Planning a holiday party can feel overwhelming. From choosing the right date and sending invitations to deciding on food and drinks, it’s easy to get lost in the details. But one of the most stressful aspects is figuring out how to keep everyone entertained. You want your guests to have fun, but planning engaging games and activities can often be the last thing on your mind when you're already juggling everything else.
The problem is, without exciting entertainment, even the best-planned holiday parties can fall flat. People may drift into cliques or become distracted by their phones, and that festive energy you’ve worked so hard to create can quickly fizzle out.
So how do you make sure your party stays lively and memorable? The answer lies in a solid mix of fun, interactive games that will keep your guests laughing and engaged throughout the night. Whether it’s something classic or unique, the right activities can elevate the entire experience. Here are some fantastic ideas to keep the holiday cheer flowing, ensuring everyone has a blast and no one’s left sitting idle.
1. Holiday Charades
A classic game that never fails to bring out the laughs is charades. The rules are simple: one person acts out a holiday-related phrase, movie, or activity while the rest of the group tries to guess. You can make it extra festive by sticking to holiday-themed prompts like "decorating the Christmas tree," "snowball fight," or "Santa's sleigh ride."
Charades is a great icebreaker and a fantastic way to get everyone in the mood for some holiday fun, especially when the guesses start getting hilariously wrong!
2. Secret Santa Gift Exchange
A Secret Santa gift exchange is a perfect activity for a holiday party, especially if you're looking to add a surprise element. Set a budget for the gifts, draw names ahead of time, and have guests bring their presents to the party. To make it more fun, you can add a twist by giving guests clues about their Secret Santa's identity or making the gifts have a particular theme, such as "gifts under $10" or "funny gifts."
You can also play a "White Elephant" version, where guests draw numbers to choose a gift, but the twist is they can "steal" a gift from someone else instead of picking a new one. This always creates a lot of laughs and some friendly competition!
3. Christmas Carol Lip Sync Battle
Turn your holiday party into a fun talent show with a Christmas Carol Lip Sync Battle! Pick some well-loved holiday tunes and have guests lip-sync their hearts out. Whether it's belting out "Jingle Bells" or pretending to be Mariah Carey singing "All I Want for Christmas Is You," this activity will have everyone cheering for their favorite performers.
You can offer small prizes for categories like "Most Creative Performance" or "Best Use of Props" to add a competitive edge and encourage more participation. Don’t forget to have a playlist ready so the music flows seamlessly throughout the night!
4. Pick Me Up – A Flirty Holiday Game
Want a fun and lighthearted way to get the party going? Pick Me Up is the perfect game to bring everyone together for some laughs. This playful card game is all about cheesy pick-up lines and fun flirtation, with questions and prompts that will get guests chatting, laughing, and interacting with each other in hilarious ways.
Perfect for breaking the ice and creating a lively atmosphere, Pick Me Up can be played by people of all ages and is a great way to make sure everyone feels included. Plus, it’s the perfect game to spark some silly conversation and keep the mood lighthearted—ideal for a holiday gathering!
5. Holiday Bingo
Create a custom holiday-themed bingo game to play during the party. Fill the bingo cards with holiday-related items or activities, like "Santa’s hat," "snowman," "gingerbread cookies," or "Carolers singing." As guests go about the party, they can check off items they spot or hear, and the first person to get bingo wins a prize.
To make it even more fun, you can create different variations, like holiday trivia bingo, where guests answer holiday-related questions to mark off squares.
6. Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
A hands-on activity like gingerbread house decorating is a fun way to get creative during your holiday party. Set up a decorating station with gingerbread houses (store-bought or homemade), frosting, candy, and sprinkles. Divide guests into teams and have a friendly competition to see who can make the most festive, hilarious, or elaborate gingerbread house.
This activity not only keeps everyone entertained, but it also allows guests to take home a sweet reminder of the party.
7. Holiday Scavenger Hunt
A holiday scavenger hunt is a fantastic way to get guests moving and exploring your party space. Create a list of holiday-themed items or challenges for guests to find or complete. For example, they might need to find a hidden candy cane, take a photo with someone wearing a Santa hat, or share their favorite holiday memory with a group.
This activity works especially well in larger spaces, and you can tailor it to fit the size of your guest list. The first team to complete all tasks or find all the items wins a prize, making it a fun, engaging game for everyone involved.
8. Pin the Nose on Rudolph
This playful twist on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” game is perfect for a holiday party. Blindfold your guests and have them try to pin Rudolph’s red nose in the right spot on a large poster of the reindeer. You can also make it more challenging by incorporating a timed element or by using different holiday characters for a variety of themed versions.
It's simple, fun, and guaranteed to bring a lot of laughs, especially when the nose ends up in some unexpected spots!
9. DIY Ornament Decorating Station
Set up a DIY ornament decorating station where guests can make their own holiday ornaments. Provide plain clear ornaments, paint, glitter, stickers, and other crafting materials. This activity not only keeps guests busy but also allows them to take home a personalized souvenir from the party.
You can also make it a competition by having everyone vote for the most creative ornament, with the winner receiving a small prize.
Keep the Holiday Spirit Going with Fun Games
With these fun holiday games and activities, you’ll keep your guests entertained all night long and create lasting memories. Whether you’re opting for a creative challenge like gingerbread house decorating or a lively round of Pick Me Up, these games will ensure your holiday party is full of laughter and cheer. Now it's time to start planning, and get ready to make your holiday celebration the most memorable one yet!
