Christmas drinking games ideas are a fun and festive way for adults to unwind and add a playful twist to holiday gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a cozy night with close friends or a lively holiday party, these games bring plenty of laughter and camaraderie. You can start with a Christmas-themed version of Never Have I Ever or Truth or Dare, where prompts revolve around holiday memories—like confessing if you ever peeked at your presents early or wore a hideous Christmas sweater on purpose. Another popular choice is Christmas Movie Drinking Game, where players take a sip every time a common trope appears—such as someone saying “Christmas miracle” or a snowflake falling at the perfect moment. Santa Hat on the TV is a hilarious option: place a Santa hat on the corner of your television, and every time it looks like someone on screen is “wearing” it, everyone drinks.
You can also create your own Holiday Shot Roulette with different Christmas-themed liquors or cocktails, each labeled with festive dares. To keep things lighthearted, mix in non-alcoholic options like peppermint hot chocolate or mocktails for those who prefer not to drink. With Christmas music, twinkling lights, and good company, these games turn a regular evening into a merry, laughter-filled celebration that perfectly balances fun and holiday spirit.
Christmas Drinking Game Ideas
Christmas Movie Sip-a-Thon
Credit @The Takeout
Description:
Watch your favorite Christmas movies and take sips every time a classic holiday cliché pops up. Perfect for cozy nights in with friends.
How to Play (Steps):
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Choose a few holiday movies like Home Alone, Elf, or The Grinch.
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Each player gets a drink and a printed “drink rule” card.
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Take a sip when someone says “Christmas,” “Santa,” or “presents.”
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Take two sips if there’s a snow scene or someone kisses under mistletoe.
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Finish your drink when the movie ends happily.
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Continue to the next movie and repeat for a merry binge!
Santa Hat TV Challenge
Credit @huffingtonpost.co.uk
Description:
Place a Santa hat on a TV corner — and drink whenever it looks like someone on-screen is “wearing” it!
How to Play (Steps):
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Tape a Santa hat on one corner of the TV screen.
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Turn on any Christmas show or movie.
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Every time a character lines up perfectly under the hat, everyone takes a sip.
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Take two sips if the scene lasts longer than 10 seconds.
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Add bonus rules like “finish your drink if Santa appears.”
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Keep playing until the hat falls or the movie ends!
Christmas Carol Karaoke
Credit @Mitchell Coombs
Description:
A festive twist on karaoke — sing Christmas carols, and drink whenever you forget lyrics or sing off-key.
How to Play (Steps):
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Gather your group and create a playlist of classic carols.
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Each player draws a song to perform.
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If you forget a lyric, take one sip.
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If you sing out of tune, take two sips.
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Spectators can cheer or vote for a “Best Caroler.”
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The winner gives out three drinks to anyone they choose!
Naughty or Nice Quiz
Credit @toz-app.com
Description:
Find out who’s been naughty or nice with a holiday truth-or-dare-style quiz drinking game.
How to Play (Steps):
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Prepare “Naughty or Nice” question cards before the party.
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Each person draws a card and answers truthfully.
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If they refuse, they drink.
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“Naughty” cards may include fun dares like “Text your ex Merry Christmas” or “Dance like an elf.”
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“Nice” cards can let you skip a drink or give one away.
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Continue until all cards are gone or everyone’s giggling!
Christmas Charades (Drinking Edition)
Credit @rd.com
Description:
Classic charades with a festive twist — losers drink, winners cheer!
How to Play (Steps):
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Write Christmas-themed words on slips of paper (e.g., “Santa stuck in chimney”).
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Split into two teams.
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One player acts out the word without speaking.
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Team guesses within one minute — if correct, others drink.
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If wrong, your team drinks.
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Add special rounds like “Act out a Christmas movie title.”
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Keep score and award a festive prize to the winning team.
Jingle Shots
Credit @bunny.shoot.film
Description:
Fast-paced word game where players try to think of Christmas words before the timer runs out — or drink!
How to Play (Steps):
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Sit in a circle and set a timer for 10 seconds per turn.
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The first player says a Christmas-related word (like “tree”).
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The next player must say another that starts with the last letter (“Eve”).
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Repeat quickly around the circle.
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If someone hesitates or repeats a word, they take a shot.
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Keep the rhythm going — it gets harder as the drinks flow!
Reindeer Ring Toss
Credit @Venlinear
Description:
Toss rings onto a reindeer antler headband — the loser drinks!
How to Play (Steps):
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One person wears inflatable antlers.
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Others take turns tossing rings from a set distance.
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Every missed toss = 1 sip.
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Every successful toss = give one drink to another player.
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Switch the “reindeer” after each round.
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The first to reach 10 successful tosses wins and makes a group toast!
Christmas Trivia Shots
Credit @tipsyland_
Description:
A quiz night for holiday lovers — right answers make others drink, wrong answers make you sip!
How to Play (Steps):
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Prepare Christmas trivia questions (movies, songs, traditions).
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Ask one player a question.
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If they answer correctly, they nominate someone to drink.
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If they’re wrong, they take a drink themselves.
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Bonus: “Hard Mode” questions = double sips.
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Keep score to crown the “Christmas Genius.”
Elf on the Shelf Challenge
Credit @officialstephanieciulla
Description:
Hide the elf, and whoever finds it can make someone else drink!
How to Play (Steps):
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Hide a small elf toy somewhere in the house.
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Every 30 minutes, players can search for it.
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The person who finds it shouts “Found the elf!”
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They assign one player to take two drinks.
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Hide the elf again in a new spot and repeat.
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Continue all night for endless laughs and surprises.
Christmas Never Have I Ever
Credit @gamerules.com
Description:
The classic drinking confession game — but holiday-themed!
How to Play (Steps):
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Sit in a circle with drinks.
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The first player says, “Never have I ever… received coal for Christmas.”
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Anyone who has done it takes a sip.
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Go clockwise with all statements Christmas-related.
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Continue until everyone’s feeling merry and full of stories!