23 Christmas Minute to Win It Games That Everyone Will Love
Holiday parties, am I right?
You’re standing there, desperately trying to avoid eye contact with that one relative who wants to show you ALL their vacation photos. (Yes, Carol, we’ve seen every angle of the world’s largest ball of twine.)
But WAIT! These 23 Christmas minute-to-win-it challenges are your ticket to actual fun – think less awkward small talk, more watching Uncle Bob attempt to gift wrap with oven mitts on.
It’s like America’s Got Talent meets Christmas chaos (which you’ve gotta love).
Let’s get started!
? My Family’s Favorite Christmas Minute to Win It Games, So Far ?
I’ve got a whole list of Christmas minute-to-win-it games coming your way soon, but first, I had to share our family favorites.
These three never fail to get my daughter giggling and my husband Aaron channeling his competitive side!
? Holiday Pictionary Race Think “CSI: Holiday Doodles” with frantic drawing and wild guesses. My daughter’s artistic streak shines while Aaron somehow turns everything into a potato.
? North Pole Package Pass: Pass presents using only your elbows…knees…toes. (And yes, it’s as funny as it sounds)
☃️ Snowball Transfer Balance cotton ball snowballs on a spoon in your mouth – sounds easy, right? My daughter routinely beats EVERYONE at this one.
So, those are my PERSONAL FAVORITES, but let me show you a few more, so you can choose the perfect game stack of Christmas minute to win it games for your group.
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Game | Skill Level | Prep Time | Laugh-O-Meter | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Pictionary | Easy for all ages | Minimal (markers, paper) | ???? | Creative, artsy folks |
| Snowball Transfer | Challenging but fun | Almost none | ??? | Kids and adults alike |
| North Pole Package Pass | Moderate | Low (wrapped gift) | ????? | Competitive team players |
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1. Candy Cane Fishing Challenge
The goal: Hook as many candy canes as possible in 60 seconds using only a candy cane in your mouth. (All I’m sayin’ – it’s harder than it looks!)
How to Play:
- Scatter multiple candy canes on a flat surface, all pointing the same way
- Put one candy cane in your mouth by the straight end, hook facing out
- Keep those hands down – only use the hooked candy cane in your mouth
- Move your catches to your collection spot
- Total up your candy canes when time’s up to crown the champ
Why It’s Fun: Watch everyone channel their inner “Mission: Impossible” agent while wobbling around with candy canes stuck in their mouths. (Plot twist: Tom Cruise makes this look way easier!)
2. Ornament Balance Race
The Goal: You’re gonna move ornaments across a finish line using just a spoon in your mouth. (Think “Mission: Impossible” meets holiday party games!) Balance and speed are your best friends here.
How to Play:
- Everyone gets a plastic (or metal) spoon and an unbreakable ornament
- Put that spoon in your mouth and balance the ornament on it (Pro tip: duck lips actually help!)
- Race through the course in 60 seconds without dropping your precious cargo
- Keep track of every ornament that makes it across the finish line
- Want more chaos? Add some obstacles or turn it into a team relay
Why It’s Fun: In my opinion, there’s nothing quite like watching someone’s face go from “I got this!” to “Oh no!” in 0.2 seconds flat. (Plus, the competitive spirit gets REAL.)
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Use plastic ornaments | Use glass ornaments |
| Keep course simple | Rush too fast |
| Maintain good posture | Touch ornament with hands |
3. Snowball Toss
The goal: Score points by throwing cotton “snowballs” into buckets within 60 seconds. Each bucket shot equals one point.
How to Play:
- Set up 3-4 buckets at different distances (3-6 feet from throwing line)
- Each player gets 20 cotton balls (Plot twist: they’re trickier to throw than real snow!)
- Start the one-minute timer
- Throw one snowball at a time from behind the line
- Add up successful throws when time’s up
Why It’s Fun: There’s something magical about watching cotton balls float through the air like mini meteorites while everyone gets weirdly competitive about it. (It’s basically the winter Olympics of living room sports!)
