How to Play Christmas Charades: Fun Holiday Ideas for Families & Parties

Charades is a classic, timeless game, that has been around since the 19th century. We love playing charades at any occasion and Christmas is no exception! A huge advantage of this game is that it is super easy to learn, but still fun to play. In this article you can discover how to play, category ideas, solo rules, and more!

What is Christmas Charades?

Christmas Charades is a seasonal twist on the traditional game of charades. Instead of everyday phrases, players act out Christmas-themed words, movie titles, actions, or quirky scenarios. Whether you’re gathered around the fireplace or hosting a holiday party, Christmas Charades is a surefire way to get everyone into the festive spirit.

How to play Christmas Charades?

1. Form Teams: Divide players into at least two teams. You can also play solo if you prefer it.
2. Prepare a Deck of Cards: Decide on the words or phrases that will be acted out. In a Christmas Party you can use winter/holiday related phrases such as "Decorating the tree" or "Singing off-key"
3. Set a Timer: Players take turns acting out the word or phrase they draw, and the goal is to get their team to guess the answer within a set time limit (usually 1–2 minutes). If the team guesses correctly, they score a point.
4. Acting Rules:
   1. The person doing the charades is not allowed to speak, or make any sounds at all.
   2. Hand signals are allowed to indicate the number of words contained by the phrase, or to convey to the team which part of the phrase is being acted.
5. Finishing the Game: The game continues for a pre-determined set of rounds, where the team with the most points wins the game

Category Suggestions for Christmas Charades

Here are some ideas on what categories to include:

• Christmas Movie Charades
  • Home Alone
  • Elf
  • A Christmas Carol
  • Die Hard - It is considered by many to be a holiday movie.
• Holiday Characters
  • Kevin McCallister
  • Ebenezer Scrooge
  • Frosty the Snowman
  • Rudolph the Reindeer
• Christmas Songs and Carols
  • Jingle Bells
  • Deck the Halls
  • Silent Night
  • Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
• Festive Actions:
  • Wrapping presents
  • Hanging stockings
  • Writing a letter to Santa
• Seasonal Items
  • Nutcracker
  • Mistletoe
  • Snow Globe
  • Candy Cane
• Funny Holiday Struggles:
  • Untangling lights
  • Last minute shopping
  • Burnt holiday cookies

How to play Charades solo?

Playing Charades usually starts with dividing players into teams, but if you would like to play the games as part of a solo contest, you can still manage that with the following set of rules:

Step-by-step guide:

1. Draw a Card: One player mimes a phrase for everyone else.
2. Guess & Write: Each observer writes down their guess.
3. Reveal the Answer: After miming, the actor reveals the solution.
4. Scoring: Each correct guess earns one point for the guesser. The mime earns points equal to the total correct guesses.
5. Rounds: Rotate roles until everyone has a turn. The player with the highest score wins!

Tips for a Memorable Game Night

FAQs About Christmas Charades

Q: What do you need to play Christmas Charades?
A: All you need is a deck of Christmas-themed cards, a timer, and a group of players. You can craft your deck at home with holiday phrases or purchase a pre-made set.

Q: Can kids play Christmas Charades?
A: Absolutely! Use simple phrases and actions for younger players to ensure they can join the fun.

Q: What are some unique ideas for Christmas Charades?
A: Try quirky phrases like "Dressing the dog," "Faking excitement for a present" or "Untangling lights"

Q: How can I make Christmas Charades more challenging?
A: Reduce the timer, ban hand signals, or choose more obscure phrases to raise the difficulty level.

Q: Can I play Christmas Charades online?
A: Sure! Use video calls to connect with friends on Google Meet or Zoom, and act out phrases in front of your webcam.

Q: How long does a typical game last?
A: A game can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of rounds you set.

Why Choose Our Christmas-Themed Charades?

Our printable Christmas Charades deck includes 80 holiday-themed phrases plus blank cards so you can personalize the game with your own ideas. This digital download is perfect for all ages. Buy, print and play to make your Christmas party unforgettable!

Get it now on Etsy

Conclusion

Christmas Charades is a great way to connect with your loved ones at holiday gatherings. Gather your friends and family, grab a deck of cards, and let the charades begin!