570 Christmas Charades Ideas for Holiday Fun

Christmas is a time for getting together, and charades is an easy way to turn that time into a fun, interactive game. Christmas songs and movies, traditions, presents, food, and funny holiday moments all provide plenty of festive ideas to act out.

To help you plan your game, we’ve put together a collection of Christmas charades ideas below, with categories covering different parts of the holiday season. You’ll find prompts suitable for family gatherings, Christmas parties, and games with friends.

If you want something faster, or would rather go straight to your Christmas charades game, use our Christmas Charades Generator to get a festive prompt instantly. For ideas that aren’t Christmas-related, visit our charades ideas generator for a wider range of themes and prompts.

Need a quick refresher before you start? See our guide on how to play charades or check the charades rules for a simple overview of how the game works.

List of Christmas Charades Ideas

Christmas Activities

From decorating the tree to opening presents, Christmas is packed with lots of familiar activities that make great charades prompts. Use these ideas to bring some festive energy to your game.

• Decorating the Christmas tree
• Wrapping presents
• Baking Christmas cookies
• Building a snowman
• Hanging Christmas lights
• Making a gingerbread house
• Writing Christmas cards
• Making a snow angel
• Going Christmas caroling
• Opening presents
• Making Christmas crafts
• Hanging stockings
• Cutting down a Christmas tree
• Making paper snowflakes
• Decorating cookies
• Making a Christmas wreath
• Lighting Christmas candles
• Watching Christmas movies
• Making Christmas ornaments
• Singing Christmas songs
• Building a snow fort
• Going ice skating
• Riding in a sleigh
• Making hot chocolate
• Putting up outdoor decorations
• Making a Christmas wish
• Taking Christmas photos
• Preparing Christmas dinner
• Sending Christmas cards
• Counting down to Christmas

Christmas Traditions

Many Christmas traditions are easy to recognize and even easier to act out. This list includes familiar festive customs that players of all ages can enjoy guessing.

• Opening presents on Christmas morning
• Hanging stockings
• Leaving cookies for Santa
• Leaving milk for Santa
• Singing Christmas carols
• Kissing under the mistletoe
• Pulling Christmas crackers
• Exchanging gifts
• Sending Christmas cards
• Decorating the tree
• Putting a star on the tree
• Wearing Christmas pajamas
• Having Christmas dinner
• Making a Christmas wish
• Reading a Christmas story
• Going to Christmas church service
• Watching Christmas movies
• Lighting Christmas candles
• Giving Christmas gifts
• Wearing an ugly Christmas sweater
• Hanging a wreath
• Counting down with an Advent calendar
• Taking a family Christmas photo
• Drinking eggnog
• Singing around the Christmas tree
• Making Christmas cookies
• Visiting relatives
• Playing Christmas games
• Having Secret Santa
• Staying up for Santa

Christmas Characters

Santa isn’t the only character you can bring to life during Christmas charades. These prompts feature familiar festive figures that give players plenty of fun characters to act out.

• Santa Claus
• Mrs. Claus
• Christmas Elf
• Rudolph
• Frosty the Snowman
• The Grinch
• Scrooge
• Buddy the Elf
• The Nutcracker
• Jack Frost
• The Sugar Plum Fairy
• Tiny Tim
• Ebenezer Scrooge
• Cindy Lou Who
• The Abominable Snowman
• The Snow Queen
• The Christmas Angel
• The Little Drummer Boy
• The Gingerbread Man
• A Christmas Carol Ghost
• Ghost of Christmas Past
• Ghost of Christmas Present
• Ghost of Christmas Future
• The Christmas Fairy
• A Christmas Caroler
• Santa’s Helper
• A Christmas Pageant Angel
• The Grinch’s Dog
• A Christmas Toy Soldier
• Santa’s Head Elf

Christmas Songs & Carols

Christmas music is full of songs that people know and love. Try acting out these festive favorites and see if your teammates can guess the song without hearing a single note.

