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Party Game Generator

Christmas Charades Ideas

Holiday movies, songs, characters and traditions for the family gathering or office party. Easy enough for kids, with a few harder ones mixed in for the adults.

60 words ready

Press the button to get your first word.

1:00

Tip: press the space bar for the next one.

The full list: 60 words

Prefer to read them all? Every word in the generator is below.

Christmas (60)

  • Decorating the tree
  • Wrapping presents
  • Building a snowman
  • Making a snow angel
  • Hanging stockings
  • Kissing under the mistletoe
  • Singing carols
  • Opening presents
  • Baking cookies
  • Drinking hot cocoa
  • Ice skating
  • Sledding
  • Having a snowball fight
  • Writing a letter to Santa
  • Leaving cookies for Santa
  • Santa Claus
  • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
  • Frosty the Snowman
  • The Grinch
  • An elf
  • Mrs. Claus
  • A nutcracker
  • A gingerbread man
  • An angel
  • Ebenezer Scrooge
  • Home Alone
  • Elf
  • The Polar Express
  • A Christmas Story
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas
  • Jingle Bell Rock
  • Jingle Bells
  • Deck the Halls
  • Silent Night
  • Twelve Days of Christmas
  • Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
  • Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
  • Let It Snow
  • Feliz Navidad
  • Candy cane
  • Christmas lights
  • A reindeer
  • A sleigh
  • A chimney
  • Christmas tree
  • Snowflake
  • Fruitcake
  • Eggnog
  • Ugly Christmas sweater
  • Untangling Christmas lights
  • Carving the ham
  • Shopping on Christmas Eve
  • Falling asleep on the couch
  • Regifting
  • A White Elephant gift swap
  • Elf on the Shelf
  • A Christmas parade
  • Stuffing a stocking
  • Unwrapping socks

How to play charades

  1. Split into two teams. One player from the first team takes the phone.
  2. Press the button, then 'Hide word' so only the actor sees it.
  3. Start the 60-second timer. The actor acts the word out without speaking, pointing at letters or mouthing words.
  4. Use the standard signs: hold up fingers for the number of words, tap your arm for syllables, cup your ear for 'sounds like'.
  5. If the team guesses before the timer ends, they score a point. Then the other team takes a turn.

Playing offline? Card games we like

  • Charades card game for kids

    Picture cards for kids who can't read yet, so the little ones can play too.

    See it on Amazon
  • Heads Up style party game

    The forehead-guessing cousin of charades. Great for big groups.

    See it on Amazon
  • Sand timers for games

    If you'd rather not hand round a phone, a one-minute sand timer does the job.

    See it on Amazon

These are Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Questions people ask

What are the rules of charades?

One person acts out a word or phrase without speaking while their team guesses. No talking, no pointing at objects in the room, and no mouthing words. The team scores if they guess within the time limit, usually one minute.

What are good charades ideas for kids?

Animals and everyday actions work best for young kids: brushing teeth, swimming, a monkey, a robot. Pick the 'Easy / kids' category in the generator.

What are the hand signals in charades?

Hold up fingers to show the number of words. Then hold up fingers again for which word you are acting. Lay fingers on your forearm to show the number of syllables. Cup your ear for 'sounds like'. Crank an imaginary camera for a movie, open your palms like a book for a book title, and pretend to sing for a song.

How long should each charades turn be?

One minute is standard. Use 90 seconds for hard words and phrases, and skip the timer entirely for very young kids.