Get creative with your holiday parties by adding a little competition or active fun! I have put together a list of a few of my favourite big group activities that you can throw together in minutes! Use them for having big laughs and making tons of memories at your next family party.
One option – especially if the grandkids are getting older and rambunctious – is a huge indoor snowball fight! Don’t worry, everything won’t get soggy! Head over to a local craft store and buy large white pompoms. Easy snowball game! You could even get two buckets and use dodgeball style rules. You can always pre-empt some of the chaos by adding targets for the ‘snowballs’ rather than letting the kids (or adults) toss them at each other.
If you love candy canes, buy a bunch of them. Even if you don’t love them!! They make great props for games. Use one candy cane in your mouth to see how many other candy canes you can hook and transfer from one plate to another. It’s hilarious to watch!
Do you wanna build a snowman? Try using large sized marshmallows and chopsticks to build them! See how high you can go! The snowmen can get a little wobbly!
Hunt for Santa! This one is pretty easy. It does require a bit of planning in the sense that you need to hide the Santas before your guests come over! Use Santa stickers, Santa stuffies, or little Santa action figures – whatever you can get a bunch of. Hide them around like an Easter egg hunt. See if anyone can find them all!
Here’s another that creates a laugh! Grab a paper plate (not one of those shiny ones, just an old style paper plate or the newer bamboo plates) and a marker (hence the paper plate…sharpies can get a little messy) Have people put the paper plate on their head, then have them draw a snowman onto the plate while the plate is still on their heads! Don’t forget to bring tape so that everyone can hang up their…umm…peculiar artwork when they are done!
Do a fun gift exchange! Secret Santa, secret snowball, whatever you want to call it. Step it up a notch and have people open their presents using oven mitts! As long as the items aren’t too fragile, it is very entertaining to watch!
This one will require a bit of prep ahead of time and works best with friends or colleagues but is fun no matter what or who. Have everyone print off a baby picture of themselves to hang on the Christmas tree when they arrive. See who can figure out who’s who. Put a number on the back of each one to make it easier to keep track.
If you’re having a party with multiple families, try having a gingerbread house decorating contest. Buy premade gingerbread houses, or make your own. If you’re making your own, assign a type of decoration that each family can supply. Maybe it’s mini candy canes, minty trees, or smarties. Don’t tell them what it’s for ahead of time. See which family can make the best “North Pole” house!
When all else fails, pull out any old boardgame, deck of cards, or even a puzzle. Anything to get the family together or as an easy thing for guests to do if you need to step away to prep food or beverages.
However you decide to spend your time over the holidays, just be present in the moment. Really relish in it! Look around and see the smiles, because that is really what Christmas is all about!
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