The holiday season is all about spreading joy and making memories with family and friends. If you’re hosting a Christmas party this year, make some core memories by incorporating a few of these Christmas party entertainment ideas. It’s a great way to make sure everyone comes together and shares some laughs. (and also, perfect for kicking that awkwardness to the curb for a mixed crowd!)
Updated: December 10, 2025
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To make it easier to choose, I’ve organized these Christmas party entertainment ideas into three categories: Games, Activities, and Gift Exchanges. Let’s dive in!
What You Need to Prepare for Christmas Party Entertainment
A smooth, low-stress Christmas party starts with a little prep. You don’t need anything fancy — just a few basics to keep the fun flowing and avoid the classic “Wait… whose turn is it?” confusion. Here’s what to have on hand:
📝 1. A Loose Timeline for Activities
You don’t need a minute-by-minute schedule, but have a general order in mind:
- Icebreakers first
- Quick games next
- High-energy activities in the middle
- Gift exchange or cozy activities toward the end
This prevents party lulls (or total chaos).
🎁 2. Simple Supplies for Your Games
Most activities only require:
- Pens/paper
- A bowl or basket
- Dice
- Small prizes (optional)
- Gift exchange items (if applicable)
- Music for anything movement-based
Put everything on a tray so you’re not running around mid-party.
🎉 3. Enough Space to Play
Designate ONE spot for activities to keep the flow.
This can be:
- Your living room
- A dining table
- A basement
- Even a hallway for quick games
Just make sure people have room to move, mingle, and watch.
🏆 4. Optional Prizes
Totally not required — but they do hype up the competition.
Think:
- $5 – $10 gift cards (these multi-packs are great!)
- Holiday Candy
- A wrapped gag gift
Prizes work best for adult parties and games with teams.
📸 5. A Few “Downtime” Activities
While waiting for late guests or between games, having low-prep fillers is clutch:
- A photo booth corner
- Coloring or Christmas craft station (for kids OR adults!)
These keep the party buzzing even during transitions.
Best Christmas Party Entertainment Ideas
No matter what type of celebration you’re throwing this year, here are the BEST Christmas party entertainment ideas. These are guaranteed hits for all ages that’ll make your celebration unforgettable.
1. Bow Blaster
This hilarious game involves players trying to knock as many bows off each other’s backs while hanging onto their own.
To play:
- Give each player 3-4 bows to stick to their back (Grab this bulk bow pack on Amazon)
- Queue the music, and when you say “Go,” players run around trying to knock off their opponents’ bows
- The last person with a bow on their back wins.
2. Musical Candy Canes
A fun twist on musical chairs, but with candy canes! Here’s how you play:
- Place candy canes on a table or countertop that guests can walk around
- Queue the music and have guests walk around the candy cane pile.
- When the music stops, players must quickly grab one.
- Whoever is left empty-handed is out.
This Christmas party entertainment idea is perfect for both adults and kids!
3. Candy Cane Chopsticks
With one hand and using two candy canes like chopsticks, players race to pick up as many mini marshmallows as possible and place them in a cup within 30 seconds. Whoever manages to collect the most, wins!
4. Flip It Like It’s Hot
This blindfolded game challenges players to scoop as many cotton balls as possible onto a tray using a spatula in just 30 seconds. It’s harder than it sounds and guaranteed to bring laughs.
5. Ornament Balance Challenge
Divide into teams and give each player a spoon and a shatter-proof ornament. The goal is to walk across the room while balancing the ornament on the spoon without dropping it as fast as you can. Make it a relay race for extra fun! The team that finishes the race the fastest wins.
6. Hungry Hungry Reindeer
If you’re looking for Christmas party entertainment ideas that’ll SERIOUSLY bring the laughs, this is it. Players wear plastic cups as “hooves” and attempt to scoop marshmallows onto their plates in a race against the clock.
7. Racing Reindeer
Bring out the wind-up Christmas toys and race them across a table. The reindeer that travels the furthest wins! Another Christmas party entertainment idea from Simple Purposeful Living, it’s simple yet endlessly entertaining.
8. Saran Wrap Ball Game
Create a saran wrap ball of gifts (or for a more eco-friendly Christmas idea, fabric scraps, or brown paper box filler). Your guests pass the ball around while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the ball unwraps a layer. If they unwrap a gift during their turn, they keep it. If they don’t, oh well. The ball keeps moving and being unwrapped layer by layer until the last present is revealed.
It’s super fun and silly and a great way to entertain guests of all ages. Play Party Plan shares some tips for making it extra fun, along with free printables!
9. Wrap Race
Provide each player with a roll of wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and a random object. Place oven mitts on each players’ hands. The player that wraps their object the fastest and neatest wins. Bonus points for creativity!
10. Christmas Tree Cup Stack
Inspired by Hello Wonderful‘s Christmas party game ideas for kids, this entertainment idea is fun for any age. Using green plastic cups, players race to stack the cups to build the tallest Christmas Tree they can in one minute.
