The holiday season is all about gathering with the people you love — and what better way to celebrate than with some festive drinking games that turn any Christmas party from pleasant to unforgettable? Whether you are hosting a cozy night in with your inner circle or throwing the holiday rager of the season, these Christmas-themed games bring the fun, the laughs, and just the right amount of holiday chaos. Pour some eggnog, cue up the Christmas playlist, and let the games begin.
Holiday Movie Drinking Marathon
No Christmas party is complete without holiday movies, and no holiday movie is complete without drinking rules. Pick your lineup and match it with a drinking game. For a fantasy epic, try the Lord of the Rings Drinking Game — drink when someone says “precious,” when there is an epic battle scene, or when Gandalf drops wisdom. For a magical twist, the Harry Potter Drinking Game is a hit — drink when someone casts a spell, when Harry’s scar hurts, or when Hermione corrects someone. For a funnier vibe, the Mean Girls Drinking Game works brilliantly for a “Friendsmas” party — drink every time someone says “so fetch,” when Regina delivers a burn, or during any Burn Book scene. Rotate movies throughout the night and let each film’s rules keep things fresh.
Secret Santa Drinking Rules
If your party includes a Secret Santa gift exchange, layer drinking rules on top for maximum entertainment. When someone opens their gift, they have to guess who their Secret Santa is before they can see the tag. If they guess wrong, they drink. If they guess right, their Secret Santa drinks. After opening, the receiver has to rate the gift from 1-10 out loud — anything under a 7 means the Secret Santa drinks for poor performance. If anyone gets a gag gift, everyone drinks in solidarity. If someone tears up over a thoughtful gift, the whole group toasts. These rules turn the standard gift exchange into the highlight of the night.
Kings Cup: Christmas Edition
Kings Cup is the perfect card game to give a holiday makeover. Here are the custom Christmas rules: 2 is “Naughty or Nice” (the group votes whether you have been naughty or nice this year — majority rules and the loser drinks), 5 is “Jingle Bell” (everyone sings a line from a Christmas song — repeat a song that has been used and you drink), 7 is “Secret Santa” (you silently pick someone to be your Secret Santa for the round — they drink every time you drink until the next 7), Jack is “Elf” (you have to speak in a high-pitched elf voice until the next Jack — break character and you drink), Queen is “Mrs. Claus” (Question Master, holiday edition), King fills the King’s Cup with eggnog, and Ace triggers a “Christmas Waterfall.” It is familiar enough to jump right into but festive enough to feel special.
Ugly Sweater Contest with Drinks
The ugly Christmas sweater contest is a holiday party staple, but adding a drinking component takes it to the next level. When guests arrive, they register their sweater with a photo. Midway through the party, hold the contest. Everyone votes (you cannot vote for yourself). As votes are read one by one, every time your sweater gets a vote, everyone else takes a sip in your honor. The winner — the person with the ugliest sweater — earns the title of “Sweater Champion” and gets to create one drinking rule that lasts the rest of the night. The runner-up has to wear their sweater inside-out for the remainder of the party. Bonus: if someone shows up without an ugly sweater, they have to take a penalty drink every round until they fashion one from whatever is available at the party.
Christmas Music Bingo
Create bingo cards with classic Christmas song titles in each square — “Jingle Bells,” “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “White Christmas,” “Last Christmas,” and so on. Put the party playlist on shuffle (make sure it includes all the songs on the cards plus extras). When a song from your card plays, mark it off and take a sip. Five in a row means BINGO — yell it out, and everyone else finishes their drink. If “All I Want for Christmas Is You” plays and you have it on your card, that counts as a free space AND you get to assign a drink to anyone. Keep playing through the night — multiple bingos are allowed, and the person with the most bingos by the end of the night wins a prize.
Truth or Dare: Holiday Edition
Break out the Truth or Dare tool and add Christmas-themed options for a game that gets personal, hilarious, and just a little bit risky. Holiday truths might include: “What is the worst Christmas gift you have ever received?”, “Have you ever re-gifted a present?”, or “What is your most embarrassing holiday party moment?” Holiday dares could be: sing “Silent Night” in an opera voice, call a family member and wish them Merry Christmas in the most dramatic way possible, let the group write a holiday message on your social media, or wear a bow on your head for the next three rounds. If someone refuses a truth or dare, they take a penalty drink and wear the “Grinch hat” until someone else refuses.
Christmas Party Planning Tips
Make your holiday party the one everyone remembers this year:
- Themed drinks are a must. Spiked eggnog, hot toddies, mulled wine, and peppermint cocktails set the holiday mood instantly. Have a self-serve drink station so you are not playing bartender all night.
- Set the atmosphere. Christmas lights, candles, a fireplace (real or on the TV), and a curated holiday playlist create the perfect backdrop for games and conversation.
- Schedule the games. Start with low-key games like Music Bingo and Kings Cup when guests arrive, move to the Ugly Sweater Contest and Secret Santa exchange in the middle, and end with Truth or Dare and the movie marathon as people settle in.
- Comfort food and snacks. Cookies, cheese boards, sliders, and dips keep everyone fueled. Holiday-themed treats are bonus points.
- Have a crash plan. Holiday parties tend to run late. Offer couch space, call ride-shares, or coordinate designated drivers so everyone gets home safe and warm.