What Are the Best Games for a Holiday Party? 4 Easy Picks, No Scorekeeping Needed
As Nashville's Game Gal, I have favorite party games to leave out during large, informal gatherings. I want games to be conversation starters and connection points.
My four favorite holiday party games are Wavelength, Hues and Cues, Tapple and Picture Charades. They’re easy for any group, and you don’t need teams or scorekeeping.
What makes these picks the best games for a holiday party? Two strangers can become fast friends while debating the true color of a cranberry. A couple married for 20 years may have to decide whether badminton is more of a sport or a game. The conversations are lively, the vibe is good and connections are happening!
Here are my favorite party games to set out this season:
What it is: This game tests how well you can read each other’s minds. Well, okay… it’s not really mind reading, but you need to know each other well enough to make the right guesses.
How to play: One player spins the wheel and secretly peeks at where the target landed. They draw a card with two opposites on it and give a clue they think will lead their partner to the target. The partner moves the pointer to where they think the target is. Reveal the target and count the points.
Why I love it: We can play without set teams or keeping score. I leave this game out, and someone will just pick a card, give a clue and ask another person to guess by moving the pointer. It’s a great conversation starter! Take the card in the photo. To me, How the Grinch Stole Christmas would be right in the center. It’s a classic movie, and we watch it every year. It isn’t really underrated or overrated to me… it’s just a classic crowd-pleaser. Now, what would my clue be if the target were toward the underrated side and my brother-in-law Paul were guessing? I’d say Die Hard as a Christmas movie. I know him so well that he would choose underrated AND tell me why it’s so underrated as a top December flick.
What it is: A guessing game is nothing new, but this is a fun twist on a classic concept: everyone guesses colors.
How to play: The clue giver draws a card, picks one of its colors and gives a one-word clue. Everyone else places a marker on the color they think it is. After a second clue of up to two words, players place a second marker. The clue giver then sets a square frame around the target color, and players score points for markers inside or near the frame.
Why I love it: This game is debatable! One time, my clue was “Will Ferrell’s suit in Elf.” Nobody guessed it! We all sat around the table discussing the proper shade of green and having a healthy debate. Okay… maybe we shared a few laughs too! Anyone can have an opinion in this game, and giving clues is harder than you might think!
What it is: Tapple is a modern twist on a word game. Remember Scattergories? Tapple is similar: in a fast-paced group game, players name something in a category that starts with an available letter.
How to play: Draw a category card and start the timer. On your turn, say a word in the category, press down its first letter and tap the timer to pass it to the next player. Think quickly! Once a letter is used, it’s gone.
Why I love it: This game is fast-paced, and players can jump in and out. I also love it for tweens, who can spell and have a broad enough view of the world for any category. If the category is “something hot,” every generation can name something and put their own twist on it. One player might choose S for stove, another M for Miami, and Nana might choose N for Nicolas Cage. It’s a game of quick thinking and creativity that keeps kids and adults engaged.
What it is: This is basic charades for all ages. No reading required, so even a 3-year-old can play!
How to play: Spin for a category. Pick a card. Act it out. Easy as pie!
Why I love it: My neighbor came over with her young girls while I was setting up my Snow Village. I was able to do my work while staying engaged with my guests. The kids took turns acting out cards, and even the moms acted out a few. I had tears streaming down my face from laughter the entire afternoon. You try acting out a mermaid — it isn’t as easy as you might think!
More about Missy Mahjong's picks for the best games for a holiday party
Just a reminder, I do not make any personal profit from these suggestions. This post is just a list of my honest favorites!
Do you have another game I need to add to my list? Email me at missymahjong@gmail.com and share your favorite party game!