• Jingle Bells
• Silent Night
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
• Frosty the Snowman
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
• Deck the Halls
• O Christmas Tree
• Joy to the World
• White Christmas
• Let It Snow
• Winter Wonderland
• The Christmas Song
• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
• Last Christmas
• Feliz Navidad
• Little Drummer Boy
• Away in a Manger
• O Holy Night
• Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
• Twelve Days of Christmas
• Carol of the Bells
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
• All I Want for Christmas Is You
• Blue Christmas
• Mary, Did You Know?
• Santa Baby
• Do They Know It’s Christmas?
• Silver Bells
• Angels We Have Heard on High

Christmas Movies

Whether it’s a classic holiday film or a familiar Christmas favorite, movies provide plenty of recognizable scenes to act out. These prompts are perfect for movie-loving players.

• Home Alone
• Elf
• The Grinch
• The Polar Express
• A Christmas Carol
• The Santa Clause
• A Christmas Story
• Christmas Vacation
• Miracle on 34th Street
• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Love Actually
• The Holiday
• Arthur Christmas
• Klaus
• The Christmas Chronicles
• Jingle All the Way
• Four Christmases
• Bad Santa
• Scrooged
• Fred Claus
• The Christmas Chronicles 2
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• The Muppet Christmas Carol
• Jack Frost
• Last Christmas
• Noelle
• The Christmas Switch
• The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Christmas Food & Drinks

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without festive food and drinks. From cookies and candy canes to hot chocolate and Christmas dinner, there are many tasty prompts your group can act out, including:

• Christmas cookies
• Gingerbread cookies
• Gingerbread house
• Christmas pudding
• Fruitcake
• Mince pie
• Candy cane
• Eggnog
• Hot chocolate
• Roast turkey
• Christmas ham
• Roast potatoes
• Christmas cake
• Gingerbread man
• Sugar cookies
• Candy apples
• Peppermint bark
• Cranberry sauce
• Stuffing
• Gravy
• Christmas pudding
• Mulled wine
• Peppermint hot chocolate
• Yule log cake
• Marshmallows
• Chestnuts
• Christmas trifle
• Roast vegetables
• Christmas chocolates
• Christmas punch

Christmas Decorations

Lights, ornaments, wreaths, and Christmas trees are instantly associated with the holiday season. The following are some great decoration-themed prompts you can use in your next Christmas charades game:

• Christmas tree
• Christmas lights
• Tinsel
• Christmas wreath
• Tree topper
• Christmas star
• Tree ornaments
• Christmas baubles
• Christmas stockings
• Garland
• Mistletoe
• Candy canes
• Christmas candles
• Snow globes
• Christmas bells
• Nutcracker
• Christmas figurines
• Christmas ribbons
• Christmas bows
• Paper snowflakes
• Christmas village
• Reindeer decoration
• Santa decoration
• Christmas angel
• Christmas lanterns
• Advent calendar
• Christmas crackers
• Door wreath
• Window lights
• Christmas table centerpiece

Christmas Gifts & Presents

Few things capture the excitement of Christmas quite like presents. Here are some gift-related ideas your team can act out.

• Wrapped present
• Toy car
• Teddy bear
• Doll
• Bicycle
• Video game
• Board game
• Toy train
• Stuffed animal
• Football
• Soccer ball
• Skateboard
• Roller skates
• Book
• Puzzle
• Art set
• Toy robot
• Toy kitchen
• Dollhouse
• Musical instrument
• Headphones
• Camera
• Watch
• Sweater
• Christmas pajamas
• Slippers
• Scarf
• Perfume
• Gift card
• Mystery present

Santa & His Workshop

Step into Santa’s world with prompts inspired by his workshop, elves, presents, and preparations for Christmas Eve. These ideas are especially fun for kids and families.

• Making toys
• Wrapping presents
• Reading the naughty list
• Checking the nice list
• Feeding the reindeer
• Packing the sleigh
• Loading presents
• Riding the sleigh
• Flying through the sky
• Making teddy bears
• Building toy trains
• Painting toys
• Testing toys
• Fixing broken toys
• Counting presents
• Sorting presents
• Delivering presents
• Climbing down a chimney
• Eating Santa’s cookies
• Drinking Santa’s milk
• Writing the naughty list
• Writing the nice list
• Checking the clock
• Polishing Santa’s boots
• Cleaning the workshop
• Ringing Santa’s bell
• Helping Santa
• Feeding the elves
• Loading the sleigh
• Saying “Ho Ho Ho!”

