The holiday season is a perfect time to gather with friends and family and what better way to do that than with a little friendly competition? Enter the Christmas Olympics—where holiday spirit meets playful rivalry, and everyone’s a winner!
1. 1. Reindeer Ring Toss
Craft reindeer antlers from cardboard and have players toss rings onto them. Trust me, it’s harder than it looks, and it’s always a hit at my holiday parties.
2. 2. Jingle Bell Shake
Attach jingle bells to a box around your waist and shake them out within a set time. It’s a hilarious workout that always gets us moving!
3. 3. Christmas Tree Bowling
Set up plastic bottles decorated as mini Christmas trees and bowl them over with a soft ball. It’s like creating a winter wonderland bowling alley in your living room. You can find more red and green Christmas tree inspiration to match your holiday decor.
4. 4. Snowball Toss
Use white pom-poms or rolled-up socks as ‘snowballs’ to toss into buckets. It’s a fun way to bring the outdoors in, minus the cold!
5. 5. Pin the Nose on Rudolph
Blindfolded, try to place Rudolph’s red nose in the right spot. This game is a hit with kids and adults alike, and never fails to amuse!
6. 6. Saran Wrap Ball Game
Unwrap a giant ball of saran wrap filled with goodies, but only while wearing oven mitts. This game is a staple at our house, and it’s always a race against time!
7. 7. Gift Wrap Relay
Race to wrap oddly shaped items using limited supplies—hilarity guaranteed! This game always brings out the creative genius in my guests.
8. 8. Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of holiday-themed items for guests to find around the house. This adds a layer of excitement to our gatherings, especially with kids involved.
9. 9. Candy Cane Relay Race
Divide into teams and race while balancing a candy cane on a spoon. I’ve tried this in my own living room, and the laughter was contagious! If you want to extend the theme, check out these decoration ideas for a Candy Cane Lane.
10. 10. Christmas Charades
Act out holiday-themed phrases without speaking—it’s a classic! We always end up in stitches with this one, especially when Santa is on the list.
11. 11. Holiday Pictionary
Draw holiday-themed words without using letters or numbers. My artistic skills are questionable, but that’s half the fun!
12. 12. Christmas Karaoke
Belt out your favorite holiday tunes in a karaoke showdown. It’s a great way to let loose and share some musical cheer!
13. 13. Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest
Compete to create the most festive cookie designs. I love seeing everyone’s unique creations, and the taste testing is a sweet bonus!
14. 14. Frozen T-Shirt Contest
Freeze t-shirts and see who can thaw and wear them the fastest. This chilly challenge is always a crowd-pleaser!
15. 15. Snowflake Cutting Contest
Challenge everyone to create the most intricate paper snowflake. Our table always ends up covered in paper, but it’s worth the beautiful creations! Check out our Christmas paper craft display ideas to showcase your finished work.
16. 16. Gingerbread House Building Competition
Compete to construct the most creative gingerbread house. It’s one of my favorites, combining creativity and a sweet treat. Check out these winning concepts for contest-worthy gingerbread houses to get started.
17. 17. Christmas Movie Trivia
Test your knowledge of holiday films with fun trivia questions. We love this game, especially the debates over which movie is the best! If you want to keep the party going, check out our fun Thanksgiving games for the whole family.
18. 18. Christmas Carol Lip Sync Battle
Channel your inner performer and lip-sync to classic carols. We always find hidden talents (and some not-so-hidden) during this one!
19. 19. Ornament Guessing Game
Have guests guess the number of ornaments on your tree—it’s a simple yet surprisingly competitive game. The winner in our house got first dibs on dessert! For more inspiration, check out our simple ideas for decorating your Christmas tree.