Christmas Charades is one of those classic holiday games that never seems to lose its charm. It’s simple, energetic, and has a way of getting everyone from shy participants to outgoing performers laughing together within minutes.
I’ve always loved how this game instantly breaks the ice and brings people closer, whether you’re at a family gathering, an office party, or a cozy night in with friends.
What makes Christmas Charades even more fun is the endless variety of festive prompts you can use, from movies to traditions to hilarious holiday situations.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to play and make the game unforgettable.
What Is Christmas Charades?
Christmas Charades is a festive twist on the traditional charades game, where players act out holiday-themed prompts without speaking while their teammates try to guess the word or phrase.
The prompts usually come from Christmas movies, traditions, winter activities, songs, and funny seasonal scenarios. It’s a simple concept, but the holiday theme brings fresh energy, making the game feel more joyful, silly, and memorable.
Anyone can join, and because the rules are easy, the game works beautifully for all types of gatherings.
How to Play Christmas Charades (Step-by-Step)
Playing Christmas Charades is incredibly straightforward, but adding a bit of structure helps the game run smoothly and keeps everyone engaged. Start by dividing players into two teams, making sure the groups are relatively even in size and personality.
Write down a collection of Christmas-themed prompts on slips of paper and place them in a bowl. A player from the first team draws a prompt and acts it out silently while their team guesses within a set time limit—usually 30 to 60 seconds.
If the team guesses correctly, they earn a point; if not, the chance moves to the next team.
Continue alternating turns until you finish the prompt list, and the team with the highest score wins. This simple setup creates a fast-paced, laughter-filled game that adults and families love.
Best Christmas Charades Categories
- Christmas Movies & Characters
Include classics like Home Alone, Elf, The Grinch, or characters such as Santa, Mrs. Claus, or an excited elf. - Holiday Traditions
Acting out decorating the tree, wrapping gifts, baking cookies, or hanging stockings always gets quick laughs. - Winter Activities
Think sledding, ice skating, building a snowman, drinking hot cocoa, or shoveling snow. - Christmas Songs & Carols
Act out “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night,” “Frosty the Snowman,” or “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” - Funny or Relatable Holiday Situations
Examples: untangling lights, struggling with gift wrap, sneaking Christmas cookies, or pretending to shop in a rush.
Christmas Charades Word List (Beginner Level)
Beginner-level Christmas Charades prompts are perfect for kids, mixed-age groups, or anyone who prefers simple and easy-to-act clues. These words usually involve common Christmas objects, basic actions, and familiar holiday characters.
For example, prompts like “snowman,” “reindeer,” “Christmas tree,” “wrapping presents,” or “singing carols” are straightforward enough for anyone to perform confidently.
The goal with beginner prompts is to keep the game light, inclusive, and fun so that even shy players feel comfortable jumping in. These easy options help warm up the group and set a relaxed, joyful tone for the rest of the game.
Christmas Charades Word List (Advanced Level)
Advanced prompts are ideal for adults or competitive groups who enjoy more challenging, detailed, or funny scenarios. These clues require creative acting, quick thinking, and sometimes a bit of dramatic flair.
They often include longer phrases, specific movie scenes, or holiday situations that aren’t instantly obvious.
This level adds excitement and friendly chaos to the game, making it especially fun for experienced players. Here are some advanced Christmas Charades prompts:
- “Catching Santa putting gifts under the tree.”
- “Untangling a giant mess of Christmas light.s”
- “Wrapping an oddly shaped present.”
- “Riding a reindeer through a snowstorm.”
- “Burning the holiday turkey on acciden.t”
- “Shopping during a last-minute Christmas sale”
- “Getting stuck in a chimney like Sant.a”
- “Decorating a tree that keeps falling ove.r”
- “Trying to sing carols with a sore throat.”
- “Building a gingerbread house that keeps collapsing.”
Christmas Charades for Adults (Funny & Spicy Prompts)
Adult-themed prompts add playful humor and relatable holiday moments that make the game even more entertaining for grown-ups. These prompts stay fun and light, without crossing into anything inappropriate.
