19 Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Games To Play
An ugly Christmas sweater party is already full of personality, laughter, and festive outfits, but I think adding a few fun games can make the celebration even better. Whether I am hosting a small group of friends or planning a larger holiday gathering, games give everyone something to enjoy together.
From active challenges and trivia to creative contests and simple printable games, there are plenty of ways to keep guests entertained. I have gathered 19 ugly Christmas sweater party games that can help break the ice, encourage friendly competition, and create memorable moments throughout the party.
I have rounded up 19 fun ugly Christmas sweater party games for guests of different ages and group sizes. These ideas include sweater competitions, Christmas Bingo, Pictionary, charades, scavenger hunts, relay races, movie trivia, karaoke, cookie decorating, photo booths, and more.
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Table of Contents
Some games require almost no preparation, while others work well as planned activities during a longer Christmas party. I recommend choosing a mix of active, creative, and relaxed games so everyone has a chance to participate.
Key Takeaways
- Ugly sweater contests are a simple way to make everyone’s outfit part of the entertainment.
- Trivia, quizzes, and word games work especially well for guests who prefer relaxed activities.
- Active games like relay races and scavenger hunts can get everyone moving.
- Team games are helpful for larger parties because they encourage guests to interact.
- Small prizes can make even simple Christmas party games feel more exciting.
- I like mixing quick games with longer activities to keep the party from feeling repetitive.
Related article: 25 Ways to Throw The Best Christmas Party Ever
1. Sweater Contest
An ugly sweater contest is one of the first games I would plan for this type of Christmas party. After all, everyone has already arrived wearing something funny, colorful, or completely over the top.
I like creating several award categories so more guests have a chance to win. You could include awards such as Most Creative, Funniest Sweater, Most Festive, or Most Over-the-Top.
Guests can vote for their favorites, or you can choose a few judges before the party begins. A short runway walk can also make the contest even more entertaining.
Pro Tip: I recommend avoiding just one overall winner. Multiple categories keep more people involved and make the contest feel fairer.
2. Christmas Bingo
Christmas Bingo is an easy game that works for both adults and kids. Instead of traditional numbers, I like using holiday images or Christmas-related words on the cards.
You can include items such as stockings, ornaments, Santa hats, candy canes, snowmen, and Christmas trees. Players mark each item as it is called until someone completes the required pattern.
You can play for one line, four corners, or a full card depending on how long you want the game to last.
Pro Tip: Use small candies, buttons, or festive markers instead of regular Bingo chips to match the party theme.
3. Holiday Pictionary
Holiday Pictionary is a great choice when I want guests to laugh and work together. Before the party, I prepare Christmas-themed words and phrases for players to draw.
Divide everyone into teams and give each player a limited amount of time to draw. Their teammates must guess the answer before the timer runs out.
The drawings do not have to be perfect. In fact, the messy and confusing pictures often make the game much funnier.
Try including Christmas movies, holiday foods, traditions, decorations, and winter activities in your word list.
4. Christmas Charades
Christmas Charades is another classic game that requires very little equipment. I simply write holiday-related words or actions on small pieces of paper and place them in a bowl.
Players pick one and act out the answer without using their voice. The other guests try to guess what they are performing before time runs out.
I like mixing easy and challenging prompts to keep the game interesting. Christmas songs, movies, traditions, and characters all work well.
Pro Tip: Keep rounds short, usually around 30 to 60 seconds, so the energy stays high.
5. Christmas Scavenger Hunt
A Christmas scavenger hunt is perfect when I want guests to move around instead of sitting in one place. I hide festive items throughout the party area and create a list of things players need to find.
You can hide mini ornaments, candy canes, bells, small gift boxes, or other holiday decorations. Players can search individually or work in teams.
For a more challenging version, I like giving guests clues instead of simply listing the items.
The first person or team to complete the hunt can receive a small Christmas-themed prize.
6. Ugly Sweater Relay Race
If I have enough space, an ugly sweater relay race can bring a lot of energy to the party. Divide guests into teams and create a short course with simple holiday challenges.
Players might need to balance a candy cane, carry an ornament carefully, or complete another fun task before returning to their team.
For an extra challenge, participants can put on an oversized ugly Christmas sweater before starting their turn.
This game works especially well for active groups and larger Christmas gatherings.
Pro Tip: Make the challenges simple and safe. The goal is laughter and fun, not speed at the expense of safety.
7. Christmas Movie Trivia
Christmas movie trivia is one of my favorite options for guests who enjoy friendly competition. Prepare questions based on popular holiday movies and ask players to answer individually or in teams.
You can include questions about characters, famous scenes, locations, quotes, and story details. I recommend using a combination of easy and difficult questions.
Keep score throughout the game and announce the winner at the end.
This activity can also lead to fun conversations about everyone’s favorite Christmas movies and holiday traditions.
8. Holiday Song Karaoke
A Christmas karaoke session can quickly turn into one of the most memorable parts of the evening. I like preparing a playlist with popular holiday songs that guests already know.
Players can sing alone, perform as a group, or compete in teams. You do not need a professional karaoke machine because many people can use a television, speaker, or karaoke app.
Consider giving playful awards for Best Performance, Most Enthusiastic Singer, or Funniest Performance.
The less serious everyone takes it, the more fun this game usually becomes.
Also read: 22 Party Games for Kids
9. Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest
A Christmas cookie decorating contest combines food and creativity in one simple activity. I provide plain cookies along with icing, sprinkles, candy pieces, and other edible decorations.
Each guest gets time to create their own design before everyone votes for the winners.
You can choose categories such as Most Festive, Most Creative, Funniest Cookie, or Best Overall Design.
The best part is that guests can enjoy eating their creations after the contest.
