Holiday Edition)

Why it works: It’s a familiar format with a festive twist. This reveals personality while keeping the focus light and seasonal.

Materials needed:

  • Nothing! (or index cards if you want people to write them down)

How to run it:

  1. Each person shares three Christmas-related statements about themselves—two true, one false. For example: “I’ve never built a snowman,” “I once ate an entire gingerbread house,” “I broke my arm sledding.”
  2. The group votes on which statement is the lie.
  3. The person reveals the answer and can briefly share the story behind the true statements.

Pro tip: This works brilliantly for mixed groups because Christmas memories and traditions are universally relatable, even across different backgrounds.

2. Jingle Bell Name Game

Why it works: Physical activity + rhythm + laughter = instant energy. This gets people moving and remembering names simultaneously.

Materials needed:

  • Small jingle bells (one per person)
  • Optional: Santa hats

How to run it:

  1. Stand in a circle. Each person holds a jingle bell.
  2. First person says their name and a Christmas word (like “I’m Sarah and I love snowflakes”), rings their bell.
  3. Next person repeats: “That’s Sarah who loves snowflakes, I’m Tom and I love hot cocoa,” rings bell.
  4. Continue around the circle, each person repeating all previous names and adding their own.

Quick note: This gets hilarious when someone forgets a name—embrace the laughter! That’s the point of activities.

3. Wrapping Paper Race

Why it works: It’s competitive, ridiculous, and immediately memorable. This creates instant conversation starters for the rest of the party.

Materials needed:

  • Wrapping paper rolls (one per team)
  • Tape
  • Timer
  • Small boxes to wrap

How to run it:

  1. Divide guests into teams of 2-3 people.
  2. Give each team a box, wrapping paper, and tape.
  3. Set a 2-minute timer.
  4. Teams race to wrap their box. Catch: they can only use one hand each (so partners must collaborate).
  5. Judge the wrapped packages on speed and neatness.

Why it’s perfect: This forces strangers to communicate and work together immediately—breaking down barriers faster than 20 minutes of small talk.

Team collaboration games (4-6)

These build connection through cooperation. Use these when you want guests to actually talk and work together, not just watch.

4. Christmas Carol Charades

Why it works: Everyone knows Christmas carols, making this immediately accessible. Plus, watching someone act out “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” is comedy gold.

Materials needed:

  • Index cards with Christmas carol titles
  • Timer (optional)

How to run it:

  1. Write popular Christmas carol titles on cards (20-30 songs).
  2. Players take turns drawing a card and acting out the song title without speaking or humming.
  3. Their team (or the whole group) guesses the carol.
  4. Optional: Keep score or just play for laughs.

Pro tip: Include both classic carols and modern Christmas songs in your game selection to appeal to all age groups.

5. The Christmas Story Chain

Why it works: This sparks creativity and produces genuinely funny moments. It reveals how people think and improvise—great for building connection.

Materials needed:

  • Nothing (or a whiteboard to track the story)

How to run it:

  1. First person starts a Christmas story with one sentence: “Santa was having the worst Christmas Eve ever because…”
  2. Next person adds one sentence continuing the story.
  3. Go around the circle, each person adding a sentence.
  4. The story can go anywhere—funny, dramatic, weird. Embrace it.
  5. Continue for 2-3 rounds or until the story reaches a natural conclusion.

Why it works: This requires active listening and builds on others’ ideas—key skills for connection. Plus, the resulting stories are often hilarious.

6. Christmas Pictionary Relay

Why it works: It combines drawing, guessing, and teamwork. This keeps energy high and gets everyone involved without anyone being on the spot too long.

Materials needed:

  • Whiteboard or large paper pad
  • Markers
  • Christmas-themed words on cards

How to run it:

  1. Divide into 2-3 teams.
  2. One person from each team draws a Christmas item/concept for 30 seconds.
  3. Their team guesses. If correct before time runs out, they get a point.
  4. Next team member draws a new prompt.
  5. First team to 10 points wins (or play for a set time).

Quick note: This works for any group size—just adjust team numbers. The competitive element keeps engagement high.

Creative games (7-8)

These tap into imagination and storytelling. Use these when your group is warmed up and ready for something slightly deeper.

7. If I Were Santa’s Elf

Why it works: It’s a revealing personality test disguised as a silly activity. You learn a lot about people from their answers.

Materials needed:

  • Nothing (or sticky notes for recording answers)

How to run it:

  1. Ask each person: “If you were one of Santa’s elves, what would your special job be and what would your elf name be?”
  2. People share their elf name and job. Examples: “I’m Jingles and I test all the toys,” “I’m Sparkle and I design wrapping paper patterns.”
  3. Encourage creative, personality-revealing answers.
  4. Optional follow-up: “Why did you choose that job?”

Pro tip: This works great for mixed-age groups because kids and adults both enjoy it, making it perfect for family Christmas parties.

8. Christmas Memory Gift Exchange

Why it works: This creates genuine emotional moments while staying festive. It’s one of those rare activities that builds real connection.