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Space buckets at varied distances | Chuck multiple snowballs at once |
| Keep clear score records | Move buckets mid-game |
| Cheer for great shots | Block other players’ throws |
4. Santa’s Cookie Face
The goal: Get a cookie from your forehead to your mouth with facial muscles only. Race against time to score the most cookies in 60 seconds! (It’s like Mission Impossible, but with snacks.)
How to Play:
- Put an Oreo on your forehead, hands behind back
- Work those facial muscles to move the cookie down
- Guide it into your mouth before time’s up (Plot twist: gravity is not your friend here)
- Score a point for each cookie you catch
- Keep going with new cookies until the minute ends
Why It’s Fun: All I’m saying is, watching people wiggle their faces to move cookies is pure comedy gold – like a roomful of cookie-obsessed mimes going rogue!
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Use fresh, sturdy cookies | Touch with hands |
| Tilt head back slightly | Get cookie slobbery |
| Stock extra cookies | Snap head forward |
5. Jingle Bell Shake
Goal: Empty a tissue box full of jingle bells from your waist in 60 seconds. The speed champion takes the crown! (Think of it as a hip-shaking race against time)
How to Play:
- Attach an empty tissue box to your waist using a belt or string
- Drop 15-20 jingle bells into the box
- Hit that timer and shake those hips like you’re in a dance-off
- No hands allowed – it’s all in the wiggle
- Most bells out in 60 seconds = victory
What Makes It Amazing: Nothing breaks the ice like watching everyone channel their inner dance star! The jingling soundtrack and competitive spirit? *Chef’s kiss*
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Lock that box down tight | Get handsy with the bells |
| Shake it all ways | Pull a statue move |
| Cheer on your fellow shakers | Get in anyone’s shake zone |
Give that box attachment a test run – nobody needs a rogue tissue box taking flight, pop on some holiday tunes for extra groove power, and clear the dance floor for maximum shake radius.
6. Christmas Tree Cup Stack
The Goal: Stack green plastic cups into a pyramid-shaped Christmas tree in 60 seconds. The player or team with the most cups wins! (Think Jenga’s festive cousin, but in reverse.)
How to Play:
- Get your green plastic cups and find a flat surface (kitchen table = perfect staging ground)
- Build a wide base of cups, then stack upward in a triangular tree shape
- Race that clock – you’ve got one minute!
- Make sure each cup sits properly (no wobbly business here)
- When time’s up, count those successfully stacked cups
Why It’s Fun: Speed-stacking cups with trembling hands is part skill, part pure holiday chaos—fun for everyone.
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Keep cups within arm’s reach | Get all butter-fingers rushed |
| Build that foundation right | Sabotage other stacks |
| Practice your technique | Create the Leaning Tower of Cupisa |
7. Reindeer Ring Toss
The Goal: You’re aiming to get rings onto inflatable reindeer antlers for points (sounds simple, right? Plot twist: those antlers are trickier than they look).
How to Play:
- Position those inflatable reindeer antlers at a good distance
- Each player gets 3-5 rings per turn
- Keep score as you go – landing rings on antler tips equals more points (because who doesn’t love a bonus?)
- Take turns throwing until all rings are used – highest score takes the win
Why It’s Fun: Cheering for that one epic, impossible shot is a guaranteed bonding moment.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Stay at the same throwing spot | Get too intense with throws |
| Track points honestly | Shift the antlers mid-game |
| Cheer for great shots | Stand in players’ way |
8. Holiday Gift Wrap Relay
The Goal: Turn gift wrapping into a 60-second challenge where teams wrap presents one-handed. (Because who doesn’t love a dash of chaos with their holiday spirit?)
How to Play:
- Split into teams of 2-3 and grab your wrapping supplies (paper, tape, ribbon)
- Each player uses just one hand while the clock ticks down (Plot twist: it’s harder than it sounds!)