11. Snowball Toss
Divide into two teams and set up targets using these small red tubs. Give players “snowballs” (aka white ping-pong balls) and have players take turns tossing the snowballs into the target, earning points for each successful throw. Super easy set-up, and a great competitive Christmas party entertainment idea for families and friends.
12. Santa Says
A holiday twist on Simon Says, this game is perfect for groups of five or more. Here’s how you play:
- One player acts as the leader, calling out actions like “raise your hand” or “dance”.
- If the leader says “Santa Says” before the action, players must perform it. If not, they should stay still.
- Players are eliminated if they fail to act when “Santa Says” or if they act when it wasn’t said. The game continues until only one player remains, crowned the ultimate Santa Says champion!
13. Christmas Charades
Prepare a list of holiday-themed phrases, movies, or songs for a hilarious and entertaining game of charades. Think “Frosty the Snowman,” “Deck the Halls,” or “Wrapping Presents.” This game always gets people moving and laughing.
14. Christmas Movie Trivia
Put your group’s holiday film knowledge to the test! Create a list of questions from classics like Elf, Home Alone, The Grinch, and The Santa Clause. You can keep it simple (“What’s the name of the villain in Home Alone?”) or get superrrrr niche (“What’s Buddy’s dad’s full name?”). Split into teams or play individually — either way, this is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for movie lovers.
Use Kahoot to create your game – it makes it fun and super easy for people to play right from their own phones.
15. Holiday “Would You Rather”
An easy, zero-prep activity that gets everyone laughing and chatting. Create festive prompts like:
- Would you rather get stuck in a snowstorm with the Grinch or Jack Frost?
- Would you rather have Rudolph’s nose or Frosty’s voice?
- Would you rather wrap 100 gifts or hang 1,000 lights?
Perfect as an icebreaker while guests arrive or a filler between bigger games.
16. Name That Christmas Tune Challenge
Whether your crowd loves classic carols or modern holiday hits, this game is a guaranteed mood booster. Play a few seconds of a Christmas song and have players shout (or write down) their guess. You can theme rounds:
- Pop Christmas
- Classic Carols
- Movie Soundtracks
- 90s Christmas Nostalgia
Add bonus points for naming the artist or finishing the next lyric!
Christmas Party Entertainment Ideas for Adults
Hosting an adults-only Christmas party? These ideas bring the fun without feeling like kids’ games — though they still inspire a healthy amount of chaos, laughter, and competitive spirit. Perfect for friendsmas gatherings, holiday dinner parties, or when you want to entertain grown-ups who don’t want to sit around making small talk all night.
17. Flip Cup Memory Game
Combine the classic flip cup with a memory challenge (added alcohol is optional)! Here’s how you play:
- The host hides 5 red candies and 5 green candies under 15 disposable party cups (this pack of red and green party cups, and Christmas Hershey’s kisses are perfect)
- Divide players into two teams (red and green). Players on each team take turns flipping a cup off the edge of a table (like in classic flip cup), and if the cup lands upside down, they can peek under one of the 15 cups.
- If they find their color candy, they collect the candy and put the cup back.
- If it belongs to their opponent, they leave it and replace the cup.
- The first team to find all 5 of their candies wins!
18. Naughty or Nice Adult Trivia
Create two categories of trivia questions — “Naughty” (funny pop culture, spicy holiday lore, adult humor) and “Nice” (classic Christmas facts, songs, traditions). Players choose which category to attempt. Nice questions are usually easier… Naughty ones? Not always PG. Choose your crowd wisely and have prizes for each category’s champion.
19. Holiday Meme Challenge
Pick or print a stack of funny holiday memes (or show them on a TV screen). Have players write captions, explanations, or “tag yourself” descriptions for each one. Everyone votes for the funniest entry each round. This one gets hilarious fast and works especially well for groups who love social media humor.
20-21. Christmas Cocktail Competition (or Wine Tasting Party)
Pick your format:
Cocktail Competition:
Guests form teams and create their best Christmas cocktail using mixers, garnishes, and seasonal ingredients (cinnamon, cranberries, peppermint, etc.). Award prizes for:
- Most Festive
- Best Presentation
- Surprisingly Delicious
Wine Tasting Version:
Choose 4–6 wines (or ask guests to bring one), cover the labels, and do a blind tasting. Guests score each on aroma, taste, and “holiday vibe.” Reveal the bottles at the end and crown a winner.
Either version creates the perfect mix of socializing + structured fun.
22. Christmas Carol-oke
\Set up a karaoke station with karaoke mics, disco lights, and a Christmas karaoke playlist. Guests take turns singing their favorite holiday tunes. Keep it as a low-key, optional activity, or turn it into a competition for livelier groups.
