I love a Christmas game – the sort that take minimum preparation, that everyone can play whatever their age, and that leave you in fits of uncontrollable giggles. The best ones don’t take a load of set-up, rule-reading and focus, either – essential when you’ve just polished off a Christmas dinner! Each year I collect a few new games ideas that fit the bill perfectly, and pop them in a blog post for you – so here are my Family Christmas Games Ideas 2024 for your consideration (plus links to previous years at the end…).

Dress Up Pass the Parcel

Raid the dressing up box, old jewellery stash, and the hats, scarves and gloves you haven’t used for years – and make a pass-the-parcel package, perhaps with a box of chocs in the middle that everyone can share. In each layer, include an item that the person unwrapping it will need to put on – false moustache, feather boa, clip-on earrings, balaclava – and maybe a chocolate coin too! Enjoy the hilarity when Granny unwraps the fake beard, and your teenager gets the 90s power earrings…

Giant Play Your Cards Right

You can splash out on a set of giant playing cards and stands for this, or you can make your own (you’d only need one suit, if you’re short of time). Pick a starting card at random, visible to everyone, with four more face down. The first player has to guess whether the adjacent, face-down card will be higher or lower than the one they can see. If they’re right, they guess the next one – if they’re wrong, play passes to the next person. Whoever guesses the final card right wins. Prizes can be anything you like, from a tasty treat to the simple satisfaction of winning!

Ring on a String

You’ll need a long piece of string – enough to go right around a circle of the people you have gathered. You’ll also need a ring that is small enough to be concealed in the hand of the smallest player. The string should be in a loop that’s cut to length, with the ring placed on it and the ends tied together.

Everyone stands in a circle, with both of their hands holding onto the string. One person goes in the middle with their eyes shut, while everyone else hides the ring in someone’s hand. The one in the middle then opens their eyes. All players move their hands from side to side, keeping their fists around the string and passing the ring secretly from hand to hand without being caught – and it’s the middle one’s job to guess where the ring is by touching three different fists. Hands must be opened when they are guessed – but decoys, red herrings and false leads are all encouraged!

Once the ring is discovered, the person who had it goes into the middle and it’s their turn.

I hope one of these tickles your family funny bone! More ideas can be found in my previous posts:

https://rlcwords.co.uk/2023/12/15/family-christmas-games-ideas-2023/

https://rlcwords.co.uk/2022/12/16/family-christmas-games-ideas/

And my favourite family Christmas pick of all time – the Chocolate Game: https://rlcwords.co.uk/2021/12/17/please-try-the-chocolate-game-this-christmas/

I would love to hear your family favourites, and if you give any of these a go this year. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas this year, however you love to laugh!