They’re designed to spark laughter and encourage expressive acting that feels natural in adult gatherings or office after-hours events. Here’s a list of adult-friendly charades prompts:
- “Pretending to avoid a coworker at the office party.”
- “Trying to secretly re-gift something.”
- “Sipping spiked eggnog a little too fast.”
- “Opening a gift you hate but pretending to love it.”
- “Flirting awkwardly under the mistletoe.”
- “Putting on a Christmas sweater that’s too tight.”
- “Arguing with the GPS on the way to a holiday dinner.”
- “Trying to assemble kids’ toys without instructions.”
- “Hiding snacks from the family.”
- “Dancing terribly to Christmas music.”
Christmas Charades for Kids
Christmas Charades for kids should be simple, visual, and full of familiar holiday elements so younger players can participate confidently. Using picture cards instead of written prompts can make the game even more accessible for early readers.
Kids enjoy acting out things like “Santa delivering gifts,” “a snowman melting,” or “an elf making toys,” and these straightforward prompts help them express creativity without feeling overwhelmed.
Keeping the rounds short and offering lots of encouragement ensures the game stays upbeat, fun, and stress-free. With the right prompts, even shy children quickly warm up and join in the excitement.
Fun Variations of Christmas Charades
One of the best things about Christmas Charades is how easy it is to customize with fun variations that keep the game fresh.
Reverse Charades is a popular twist where the entire team acts while one person guesses this version is loud, chaotic, and absolutely hilarious.
Another variation is Speed Charades, where players get a series of rapid prompts to act out within a single minute. You can also introduce props like scarves, ornaments, or Santa hats to make the acting more expressive.
For larger groups, Telephone Charades creates comedy gold as actions get passed down the line and completely transform by the end. These variations ensure the game never feels repetitive.
Printable & DIY Christmas Charades Cards
Printable and DIY charades cards make the game easier to organize and far more enjoyable for everyone.
You can create your own cards using cardstock or regular paper, writing prompts in different categories such as movies, songs, traditions, or funny holiday actions.
If you prefer a polished look, you can design digital cards and print them in festive colors to match your party theme.
DIY cards also let you customize difficulty levels—simple cards for kids, advanced prompts for adults, or mixed sets for family gatherings.
Having a ready deck of prompts keeps the game moving smoothly without long pauses or confusion.
Tips for Hosting a Christmas Charades Night
A great Christmas Charades night is all about creating the right atmosphere and keeping the energy high. Set up a comfortable space with enough room for players to act without bumping into furniture.
Warm lighting, soft music, and a few festive decorations can instantly make the game feel more inviting. It also helps to organize your word lists ahead of time so the game flows without interruptions.
For larger groups, choose a designated host to manage prompts and scoring; for smaller groups, keep things relaxed and flexible. When everyone feels comfortable and included, the laughter and excitement come naturally.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few small mistakes can slow down the game or make it confusing, so it helps to prepare thoughtfully. One common issue is choosing prompts that are either too difficult or too obscure, which can leave players feeling stuck or frustrated.
Another mistake is having uneven team sizes, which can affect fairness and pacing.
Avoid long pauses by preparing all prompts in advance, and make sure everyone understands the rules before starting. With a little planning, the game stays fun, fast, and full of energy.
FAQs
You can play with as few as four people, but the game becomes more exciting with larger groups. Teams of five to eight work especially well and keep the guessing fast and lively.
Yes, you can play individually, where each player guesses for themselves. This version works well for smaller gatherings, though team play usually brings more excitement and teamwork.
Christmas Charades is suitable for all ages, as long as the prompts match the group’s ability. Kids enjoy simpler actions, while adults can handle complex or humorous prompts.
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Conclusion
Christmas Charades is one of those rare holiday games that never loses its charm because it’s simple, flexible, and endlessly entertaining.
Whether you’re playing with family, friends, coworkers, or a mix of all three, the game brings out creativity, laughter, and genuine connection.
With the right prompts, a bit of preparation, and a festive atmosphere, even the shyest players find themselves joining the fun.
What makes Christmas Charades truly special is how easily it adapts to any setting—from cozy living rooms to busy office parties.