Every year, our family discusses the gift-giving strategy for the holidays. The four cousins now have families of their own, and the gifts add up financially. For a few years, we drew names for adults and still got the seven kids gifts to open together. We’ve also tried putting a limit on gifts and purchases for everyone, and it was a little excessive to be honest.
Last year, my aunt, who normally hosts us all at her house, decided to change it up with a fresh twist on our holiday celebration. We all pitched in toward a prize pool, and each family brought a “game” to play, and the prizes for each game (think lottery tickets, cash envelopes, gift cards, candy, or other little treats that anyone would love to win).
The emphasis is on fun, not extravagance, so there’s no need to break the bank. By replacing gift-giving with holiday games, you can focus on what really matters: spending quality time together and creating joyful moments.
The games were a hit for everyone! There were smiles, laughs, friendly competition, and family bragging rights!
Game Ideas
Thanks to social media, my feed is full of fun games for all ages. Last year, we were in charge of Pin the Nose On Rudolph. The kids were blindfolded, spun around, and had to pop a felt nose on the reindeer on the poster board. This was aimed more toward the youngest kids. For the tweens and teens, we played gift pong — similar to beer pong. You have to bounce the ping pong ball into the plastic cups on the other side of the table. There were prices in each cup. My 13-year-old son walked away with $40 after sinking two balls in the right cups!
Here are some other ideas for fun holiday games:
- Holiday Bingo: Create bingo cards with holiday-themed items or traditions. The first to get five in a row wins a prize!
- Gift Card Grab: Hide gift cards around the house for a festive scavenger hunt.
- White Elephant Dice Game: Instead of traditional White Elephant, use a pair of dice. Each number rolled corresponds to a fun action (swap gifts, steal, unwrap, etc.). Prizes can be gift cards, lottery tickets, or small treats.
- Candy Cane Hunt: Hide candy canes (or small prizes) around the house. Give everyone a set time to find as many as possible. Whoever finds the most wins a special prize.
- Candy Cane Toss: Hang some garland between two walls or doors, and have everyone stand back five feet and toss candy canes until they land perfectly to hang from the garland.
- Hershey Kiss Toss: Choose teams. Each team needs to choose someone to unwrap Hershey Kisses and toss them into the other teammates’ mouth. The team who catches the most in one or two minutes win!
- What’s in the Stocking: Players feel objects inside a stocking without looking and try to guess what they are based on touch alone.
- Reindeer Antler Ring Toss: Make “antlers” from balloons or pool noodles and try to toss rings onto them. Award prizes for the most successful tosses.
This holiday season, try swapping the shopping list for a game night. Customize the games and prizes to fit your family’s style and ages. You might just discover your family’s new favorite tradition!