- Tag-team the wrapping between teammates
- Rate the results on speed and style
Why It’s Fun: All I’m saying is there’s something hilariously perfect about watching people wrestle with tape one-handed while trying to create Pinterest-worthy packages. It’s pure holiday mayhem!
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Sync up with your team | Sneak in that second hand |
| Map out your game plan | Leave loose tape ends |
| Keep scissors close | Sacrifice style for speed |
Position your team like a gift-wrapping SWAT unit – one holds, one wraps, one adds the fancy flourishes!
9. Cotton Ball Snowman Challenge
The goal: You’ve got 60 seconds to build either the tallest or most creative cotton ball snowman. (And yes, it’s as wonderfully chaotic as it sounds!)
How to Play:
- Set up each player’s area with a pile of cotton balls and glue
- When the timer starts, players stack and glue cotton balls upward
- Add decorative items – buttons, scarves, the works
- Measure height and rate creativity once time runs out
Why It’s Fun: Every snowman ends up with a quirky personality, which makes the judging part even funnier.
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Use plenty of glue | Use wet cotton balls |
| Work quickly | Overthink placement |
| Keep design simple | Forget the base |
Wear your “I don’t care if this gets messy” outfit – those cotton balls are sneaky little ninjas!
10. Christmas Card Tower
The Challenge: Build the tallest possible card tower in 60 seconds. Your steady hands and quick thinking will determine if you’re the holiday construction champion! (Think “Jenga meets Speed Dating, but make it festive”)
Game Setup:
- Grab your Christmas cards and set that timer to one minute
- Start stacking and balancing cards however you want
- Keep it fast but focused as you add more height
- When time runs out, measure your masterpiece (while praying it stays upright)
What Makes It Epic: All I’m saying is there’s nothing quite like watching your friends go from “I got this” to “Oh no” in 3.2 seconds flat.
11. Mini Marshmallow Snowball Pick Up
The Goal: Transfer the most mini marshmallows between bowls using chopsticks. Game on – it’s time to show off those chopstick skills! (And maybe create some marshmallow casualties along the way.)
How to Play:
- Position two bowls 12 inches apart – one loaded with mini marshmallows
- Each player gets chopsticks and the timer runs for one minute
- Players must move marshmallows one by one with chopsticks only
- When time’s up, count the successful transfers
- Whoever has the most marshmallows in their target bowl takes the crown
Why It’s Fun: All I’m sayin’ is there’s nothing quite like watching everyone struggle while marshmallows get squished into oblivion! It’s pure chaos meets skill. (Think “Karate Kid” but with way more sugar.)
How to Keep the Games Festive
Swap plain game supplies for holiday-themed ones. Red and green marshmallows? Ornament-shaped candy canes? Boom—instant holiday upgrade. It’s like turning “regular” into “extra” with minimal effort.
12. Holiday Charades Sprint
The Goal: Let’s kick off a fast-paced holiday game where you act out festive words while your team tries to guess them. (Think of it as “CSI: Holiday Mime Edition” but way more fun!)
How to Play:
- Split into teams and drop those holiday-themed cards in a bowl
- Take turns being the silent performer – grab a card and get your mime on!
- Set that 30-second timer (All I’m sayin’ is those seconds fly by FAST)
- Score points for each correct guess
- Race to 20 points to win
Why It’s Fun: PLOT TWIST – watching Aunt Martha act out “sugar plum fairy” while everyone yells “breakdancing reindeer” is pure comedy gold!
Keep that neck loose for better control and remember that getting too excited when you snag one usually ends in candy cane tragedy.
13. North Pole Pass the Package
The goal: Get that wrapped gift moving around the circle using your elbows! Your team has 60 seconds to complete as many passes as possible (Elbows make everything 10x funnier).
How to Play:
- Make teams of 4-6 players and form circles
- Start with a wrapped package between the first player’s elbows
- Pass that package using only elbows to your neighbor
- Keep track of successful passes during one minute
- The team with the most completed passes takes the win
Why It’s Fun: Even the most coordinated people look hilarious trying to wiggle presents between their elbows and the ticking clock turns everyone into a giggling mess.