Christmas Animals

Reindeer may steal the spotlight at Christmas, but they’re not the only festive animals worth acting out. This list features animals that can add some playful movement to your holiday game.

• Reindeer
• Rudolph
• Polar bear
• Penguin
• Robin
• Snowy owl
• Arctic fox
• Seal
• Walrus
• Moose
• Deer
• Squirrel
• Hare
• Donkey
• Sheep
• Camel
• Dove
• Cardinal
• Turkey
• Goose
• Penguin sliding on ice
• Reindeer pulling a sleigh
• Rudolph flying
• Polar bear fishing
• Penguin waddling
• Robin hopping
• Squirrel hiding food
• Seal clapping
• Moose walking
• Snowy owl flying

Christmas Objects

Christmas brings a whole collection of recognizable objects, from stockings and ornaments to candy canes and bells. These simple prompts are great for quick and easy rounds of charades.

• Christmas stocking
• Christmas present
• Christmas card
• Christmas tree
• Candy cane
• Christmas cracker
• Snow globe
• Christmas bell
• Advent calendar
• Christmas wreath
• Christmas ornament
• Christmas bauble
• Tinsel
• Mistletoe
• Christmas lights
• Santa hat
• Elf hat
• Reindeer antlers
• Christmas sweater
• Christmas candle
• Christmas star
• Christmas ribbon
• Gift box
• Gift bag
• Sleigh
• Santa’s sack
• Nutcracker
• Gingerbread house
• Christmas tree skirt
• Christmas wrapping paper

Christmas Shopping

Christmas shopping comes with plenty of familiar scenes, from browsing store shelves to carrying bags full of presents. These prompts turn those holiday shopping moments into fun things to act out.

• Shopping for presents
• Choosing a gift
• Carrying shopping bags
• Paying for presents
• Looking for a bargain
• Checking the price
• Comparing gifts
• Trying on a sweater
• Buying a Christmas tree
• Buying Christmas decorations
• Buying wrapping paper
• Choosing a Christmas card
• Searching for a toy
• Asking for help
• Pushing a shopping cart
• Carrying a huge gift
• Running to a sale
• Finding the perfect gift
• Forgetting someone’s present
• Returning a gift
• Wrapping a purchase
• Checking a shopping list
• Losing your shopping bags
• Buying a last-minute gift
• Online Christmas shopping
• Waiting for a delivery
• Opening a package
• Hiding a present
• Sneaking a present home

Christmas at School

School takes on a festive atmosphere during the holiday season, with Christmas plays, parties, crafts, and celebrations. These prompts capture some of the most familiar Christmas moments at school.

• Christmas concert
• Christmas play
• Singing Christmas carols
• Decorating the classroom
• Making Christmas cards
• Making Christmas crafts
• Drawing Santa
• Making paper snowflakes
• Exchanging gifts
• Secret Santa
• Christmas party
• Wearing an ugly sweater
• Christmas quiz
• Christmas games
• Christmas talent show
• Reading a Christmas story
• Playing an angel
• Playing Santa
• Playing a shepherd
• Playing a reindeer
• Making a Christmas tree
• Decorating a classroom tree
• Baking Christmas cookies
• Writing to Santa
• Counting down to Christmas
• Watching a Christmas movie
• Eating Christmas treats
• Practicing a Christmas play
• Taking a class photo
• Going home for Christmas

Christmas Party

A Christmas party offers plenty of opportunities for laughter, games, dancing, and celebration. Use these prompts to recreate the fun and funny moments that can happen at a festive gathering.

• Dancing to Christmas music
• Singing Christmas songs
• Playing Secret Santa
• Opening a gift
• Pulling a Christmas cracker
• Wearing an ugly sweater
• Eating Christmas cookies
• Drinking hot chocolate
• Playing Christmas charades
• Playing Christmas bingo
• Playing Christmas trivia
• Taking party photos
• Wearing a Santa hat
• Wearing reindeer antlers
• Decorating the party room
• Hanging Christmas lights
• Playing musical chairs
• Dancing like an elf
• Dancing like Santa
• Doing a Christmas dance
• Playing a guessing game
• Passing the present
• Unwrapping a mystery gift
• Eating Christmas dinner
• Making a Christmas toast
• Singing karaoke
• Telling Christmas jokes
• Having a snowball fight
• Playing Christmas Pictionary
• Taking a group selfie

Christmas Family Activities

Christmas is often about spending time together, and family activities provide plenty of ideas for charades.