Materials needed:

  • Nothing

How to run it:

  1. Each person shares their favorite Christmas memory from childhood.
  2. After sharing, they “give” that memory as an imaginary gift to someone else in the circle, explaining why: “I give my memory of Christmas morning pancakes to Tom because he mentioned loving breakfast traditions.”
  3. Continue until everyone has both shared a memory and received one.

Why it’s special: Unlike most activities focused on laughter, this one creates touching moments. Save this for smaller, closer groups.

Classic games with a twist (9-10)

These take familiar formats and add holiday flair. Use these when you want the comfort of something recognizable with festive energy.

9. Musical Christmas Ornaments

Why it works: It’s musical chairs with a holiday twist. This combines nostalgia, competition, and laughter—a winning combination.

Materials needed:

  • Christmas ornaments (unbreakable, one fewer than guests)
  • Christmas music playlist
  • Chairs or floor space

How to run it:

  1. Place ornaments in the center of a circle.
  2. Play Christmas music while people walk around the ornaments.
  3. When music stops, everyone grabs an ornament.
  4. Person without an ornament shares a quick Christmas fun fact or favorite tradition before sitting out.
  5. Remove one ornament each round until you have a winner.

Quick note: This works best with 8-15 people. Scale up or down by adjusting the circle size.

10. Christmas Trivia Speed Round

Why it works: Competition brings energy, and everyone knows something about Christmas. This engages different knowledge levels—from Christmas movie buffs to tradition experts.

Materials needed:

  • List of 30-50 Christmas trivia questions
  • Jingle bells or buzzers (optional)

How to run it:

  1. Divide into teams or play individually.
  2. Fire off rapid Christmas trivia questions: “What year did ‘White Christmas’ come out?” “How many reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh?”
  3. First person/team to answer correctly gets a point.
  4. Keep pace fast—no overthinking allowed in this.
  5. Play for 10-15 minutes or until you have a winner.

Pro tip: Mix easy and hard questions so everyone can participate successfully.

Choosing the right games for your event

Not all activities fit every situation. Here’s how to select the perfect activities for your specific gathering:

For office Christmas parties

Best games for workplace events:

  • Christmas Two Truths and a Lie (professional but fun)
  • Christmas Carol Charades (non-controversial)
  • Christmas Trivia Speed Round (mentally engaging)

Why these work: These build rapport without getting too personal—perfect for maintaining workplace boundaries while still having fun.

For family Christmas parties

Best games for family gatherings:

  • Christmas Memory Gift Exchange (emotionally connecting)
  • Jingle Bell Name Game (includes all ages)
  • The Christmas Story Chain (creative and collaborative)

Why these work: These work across generations and create memories families will reference for years.

For friends’ Christmas parties

Best games for social gatherings:

  • Wrapping Paper Race (high energy)
  • Musical Christmas Ornaments (nostalgic)
  • If I Were Santa’s Elf (personality-revealing)

Why these work: These let friends be silly and competitive—exactly what makes parties memorable.

Tips for running successful games

Even the best activities can flop if poorly executed. Follow these tips to ensure your activities succeed:

Start early in the party

Run activities within the first 30 minutes of your event, while energy is high but before people settle into small conversation groups. Early activities set the tone for the whole party.

Explain clearly and demonstrate

Before launching your activities, demonstrate with a quick example. Confusion kills momentum in activities.

Go first as the host

Model enthusiasm for your activities by participating first. When you show it’s safe to be silly, others follow. Lead your activities from the front.

Read the room

Some groups love competitive activities, others prefer collaborative ones. Pay attention to energy levels and adjust your activities accordingly.

Keep it moving

The magic of activities is momentum. If something’s not working, pivot quickly to a different activity. Never let dead air kill the energy.

Have backup activities ready

Always prepare more activities than you think you’ll need. If one falls flat or finishes early, seamlessly transition to your backup game.

Common Game Challenges (and Solutions)

Challenge: Some guests refuse to participate

Solution: Start with the easiest, lowest-stakes activities first. Once people see others having fun, they naturally join in. Never force participation in activities—peer pressure works better than host pressure.

Challenge: The game drags on too long

Solution: Set clear time limits for your activities. It’s better to end a game when people want more than when they’re bored.

Challenge: The group is too big

Solution: Many activities work better in smaller groups. For large parties, either divide into smaller teams or choose activities designed for crowds (like trivia).

Challenge: Energy drops mid-game

Solution: Switch to something more physical to re-energize the group. Movement revives low-energy sessions.

Make this Christmas party unforgettable with games

The difference between a forgettable Christmas party and one people talk about all year? Often, it’s whether you used activities to kick things off. These 10 activities give you a complete toolkit for any holiday gathering.

This year, commit to trying at least two of these at your event. Start with a quick warm-up activity as guests arrive, then move to a team collaboration or creative game once everyone’s settled. Watch how these simple activities transform your party atmosphere.

Remember: the goal of activities isn’t perfection—it’s connection. When people laugh together, fail together, and succeed together during activities, they bond. That’s what turns a good Christmas party into a great one.

Ready to transform your Christmas party? Pick three of these that match your group’s vibe, prep your materials, and trust the process. These have worked for thousands of holiday gatherings—they’ll work for yours too.

Here’s to a Christmas party filled with laughter, connection, and holiday magic—all sparked by the right activities!

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