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The kids are texting instead of looking, and you’re wondering if it’s too late to cancel Christmas. No worries. This FREE printable christmas lights scavenger hunt game is like Red Bull for family traditions – it gives them wings!
14. Christmas Cookie Stack
The Mission: Build the highest cookie tower in 60 seconds without it crashing down. (It’s like Jenga meets The Great British Bake Off, but with more sugar!)
Game Rules:
- Grab your favorite Christmas cookies and set that timer to one minute
- Use your hands only to stack cookies one at a time (Plot twist: no cookie-stacking robots allowed!)
- Your tower needs to stay upright for 3 seconds after time’s up
- Count those cookies in your successful stack to determine the winner
Why You’ll Love It: The sugar-fueled competition brings out everyone’s inner holiday architect (with mixed results).
15. Snowball Transfer
The Goal: Move those cotton ball “snowballs” between bowls using just a spoon in your mouth! (Like a penguin playing fetch, but way more ridiculous.) You’ve got 60 seconds to transfer as many as possible.
How to Play:
- Set up two bowls about 2 feet apart – one loaded with fluffy cotton ball snowballs
- Each player gets a plastic spoon to chomp down on
- Transfer those snowballs as best you can (All I’m saying is balance is everything here)
- Keep those hands down – no sneaky helping!
- When time’s up, count those successful transfers to crown your champion
Why It’s Fun: The inevitable drops and “oops!” moments keep everyone laughing the whole time.
Grab the biggest spoon you can find (because why make life harder?).
16. Santa’s Hat Toss
The Mission: Get those objects into Santa’s hat in 60 seconds! (*Sounds easy? Wait till you try it!*)
Game Setup:
- Grab a Santa hat and place it 6-8 feet away (Pro tip: measure it out or your competitive cousin will definitely call foul)
- Each player gets 10 ping pong balls or similar lightweight items
- Toss those bad boys one at a time within the 60-second countdown
- Keep track of those sweet landing shots to crown your champion
What Makes It Awesome: All the holiday spirit you can handle, plus just enough challenge to keep everyone hooked! (*Plot twist: Even your cat might want to join in*)
Quick Tips: Underhand tosses are your friend here! Keep extra balls nearby because – let’s just say – some will make a break for it. Want to level up? Throw in some red and green ping pong balls for that North Pole vibe!
17. Holiday Pictionary Race
The Goal: You’ll race against time to doodle holiday stuff while your team screams random guesses at your *ahem* artistic masterpiece. (Plot twist: your Christmas tree looks more like a tornado had lunch with a pencil sharpener)
How to Play:
- Split into teams and grab some holiday-themed word cards
- Pick your team’s artist who gets 60 seconds to work their magic
- Score one point when your team actually figures out what that blob is supposed to be
- Switch artists each round (because everyone deserves a chance to embarrass themselves)
Why It’s Fun: Pro tip: There’s nothing quite like watching your bestie try to draw a perfect snowman in 60 seconds while the room erupts in chaos. HEADS UP – you’ll laugh until your face hurts!
You’ll want that timer were everyone can see it.
18. Christmas Tree Relay
The Goal: Transfer holiday items between two locations while using only a spoon or your mouth. Teams compete to complete this festive relay race in record time (and yes, hilarity will ensue).
How to Play:
- Split into teams of 4-8 players and form relay lines
- Set up holiday items at the starting point with a clear finish line
- Players must balance and move items using spoon or your mouth – no hands allowed!
- Hand off items to teammates until reaching the final spot
- The team that transfers everything first takes the win
Here’s a list of 10 things that you could use for this game:
- Plastic ornaments
- Candy canes
- Mini gift boxes
- Jingle bells
- Marshmallows
- Pinecones
- Holiday bows
- Tinsel bundles
- Small stockings
- Felt Christmas shapes (like stars or trees)
Swap real ornaments for plastic ones (because cleanup duty is *so* last Christmas)
19. Ornament Roll
The Goal: Roll ornaments across the floor using wrapping paper tubes to hit a target zone. (All I’m saying, it’s like bowling meets holiday magic!) Players race to get the most ornaments into the target area within one minute.
