1. Holiday this-or-that
Read two options (“mulled wine or hot chocolate?”, “real tree or fake tree?”); people move to a side of the room or vote with emoji in the chat. A perfect 5-minute warm-up.
Christmas party games without props for adults
Updated: 2026-10-24
The best Christmas party games without props need nothing but voices, hands and a little imagination: this or that, two truths and a lie, who is most likely to, word chains and guessing games. You can start them seated at the table, standing in the room or in a video call, with no shopping and no setup.
Below you find 10 games for adults, sorted by how much people have to move, plus tips for starting a game without making anyone feel put on the spot.
Seated at the table
- This or that: read two options like mulled wine or hot chocolate, everyone answers by raising a hand.
- Two truths and a lie: one person says three statements about their holidays, the table guesses the lie.
- Who is most likely to: read a situation like forgetting to buy presents, everyone points at someone on three. Keep it kind.
- Christmas word chain: each player adds a Christmas word starting with the last letter of the previous one.
- 20 questions: one person thinks of a Christmas thing, the others ask yes or no questions.
Standing or moving
- This or that with sides: the left side of the room is option one, the right side option two.
- Charades: act out Christmas words without speaking, teams guess.
- Line up: line up without talking by birthday or by how many years everyone has been in the team.
Also in a video call
- Hum the hit: one person hums a Christmas song, everyone else guesses the title.
- Emoji films: write Christmas films as emoji in the chat, the first correct answer wins.
Starting without pressure
- Start with a game where everyone answers at once, not one by one.
- Let people pass. Nobody has to say or act anything.
- Playing at a restaurant? Games that work seated at a long table.
The games
2. Two truths and a holiday lie
Each person shares three short holiday facts about themselves; the others guess which one is invented. Keep it to holiday topics (worst gift, family tradition) so nobody overshares.
3. Who’s most likely to… (kind edition)
Read a prompt (“…still be decorating on 23 December?”) and everyone points at or names a colleague. Keep prompts kind and work-safe; skip anything about drinking, money or looks.
Host tips
- Prepare the questions on your phone. That is the only preparation you need.
- Keep each game to 5 to 10 minutes and switch while people are still laughing.
- Avoid questions about salaries, politics or private life.
- Need questions? 40 Christmas would you rather questions to read out.
FAQ
Which Christmas party games need no props?
This or that, two truths and a lie, who is most likely to, word chains, 20 questions, charades and humming Christmas songs. All you need are voices and hands.
Which games work seated at a table?
This or that by raising hands, two truths and a lie, word chains and 20 questions. Nobody has to stand up.
How do we start a game without awkwardness?
Choose a game where everyone answers at the same time, keep the first round short and let people pass.
Do these games work online?
Yes. Humming songs, emoji films, this or that and 20 questions all work in a video call or in the chat.
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