Pro Tip: Prepare the cookies ahead of time so guests can focus on decorating instead of waiting for baking.
10. Christmas “Who Am I?”
Christmas “Who Am I?” is a simple icebreaker that encourages guests to talk to one another. I write the name of a holiday character or Christmas item on sticky notes.
Each guest receives a note without seeing what is written on it. They then ask other players yes-or-no questions to figure out their identity.
You can use Santa, Rudolph, Frosty, an elf, a Christmas tree, or other festive choices.
This is especially useful at parties where not everyone knows each other well.
11. Secret Santa Gift Exchange
A Secret Santa exchange adds mystery and excitement to an ugly Christmas sweater party. Guests draw names before the event and purchase a gift for the person they receive.
I recommend setting a clear spending limit so everyone feels comfortable participating. A reasonable budget also keeps the game fair.
During the exchange, guests can try to guess who gave them their gift based on clues or hints.
You can also make the gifts funny or ugly sweater-themed to match the party.
Pro Tip: Ask guests to draw names at least several days before the party so everyone has enough time to prepare.
12. Christmas Cup Toss
Christmas Cup Toss is simple to set up and can work for almost any group. Arrange plastic cups on a table and give players small festive items to toss.
You can assign different point values depending on how difficult each cup is to reach. Players can compete one at a time or play in teams.
Mini soft balls or lightweight ornaments can work well, but I prefer using safe objects that will not break.
This is a quick game that can easily be repeated throughout the party.
13. Holiday Jenga
Holiday Jenga gives the traditional block game a Christmas party twist. Before the event, write a different holiday question, challenge, or activity on each block.
When a player removes a block, they must complete whatever is written on it. They might sing part of a Christmas song, name holiday movies, or tell a Christmas joke.
This keeps every turn unpredictable and gives guests something extra to do besides trying to keep the tower standing.
I like this game because it works well for smaller groups sitting around a table.
14. Christmas Emoji Quiz
A Christmas Emoji Quiz is a modern and easy party activity. Create clues using emojis that represent holiday words, songs, movies, or phrases.
Players study the emoji combinations and write down what they think each answer means. You can play individually or divide guests into teams.
For example, emoji clues can represent Christmas movies or popular holiday sayings.
This game is easy to print and can also be shared digitally if you are hosting a more casual gathering.
Pro Tip: Include a few easy clues at the beginning so every player gets a chance to build confidence.
15. Ugly Sweater Photo Booth
I always think a photo booth is worth adding to an ugly Christmas sweater party. Set up a simple area with a festive backdrop and a collection of fun props.
Santa hats, reindeer antlers, oversized glasses, scarves, and holiday signs can make the photos even more entertaining.
Encourage guests to take individual and group pictures throughout the event.
The photos can become a fun reminder of the party long after Christmas is over.
16. Christmas Bingo with a Twist
For a more interactive version of regular Bingo, I like adding Christmas challenges to some of the spaces. Players still mark their cards, but certain squares require them to complete a funny task.
A challenge could involve telling a Christmas joke, doing a silly dance, singing a holiday song, or sharing a favorite Christmas memory.
This version keeps guests involved even when it is not their turn to call a number or mark a square.
It is a simple way to make a familiar game feel more suited to a lively Christmas party.
17. Christmas Jeopardy
A Christmas Jeopardy game is a fun choice for guests who enjoy trivia. I create categories based on different parts of the holiday season.
Possible categories include Christmas traditions, holiday music, festive foods, winter facts, Christmas movies, and famous characters.
Teams choose a category and question value, then earn points by answering correctly.
You can make the game as simple or challenging as you want depending on your guests.
Pro Tip: Include one or two questions that are easy enough for everyone to answer. This helps prevent one team from dominating the entire game.
18. Holiday Hot Potato
Holiday Hot Potato is a fast and funny game that does not require much preparation. Guests pass around a festive object while Christmas music plays.
You can use a small wrapped gift, a soft ornament, or another safe holiday item. When the music stops, whoever is holding the object must complete a challenge.
They might answer a trivia question, tell a joke, sing a few words from a Christmas song, or share a funny holiday memory.
I like this game because the rounds are quick and almost everyone stays involved.
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19. Christmas Word Scramble
A Christmas Word Scramble is a simple game that I can prepare in advance. Create a list of mixed-up holiday words and ask guests to figure out the correct answers.
Use words related to Christmas characters, decorations, foods, traditions, and winter activities.
Players can work alone or compete in teams. Set a time limit and award points for every correct answer.
This is also a great low-cost activity because all you really need is paper and pens.
Pro Tip: Include a few difficult words, but make sure most of the answers are familiar enough for guests to solve.
FAQ’s
What games can you play at an ugly Christmas sweater party?
I recommend fun games like an ugly sweater contest, Christmas Bingo, charades, trivia, karaoke, scavenger hunts, and Christmas word games.
How do I make an ugly Christmas sweater party more fun?
I like adding a mix of games, festive music, themed food, small prizes, and a photo booth to keep guests entertained throughout the party.
What is a good prize for an ugly Christmas sweater contest?
Small gift cards, Christmas treats, funny trophies, festive mugs, or holiday-themed gifts are all great prize ideas for the winners.
Conclusion
An ugly Christmas sweater party does not need complicated entertainment to be memorable. I find that a good mix of games, music, food, and silly sweaters is often enough to keep guests laughing all night.
From a funny sweater contest and Christmas karaoke to trivia, scavenger hunts, and cookie decorating, these 19 ugly Christmas sweater party games offer something for different personalities and party sizes. I recommend choosing a few activities that match your available space, guest ages, and party schedule.
The most important thing is to keep the atmosphere relaxed and fun. With a few games planned ahead, your ugly Christmas sweater party can become one of the holiday gatherings your guests remember long after the season ends.
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