How to Play:
- Create a target zone 6-8 feet away with tape or rope boundaries
- Each player gets a wrapping paper tube and equal number of plastic ornaments
- Players must roll ornaments through their tube toward the target from behind the starting line
- Track points for ornaments landing in the target zone
Why It’s Fun: This game turns wrapping paper tubes into precision instruments of festive fun! (Plot twist: watching ornaments zig-zag across the floor creates some seriously entertaining moments.)
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Use plastic ornaments | Use breakable decorations |
| Clear the playing area | Roll multiple ornaments at once |
| Mark clear boundaries | Push past the starting line |
20. Holiday Stocking Stuff
The Goal: We’re stuffing holiday stockings at warp speed! (Think Fast and Furious: North Pole Edition) This game tests your quick thinking and organizing skills while racing against time.
How to Play:
- Place 2-3 empty stockings and a pile of stocking stuffers on a table (I’m tellin’ you that random, unusually shaped items works sooooo well for this game)
- Each player gets 60 seconds to fill their stocking (Plot twist: time moves way faster than you’d expect!)
- Use one hand only to grab and stuff items
- Items must be completely inside the stocking
- Player with most properly stuffed items takes the crown
Why It’s Fun: Watching everyone scramble around dropping candy and toys everywhere while the clock ticks down is hilarious
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Keep items small and light | Use breakable items |
| Count items before starting | Allow shoving or pushing |
| Space players apart | Pre-arrange items |
21. Christmas Carol Challenge
The Goal: Players act out Christmas carols while teammates guess as many song titles as they can in 60 seconds. Get ready for some hilarious holiday memories through creative gestures and sounds (and maybe a few face-palm moments).
How to Play:
- Pick a Christmas carol from the list and start a 60-second timer (plot twist: time flies when you’re doing interpretive dance)
- Use gestures, movements, and sounds – no words allowed! (channeling your inner mime here)
- Teams score points for quick guesses – 1 point within 30 seconds, 2 points under 15 seconds
- Switch teams each round and track scores on a festive scoreboard
Why It’s Fun: Pro tip: Nothing brings people together like watching Uncle Bob attempt to act out “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” in charades!
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Choose well-known carols | Use inappropriate gestures |
| Encourage creative acting | Get frustrated if people can’t guess |
| Keep score fairly | Make it too competitive |
Mix traditional and modern carols (because not everyone knows “Good King Wenceslas”).
22. Tinsel Tangle Dash
The Goal: Unwrap and untangle a string of tinsel in 60 seconds without breaking it! (Plot twist: it’s like trying to solve a Christmas-themed Rubik’s cube while wearing mittens.)
How to Play:
- Each player gets one wrapped bundle of tinsel
- Keep those hands steady and start untangling when the timer begins
- First to completely straighten their tinsel wins
- Measure the longest unbroken strand if time runs out
Why It’s Fun: All I’m saying is watching everyone’s faces go from “This is easy!” to “Who invented tinsel anyway?!” is pure holiday entertainment. (It’s basically yoga for your patience levels.)
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Keep tinsel bundles equal size | Yanking or pulling hard |
| Work from the ends inward | Using teeth or scissors |
| Stay in your space | Throwing tangled tinsel in frustration |
23. Santa’s Beard Bonanza
The Goal: Create the longest cotton ball beard in 60 seconds using only vaseline as adhesive. (It’s like speed-dating meets Santa’s makeover challenge!)
How to Play:
- Apply a thin layer of vaseline to chin/cheeks
- Start sticking those cotton balls when timer begins
- No hands after placing each cotton ball
- Count the number of cotton balls still
Why It’s Fun: EVERYONE looks ridiculous, and that’s exactly the point!