• Decorating the tree together
• Opening presents together
• Baking cookies together
• Watching Christmas movies
• Playing board games
• Singing Christmas carols
• Taking family photos
• Cooking Christmas dinner
• Building a gingerbread house
• Going Christmas shopping
• Visiting relatives
• Playing Christmas charades
• Making Christmas crafts
• Writing Christmas cards
• Reading a Christmas story
• Hanging stockings
• Making Christmas ornaments
• Decorating the house
• Looking at Christmas lights
• Eating Christmas dinner
• Playing in the snow
• Building a snowman
• Going ice skating
• Going Christmas caroling
• Opening the Advent calendar
• Exchanging gifts
• Playing Christmas trivia
• Making hot chocolate
• Taking a Christmas walk
• Having a Christmas picnic

Christmas Feelings & Reactions

Christmas can bring excitement, surprise, happiness, and plenty of other reactions. These prompts let players act out festive emotions and memorable holiday moments without saying a word.

• Getting a surprise gift
• Opening an amazing present
• Receiving socks for Christmas
• Seeing Santa
• Meeting an elf
• Finding a gift under the tree
• Discovering an empty stocking
• Getting a giant present
• Getting a tiny present
• Being surprised by Santa
• Being excited for Christmas
• Waiting impatiently for Christmas
• Being shocked by a gift
• Being disappointed by a gift
• Being thrilled about Christmas
• Being scared of Santa
• Being amazed by Christmas lights
• Being tired after Christmas shopping
• Being stuffed after Christmas dinner
• Being cold in the snow
• Being happy about a snow day
• Being caught stealing cookies
• Being caught under the mistletoe
• Forgetting someone’s gift
• Losing a Christmas present
• Finding a hidden present
• Seeing the Christmas tree
• Hearing Christmas bells
• Waiting for Santa
• Realizing it’s Christmas morning

Christmas Actions

Simple actions can make some of the easiest and most entertaining charades prompts. This list focuses on things people commonly do during the Christmas season, making them easy to act out and guess.

• Ringing a Christmas bell
• Wrapping a present
• Unwrapping a present
• Hanging a stocking
• Decorating a tree
• Hanging Christmas lights
• Putting a star on the tree
• Hanging an ornament
• Eating a candy cane
• Drinking hot chocolate
• Eating Christmas cookies
• Building a snowman
• Throwing a snowball
• Making a snow angel
• Riding a sleigh
• Flying like Santa
• Climbing down a chimney
• Delivering presents
• Shaking a present
• Hiding a present
• Peeking at a present
• Opening a stocking
• Kissing under mistletoe
• Singing a carol
• Dancing to Christmas music
• Wearing a Santa hat
• Putting on reindeer antlers
• Pulling a Christmas cracker
• Blowing a Christmas kiss
• Saying “Ho Ho Ho!”

Funny Christmas Charades

Finally, for a round filled with laughter, try these funny Christmas scenarios and playful festive ideas. They add a silly twist to traditional holiday charades and are great for parties and family games.

• Santa stuck in a chimney
• Santa losing his pants
• Santa stuck in traffic
• Santa running late
• Santa forgetting a present
• Santa falling off the sleigh
• Santa trying to sneak quietly
• Santa getting stuck in a doorway
• An elf with a broken toy
• An elf dancing
• An elf oversleeping
• An elf riding a reindeer
• A reindeer with hiccups
• Rudolph hiding his nose
• A reindeer learning to fly
• A snowman melting
• A snowman wearing sunglasses
• A snowman getting a sunburn
• Fighting over the last Christmas cookie
• Getting tangled in Christmas lights
• Getting trapped in wrapping paper
• Falling into a Christmas tree
• Getting attacked by tinsel
• Opening a very disappointing gift
• Pretending to love an ugly sweater
• Trying to sneak a peek at presents
• Eating too much Christmas dinner
• Fighting with a Christmas tree
• Trying to catch a runaway present
• Falling asleep before Santa arrives