23. Merry Mug Shots
Photo booths are always a great Christmas party entertainment idea, and perfect for groups that don’t love forced games and activities. Create a fun “Merry Mugshots” photo booth corner with these supplies:
- Mugshot photo booth backdrop
- Naughty or nice mugshot props
- Wearable Christmas accessories
- Photo booth app (this takes you to my top list of best photo booth apps!)
Many of these games also work perfectly for a New Year’s Eve pajama party, especially if you’re hosting a cozy pajamas and prosecco night at home.
Christmas Party Entertainment Ideas for Work or Large Groups
Hosting a workplace holiday party or entertaining a crowd of 12+? Large groups need games that are easy to explain, low on props, and big on participation. These ideas scale perfectly for corporate gatherings, team-building events, neighborhood parties, and big family celebrations — no awkward icebreakers required.
23. Holiday Team Trivia Challenge
Split your group into teams and host a trivia showdown covering Christmas movies, music, traditions, food, and pop culture. Add lightning rounds, bonus questions, or visual clues on a TV screen. This one works beautifully for corporate groups and keeps everyone engaged at the same time.
24. Christmas Pictionary
Grab a whiteboard or large pad of paper and create a list of holiday-themed prompts (everything from “snowblower” to “gingerbread disaster”). Divide into teams and have players race to draw while their teammates guess. Great for mixed-age crowds and office environments where not everyone wants to run around.
25. Guess Who: Christmas Edition
Play the classic “Guess Who” game with Christmas-themed characters like Santa, Rudolph, Frosty, and the Grinch. Here’s how you play:
- Grab red and green note cards and write out as many Christmas characters you can think of until you’ve got enough for every player.
- Place all the cards in a stack, character names face-down, and have each player pick a card and tape it, character-side facing out to their forehead. They MUST NOT look at their character.
- Players mingle and ask “yes” or “no” questions about their character, like “am I a male,“ “do I live at the North Pole,” etc. until they think they know who their character is. Award prizes for the fastest three people to guess their characters!
26. Pass the Present Game
Pass the present is a fun, easy to play (and easy to execute) gift exchange game. All you need is my free printable instruction sheet, a standard 6-sided die, and a variety of wrapped gifts.
To play, players take turns rolling the die to reveal what they gotta do with their gift. Keep rolling until all the gifts are revealed, or each guest has taken a few turns. Get my tips and the free Pass the Present game printable.
27. Left-Right Gift Game
Have guests sit in a circle with their gifts. Read a Christmas-themed story with the words “left” and “right” sprinkled throughout. Each time one of these words is mentioned, guests pass their gifts accordingly. When the story ends, the gift in their hands is theirs to keep! Grab a free printable story at the Press Print Party!
Christmas Party Activity Ideas for Kids & Classrooms
If you’re hosting younger guests or planning a classroom celebration, these hands-on activities are perfect for keeping kids entertained in a festive, low-mess way. Each idea is easy to prep, budget-friendly, and adaptable for any age — teachers and parents, consider this your holiday party cheat sheet.
28. “Make a Face” Craft Table
Kids LOVE this. Set out these sticker sheets featuring blank Christmas characters (Santa, elves, snowmen, gingerbread people) plus mix-and-match faces, hats, and accessories. Kids design their own characters by choosing eyes, mouths, noses, and expressions. Minimal mess, maximum creativity, and everything stays contained to one table.
29. Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Hide small Christmas items (ornaments, candy canes, Santa hats, etc.) around your party space and give guests a list of items to find. This is part game, part activity, part gift exchange all wrapped in one and perfect for keeping young party guests entertained. (These scavenger hunt ornament cards are SO CUTE!)
30. Christmas Coloring Station
Set up a table with crayons, markers, printable Christmas coloring pages, and even coloring shirts.
Kids can create at their own pace while adults mingle. This activity is perfect for classroom parties, church events, or adding a calm moment to a high-energy gathering.
31. Christmas I-Spy
Print out Christmas-themed I-Spy sheets and give each child a pencil or sticker sheet to mark what they find. This is a great quiet-time activity and works well for early finishers during classroom rotations. Add small prizes or treats for completed sheets.
32. Reindeer Ring Toss
Grab this inflatable reindeer ring toss and let kids take turns tossing rings to score points. It’s silly, simple, and guaranteed to get kids giggling.
Great as a station activity — just rotate groups through every few minutes.
Final Tips for Hosting an Epically Entertaining Christmas Party
Christmas parties don’t have to be elaborate to be memorable — they just need a little structure, a few festive activities, and room for guests to laugh and connect. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family night, a big friendsmas gathering, or a workplace holiday event, these entertainment ideas will keep the energy high and the awkward silences low.
Choose a mix of icebreakers, quick games, and one or two anchor activities (like a gift exchange or team challenge), and you’ll have a flow that feels intentional — not forced. Add snacks, music, some twinkle lights, and you’re golden.
If you try any of these ideas, tag me — I love seeing your Christmas party magic come to life. 🎄✨