Let’s be honest, friends—sometimes trying to get the house “holiday ready” feels more like a military operation than a festive tradition. The pressure to have perfect decor can suck the joy right out of the season, leaving us stressed instead of smiling. But what if we flipped the script and turned the actual decorating process into a series of Christmas party activities? 🎄
I’m talking about “Interactive Styling Games”—activities that embrace the mess and focus on laughter rather than perfection. By turning tasks into Minute to win it holiday challenges, you create memories that last way longer than a perfectly fluffed garland. Whether you are looking for funny holiday party ideas or just a way to keep the kids entertained while you tackle the tree, this list is your ticket to a magical (and hilarious) evening. 🎀
Get ready to bond, laugh until your sides hurt, and maybe even end up with some surprisingly cute decor. From budget Christmas entertainment to competitive wrapping sessions, these games prove that the best holiday sparkle comes from family fun. ✨
🛍️ The “Holiday Styling Kit”
Before the games begin, you’ll need a few supplies! Here are my top 5 essentials to make these challenges work.
🎁 Nancy’s Party Game Essentials
🎄 My Top 3 Favorites
- Easiest to Set Up: The ‘Human Christmas Tree’ Challenge
- Most “High-End” Look: Mini Tree ‘Style Off’
- Best for Kids: Candy Cane Hook ‘Em
10 Christmas Decorating Games You’ll Love
1. The ‘Human Christmas Tree’ Challenge ❄️
This is the ultimate Christmas Decorating Game where teams race to turn one family member into a living, breathing Christmas tree using streamers and safe ornaments. It is pure slapstick comedy and guarantees a phone full of hilarious photos.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Green crepe paper streamers • Stick-on gift bows • Tinsel garlands | Best For: Living Room (Open Floor Space) Time: 5-10 Minutes Budget: $ |
📸 A laughing dad wrapped head-to-toe in **green streamers** with *colorful bows* stuck all over him.
2. Blindfold Ornament Hanging ❄️
This sensory challenge requires participants to successfully hang ornaments on a specific branch while blindfolded, testing their spatial awareness. It usually results in chaotic fun and some very interestingly placed baubles.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Shatterproof ornaments (Safety first!) • Sleep mask/blindfold • Timer | Best For: In front of the Main Christmas Tree Time: 2 Minutes per turn Budget: $ |
📸 A child wearing a **sleep mask** trying to hang a *red ornament* on a branch that is two feet to their right.
3. The ‘Nailed It’ Gingerbread House Race ❄️
This is a timed decorating sprint where accuracy takes a backseat to speed; participants must frost and decorate a pre-built house structure before the buzzer sounds. It’s an edible mess that captures the spirit of holiday decorating challenges.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Pre-baked gingerbread kits • Piping bags with royal icing • Assorted small candies | Best For: Dining Table or Kitchen Island Time: 15-20 Minutes Budget: $$ |
📸 A messy kitchen table with a **gingerbread house** dripping in *white icing* and mismatched candy.
4. The One-Handed Gift Wrap ❄️
Partners stand side-by-side with one hand tied behind their backs (or holding each other’s hand), attempting to wrap a box beautifully using only their free hands. It creates a cooperative and highly comedic struggle.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Wrapping paper • Tape dispenser (weighted) • Empty boxes | Best For: Coffee Table or Floor Time: 5 Minutes Budget: $ |
📸 Two people laughing while trying to tape a **red gift box** using only their *left and right hands* together.
5. Candy Cane Hook ‘Em ❄️
A classic Minute to win it holiday game where players use a candy cane held in their mouth to hook and transfer ornaments from one bowl to another without using hands. It requires a surprising amount of focus!
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Standard candy canes • Plastic ornaments with loop tops • Two large bowls | Best For: Kitchen Counter or Table Time: 1 Minute rounds Budget: $ |
📸 Close up of a **candy cane** hooking a *shiny silver ornament* out of a glass bowl.
🎅 Quick Question!
White lights or Multi-colored lights? Tell me in the comments!
6. The Snowman Wrap Race ❄️
Similar to the Human Tree, but this kids Christmas games indoor favorite uses toilet paper to wrap a teammate head-to-toe, finished with a scarf and carrot nose. It brings a Winter White vibe inside the house.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Bulk toilet paper rolls • Orange paper construction noses • Cheap scarves | Best For: Playroom or Living Room Time: 5-10 Minutes Budget: $ |
📸 A child wrapped like a mummy in **toilet paper** wearing a *colorful striped scarf* and paper nose.
7. Paper Chain Speed Decorating ❄️
This is a nostalgia-fueled race to see which team can create the longest paper garland in 5 minutes. It’s a perfect DIY Christmas party game that results in vintage decor you can actually use.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Pre-cut strips of red/green paper • Staplers or glue sticks | Best For: Craft Table Time: 5 Minutes Budget: $ |
📸 A long, interlocking **paper chain** in *red and green* draped across a wooden table.
8. Mini Tree ‘Style Off’ ❄️
Give guests 12-inch tabletop trees and a pile of craft supplies; they have 10 minutes to create a themed “designer” tree. This is one of those festive group activities that reveals the hidden artists in the family.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Mini sisal or artificial trees • Pom-poms, pipe cleaners • Mini battery lights | Best For: Dining Table Time: 10-15 Minutes Budget: $$ |
📸 A row of three **miniature trees** decorated with *tiny pompoms* and pipe cleaner garlands.
9. Ornament Spoon Relay ❄️
A festive twist on the egg-and-spoon race, balancing a round ball ornament on a spoon while navigating an obstacle course through the house. It’s an active game that gets everyone moving.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Wooden spoons • Medium-sized shatterproof ornaments | Best For: Hallway or Open Concept Living Area Time: 10 Minutes Budget: $ |
📸 A wooden spoon holding a **gold ornament** being carried by a focused child in *fuzzy socks*.
10. The Antler Ring Toss ❄️
One person wears inflatable reindeer antlers while teammates try to toss inflatable rings onto the points. It’s a novelty game that serves as excellent budget Christmas entertainment.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Inflatable antler game set • Lightweight plastic rings | Best For: Family Room Time: 5-10 Minutes Budget: $ |
📸 A smiling mom wearing **inflatable reindeer antlers** while a red ring flies through the air.
🏁 Conclusion
Whether you are wrapping your uncle in crepe paper or racing to frost a gingerbread roof, these games prove that the best holiday decor is the kind that comes with a side of belly laughs. Forget the magazine-perfect living room; the crooked ornaments and toilet paper snowmen are what your kids will remember.
Which game would your family be most competitive at—the Human Tree or the Gingerbread Challenge? Tell me in the comments!
Save this list to your ‘Christmas Party Ideas’ Pinterest board so you have the rules handy when the guests arrive! 📌
